GameCie: Whatsapp Werewolves

In the first week of March, some Alembicers’ phones were bombarded with notifications throughout the day. This was because the GameCie’s first round of WhatsApp werewolves was going on at the time. We essentially played a classic game of werewolves that we’re all familiar with, but through the comfort of our phones.

Already during the first day, some players, without any interference from our side, set up a dedicated meme chat. This was surely a surprise, but a welcome one, as it led to some truly hilarious memes. Funnily enough, this meme chat also led to uncovering one of the werewolves on the first day, through a deleted message.

Throughout the week wild accusations were thrown, theories and speculations were made, and mayors were elected and shot on the same day. Talk about an eventful week. Eventually, after 8 days of hard struggle, the villagers were victorious as they sent the last werewolf off to the pyre.

Overall it was an entertaining, sometimes confusing, but most of all enjoyable week, wherein lots of fun was had. So much so that after our first round, a lot of people were still up for a second round and even people that didn’t participate in the first one, wanted to join in on the fun.

By: Sam Wolbers

Two indispensable players in the treatment of millions of cancer patients worldwide

The ultracentrifuges that Urenco uses for the production of medical isotopes are developed and manufactured by Enrichment Technology Company (ETC), the world leader in enrichment technology. Last year, the latest installation, the Leonardo da Vinci cascade, was put into operation. This cascade is extremely versatile. Many different products can be made with it, for both medical and industrial applications.

Growing demand

The demand for medical isotopes has grown considerably in recent years, says Arjan Bos, who heads Urenco’s Stable Isotopes department. “Research is constantly being done to find new opportunities to use nuclear medicine. To meet the increasing demand, Urenco will need even more centrifuges in the future.” In addition, Stable Isotopes is the only western producer of stable isotopes. “We can now enrich isotopes of about ten different elements. We need to increase this in the future so that we can better serve Europe. As Urenco, we want to continue to play that leading role. That won’t be possible without ETC.

Radiating tumours

When the stable isotopes leave the site in Almelo, they are not yet radioactive. This happens, for example, in the reactor in Petten. From there, they are ‘radioisotopes’ that go to hospitals and are used for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The isotopes are then introduced into the body, Bos explains. The isotope stops at the place where the tumour is and this is then irradiated at close range. In this way, the patient receives treatment at exactly the right spot and no healthy tissue around the tumour is destroyed by radiation.

The centrifuges

In addition to making highly efficient ultra centrifuges to meet the world’s energy needs, ETC has also been producing ultra centrifuges for the production of medical isotopes since the 1970s. To help treat millions of cancer patients worldwide, a small number of ultracentrifuges is enough. Leon Lagendijk, Director at ETC Nederland, explains that for enriching isotopes basically the same technology is used as for enriching uranium. The centrifuge and the process are adjusted to each isotope to be enriched.

“People find working at Urenco and ETC Nederland special. We offer challenging work, continue to innovate, are committed to the environment and help sick people with their treatment. And the fact that, in addition to the nuclear and medical markets, ETC is also active in the aerospace, semiconductor and packaging & printing industries makes us an attractive employer in the Netherlands,” says Leon.