Radiation technologies: The future is today.

In this journal, a paper discussing reviewing progress in radiation technology was published twenty years ago. The paper has been cited over 100 times. Nowadays written review paper is following the structure adopted in the mentioned first publication. It is a critical appraisal of the progress in the engineering of radiation sources, processing systems, technology application for sterilization, food irradiation, material modifications, and synthesis, and environmental pollution control. The achievements and difficulties in the development of this technical and research discipline, important for industry and science, were analyzed. The analysis and observed trends are an indication of the suggested future activities to be carried out in the R&D and industrial sectors and may be useful for scientists and professionals in their work. • Radiation processing continues to advance in several sectors of the global economy. • Development of radiation sources and radiation technologies is discussed. • Future activities to be carried out in the R&D and industrial sectors are predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]