Groups
CONTACTS
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Chemistry Division Capabilities 2006
Actinide Analytical Chemistry, C-AAC
Chemical Diagnostics and Engineering, C-CDE
Isotope and Nuclear and Radiochemistry, C-NR
Physical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, C-PCS
Actinide, Catalysis and Separations Chemistry, C-SIC
Actinide Analytical Chemistry, C-AAC
Onsite Analytical Chemistry
- Provide onsite radiochemistry and trace metal analysis by inductive coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) at Technical Area 55.
Pu Assay and Classical Chemistry
- Controlled potential coulometric titration
- Ceric titration - photometric method
- Pu (III) and Pu (IV) spectrophotometric method
- U Assay – Davies Gray
- Fe determination by spectrophotometry
- Si determination by spectrophotometry
- Loss on Ignition (LOI)
- Free acid determination in plutonium-containing solutions
- Standard solution preparation
Trace Element Analysis
- Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission and mass spectrometry (ICP-AES/ICP-MS)
- Direct current arc emission spectroscopy
- Cold vapor atomic fluorescence
- Sample preparations
Elemental Analysis by X-ray Fluorescence
- Wavelength dispersive x-ray fluorescence
Mass Spectrometry Analysis
- Thermal ionization mass spectrometry
- High precision gas mass spectrometry
Radiochemical Analysis
- Separations and sample preparation
- Alpha spectroscopy
- Gamma-ray spectroscopy
- Gas proportional counters
- Liquid scintillation counting
- Automatic gamma counters
Ion Chromatography
- Inorganic and organic cations and anions
Interstitial Gas Analysis
- C, H, O, N
- Moisture
- Tritium
Other Activities
- Nuclear forensic determination
- Radiation chemistry
- Fabrication of actinide NDA standards
- Fabrication and certification of high purity Pu metal standards
- Plutonium exchange program
A new inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) in a chemical fume hood
Chemical Diagnostics and Engineering, C-CDE
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) - A readily fieldable, real-time elemental analysis method with numerous applications. LIBS includes both field-deployable and person-portable instruments for carbon measurement for terrestrial carbon sequestration programs. NASA has also selected LIBS to be the first active remote sensing diagnostic on a Mars Rover scheduled to launch in 2009. Investigations are ongoing for the use of LIBS for chemical speciation. We have received four R&D 100 Awards for LIBS instrumentation.
Energetic Neutral Atom Beam Facility - This unique source of energetic neutral atoms is used for specialized surface chemistry. The system produces neutral atoms with kinetic energy that promotes chemistry at ambient temperatures unattainable with other techniques. Applications include surface passivation and truly unusual nanoscale fabrication.
Metastable Intermolecular Composite (MIC) Materials - Nanoscale energetic materials (superthermites) with tunable energy release were discovered and developed in C-ADI and have generated considerable interest in the DoD community. The applications include “green” primer replacement in munitions, electric matches, and modifying the properties of high explosives.
Separations Using Clathrates - Clathrate inclusion compounds are useful for extracting specific gases and liquids out of other fluids at elevated pressures. Separation processes are being developed to capture carbon dioxide from shifted synthesis gas streams and flue gases for the purpose of carbon sequestration. High melting point clathrate crystals, with high-water content, are being designed for water desalination purposes.
Transient Interferometric Microscopy - We have developed methods to detect transient surface deformations with 100-ps temporal and 1-nm displacement resolution. The technique is being applied to shock physics by an interdisciplinary and interdivisional team. It has been used to investigate the effects of crystal anisotropy and grain boundaries on shock propagation as well as the study of surface interactions with intense laser pulses, e.g., laser ablation.
Remote Sensing - In collaboration with other Los Alamos groups C-ADI is participating in remote ultra-low light imaging (RULLI). This optical imaging technique combines highly sensitive single-photon imaging with time-of-flight capability, generating high resolution, three-dimensional images. Plume Monitoring and Physics - Particle sampling and plume imaging are applied to a variety of problems from environmental monitoring of Los Alamos hydrotests to designing bio-threat agent detection.
High Sensitivity Spectrometric Techniques - We are working on very high sensitivity spectrometric methods for analysis of chemical species from small molecules such as CO2 to transuranics. Much of this work is centered on chemical speciation and isotopic ratios.
Analytical, Quality Assurance and Validation Services - Industrial hygiene (air, filters, swipes), radiochemical (mobile capabilities), trace elemental (mass and emission spectroscopy), methods development.
Materials Characterization
- Elemental and molecular, chemical speciation, nuclear and low level radiological,
forensics and attribution, aerosols.
Instrumentation Development - Analytical plasmas, DNA analysis, flow cytometry, light microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, separations, and mass spectrometry.
Process Analytical Chemistry - Real-time online gas analysis, continuous particle counting and characterization, at-line solid metals analysis, online spectroscopy for chemical analysis, real-time biological and chemical detection.
Materials Analysis - Analytical services for a number of programs, including characterization and certification of nuclear and non-nuclear materials, radioactive waste treatment, and waste certification.
Materials Testing Laboratory - Cleaning methods development, document/project control and records management, war reserve materials certification and compatibility, quality assurance/quality control, plutonium substrate testing, beryllium substrate testing, QC-1 compliant, weapons manufacturing support.
Methods Development - Automated volatile and semi-volatile organics analysis, mechanical fabrication, chemical analysis automation, chemical sensor development, headspace gas sampling and analysis, safe gas-sampling and analysis from high pressure environments.
Additional group capabilities include:
- Fusion technology (primarily deuterium-tritium processing)
- Hydrogen processing
- Energy technologies
- Thermodynamic analysis
- Water science and technology
- Nanosynthesis and characterization
Nuclear and Radiochemistry , C-NR
Radiosotope Production – We prepare and distribute unique isotopes used for medical and industrial applications.
Radiochemical Separations – We develop new radionuclide separations.
Nuclear Weapons Performance Assessment and Data Interpretation – We validate the performance of LANL-designed nuclear weapons as measured by radiochemical detectors and contribute to future nuclear test readiness.
Radiochemical Measurements – We incorporate radiochemistry, mass spectrometry and counting technology to perform routine environmental monitoring in support of treaty verification and other threat reduction missions.
Nuclear Chemistry – Building on the ability to prepare exotic radioactive target materials, we measure neutron cross-sections of interest to the nuclear weapons and basic science communities. We also develop new types of radiation detectors.
Actinide Chemistry – We conduct fundamental research in actinide chemistry, as well as develop new chemical processes for application in manufacturing and nuclear fuel cycles.
Ultra-trace Measurement of Radionuclides in the Environment – We have methodologies and facilities for measurement of very low concentrations of radionuclides in environmental samples.
Mass Separation and Mass Spectrometry – We have methodologies and facilities for measurement of very low concentrations of radionuclides, and some of the best facilities in the world for isotope ratio measurements.
Bioassay Measurements – We support the Laboratory Stockpile Stewardship Program by providing plutonium bioassay measurements for radiation workers.
Radioactive Atom Trapping – We are trapping radioactive atoms for a wide variety of research purposes, including quantum computation.
Geochemistry – We conduct fundamental research in subsurface transport mechanisms and behavior of radionuclides, non-radioactive tracers, colloids, and microorganisms, including development of flow and transport models. We also have significant experience in field collection and measurement of radionuclides.
Facilities
- Thirteen hot cells
- Class 10,000 clean rooms, Class 100 Hoods
- 10 Mass spectrometers
- Alpha-handling glove box facilities
- HEPA-filtered fume hoods
- Inert atmosphere glove boxes
- Isotope separators
- Radiochemistry laboratories
- Extensive analytical instrumentation
- Extensive radioactive decay measurement facilities
- 100 MeV Isotope Production Facility
Physical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy, C-PCS
Applied Spectroscopy
- Remote sensing for nonproliferation and homeland security
- Optical diagnostics of interfaces
- Nonlinear optical microscopy
- Ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy
- Femtosecond near-field scanning optical microscopy
- Single molecule spectroscopy
- Equation-of-state measurements at extremely high pressure or temperature
Chemical Kinetics and Thermodynamics
- Carbon management and CO2 sequestration
- Chemical destruction technologies
- Chemistry and phase behavior of energetic materials
- Heterogeneous atmospheric chemistry
- Shocked materials physics
Materials Development and Characterization
- Nanomaterials
- Novel electronic and optical materials
- Integrated ferroelectric devices
- Polyelectrolyte mulitlayered thin films
- Quantum dot solids
- Actinides
- Biomaterials
Actinide, Catalysis and Separations Chemistry, C-SIC
Actinide Chemistry
- Radiological laboratories and dedicated instrumentation for research using up to gram quantities of light actinide complexes (Th to Cm).
- Synthesis, characterization, reactivity, spectroscopy, and thermodynamics of f-element complexes.
- Nuclear materials processing, reactivity, and stabilization.
Catalysis and Separation Science
- Synthesis and structural characterization of heterogeneous catalysts including micro- and mesoporous materials.
- Design, synthesis, and characterization of ligands and organometallic complexes for separations and homogeneous and phase-separable catalysis, including inert atmosphere capabilities.
- Development of environmental remediation methods for national security applications.
- Analysis, Surface Science Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffraction GC, GC/MS, HPLC, DSC, TGA, ICP, electrochemical analysis, optical, Raman, and IR spectroscopy.
- Specialized multi-technique surface science instruments that include XPS, SIMS, SNMS, AES, and IR methods, including micro-reactor chambers for in situ studies.
- Integrated spectroscopy lab, including steady state and time-resolved laser absorption and emission spectroscopy (optical, IR, Raman) and confocal microscopy for imaging and spectroscopy.
- Single crystal and powder x-ray diffraction.
- Solution and solid-state multinuclear NMR spectroscopy.
Selected Research Areas
- Fundamental f-element chemistry.
- Chemical hydrides for hydrogen storage and production.
- Chemical methods for the development of new materials.
- Development of new sensor technologies.
- Environmental and biogeochemical actinide chemistry.
- Advanced separations and pilot plant for Dual Axis Radiographics Hydrotest Facility (DARHT) containment experiments.
- Advanced concepts for weapon-based nuclear materials.
- Surface science studies of actinide interfaces, reactivity and materials aging.
- DeNOx and environmental catalysis.
- New radiation chemistry and detectors.
- Radioisotope production project management and program development.
Links
Updated 9/05 under LALP 05-096
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