NIDC News

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Students will conduct scientific and technical projects at national laboratories. The application deadline is October 1, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EDT.
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The Department of Energy’s Isotope Program, within the Office of Science, will supply a U.S. based company with accelerator produced actinium-225 in support of an upcoming U.S. clinical trial for cancer therapy for the first time.
The Scanditronix MC50 cyclotron at UWMCF is one of the few medium-energy cyclotrons in the U.S. capable of delivering proton, deuteron, and alpha beams.
In a significant advancement for domestic production of isotopes, the Department of Energy Isotope Program has increased the availability of popular theranostic isotopes through upgrades to facilities.

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.