Ingenuity Empowers Oak Ridge to ‘Scoop up’ Savings, Accelerate Cleanup

[Marlin]

https://knoxvilledailysun.com/news/2026/may/ingenuity-empowers-oak-ridge-accelerate-cleanup.html

[News Wire]

United Cleanup Oak Ridge personnel developed a custom robotic attachment to remove waste in bulk from the former Radioisotope Development Laboratory at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This modification increases debris removal efficiency during the deactivation of highly contaminated hot cells. The equipment design reduces worker radiation exposure and is expected to lower costs for future demolition projects at the site.

UCOR team members designed a new attachment for robotic equipment that's helping accelerate cleanup at ORNL.

A robotic arm with a new attachment is central to a mock-up demonstration prior to field work at the former Radioisotope Development Laboratory's final hot cell. Image by United Cleanup Oak Ridge

OAK RIDGE, TN - United Cleanup Oak Ridge (UCOR) team members designed a new attachment for robotic equipment that's helping accelerate cleanup at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) while handing taxpayers half a million dollars in savings. The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) and cleanup contractor UCOR are deactivating the final hot cell of the former Radioisotope Development Laboratory, preparing one of the most contaminated structures at ORNL for demolition.

Read the full article at Knoxville Daily Sun:
https://knoxvilledailysun.com/news/2026/may/ingenuity-empowers-oak-ridge-accelerate-cleanup.html