Applications of Analytical Chemistry for Detailed Characterizations of Nuclear Matrices for Fuels Cycle R&D and Nuclear Security.

The Nuclear Analytical Chemistry and Isotopics Laboratories group is a specialized nuclear analytical organization within Chemical Sciences Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The group’s expertise is in the development and advancement of cutting edge measurement methodologies for elemental and isotopic characterizations in environmental and nuclear matrices. The group performs high precision elemental and isotopic determinations mainly using mass spectrometry and high level radiochemical counting techniques. The group is an expert in the analytical chemistry of the lanthanide and actinide elements as well as the preparation and separation chemistries required for analytical characterizations in a wide variety of nuclear sample matrices. The group’s unique laboratory capabilities allow for the handling of samples containing curie levels of radioactivity down to preparations requiring cleanroom labs for ultra-trace determinations. The group provides leadership for DOE, DHS, and DOD sponsoring agencies’ analytical characterization requirements and works closely with those organizations to advance future technologies and analytical methods to support nuclear fuels cycle R&D, non-proliferation and safeguards of controlled nuclear materials, and production of heavy isotopes for commercial, research, medical and space applications.