WSU students develop new technology in support of National Nuclear Security Administration’s nonproliferation mission

Washington State University (WSU) students taking part in a National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) internship program that promotes the development of equipment for nonproliferation research and training recently developed new technology that addresses safeguards research engineering challenges.

NNSA’s Office of International Nuclear Safeguards Human Capital Development has promoted university engagement at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) through the internship program for nine years. The program enables WSU engineering and material sciences students to produce prototype technology that’s used for nonproliferation research and training.

Earlier this month, students presented two projects that address specific PNNL engineering challenges.

The students designed and fabricated a framework for dual high purity germanium detectors that allows for secure positioning, sensitivity and shielding. These devices can also detect low levels radioactive material and quantify the gamma-ray signatures of individual radioisotopes.

Students also developed a new scanning apparatus to field test unattended cylinder verification stations. The portable device can position cylinders of uranium hexafluoride for accurate measurements.

PNNL scientist Mike Cantaloub will use the high purity germanium detectors in his laboratory. Rodrigo Guerrero, an alumnus of the safeguards internship program who became a PNNL staff engineer, will use the new scanning apparatus to measure uranium enrichment and mass in uranium hexafluoride cylinders.