MONAHSA Project

In the field of nuclear medicine, technetium-99m stands as a cornerstone, utilized in approximately 80% of diagnostic medical imaging procedures globally due to its optimal radiological characteristics and versatility in labelling a wide range of pharmaceuticals. The primary source of 99mTc is molybdenum-99, which historically has been produced through the fission of enriched uranium targets in nuclear reactors. However, this conventional production method presents significant challenges, including nuclear proliferation risks, environmental concerns, and the reliance on a limited number of aging reactors, which has led to supply vulnerabilities as seen in several recent shortages that have dramatically affected the global healthcare system. Furthermore, the process involves complex logistics for the transportation and processing of radioactive materials. Given these challenges, there is a need to explore and develop alternative methods for 99Mo production that do not rely on uranium fission as well as utilizing multiple facilities to reduce the need for long-distance transportation of radioactive materials, thereby lowering the associated risks and costs, and enhancing the resilience of the supply chain against logistical or geopolitical disruptions. This decentralized approach could make 99Mo more accessible to regions currently underserved by nuclear medicine. Furthermore, adopting a uranium-free production method aligns with international efforts to minimize the use of enriched uranium in civilian applications. This alignment not only contributes to global non-proliferation goals but also fosters international collaborations in research and development, regulatory harmonization, and the sharing of best practices. Additionally, this innovative approach opens new avenues for research in nuclear physics and chemistry, as it requires the exploration of alternative nuclear reactions and target materials, as well as the development of novel processing and separation technologies.

The ultimate goal is to develop a production route for high specific activity 99Mo based on the Szilard-Chalmers effect and the use of nanomaterials made of molybdenum. The method would not generate any nuclear waste since it would utilize molybdenum targets, and it could be applied in many nuclear reactor and accelerators. A series of extracting agents have been tested, and a successful separation of the produced 99Mo was carried out in the MONNET facilities in JRC Geel. However, in those experiments the nuclear reaction applied, 100Mo(n,2n)99Mo, produces very low activities what limits the commercial application. The initial objective at LVR-15 is to verify that the 98Mo(n, γ) 99Mo reaction induces the Szilard-Chalmers effect on the molybdenum nanoparticles, allowing for the separation of the produced 99Mo from the nanoparticles and resulting in a higher specific activity produced. Secondly, to evaluate the performance of the extracting methodology when 99Mo has been produced from target irradiation in the reactor by the 98Mo(n, γ) 99Mo reaction. Finally, the goal is to determine the optimal conditions that maximize the specific activity of the produced 99Mo, and ultimately, to scale up the process to achieve activity levels comparable to those of commercial products.