NIDC News

Participants of the HIPPO Conference with Christopher Landers, Director of the Office of Isotope R&D and Production, and Ethan Balkin, Program Manager for Radioisotope R&D and Acting Program Manager for Accelerator Isotope Facilities
Student trainees take part in experiences in the research, development, and processing activities that support the nation's radioisotope supply. This year, the program supported 24 undergraduate and graduate students from 13 institutions across the U.S.
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The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is pleased to announce that the Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program is now accepting applications for the 2025 solicitation 2 cycle.
Artist rendering of the Radioisotope Science Center at Discovery Ridge in Columbia, Missouri. Image courtesy of BSA LifeStructures
A new grant from the DOE’s Office of Isotope R&D and Production, within the Office of Science, will help establish the Radioisotope Science Center to advance research, production, processing, and distribution of nationally strategic radioisotopes.

DOE Isotope Program Highlights

Improvements to Americium-241 processing can increase yield, decrease the amount of waste generated, and reduce the radiological dose workers receive. Image courtesy of Brittany St. Jacques, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Improving Large-Scale Domestic Production of Americium-241, a Critical Component in Smoke Detectors and Nuclear Batteries

Researchers explore the effects of radiation and harsh chemicals to optimize americium-241 production.
Image courtesy of Jon Burns, University of Alabama at Birmingham Schematic of the astatine-ketone bond breaking to release free astatine-211.

Astatine Paving the Way for a New Era in Cancer Radiopharmaceuticals

Researchers gain new insights into a strong bond between At-211 and common chemicals, creating new possibilities for cancer treatment
Image courtesy of Chris Orosco/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy Artists’ depiction of a new potential cancer treatment vehicle—an engineered nanometer-size construct that holds a radioactive isotope that can be delivered to destroy cancer cells.

Killing Cancer with Radioactive Nanocrystals

The Department of Energy Isotope Program (DOE IP) continues to enable groundbreaking developments in cancer research through the provision of medically relevant isotopes.
Image courtesy of Jacquelyn DeMink (art) and Thomas Dyke (photography), Oak Ridge National Laboratory Conceptual art showing the rare earth element promethium in a vial surrounded by an organic ligand.

Promethium Chemistry Breakthrough Could Unlock New Applications

Recently, Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory were able to study the electronic structure of a promethium complex, providing new information about promethium’s chemical and physical properties.