Fieldable Microfluidic Platform for Separation and Assay of U and Pu from Fission Samples in Environmental Matrices

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Accurate monitoring of plutonium (Pu) and uranium (U) in environmental samples is crucial for nuclear safety and environmental protection.
• Traditional methods for Pu and U separation and assay are often time-consuming and require laboratory settings.
• Developing rapid, field-deployable analytical tools is essential for timely environmental assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and validate an integrated microfluidic platform for the in-field separation and assay of Pu and U.
• To enable rapid, on-site analysis of these actinides from diverse environmental matrices.
• To improve the efficiency and accessibility of actinide monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Development of a microfluidic platform utilizing 3D-printed supported liquid membrane (SLM) modules for sequential liquid-liquid extractions.
• Application of the platform to diverse environmental sample matrices: dissolved NIST SRM 2706 (Soil), dissolved NIST SRM 365a (Cement), and Atlantic Seawater.
• Benchmarking isotopic measurements against standardized sources for validation.

Main Results:

• Successful separation of Pu and U from complex sample matrices within 1 hour.
• Achieved typical yields exceeding 90% for Uranium (U) and 40% for Plutonium (Pu).
• Demonstrated high selectivity, with less than 1% co-extraction of common fission products.

Conclusions:

• The developed microfluidic platform offers a rapid and efficient solution for in-field Pu and U separation and assay.
• This technology has significant potential for real-time environmental monitoring and nuclear safeguards.
• The platform's design and performance pave the way for portable actinide analysis systems.