Radioactive Sources: Applications and Alternative Technologies

The Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board of the National Academies invites you to join a virtual committee meeting on October 13, 2020 for its ongoing study on Radioactive Sources: Applications and Alternative Technologies.

The meeting will feature presentations by Nordion, Sotera Health, and QSA Global, Inc., companies that produce radioactive sources and alternative technologies.

The purpose of this Sandia National Laboratories’ sponsored study is to support existing and future activities under the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Office of Radiological Security (ORS) program to reduce the use of high-risk radiological materials in commercial applications. The study will update the 2008 National Academies consensus study on “Radiation Source: Use and Replacement” by reviewing the current state of high-risk radionuclide applications by sector (e.g., industrial, research, medical, and other commercial applications) and by reviewing the current state of existing technologies on the market that are or could be used to replace radioisotopic technologies in those applications.

The assessment will examine domestic and international developments in radioactive source applications and feasible alternative technologies. In addition, the assessment will use criteria to assess the overall technical feasibility and maturity of those technologies, including the Department of Energy Technology Readiness Level (TRL). Moreover, the assessment of alternative technologies will evaluate their attractiveness and practicality to organizations in consideration of adopting or transitioning to them.

Learn more on the study webpage.