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Exotic Radionuclides - What are they good for?
Dorothea Schumann1, Emilio Maugeri2, Rugard Dressler2
1Paul Scherrer Institut Villigen, Forschungsstrasse 111, CH-5232 Villigen, Switzerland;,
Chimia
|December 28, 2020
Summary
Accelerator waste offers rare isotopes for research. Chemical extraction from activated materials is challenging but achievable, enabling valuable scientific applications.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Radiochemistry
Background:
- High-power accelerators generate activated waste materials.
- These materials contain valuable rare isotopes essential for scientific research.
- Isotope production via irradiation is a byproduct of accelerator operations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review over 15 years of research in isotope extraction from accelerator waste.
- To highlight achievements in chemical extraction of rare isotopes.
- To showcase scientific applications of extracted isotopes.
Main Methods:
- Chemical extraction techniques for separating isotopes from activated matrix materials.
- Analysis of irradiated components from high-power accelerators (e.g., HIPA cyclotron at PSI).
- Development of radiochemical separation processes.
Main Results:
- Successful development of methods for 'isotope mining' from accelerator waste.
- Demonstration of the feasibility of extracting valuable rare isotopes.
- Identification of key challenges and solutions in chemical separation.
Conclusions:
- Accelerator waste is a viable source for rare isotopes.
- Chemical extraction is critical for accessing these valuable isotopes.
- Extracted isotopes have significant potential in various scientific applications.
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