Materials Science
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory tested the ultrasonic intrinsic tagging system to authenticate materials in nuclear weapons.
-->PNNL's materials science researchers possess a fundamental understanding of materials including their properties, how they interact and how they behave in different environments. The materials science researchers build on this knowledge through computational modeling and a suite of characterization tools to optimize material performance and design or to synthesize new materials and manufacturing techniques for use in energy systems and a variety of other uses.
Research areas include:
- Fuel cells
- Catalysis
- Nanomaterials
- Transportation materials
- Reactor materials
- Radiation detection materials
- Thin film energy conversion
PNNL Development: Plutonium Measurement and Analysis
Glass fibers detect nuclear weapons components
Plutonium Measurement and Analysis, or PUMA, is a revolutionary radiation-monitoring system that uses glass fibers to detect the presence of radionuclides, such as plutonium. This flexible, lightweight, low-power detection system can be used to monitor an inventory of nuclear materials and has significant potential in countering the threat of nuclear terrorism.
The innovative use of glass fibers is a breakthrough in the field of radiation detectors. Glass fibers offer substantial flexibility over conventional neutron-detection technologies, most of which use rigid helium-filled tubes. PUMA's glass fibers contain lithium-6 atoms and cerium ions that detect the presence of radionuclides. The neutrons react with the lithium isotope to leave an ionization trail through the glass matrix, which results in light emission from the cerium. PUMA is being commercialized by Nucsafe, Inc., of Knoxville, Tennessee.