Over the past five decades, researchers and technicians have leveraged the cyclotron’s capabilities in several ways to produce real-world impact.

• The Proton Irradiation Facility (PIF) is used by partners like the Canadian Space Agency, Cisco, Boeing, and others to test electronics bound for outer space. Using particle beams from our large cyclotron, scientists are able to simulate the effect of cosmic radiation on electronics to test and improve radiation hardness in devices before they are launched into orbit.
• Similarly, the Neutron Irradiation Facility (NIF) is relied upon by aerospace and computing companies developing equipment for high atmosphere operations; in total, TRIUMF welcomes around 200 international users to these facilities annually.

Cosmic Rays are a significant source of radiation here on earth. For example, during a flight at an altitude of 10,000 metres, you’re bombarded by 25x more neutron radiation than you are on the ground.