Technology from IMP to Society----Institute of Modern Physics

Heavy Ion Medical Machine

HIMM has successfully established a complete industrial chain covering basic research, technological R&D, product demonstration, and industrial application. It serves as a model example of large-scale scientific facilities contributing to human health and addressing societal needs.Energetic carbon ions are characterized by high ionization density and high relative biological effectiveness (RBE), with a sharp dose maximum at a discrete penetration depth that coincides with the peak physical dose around the so-called Bragg peak. This concentrated energy deposition can be precisely targeted in three dimensions, minimizing the risk of direct damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Heavy ion beams are thus regarded as an optimal form of radiation for tumor radiotherapy, making heavy ion tumor therapy an area of growing global interest.The Institute of Modern Physics (IMP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, has developed a hospital-based tumor therapy facility known as the Heavy Ion Medical Machine (HIMM). The first demonstration HIMM facility was installed in Wuwei, Gansu Province, certified as medical equipment on September 29, 2019, and officially put into clinical operation on March 26, 2020. By the end of 2025, it is expected that 3,000 patients will have been treated using this facility, with remarkable therapeutic outcomes.Additional carbon ion therapy projects have been launched in cities including Lanzhou, Putian, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Changchun, and Jinan. Among these, the facilities in Lanzhou, Putian, Wuhan, and Hangzhou have already been put into clinical operation. As more carbon ion projects are constructed and commissioned, a greater number of cancer patients will benefit from HIMM technology.HIMM has successfully established a complete industrial chain covering basic research, technological R&D, product demonstration, and industrial application. It serves as a model example of large-scale scientific facilities contributing to human health and addressing societal needs.IMP continues to enhance the uniqueness and advanced capabilities of its medical devices to boost market competitiveness. The second-generation Heavy Ion Medical Machine (SIMM) in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, is currently under construction. This project will lay a solid technical foundation for advancing accessible healthcare and promoting the commercialization of heavy ion therapy technology.Figure 1. Heavy Ion Medical Machine-synchrotron accelerator (Image from IMP)Figure 2. The Second generation heavy Ion Medical Machine (Image from IMP)Contact:Ms. WangTel: 86-931-4969623mail: wangk@impcas.ac.cnADD: 509 Nanchang Road, Lanzhou Gansu, China, 730000

Ion-track Etched Membrane Technology

As the most sophisticated pore membrane material in the world, ion-track etched membranes have some features such as controllable pore density, controllable and well-distributed pore diameter, regular pore formation and smooth membrane surface without fiber falling down. The ion-track etched membrane is also called nuclear pore membrane or track-etched membrane. After the polymeric film is penetrated by heavy ions, the pore diameter is enlarged through chemical etching, thus forming the ion-track etched membrane.As the most sophisticated pore membrane material in the world, ion-track etched membranes have some features such as controllable pore density, controllable and well-distributed pore diameter, regular pore formation and smooth membrane surface without fiber falling down.Industrialization FoundationThe Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL), constructed by the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) of the Chinese Academy of Science, provides an unique prerequisite to manufacture ion-track etched membranes.In 2012, an irradiation terminal for ion-track etched membrane production was established at HIRFL, whose maximum irradiation area up to 10,000m2 per hour. In 2015, the etching bases were respectively established in Wuwei, Zaozhuang and Xuzhou, which are able to massively produce dozens of models of ion-track etched membrane. In 2019, the Ion-track Etched Membrane Industrial R&D Center and Huizhou Research Center of Ion-membrane Materials were set up in Huizhou, Guangdong province, engaging in new material studies, technical R&D as well as its popularization, with the focus on water treatment field. Huizhou Research Center of Ion-membrane MaterialsMain ProductsCurrently, the major products of ion-track etched membranes for sale include irradiation membranes, etched membranes, composite membranes, cell examination membranes, air filtration products, wastewater treatment membrane units and subassemblies, oxygen aerator tubes, materials for precise infusion sets, etc. Ion-track etched membrane materials for precise infusion setsSpecialized TCT filtration membranes Products for wastewater treatment, including membrane units & subassemblies Tubular ion-track etched membrane subassemblies Ion-track etched membrane oxygen aerator tubeOngoing Research ProjectsThe innovation & demonstration project for wastewater treatment by ion-track etched membranes is located at Hongda Road, Huinan High-tech Industrial Park, Huizhou, with a total investment amount up to RMB 10 million and capacity of treatment up to 5,000 tonnes per day.The indexes of produced water from wastewater can stably keep in accordance with relevant standards above Class V listed in Environment Quality Standards for Surface Water. (GB3838-2002).As the project has served as a good example, a future project is being planned, with the design capacity of treatment in total up to 20,000 tonnes per day and the estimated comprehensive profits reaching RMB 50 million per year.Industrialization DemandsIMP is committed to popularizing the industrial application of ion-track etched membrane materials in air filtration, wastewater treatment, purified water for household use, medical filtration, biological cell measuring, food and beverage filtration, anti-counterfeit labels and battery diaphragms, with a view to making the ion-track etched membrane technology accessible in life and benefiting the society and people. Industrial application of ion-track etched membrane technologyContact:Mr. HuTel: 0931-4969204mail: hulingang@impcas.ac.cnADD: 509 Nanchang Road, Lanzhou Gansu, China, 730000

Heavy Ion Beam Mutation Breeding and Bioproduct Development

Mutation breeding by heavy ion beam is a key generic technology that uses medium and high-energy heavy ion beams as mutagens to induce beneficial genetic variations in plants and microorganisms, thereby cultivating new varieties or strains. Characterized by high mutagenesis efficiency, broad mutation spectrum, rapid stabilization of achievements and strong versatility, heavy ion beam mutation breeding provides technical support for germplasm resource innovation and high-value bioproduct development.Mutation breeding by heavy ion beam is a key generic technology that uses medium and high-energy heavy ion beams as mutagens to induce beneficial genetic variations in plants and microorganisms, thereby cultivating new varieties or strains. Characterized by high mutagenesis efficiency, broad mutation spectrum, rapid stabilization of achievements and strong versatility, heavy ion beam mutation breeding provides technical support for germplasm resource innovation and high-value bioproduct development.Industrialization FoundationRelying on the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL) — Asia’s large-scale cyclotron with the highest energy and the most diverse ion species — the Biophysics Group has integrated the TR4 terminal, which combines real-time beam monitoring and an automated high-efficiency sample exchange system, to build an advanced heavy ion beam mutation breeding platform. It has practiced large-scale and efficient biological breeding for many consecutive years.To promote the transformation of research achievements, the Kejin Innovation Institute of Heavy Ion Beam Biological Industry in Baiyin was established in 2019. Focusing on mutation breeding, bioproduct R&D and promotion, as well as enterprise incubation, it has built a complete chain of "scientific research platform - technical practice - industrial implementation".Main productsThrough heavy ion beam mutagenesis, a variety of new plant and microbial strains have been cultivated:1) For food crops: Conventional rice varieties of the "Dongdao 122", "Dongdao 275", "Dongdao 211", "Dongdao 812", "Dongdao 862", "Dongdao 713" and "Dongdao 905", low-cadmium rice "Shaoxiang 100" and "Zhenliangyou 8612", and wheat "Longfu No.2" have been developed. Several varieties have achieved large-scale promotion.2) For energy crops: Sunflower varieties "Jinkui No.1" and "Jinshangkui No.1", and sweet sorghum "Jintian No.1" have been bred.3) Other characteristic new varieties include ornamental flower "Donghua xiacao" and medicinal plants Isatis indigotica Fort. "Zhongqing 1";4) In terms of microorganisms, multiple new strains have been selected: High-yield citric acid-producing strain (Aspergillus niger H4002), high-yield industrial lactic acid-producing strain (Bacillus coagulans 40-5007), Streptomyces avermitilis (AV203), High-yield yeast glucan-producing strain (HGC-100ML), High-efficiency carbon-fixing alkaliphilic salt lake green algae, Cellulase-producing bacteria, Silage fermentation lactic acid bacteria, Intestinal probiotics regulators, etc.5) Meanwhile, a variety of diversified bioproducts have been developed, including sweet sorghum jam, fructose-glucose syrup, glucan, ethanol, liquor, disinfectants, cellulase, silage inoculants, corn yellow silage fermentants, and probiotic solid beverages.Figure 1. Breeding of new rice varietiesFigure 2. New varieties of energy cropsFigure 3. New varieties of other plantsFigure 4. Biological products based on sweet sorghumFigure 5. Research and development of microbial-related preparationsFigure 6. Tea tree essential oil disinfectantOngoing research projectsThe project of biological germplasm Innovation by high-energy heavy ion beam irradiation and application research is performed in the incubator base of Baiyin High-tech Industrial Park, with a total investment of 10 million Chinese yuan. The project focuses on breeding research of crops, horticultural plants, industrial microorganisms with high-energy heavy ion beam irradiations and developing biological products with high value-added. In addition, new specifications of mutation breeding by high-energy heavy ion beams will be established. So far, we have obtained a series of achievements, including more than 30 new mutants of ornamental sunflower, 2 soybean mutation resource banks, 1 lavender cultivation technique, 1 set of lavender essential oil extraction technique. One strain of L-industrial lactic acid with high yield, two strains of Trichoderma longibrachiatum and Aspergillus Niger producing cellulase, three strains of excellent yeast, one strain of glucan yeast with high yield, sweet sorghum series jam, and one set of sustainable technique for the recovery of sucrose from sugar beet molasses.Industrialization DemandsWe are committed to promoting the application of heavy ion beam mutagenesis technology in biological resources such as food crops, cash crops, horticultural plants and microorganisms, creating new plants and microbial germplasm and new varieties/strains, developing high value-added biological products, and making contributions to the sustainable development of biological industry.

Industrial Electron Accelerator

Introduction to industrial electron accelerators developed at IMPThe DG-type electron acceleratorThe DG-type electron accelerator is an industrial installation independently developed by the Institute of Modern Physics (IMP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). With the beam energy ranging from 0.5 MeV to 2.5 MeV, the maximum beam current of 150mA, the maximum power of 120kW and the power conversion efficiency of above 80%, the electron accelerator is quite suitable to be applied in industry for its compact structure, stable operation and simple maintenance.It took more than ten years for the R&D of the DG-type electron accelerator until the first industrialized accelerator entered the market in 2007. Up to now, it has been developed into a series of 6 models, and has gained a good reputation in the market.The DG-type electron accelerator is mainly used in the field of radiation processing, which refers to a new technology of processing matter and materials by means of ionizing radiation. Gradually developed after mechanical processing and chemical processing, it is one of the main application areas of peaceful use of atomic energy. Now widely used in various aspects of industry, agriculture, medical and health care, radiation processing has applied in industrial scale in a wide range of areas, cross-linking wire, cables, heat-shrinkable materials, rubber vulcanization, foamed plastics, medical supplies disinfection, food irradiation preservation, waste water and waste gas treatment.Table 1. The main parameters of DG-type electron accelerator.Figure 1. The 3D picture of the DG-type electron accelerator.Figure 2. Application of electron accelerator in irradiation of wire and cable.Figure 3. Application of electron accelerator in wastewater treatment.The electron curtain acceleratorThe electron curtain accelerator is named for its feature to generate a curtain-like electron beam. It is a kind of low-energy accelerator, typically operating energy from 80 to 300 keV. As a DC high-voltage electron accelerator, its main structure consists of a cylindrical stainless steel vacuum chamber shielded with lead. The cathode assembly is concentrically arranged within the vacuum chamber, and the filament is either a long axial filament or a set of longitudinally arranged multiple filaments. During operation, the cathode filament is at a negative high voltage, and electrons are accelerated by this negative high voltage to form a curtain-like beam. The beam then passes through a titanium foil into the air, where it irradiates materials for processing purposes.IMP has carried out technological research in this field and successfully developed a self-shielded benchtop Electron Curtain Accelerator, which has been applied in laboratory sample irradiation experiments. The developed high-power Electron Curtain Accelerator achieves a beam current of 400 mA and enables long-term stable operation. Its technical parameters have reached leading domestic levels, as detailed in Table 2.Table 2. The main parameters of electron curtain accelerator.Figure 4. The high power electron curtain accelerator.High beam power Recirculate Coaxial resonator cavity electron accelerator (Recotron) development at IMPRadiation sterilization is one of the civilian non-power nuclear technology applications and a strategically emerging industry strongly supported by China. Radiation sterilization includes ionizing radiation such as X-rays, gamma rays, and electron beams, with corresponding devices including cobalt-60 sources, X-ray devices, and electron accelerators. The Recirculate Coaxial resonator cavity electron accelerator (Recotron) is a type of accelerator similar to the Rhodotron, characterized by its compact structure, high beam power, high electrical conversion efficiency, and wide range of adjustable beam parameters, making it highly promising for broad market applications. This accelerator can be used for electron beam irradiation sterilization, with a processing speed several times faster than that of conventional Linac accelerators. It can also be used for high-power X-ray sterilization via an X-ray conversion target, serving as an alternative to cobalt-60 sources. Additionally, this type of accelerator can be employed in the production of certain medical radioisotopes, such as molybdenum-99.IMP initiated the development of this type of accelerator in 2021 and, after three years of effort, successfully developed a prototype. The R&D team has systematically mastered the key physics, technology, and engineering transformation of this type of accelerator, meeting the basic requirements for market-oriented promotion. The accelerator parameters are listed in Table 1, and a 10 MeV/30 kW Recotron prototype photo is shown in Figure 1. A design schematic of a dual-purpose irradiation center capable of utilizing both electron beams and X-rays is shown in Figure 2.Table 3. The parameters of the Recotron.Figure 5. The photo of the Recotron.Figure 6. The concept design of the Irradiation Center based on Recotron with two product lines (the vertical irradiation is electron beam and the horizontal irradiation is the X-ray).Contact:Mrs. WangTel: 0931-4969624mail: wangwenlu@impcas.ac.cnFax: 0931-4969619ADD: 509 Nanchang Road, Lanzhou Gansu, China, 730000