Grigori Trubnikov, the director of JINR, explains how nuclear physics basic research contributes to the progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
The fundamental science which we perform in basic physics, in particle physics gives a lot of contribution to our life. For example, new isotopes which we investigate and discover during synthesis of new super elements, they immediately find a useful use in nuclear medicine and in medical diagnostics. New materials which we create and investigate using neutron beams gives new alloys, new quality of materials of any objects which surrounds us from airplanes, trains and many of other things.
How are your activities related to sustainable development?
Instruments as, for example, nuclear reactor or superconducting accelerator, they indeed help very much in climate science investigation of global climate change and the ecology, because the charged and neutral particles are very useful instruments to understand the structure of matter, the sources of pollutions, chemical or industrial pollutions. And they also help us to make forecast for global climate change, for global ecological processes. And all this, I’m sure, helps to have a sustainable development.
What do you expect from the International Year?
The chance for fundamental science to speak more about itself in every country. It is really very important. I’m sure it will attract a lot of attention. Its circulation all over the world gives a lot of new bounds and a lot of new connections between different scientific teams, between different countries, between new partners, from different continents. Much more people will know, will learn about other research teams, about different bright research projects, about priorities, different national priorities in different states, discussion of not world conflicts, discussion of not political issues, but discussion of joint and common goals to have a sustainable development for the humankind between different countries, between all countries. This is the strongest instrument to establish peace on the world.
