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Targeted alpha therapy (TαT) is one of the most promising frontiers in cancer treatment. By using radioactive elements that emit highly energetic alpha particles, scientists can deliver lethal blows to cancer cells with extreme precision—damaging tumours while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. Among the most powerful tools in this approach is actinium-225 (Ac-225), a so-called “in vivo nanogenerator” that produces a cascade of radioactive daughter atoms inside the body. But there’s a catch: these daughters don’t …

Researchers at the Institute of Engineering Physics and Materials Science of the HUN-REN Energy Research Centre (HUN-REN EK MFA) are involved in an international collaboration to develop complex microchips that can analyse artificially maintained cell cultures and tissues by applying highly integrated microelectronic, optical, microfluidic and microbiological systems supported by AI-based models. The rapidly evolving Organ-on-Chip technology aims to replicate the physiological and functional properties of human organs on a miniaturised platform – to comprehend …

Solar energy is a key asset in the fight against climate change—but its reliability is challenged by the unpredictable nature of sunlight. A new AI-based model developed by Hungarian researchers offers a game-changing solution: it predicts solar irradiance with high accuracy minutes ahead, using minimal computing power. This innovation could greatly enhance the stability of green power grids and the efficiency of solar energy systems worldwide. Solar panels play a powerful role in combating climate …

A new collaborative study sheds light on the dynamics of fine aerosol particles emitted from the human respiratory system during speaking, and evaluates how effectively different types of face masks filter them under real-world conditions. The research was conducted by scientists from the HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research, the HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics, and Semmelweis University, combining expertise from environmental physics, aerosol and medical sciences. Notably, the research was carried out with the …

The HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research, Institute for Energy Security and Environmental Safety (HUN-REN EK EKBI), in collaboration with Eötvös Loránd University and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL, USA, Tennessee), is investigating the adaptation strategies of various photosynthetic organisms to drought stress. Their research has revealed that the ornamental plant called ‘never never plant’ can maintain the structure and function of its photosynthetic apparatus almost unchanged, even after a 45-day period of water deficit. This …

Researchers from the Institute of Technical Physics and Materials Science of the HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research (HUN-REN EK MFA) participated in an international collaboration in the development of Qubits, which form the basis of quantum computers. During the project, they developed a JoFET Qubit that is compatible with silicon-based manufacturing processes, so it will be easier to upscale in production. The researchers used modern, new types of materials and developed characterization processes for TEM, …

The radiation protection container and lifting equipment essential for the safe operation of the European Spallation Source (ESS) have arrived to Lund. The manufacturing of six additional containers and other supplementary structures continues. This first shipment, thanks to complex engineering work and manufacturer cooperation, marks a significant milestone for the future operation of ESS. The HUN-REN Center for Energy  Research (HUN-REN EK) is responsible for delivering the seven containers and associated lifting equipment to ESS …

A new Hungarian-Slovenian bilateral research project has recently been launched to examine the health effects of ambient aerosols generated by domestic heating, particularly from wood and waste combustion. High ambient aerosol particle concentrations are known to cause different long-term health effects. One of the most significant anthropogenic sources of ambient aerosol particles during winter season is the domestic heating, especially when inappropriate fuels, such as household waste are burned. The goal of this program is …

The HUN-REN Centre for Energy Research announces the recipients of the 2025 Young Researcher Award, recognizing their significant contributions to scientific research. The awards were presented by Dr. Ákos Horváth, Director General of HUN-REN EK, in recognition of the awardees’ outstanding achievements. Dr. Maria Gracheva, research fellow at the Nuclear Analysis and Radiography Department, is awarded for her research on transition metal uptake, redistribution, and remobilization in plants. Using techniques such as Mössbauer and synchrotron-based …

With the growing demand for hydrogen as a clean energy source, the research into efficient and sustainable production methods is becoming increasingly important. The PacemCAT consortium plays a key role in this crucial work, holding its kick-off meeting in Budapest in recent days. Within the framework of the HORIZON MSCA Staff Exchanges EU program, more than 40 experts will travel for a total of 261 months between institutions representing seven countries. The consortium’s leading researchers, …