The Nuclear Analytical Chemistry (NAC) section is a specialized nuclear analytical organization within Chemical Sciences Division (CSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The section’s expertise is in the development and advancement of cutting-edge measurement methodologies for elemental and isotopic characterizations in environmental and nuclear matrices.
The section performs high precision elemental and isotopic determinations mainly using mass spectrometry and high-level radiochemical counting techniques. The section 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 section’s unique laboratory capabilities allow for the handling of samples containing curie levels of radioactivity down to preparations requiring cleanroom spaces for ultra-trace determinations. The section provides leadership for a number of DOE sponsoring agencies’ analytical laboratory needs and works closely with those organizations to advance future technologies and analytical methods to support nuclear research, isotope production, and non-proliferation and safeguards.
Chemical and Isotopic Mass Spectrometry
Group Leader: Ben Manard
This team specializes in ultra-trace analytical measurements, developing methods and technologies and make measurements in support of national and international nuclear safeguards, security, nonproliferation, verification, and forensics missions. They perform vital measurements in support of the stable and radioisotope production efforts at ORNL.
The team leads the multi-lab DOE/DOS program to provide analytical support to the IAEA’s Network of Analytical Laboratories for analysis of samples collected during onsite inspections of nuclear facilities and heads the analytical laboratory in the Mobile Uranium Facility, which helps secure nuclear material worldwide. In recent years, members of the CIMS team have been recognized for their important national and international contributions with multiple Secretary of Energy Achievement Awards and the coveted DOE/NNSA Joule.
Material Signatures and Isotopic Standards
Interim Group Leader: Jenn Parikh
This group works on the cutting edge of high-precision characterization measurements for nuclear signatures and certified reference materials utilizing state-of-the-art multi-collector thermal ionization and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-TIMS/ICPMS) instruments. The group performs research in a suite of laboratories equipped with open-front hoods and glove boxes to safely handle special nuclear materials from bulk quantities to trace levels in support of nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation programs.
Analytical capabilities in the group include high-fidelity isotope ratio measurements using MC-TIMS and MC-ICPMS, quantification of trace elements in actinide matrices by iCAP RQplus and iCAP PRO, α-spectrometry, Davies and Gray titrimetry, high precision titrimetry (for U element content), radio-chronometric age dating of actinide materials, and pycnometry.
The group collaborates extensively with the cleanroom laboratories in the Ultra-Trace Forensic Science Center (UFSC) for separation and sample preparation on environmental quantities of nuclear materials. The UFSC also features unique automated separation systems, sample-handling infrastructure, and multiple MC-ICP-MS, TIMS, triple quad, glow discharge, IRMS instruments.
Radioactive Materials Analytical Laboratory (RMAL)
Group Leader: Shalina Metzger
RMAL houses a specialized nuclear analytical group that applies advanced measurement systems and analytical protocols in support of ORNL’s science and technology initiatives and strategic partnerships. They provide leadership in the analytical sciences for the detection of radioactive isotopes and EPA-regulated attributes in the environment, detailed characterizations of materials and chemical processing for the production and distribution of anthropogenic isotopes, and fission and activation products in bulk irradiated materials related to nuclear fuel cycles.
The RMAL traces its roots back to the original Chemistry Division established at the then Clinton Laboratories (X-10) for operation of the Graphite Reactor, ORNL’s major science and technology initiatives, and pilot-scale demonstration to produce and recover plutonium through activation of natural uranium slugs for the Manhattan Project. Now, as then, the RMAL’s success is dependent on maintaining a highly skilled technical workforce with an unquestionable work ethic and ability to work as a team to solve complex issues, develop new analytical methodologies, and produce quality analytical results in support of big nuclear science projects.
Transuranium Analytical Laboratory (TAL)
Group Leader: Jeffrey Delashmitt
The TAL group is located within ORNL’s Radiochemical Engineering Development Center (REDC), which serves as the production, storage, and distribution center for the heavy-element research program of the U.S. Department of Energy. The TAL provides uniquely specialized chemical and radiochemical protocols and analyses on a wide variety of products produced by the REDC with special emphasis on the production of transcurium isotopes.
Titrations, dissolutions, separations, and dilutions of high-activity samples are completed in hot cells and gloveboxes in preparation for analytical radiochemistry determinations completed at the TAL in support of the REDC’s mission. The TAL’s radiation measurements includes high- and low-level alpha/beta counting, liquid scintillation counting for beta activities, alpha spectrometry, gamma spectrometry, and gross neutron counting, as well as radioisotopes and fission products by ICPMS.
Contact
Cole Hexel
Section Head
[email protected]