Improving Large-Scale Domestic Production of Americium-241, a Critical Component in Smoke Detectors and Nuclear Batteries
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
With applications in smoke detectors and nuclear batteries, the radioisotope americium-241 (Am-241) has a wide range of commercial, medical, and industrial applications. Despite this broad use, there are only a few producers of Am-241 worldwide. Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) have now taken steps to bolster Am-241 production in the United States by improving the processing method. The improved process will increase production, improve worker safety, and diversify commercial access to Am-241. The research was supported by the Department of Energy's Office of Isotope R&D and Production, within the Office of Science, and the Colorado School of Mines.
