Innovative applications of nuclear physics in the fields of energy, medicine, materials science, security through sensing technologies, space, environment, heritage conservation are showcased at the international conference on Applied Nuclear Physics (ANP2024), held at the Center Dissemination of Research Results of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), Greece, between 23-27 September 2024.

ANP2024 was the 2^nd edition of the International Conference Series, after the first one hosted in Prague in 2021, with the support of the European Physics Society (EPS). The main aim is to highlight the importance and disseminate the research results in the field of applied nuclear physics to the international scientific community. ANP2024 was supported by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) and was under the auspices of the Hellenic Nuclear Physics Society (HNPS), a non-profit scientific association, founded in 1990 and acts as the official body of nuclear scientists in Greece.

As the AUTh Rector, Professor Charalambos Feidas, stated during his opening of the ANP2024 conference: "The applications of nuclear physics offer societies sustainable solutions in energy, innovative medical treatments, space missions, the preservation of our cultural heritage. The field offers transformative solutions to some of the biggest challenges we face", while he added: "At conferences like this we can exchange ideas and forge partnerships, shaping a better future for our world," also noting that hosting ANP2024 at AUTh highlights the important role of the university and the physics department's research team in the advancement of Applied Nuclear Physics.

The importance of Applied Nuclear Physics in scientific research and technological development was underlined by the conference Chair and the Head of the School of Physics at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Professor Alexandra Ioannidou, focusing on the cooperation of the scientific community with the institutional bodies to ensure the safe and innovative use of nuclear energy and technology, In this context, she explained that the conference will provide networking opportunities and the development of new partnerships. "The contacts made here are just as important as the knowledge we share, often leading to long-term relationships and partnerships", she noted.

“The goal of the conference is to strengthen the connection of the European Union of Physicists with the respective national partners”, pointed out the Chair of the Nuclear Physics Division of the European Physical Society (EPS), Professor Alessandra Fantoni (INFN Frascati, Italy) noting also that the EPS applied physics awards will to be awarded, in a special session, to the scientists Professor Alberto del Guerra (University of Pisa and INFN, Italy) and Professor Laura Harkness-Brennan (University of Liverpool, United Kingdom).

ANP2024 has been a successful EPS conference paving the path for the next one in the series. A Special Issue in the peer-reviewed journal "Applied Radiation and Isotopes" is dedicated to a limited number of original research papers presented, while all other contributions will be hosted in a Special Volume of the peer-reviewed HNPS Advances in Nuclear Physics" Proceedings Series.

ANP2024 had more than 150+ attendees, almost equally distributed between young and senior researchers. See some statistics in the Figures below. 

Besides its 5 days of talks, its 6 Plenary sessions, its 24 parallel sessions, and a Poster session with 3 awards sponsored by the Arizona Carbon Foil Co. and the EPS, ANP2024 gave the participants to enjoy the social program and swim in the blue waters of the Aegean Sea.

ANP2024 website: https://hnps.eu/ANP2024

Figure 1 - ANP2024 Participants per career level

Figure 2 - Participants per country of origin

Figure 3 - Participants per gender

Figure 4 - The AUTh Rector, Prof. Ch. Feidas and the AUTh Dept. of Physics Chair, Prof. A. Ioannidou

Figure 5 - The Chair of the EPS Nuclear Physics Division, Prof. Alessandra Fantoni (INFN Frascati, Italy)

Figure 6 - The recipients of the 2024 EPS Applied Nuclear Physics Prize, Prof. Alberto Del Guerra (University of Pisa and INFN, Italy) and Prof. Laura Harkness Brennan (University of Liverpool, United Kingdom)

Figure 7 - Robert Stoner (ACF Co.) and Alessandra Fantoni (EPS) deliver the prizes for best posters