DOE Isotope R&D and Production
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A National Hub for Stable, Radioisotope Production
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Isotope R&D and Production (IRP), which supports the production, research, development, and domestic supply of critical isotopes used in nuclear medicine, cancer treatment, national security, industry, and scientific discovery.
ORNL serves as a major center for isotope production, enrichment, radiochemical processing, and infrastructure development to ensure the United States maintains reliable access to isotopes essential to national missions. Reliable domestic isotope capability strengthens the U.S. supply chain, reduces dependence on foreign sources, and supports American leadership in nuclear science and technology.
National Missions Supported by the DOE IRP
Nuclear Medicine
Supports isotopes used in cancer treatment, targeted alpha therapies, diagnostic imaging, and advanced medical research.
National Security
Supports radiation detection, nuclear forensics, safeguards, and other critical federal missions.
Industry and Energy
Supports manufacturing, semiconductor development, energy systems, and industrial technologies.
Scientific Discovery
Supports isotope research, neutron science, materials science, and advanced scientific experimentation.
Why the DOE IRP Matters
Why the DOE IRP Matters
Many isotopes critical to healthcare, scientific research, advanced manufacturing, and national security are difficult to produce and available only from a limited number of facilities worldwide.
The Office of Isotope R&D and Production helps ensure the United States maintains the infrastructure, technical expertise, and production capabilities required to meet growing national demand for stable isotopes and radioisotopes.
Strengthening America’s Isotope Future
The DOE Office of Isotope R&D and Production supports the infrastructure, expertise, and production capabilities needed to sustain U.S. leadership in nuclear medicine, national security, scientific discovery, and advanced technology development. ORNL continues to advance isotope production and radiochemical expertise to meet growing national needs and strengthen America’s domestic isotope supply.
ORNL’s Role in U.S. Isotope Production
ORNL’s Role in U.S. Isotope Production
ORNL operates specialized facilities and technical capabilities that support isotope production, enrichment, radiochemical processing, and isotope research. These capabilities position ORNL as one of the nation’s leading centers for isotope science and production.
Facilities such as the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center (REDC), and advanced hot cell laboratories enable capabilities unavailable elsewhere in the United States.
