Existing techniques to detect pertechnetate in the environment have drawbacks. PNNL’s redox sensor technology uses a gold probe to accurately and efficiently measure low levels of pertechnetate—and possibly other contaminants—in groundwater

Researchers adding water to the surface of alumina measured some surprising results that raise important questions regarding the fundamental reactions that govern chemical transformations of aluminum oxides and hydroxides.

Scientists at the Interfacial Dynamics in Radioactive Environments and Materials (IDREAM) sort out which compounds are present and their concentrations, providing an important new tool with broad applicability.