General Atomics is dedicated to unlocking commercial applications for particle accelerators by exploring the process of designing, prototyping, and testing accelerators for societal benefits.

Particle accelerators could have the ability to break down forever chemicals (i.e. per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) that can’t be removed by traditional water-treatment methods. The addition of a particle accelerator at water treatment plants would eliminate these harmful chemicals at the source before they make their way into drinking water, making the world cleaner and safer.

GA is working with the U.S. DOE’s Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility and has advanced the development of accelerators through the creation of breakthrough technologies, including the “horizontal cryostat,” which runs diagnostics to test accelerator prototypes.

While particle accelerators are typically large and expensive, GA is working towards commercializing a particle accelerator concept that is affordable and compact.

Learn more about this research in the following publications: