High-reliability tools: accelerated

Improvements in the physical selectivity, from orthovoltage x-ray to cobalt-60 and high-energy linear accelerators, combined with more powerful diagnostic tools and radiation delivery methods have continuously improved the results of photon therapy (3-D or inverse planning, conformal- and intensity-modulated radiation therapy, and stereotactic methods). The safety and the reliability of photon therapy are well established. 

Microscale flow visualization has become an important tool for characterizing the performance of microchannels, micromixers and microreactors. Due to the rapid improvement in computer power and the great efforts in optical instrumentation, new measuring systems with high spatial and temporal resolution are available even for smaller companies and research institutes. In connection with the recent success in numerical simulation of microscale flow, a signiflcant acceleration in clariflcation of microscale phenomena and technical development can be expected. By ensuring the development of reliable systems, microscale flow visualization will provide an important contribution to the further spread of micro process engineering applications in the chemical and biochemical industries. 

---