# Workshop Announcement  BAER 2000

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Fundamentals Training for Radiochemistry and Radioactivity Measurements

Perhaps one of the most confounding challenges to
radioanalytical-laboratory managers is the shortage of well-trained
radiochemists and spectroscopists. We suggest that this is due, at least
in part, to the scarcity of formal degree programs in environmental
radiochemistry and radiobioassay. Thus, radioanalytical laboratories,
data validation teams, quality assurance managers, etc., struggle to
find knowledgeable personnel to develop techniques, analyze samples,
review data, and maintain data quality.

**PerkinElmer ORTEC^®\ ^**offers a wide range of world-class training
and educational experiences in alpha- and gamma-spectroscopy. Courses of
study are offered as regularly scheduled events or customized sessions
to meet the needs of our clients. Literally hundreds of
counting-laboratory supervisors and operators have taken advantage of
the expertise and knowledge of the ORTEC staff. In the field of
radioactivity measurements, there is no substitute for the knowledge and
skill of a well-trained radiochemist or spectroscopist. **PerkinElmer
ORTEC^®\ ^**is committed to creating a total solution for solving the
radioanalytical problems of counting laboratories  world-wide.

Please join us for these exciting workshops!

**monday November 13, 8:30-10:00 am**

## **Session 1 (8:30 -- 9:00 AM)**  Fundamentals Training for Radiochemistry and Radioactivity Measurements  Developing Alpha University

## **Session 2 (9:00 -- 9:30 AM)**  Fundamentals Training for Radiochemistry and Radioactivity Measurements  Actinide Method Development for Alpha Spectrometry Using Extraction Chromatography

## **Session 3 (9:30 -- 10:00 AM)**  Fundamentals Training for Radiochemistry and Radioactivity Measurements  Optimizing the Conditions for Preparing Electrodeposited Counting Sources for Alpha-Spectrometry

Please join us for these exciting workshops!

# 

# Day Two, Monday November 13, 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM

##### Session One: 8:30 AM to 9:00AM

## Fundamentals Training for Radiochemistry and Radioactivity Measurements  Developing Alpha University

[Michael Schultz]{.underline}, PerkinElmer Instruments, 801 S. Illinois
Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0895, Phone: (865) 481-2446, Email:
michael.schultz@perkinelmer.com

[William Burnett]{.underline}, Florida State University, Department of
Oceanography, Tallahassee, FL 42306 Phone: (850) 644-6703, Email:
burnett@ocean.fsu.edu

In this workshop, we present examples of training material that will be
part of the total fundamentals training program at PerkinElmer
Instruments. Topics to be covered include:

-   Coprecipitation methods for actinide separations in sample
    preparation.

-   Microprecipitation of rare-earth hydroxides as an alternative to
    fluoride sources for alpha-spectrometry.

-   Introductory counting statistics for alpha counting as related to
    MDA calculations presented in ANSI N13.30, N42.23 and N42.14.

We present also a tentative training schedule for the coming year. Our
goal is to use this information to develop a continuous training program
to address the training needs of the radiochemistry community.

We encourage participation in this workshop from all members of the
radioactivity-measurements field  Radiochemists, Laboratory Managers,
Data Validators, Quality Assurance Managers and Personnel, Audit Team
Members, DOELAP Administrators, etc.

##### Session Two: 9:00 AM to 9:30AM

## 

## Fundamentals Training for Radiochemistry and Radioactivity Measurements  Actinide Method Development for Alpha Spectrometry Using Extraction Chromatography

[Larry Jassin]{.underline}, Eichrom Technologies, 8205 Cass Avenue,
Suite 111, Darien, IL, 60561 Phone:

Radioanalytical laboratories are challenged constantly with developing
new methods for the ever changing analysis needs of the community.
Extraction chromatography represents the state of the art in separations
technology for actinide alpha-spectrometry. Developing methods requires
a fundamental knowledge of the available technology and an understanding
of the related published data as it applies to radioanalytical
separations. Here we present some of the fundamentals of extraction
chromatography for direct application to developing methods for various
matrices and data needs. Examples of extraction chromatography resins
are presented. The fundamentals of understanding elution diagrams as
relates to actinide method developments is highlighted.

## 

##### Session Three: 9:30 AM to 10:00AM

## Fundamentals Training for Radiochemistry and Radioactivity Measurements  Optimizing the Conditions for Preparing Electrodeposited Counting Sources for Alpha-Spectrometry

[William Burnett]{.underline}, Florida State University, Department of
Oceanography, Tallahassee, FL 42306 Phone: (850) 644-6703, Email:
burnett@ocean.fsu.edu

Following sample preparation and chemical separations, preparation of
alpha-counting sources is the final step prior to counting and spectral
analysis. Methods of source preparation include: evaporation;
microprecipitation; and electrodeposition. Perhaps the best spectral
quality can be achieved using alpha-counting sources prepared by
electrodeposition. Electrodeposited sources are prepared by applied
voltage to an acidic solution of the purified element of interest. A
reduced species of the element is deposited to the surface of a metal
plate or disc. The conditions of the electrodeposition reaction are
critical to effective, consistent results. Here we present a series of
experiments designed to optimize the preparation of electrodeposited
sources for alpha-spectrometry.