Fundamentals Training for Radiochemistry and Radioactivity Measurements
Perhaps one of the most confounding challenges to radioanalytical-laboratory managers is the shortage of well-trained radiochemists and spectroscopists. We suggest that this is due, at least in part, to the scarcity of formal degree programs in environmental radiochemistry and radiobioassay. Thus, radioanalytical laboratories, data validation teams, quality assurance managers, etc., struggle to find knowledgeable personnel to develop techniques, analyze samples, review data, and maintain data quality.
PerkinElmer ORTEC® offers a wide range of
world-class training and educational experiences in alpha- and
gamma-spectroscopy. Courses of study
are offered as regularly scheduled events or customized sessions to meet the
needs of our clients. Literally
hundreds of counting-laboratory supervisors and operators have taken advantage
of the expertise and knowledge of the ORTEC staff. In the field of radioactivity measurements, there is no
substitute for the knowledge and skill of a well-trained radiochemist or
spectroscopist. PerkinElmer ORTEC® is committed to creating a total
solution for solving the radioanalytical problems of counting laboratories ¾ world-wide.
Please
join us for these exciting workshops!
monday November 13, 8:30-10:00
am
Please join us for these exciting workshops!
Michael
Schultz,
PerkinElmer Instruments, 801 S. Illinois Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0895,
Phone: (865) 481-2446, Email: michael.schultz@perkinelmer.com
William
Burnett,
Florida State University, Department of Oceanography, Tallahassee, FL 42306
Phone: (850) 644-6703, Email: burnett@ocean.fsu.edu
In
this workshop, we present examples of training material that will be part of
the total fundamentals training program at PerkinElmer Instruments. Topics to be covered include:
·
Coprecipitation
methods for actinide separations in sample preparation.
·
Microprecipitation
of rare-earth hydroxides as an alternative to fluoride sources for
alpha-spectrometry.
·
Introductory
counting statistics for alpha counting as related to MDA calculations presented
in ANSI N13.30, N42.23 and N42.14.
We
present also a tentative training schedule for the coming year. Our goal is to
use this information to develop a continuous training program to address the
training needs of the radiochemistry community.
We
encourage participation in this workshop from all members of the
radioactivity-measurements field ¾ Radiochemists, Laboratory
Managers, Data Validators, Quality Assurance Managers and Personnel, Audit Team
Members, DOELAP Administrators, etc.
Larry
Jassin,
Eichrom Technologies, 8205 Cass Avenue, Suite 111, Darien, IL, 60561 Phone:
Radioanalytical
laboratories are challenged constantly with developing new methods for the ever
changing analysis needs of the community.
Extraction chromatography represents the state of the art in separations
technology for actinide alpha-spectrometry.
Developing methods requires a fundamental knowledge of the available
technology and an understanding of the related published data as it applies to
radioanalytical separations. Here we
present some of the fundamentals of extraction chromatography for direct
application to developing methods for various matrices and data needs. Examples of extraction chromatography resins
are presented. The fundamentals of
understanding elution diagrams as relates to actinide method developments is
highlighted.
William
Burnett,
Florida State University, Department of Oceanography, Tallahassee, FL 42306
Phone: (850) 644-6703, Email: burnett@ocean.fsu.edu
Following
sample preparation and chemical separations, preparation of alpha-counting
sources is the final step prior to counting and spectral analysis. Methods of source preparation include:
evaporation; microprecipitation; and electrodeposition. Perhaps the best spectral quality can be
achieved using alpha-counting sources prepared by electrodeposition. Electrodeposited sources are prepared by
applied voltage to an acidic solution of the purified element of interest. A reduced species of the element is
deposited to the surface of a metal plate or disc. The conditions of the electrodeposition reaction are critical to
effective, consistent results. Here we
present a series of experiments designed to optimize the preparation of
electrodeposited sources for alpha-spectrometry.