MSE Seminar: Brittany Robertson, PNNL

Wednesday, November 13, 2024
3:30 p.m.
Room 2108 Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building
Sherri Tatum
301-405-5240
statum12@umd.edu

Historical U Metal Analysis

Abstract: Experimental methods for determining the temporal history and geological origin of uranium material is of value to the nuclear nonproliferation and safeguards community. A common method employed in determining the temporal origin of uranium bearing material involves measuring the in grown 230Th, produced from the decay of 234U. An additional uranium decay product pair that is less often employed involves measuring the in grown 231Pa produced from the decay of 235U. An experimental method has been developed that can simultaneously separate Th and Pa from a dissolved uranium metal sample to provide two independent measures of the uranium material age. This same method can also separate trace level rare earth elements that are characteristic of the geological origin of the uranium. This research applies this experimental method to a set of samples taken from alleged World War II era German uranium cubes, commonly referred to as Heisenberg Cubes, to provide insight into the history of these samples. Results to date are presented.

Bio: Brittany Robertson is a Nuclear Chemist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, Washington. She earned her BS in Chemistry, double majoring in Cognitive Psychology, from Carnegie Mellon University. Brittany then pursued her MS in Nuclear Chemistry at Oregon State University. While completing her MS degree, she was afforded the opportunity to intern at PNNL for a summer. She continued working for PNNL as a Post Master’s Research Associate after degree completion. Brittany followed a non-traditional path, and continued her education part time, pivoting to Nuclear Engineering for her PhD efforts while working full time for PNNL. She is currently a PhD Candidate with a concentration in Nuclear Nonproliferation. Her multidisciplinary background has allowed her to support projects in laboratory analysis, experimental design, as well as policy analysis, teaching and science communication.

Audience: Graduate  Undergraduate  Faculty 

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