In progress
Motivated by reducing hazards from possible use of radiological dispersal devices or release of potentially harmful chemicals into the environment, this study will examine options for broader use of electron-beam (e-beam) technologies in various irradiation applications, including sterilization of medical equipment and food irradiation as well as other industrial and environmental applications.
Description
The National Academies will appoint an ad hoc committee of experts that will examine opportunities and challenges in the United States for expanded use of electron-beam (e-beam) technologies in commercial scale irradiation applications, including sterilization of medical equipment and food irradiation. The study will:
- Assess the lifecycle benefits and challenges of e-beam technologies compared to other commercial sterilization and irradiation technologies.
- Identify potential new or additional applications for e-beam technologies.
- Identify key scientific and technological advances that could increase the reliability and effectiveness of e-beam technologies for various irradiation applications.
- Using several case studies of public-private partnerships that have driven investment and innovation for new and existing technologies in the United States, (a) develop a set of priority research needs from among those identified in (3) that could be targeted for support by the U.S. government and (b) discuss the challenges and opportunities to transition the results of laboratory-scale research and development of e-beam technologies into commercial applications.
To the degree possible with existing and publicly obtainable data, include descriptions of the costs of existing or potentially new technology options.
The National Academies will issue a public report at the conclusion of the study.
Contributors
Committee
Chair
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Staff Officer
Staff Officer
Conflict of Interest Disclosure
The National Academies has concluded that for this committee to accomplish the tasks for which it was established, its membership must include at least one person who has current private sector experience in the development and use of medical device sterilization technologies. Dr. Chaffin is a Bakken Fellow and Technical Fellow in the Global Technology and Innovation group at Medtronic and an expert in various sterilization methods. As described in her biographical summary, Dr. Chaffin has extensive current experience as materials scientist at Medtronic with a background in polymer chemistry focusing on the interplay and damage that can result from irradiation and sterilization methods and extending to materials science and regulatory compliance. Dr. Chaffin also brings an international understanding of regulatory issues from programs with the FDA Office of Science and Engineering Laboratories and Technischer Überwachungsverein (TÜV SÜD, the German technical inspection association).
Committee Membership Roster Comments
2/19/2025 - Amanda Walsh was added to the committee.
2/24/2025 - A disclosure statement was added to the committee.
2/25/2025 - Justin Tettenborn was added to the committee.
4/17/2025 - Valeriia N. Starovoitova resigned from the committee.
Sponsors
Department of Energy
Staff
Christopher Jones
Lead
Apurva Dave
Darlene M Gros
Charles Ferguson
Jasmine Victoria Bryant