Radioisotope Science and Technology at ORNL
Radioisotope Science and Technology at ORNL leads global innovation in radioisotope science, radiochemical research, and delivery of critical radioisotopes used in medicine, industry, national security, and scientific discovery. ORNL scientists continually improve methods for producing, separating, and purifying radioisotopes to enable real-world impact on multiple national priorities.
What are Radioisotopes?
What are Radioisotopes?
Radioisotopes are radioactive forms of elements that emit energy as they decay over time. They are used in:
- Medical treatments and diagnostics
- Industrial inspection and imaging
- Radiation detection and nuclear security
- Scientific research and experimentation
Different radioisotopes have unique decay properties that make them valuable for specific applications, from targeted radiotherapy to measurements needed for various industries to starting up nuclear reactors.
What do Radioisotope Scientists do?
What do Radioisotope Scientists do?
Experts in this division advance the science of radionuclides and develops robust processes to isolate, purify, and deliver radioisotopes for diverse applications.
Key activities include:
- Actinide research and radionuclide science, advancing understanding of heavy elements and their behaviors
- Radioisotope production and purification, including reactor- and accelerator-derived isotopes
- Target design, analysis, and qualification for efficient isotope generation
- Engineering and infrastructure development to scale up radioisotope systems
- Project integration, material accountability, and logistics to deliver high-quality products on schedule
These efforts ensure that U.S. partners — from federal agencies to industry and academic institutions — have access to reliable and mission-ready radioisotopes.
How Radioisotopes Support National Priorities
Radioisotope Science and Technology at ORNL is central to many strategic U.S. missions:
- Medicine: Supplying isotopes used in cancer therapy and diagnostic imaging
- Industry: Enabling inspection, tracing, and materials characterization
- National Security: Supporting nonproliferation, safeguards, and detection technologies
- Science & Research: Creating isotopes that enable frontier experiments
FAQs: Radioisotopes
Why are radioisotopes important?
- Because of their radioactivity and unique characteristics, radioisotopes enable cutting-edge medical diagnostics and therapies, materials inspection, radiation detection, and research that advances energy and national security technologies.
How are radioisotopes produced?
- Radioisotopes are generated by exposing target materials to neutrons in reactors or particle beams in accelerators, after which they are chemically separated and purified for use.
