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Simulation

Breakthrough in Medical Isotope Production: Researchers Develop Efficient Method for Separating 90Sr from 90Y

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the China Institute of Atomic Energy have made significant strides in the production of medical isotopes, a crucial component in cancer treatment. By developing a novel method for separating the radioactive isotopes 90Sr from 90Y, scientists have improved the efficiency and safety of medical isotope production. The breakthrough involves the use of a countercurrent electrophoretic separation device, which can produce medical 90Y from the decay of 90Sr. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of cancer patients worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research team, led by Hu Zhang, utilized a countercurrent electrophoretic separation device to separate 90Sr from 90Y, resulting in a 9.0 x 10^8 separation factor at 20°C, 1000V, and 0.0001 m/s.
  • The device's effectiveness was validated through COMSOL simulations, which demonstrated the importance of temperature, applied voltage, and initial strontium concentration on the separation process.
  • The study found that the best experimental results showed a separation factor of 8.7 x 10^5 at the same conditions.
  • The researchers analyzed the behavior of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), citric acid (CIT), and 90Sr/90Y in different pH environments using complex stability constants.
  • The study demonstrated the technical feasibility of the separation method, providing a significant advancement in medical isotope production.
  • The research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and had significant implications for cancer treatment.

Statistics:

  • 90Y is used to label antibodies and treat tumors.
  • 90Sr is used in a 90Sr/90Y generator to produce 90Y.
  • The separation factor was 9.8 x 10^5 after considering electro-osmotic flow.
  • The best simulation results showed a separation factor of 9.0 x 10^8 at 20°C, 1000V, and 0.0001 m/s.
  • The initial strontium concentration had a significant impact on the separation process.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Investigators from China Institute of Atomic Energy Report New Data on Chemicals and Chemistry (Three-dimensional Numerical Simulation of 90 sr/ 90 y Separation By Countercurrent Electrophoresis To Produce Medical ...). Mathematics Week. October 21, 2025; p 1497.
  • Zhang, H., et al. "Three-dimensional Numerical Simulation of 90 sr/ 90 y Separation By Countercurrent Electrophoresis To Produce Medical 90 y." ACS Omega, vol. 10, no. 38, 2025, pp. 43499-43509.

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