NIDC News

At-211 undergoes purification and a series of quality checks. Photo Credit: UW Research Scientist Don Hamlin
In a groundbreaking achievement, the first shipment of a compound labeled with astatine-211(At-211) has been successfully delivered in the United States.
March Isotope Spotlights
The DOE Isotope Program maintains an extensive inventory of radioactive and stable isotopes. Below are a select few that are currently in inventory and ready to dispense to meet your research and commercial needs.
DOE Seal
Students Will Conduct Research and Technical Projects at National Laboratories

DOE Isotope Program Highlights

Illustration of an idealized extraction chromatographic resin using DGA or LN extractants. By studying the adsorption properties of terbium on these DGA and LN resins, scientists gain insights into these properties for the entire lanthanide series. Image courtesy of Connor Holiski

Understanding the Adsorption Properties of Terbium for Future Medical Use

In this study, supported by the Department of Energy Isotope Program, managed by the Department of Energy Office of Science for Isotope R&D and Production, researchers explored how terbium binds to these resins as a function of temperature.
Concept of the automated system for remote dissolution of the irradiated bismuth target and astatine recovery in nitric acid media. Conceptual design by Evgeny Tereshatov, Texas A&M University Graphic Design by Nathan Clark, Office of Science, Communications and Public Affairs

Automated Nuclear Chemistry Boosts Astatine Production for Cancer Therapy

A team of researchers designed and tested an automated protocol aimed at reducing the At-211 processing procedure from dissolution of the irradiated target through column purification in just 20 minutes.
Image courtesy of Mike Zach, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This electron microscope image shows spherical bismuth powder. Each particle in the photo is about the diameter of a human hair (approximately 60 micrometers).

Spherical Powders Enable New Applications for Metals

Free-flowing metal powders offer improvements for additive manufacturing, isotope production target fabrication, and more.
Student working in the Texas A&M University lab processing astatine-211. Image courtesy of Texas A&M University.

New Understanding of Astatine’s Chemical Properties Will Aid Targeted Alpha Therapy for Cancer

Recently, scientists at Texas A&M University investigated astatine’s behavior when interacting with ion exchange and extraction chromatography resins.