The Medicinal & Industrial Uses for Nuclear Energy

Medical applications for nuclear energy include the use of direct radiation fields and radioactive isotopes for identifying and treating disease. Radioactive materials are also used to test new drugs and conduct research. Many industries use radioactive materials to improve the quality of their products.

Medical Uses

• Nuclear byproducts are used in some calibration devices, radioactive drugs, bone-mineral analyzers, imaging devices, surgery devices, teletherapy units, and diagnostic devices used in dentistry and podiatry. Some cardiac pacemakers are powered by nuclear batteries. Source material is also used for counterweights in medical devices and for radiation shielding.

Examples of medical uses

• Radioactive materials are used as tracers in medical scans. Nuclear medicine can be used to locate a bone fracture, find bone density, check kidney functions, check the brain's blood supply, find the extent of a cancer, detect cancer and determine whether organs are functioning. Cancer patients often receive radiation treatment. Hospitals sometimes use radiation to sterilize instruments.

Medical Advantages

• In nuclear medicine, a tiny amount of a radioisotope is injected into a patient's body allowing a camera to take a detailed picture of the organ. Medical imaging with radioactive materials has almost eliminated the need for exploratory surgery, according to Cynthia McCollough, Ph.D., a professor of radiological physics at the Mayo Clinic. This has resulted in a lower risk of complications and shorter hospital stays.

Industrial Uses

• Nuclear energy is used in many devices, including industrial radiographers, irradiators, well logging devices, gauging devices, x-rays, gas chromatographs, instrument calibrators, and krypton leak detectors. It is also used in research and development. Radioisotopes are used to measure thickness and density and to inspect for weaknesses and flaws in many materials. They can also serve as tracers to spot leakage and observe velocity.

Industrial Examples

• Airplane and car manufacturers use radioactive materials to test steel quality. Mining and petroleum companies use it to locate natural resources. Pipeline companies look for defects in piping. Construction workers measure the density of road surfaces with radioactive material. Radioisotopic gauges are also used to measure the amount of air in ice cream.

Research and Development

• Radioisotopes are used to test new drugs and seek cures for diseases. They are also used in genetic engineering, environmental protection and metabolic studies. Archaeologists use Carbon-14 to measure the age of an artifact.