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Advanced Accelerator Designed to Enhance Boron-Neutron-Capture Therapy

 

DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-00ER86111

Amount:  $99,924

 

Small Business	Research Institution
Science Research Laboratory, Inc.	Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
15 Ward Street
Somerville, MA  02143-4228	University of California
Mr. Daniel L. Birx, Principal Investigator	One Cyclotron Road
Mr. Jonah Jacob, Business Official	Berkeley, CA  94720
617-547-1122

 

Clinical trials at several research institutes have cast doubt on the efficacy of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for treating tumors of the brain using low energy, reactor-generated neutron beams.  This project will investigate the effectiveness of using a higher energy, accelerator-produced neutron beam.  An innovative accelerator for neutron generation, based on a radio frequency (RF), shunt fed, voltage multiplier, will be designed and fabricated.  The resulting energy spectrum of the produced neutrons is expected to be optimal for use with BNCT.  Phase I will test and optimize a new transformer-coupled voltage source on an accelerator located at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.  The data from these tests will then be used to design an RF power oscillator.

 

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee:  This project could lead to a high-energy neutron source tailored for maximum efficacy for BNCT.