The International Atomic Energy Agency has placed orders for six gamma computed tomography (CT) scanning equipment from the Centre for Applications of Nuclear Technology in Industry in Da Lat.

Nguyen Huu Quang, the director of the centre, said the Vienna, Austria-based IAEA placed the order after evaluating similar equipment made in the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

The centre did the research, wrote the software, and manufactured the scanners using 100 percent Vietnamese components, he added.

They use gamma rays to define the structure of objects and have application in detecting erosion and blockages in pipelines and determining the age of trees among others.

The Vietnamese scanners cost 8,300 each USD.

The centre is run by the Vietnam Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology./.