Instrumentation, Detection, & Analysis

Nick Woods with a custom modified HEPA-filtered exhausting hood used for the clean (dust-less) preparation of samples for nuclear forensics.

Carol Mertz and Mike Kalensky with the Gas Pressurized Extraction Chromatography (GPEC) system used for separating isobaric interferences from radionuclides of interest to nuclear forensics.

Nuclear Forensics

Radioactive materials are commonly used around the world for beneficial medical and industrial purposes. However, they could be used by terrorists to attack the US (example: a dirty bomb). Nuclear forensics researchers identify unique chemical and isotopic “fingerprints” in commercial radioactive materials so that, if radioactive material is stolen, nuclear forensics analysis will lead law enforcement to the material’s origin.

Argonne's work in this area supports:

• Developing databases of signature information
• Developing laboratory analytical methods for measuring signatures
• Improving capability for conducting forensics analysis in a rapid manner
• Support on-site collection and screening of forensics samples
• Provide expert data interpretation of forensics measurements