PPT Slide
Specialization in nuclear and radiochemistry has evolved to include basic nuclear science, the application of science and technology to nuclear power, environmental monitoring, waste remediation, nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceuticals.
Nuclear and radiochemists play major roles in ensuring our national security by maintaining the nation’s nuclear weapons for credible deterrence, detecting and countering weapons of mass destruction and illegal trafficking in nuclear materials, and by responding to national and international nuclear emergencies. In addition to the generation of about 20% of the electricity in the US, there are many industrial uses of nuclei and radioisotopes that go largely unnoticed: making smoke detectors, self-powered airport runway and exit lights, detection of flaws in metal for aircrafts, bridges, ships; measuring the integrity of welds; sterilization of: contact lens solutions, disposable diapers, cosmetics, powders, ointments, medical instruments, preserving food; detection of explosives in luggage; power generation on space vehicles.