Dr Brendan Nelson announced the official name OPAL

Dr Brendan Nelson, Federal Minister for Science, Education and Training today announced the official name, OPAL, for the Australian Replacement Research Reactor.

 

OPAL is a name designed to give this $330 million scientific investment a recognisably Australian name, said Dr Ian Smith, ANSTOs Executive Director.

 

We aim to make this OPAL as internationally renowned as the Australian gemstone. OPAL will attract a great deal of scientific attention due to its unique technological features, Dr Smith continued.

 

It will enable us to deliver up to four times the quantity of life-saving medical isotopes we currently produce, and generate neutron beams thousands of times more intense than our current reactor, allowing scientists to look at complex atomic structures.

 

OPAL will enhance the diversity of the fields our science can be applied in, across environmental, medical and industrial spectrums. The new reactor will begin operation in 2006, with its name based on its open pool and light-water characteristics, continued Dr Smith.

 

A naming competition held amongst Australian school students influenced the decision for the name, particularly entries from St John Bosco College located near ANSTO and Parnarna Area School on Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

Published: 24/01/2005

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