New lab at ORNL speeds up U-233 cleanup, Ac-225 delivery

[Marlin]

New lab at ORNL speeds up U-233 cleanup, Ac-225 delivery

https://www.ans.org/news/2026-08-21/article-8315/new-lab-at-ornl-speeds-up-u233-cleanup-ac225-delivery/

[Core Content]

The Department of Energy and Isotek Systems opened an analytical laboratory in Building 2026 at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to expedite the disposal of legacy uranium-233. This facility provides on-site sample analysis, which accelerates the extraction of thorium-229 for use in producing the medical isotope actinium-225. The new capability reduces processing delays and supports the ongoing cleanup of the site's nuclear material inventory.

A new analytical laboratory at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been officially opened by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management and its contractor Isotek Systems. The state-of-the-art lab, located in Building 2026, is being used to speed up the high-priority cleanup of ORNL's uranium-233 inventory and accelerate...

The Building 2026 lab, which is being equipped by Teledyne Brown Engineering, "provides in-house capabilities to analyze samples of processed material, leading to accelerated shipments," according to the DOE. OREM manager Erik Olds explained that it "helps avoid delays by providing employees more data and faster results as they make decisions and process material for disposal. This new, unique capability also provides us opportunities to support other priority projects in the future."

Read the full article at ans.org:
https://www.ans.org/news/2026-08-21/article-8315/new-lab-at-ornl-speeds-up-u233-cleanup-ac225-delivery/