A new way to determine the source of nuclear materials has been developed by nuclear forensic scientists in Germany and South Korea. The sulfur isotope ratio in uranium ore concentrate gives an identifiable signature that depends on the origin of the ore and how it was processed.
Yellowcake is a key intermediate in the manufacture of nuclear fuel © Science Photo Library
Nuclear forensics is the analysis of nuclear materials, with a view to determining their heritage. This information can be used in conjunction with law enforcement and intelligence information to find individuals and organisations responsible for the illicit proliferation of nuclear material, or those planning nuclear terrorism.
To read the full article please visit Chemistry World.
Measurement of the sulphur isotope ratio (34S/32S) in uranium ore concentrates (yellow cakes) for origin assessment
Sun-Ho Han, Zsolt Varga, Judit Krajkó, Maria Wallenius, Kyuseok Song and Klaus Mayer
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3JA50231G
