The IAEA has released a new publication on electrostatic accelerator operation and management and launched a series of training workshops on accelerator technologies. From analysing cultural heritage to advancing medical diagnostics, accelerator-based technologies have become essential tools in scientific research and industrial development.
According to Danas Ridikas, Head of the IAEA Physics Section: "Particle accelerators are a cost-effective investment to help achieve sustainable development."
Through targeted publications, tailored training and long-term infrastructure planning, the IAEA is equipping countries to unlock the full potential of accelerator-based technologies. These efforts are not only improving research capacity but also supporting economic development and scientific advancement across regions.
Low-energy electrostatic accelerators in particular stand out for their versatility and accessibility. In response to increased interest from member countries, the IAEA is expanding its support through a coordinated approach that provides both expert guidance and hands-on opportunities.
The IAEA recently released a new publication Good Practices in the Operation and Maintenance of Low Energy Electrostatic Accelerators to support laboratories in operating and maintaining electrostatic accelerators effectively.
The new publication is a technical document drawing on the IAEA's expertise to offer practical recommendations for routine operation, safety and performance optimization of electrostatic accelerators. It is designed especially for institutions with small or medium-sized facilities hosting electrostatic accelerators that may not have extensive in-house technical capacity. The goal is to empower technical personnel with the necessary tools and knowledge to ensure long-term functionality and reliability as well as to introduce young scientists conducting experiments in such facilities to the basics of accelerator technology.
Additionally, the IAEA has also launched a series of regional training workshops that give participants direct experience with accelerator technologies. Earlier this year, the Regional Training Workshop on Accelerator-based Analytical Techniques for Socioeconomic Development took place in Bariloche, Argentina. Organized by the Centro Atomico Bariloche (CAB), the training focused on ion beam analysis techniques that are widely used in materials science, environmental monitoring, cultural heritage and other fields of socio-economic importance. Twelve participants (half of whom were women) from five Latin American countries engaged with advanced ion beam analytical methods such as Proton-Induced X ray Emission, Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry, Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis and Nuclear Reaction Analysis, using CAB's 1.7 MV Tandem accelerator.
This workshop provided young scientists from low- and middle-income countries with access to specialized scientific equipment. Through lectures and real-time experiments, participants gained valuable insight into how these analytical techniques can support national research priorities and development goals.
Building on this momentum, the IAEA is organizing a training workshop on accelerator technology and associated instrumentation for December 2025 in Croatia. This event will focus on hands-on training on operation and maintenance of low-energy electrostatic accelerators. The workshop is intended for young scientists, accelerator operators and engineers and will provide a combination of theoretical introductory lectures and hands-on training.
These training activities demonstrate the IAEA's broader strategy of delivering both knowledge and practice. By combining technical documentation with regional capacity building, the IAEA helps countries develop independent and sustainable expertise in accelerator technologies.
The IAEA is also advancing plans to establish an ion beam facility at its Seibersdorf laboratories in Austria. A state-of-the-art accelerator will serve as a centre for training and applied research. It will allow visiting scientists to strengthen their skills and conduct experiments utilizing both ion beams and neutrons in a wide range of scientific areas and societal applications.
Looking ahead, the IAEA will also host the Second International Conference on Accelerators for Research and Sustainable Development from 22-26 June 2026 in Vienna, Austria. The conference will offer a global platform to showcase technological advances, highlight accelerator-based solutions with societal impact and foster collaboration across research, industry and innovation.
