Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Isotope Program: Unique and Dynamic

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has a long history in the production of isotopes, heavy elements, and more recently in the discovery of super heavy elements (SHEs). Even though ORNL originated as part of the Manhattan Project, developing processes and techniques for the production, separation, and purification of 239Pu in 1944, its name has become synonymous with a wide range of isotopes. Two of ORNL’s unique facilities— Radiochemical Engineering Development Center and High Flux Isotope Reactor Research, are instrumental in the research and development of novel production techniques as well as chemical separations. Research into innovative methods for the transmutation of curium to heavier actinides and development of thin actinide targets for SHE discovery is at the forefront of ORNL’s Isotope Program.