The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is a statutory body of the Australian government, formed in 1987 to replace the Australian Atomic Energy Commission. Its head office and main facilities are in southern outskirts of Sydney at Lucas Heights, in the Sutherland Shire.

Purpose

The Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is Australia's national nuclear organisation and the centre of Australian nuclear expertise. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Act 1987 (Cth) prescribes its general purpose. The purpose is translated into action through corporate drivers of vision, mission and strategic goals.

Mission statement

* To support the development and implementation of government policies and initiatives in nuclear and related areas, domestically and internationally * To operate nuclear science and technology based facilities, for the benefit of industry and the Australian and international research community * To undertake research that will advance the application of nuclear science and technology * To apply nuclear science, techniques and expertise to address Australia 's environmental challenges and increase the competitiveness of Australian industry * To manufacture and advance the use of radiopharmaceuticals which will improve the health of Australians

Structure

ANSTO is governed by The Hon Dr Annabelle Bennett. Penelope Dobson is the Deputy Chair. The CEO, Shaun Jenkinson, manages the organisation. ANSTO operates five research facilities: # OPAL research reactor # Centre for Accelerator Science # Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering # Cyclotron facility #

Australian Synchrotron ANSTO's Australian Synchrotron is a 3 GeV national synchrotron radiation facility located in Clayton, in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, which opened in 2007. ANSTO's Australian Synchrotron is a light source facility (in co ...

Major research instruments include: * Particle accelerator, ANTARES * High-resolution neutron powder diffractometer, ECHIDNA * High-intensity neutron powder diffractometer,

WOMBAT Wombats are short-legged, muscular quadrupedal marsupials that are native to Australia. They are about in length with small, stubby tails and weigh between . All three of the extant species are members of the family Vombatidae. They are ad ...

* Strain scanner, KOWARI * Neutron reflectometer, PLATYPUS ANSTO also manufactures radiopharmaceuticals and performs commercial work such as silicon doping by nuclear transmutation.

Nuclear reactors

ANSTO currently has two

nuclear reactor A nuclear reactor is a device used to initiate and control a fission nuclear chain reaction or nuclear fusion reactions. Nuclear reactors are used at nuclear power plants for electricity generation and in nuclear marine propulsion. Heat from nu ...

s onsite:

HIFAR The High Flux Australian Reactor (HIFAR) was Australia's first nuclear reactor. It was built at the Australian Atomic Energy Commission (later ANSTO) Research Establishment at , Sydney. The reactor was in operation between 1958 and 2007, when it ...

and the

OPAL Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica (SiO2·''n''H2O); its water content may range from 3 to 21% by weight, but is usually between 6 and 10%. Due to its amorphous property, it is classified as a mineraloid, unlike crystalline forms ...

from the Argentine company INVAP. HIFAR was permanently shut down on 30 January 2007. OPAL became operational in November 2006 and was officially opened 20 April 2007. Spent fuel from the reactors is transported to Port Kembla, then shipped to France for reprocessing. In 2017, ANSTO announced the creation of a NiMo-SiC alloy for use in molten salt reactors.

References

External links