70%

Of the world’s 

californium-252

is produced

at ORNL 1946

ORNL ships the world’s 

first reactor-produced 

radioisotope to a cancer 

hospital in St. Louis, 

Missouri 

2010

Tennessine, element 

117, is discovered 

using ORNL-produced 

berkelium-249

10 Years

Length of contract

for ORNL to produce

actinium-227 for Xofigo,

the highly effective

prostate cancer

drug

Since building the first continuously operating nuclear reactor and ushering in the nuclear age, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has 

pioneered world-changing technologies and applications enabled by harnessing the atom. Soon after the Manhattan Project, ORNL began 

research, development, and production of isotopes of strategic importance to the United States. That work continues more than 75 years later 

and remains an essential part of the Laboratory’s impact on medicine, industry, national security, and basic science research.

Real-World Impacts

Researchers use ORNL’s High Flux Isotope Reactor to irradiate targets with a steady stream 

of neutrons. They then process those targets, extracting and purifying isotopes in ORNL’s 

shielded hot cells. This unique R&D environment supports a range of nuclear science 

and technology activities, including a focus on producing isotopes that cannot be made 

anywhere else in the world. ORNL’s isotopes enable: 

• Cutting-edge cancer treatments

• Deep space missions

• Security at our airports and other points of entry across the country

• Discovery of new elements

“The fact that your research has 

a societal impact motivates you 

to keep going.”

Sandra Davern, Radioisotope Researcher 

In July 2020, ORNL-produced 

plutonium-238 (Pu-238) was on board 

NASA’s Perseverance rover, part of a supply 

to fuel the multimission radioisotope 

thermoelectric generator that will move 

the rover across Mars and power its 

data-collecting instruments. In 2015, 

ORNL achieved the first US-produced 

Pu-238 in nearly 30 years, and it has since 

consistently increased Pu-238 production, 

aiming for 1.5 kilograms of plutonium 

oxide by 2026—enough for NASA’s 

deep space needs.

OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY

A World Leader in

Isotope Production
Californium-252

Plutonium-238 Full-scale production—expected by 2026—will provide electrical and thermal energy for NASA’s deep space 

missions, as it did for Mars 2020. 

Actinium-225 Promising clinical trials show actinium-225 as a possible treatment for leukemia and glioblastoma. 

Actinium-227 Actinium-227 is the source for Xofigo, Bayer’s FDA-approved treatment for metastasized prostate cancer. 

ORNL is the only near-term production site for actinium-227.

Berkelium-249 A by-product of californium-252 production, berkelium-249 was essential in the discovery of tennessine, 

one of several newly discovered superheavy elements on the periodic table. 

Selenium-75

Strontium-89 

Selenium-75 is a gamma emitter used by industry for weld inspections and other nondestructive tests. 

Strontium-89 is used to relieve bone pain during the treatment of various metastasized cancers.

Nickel-63

Promethium-147

Airport explosive detectors at airports and narcotics detectors use nickel-63. 

Recovered by ORNL from the waste streams of plutonium-238 production, promethium-147 is used in nuclear 

batteries, thin film measurement instruments, light sources, and luminous paints.

Tungsten-188

CONTACT:

Susan Hogle

Division Director

Radioisotope Science and 

Technology Division

hoglesl@ornl.gov, 

865-576-2887

One Bethel Valley Road

Oak Ridge, TN 37830

www.ornl.gov

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle LLC for the US Department of Energy January 2022

Californium-252 is an intense neutron source used in detecting impurities in coal and cement, determining 

potential productivity of oil wells, calibrating radiation detection instruments in port security operations, and 

starting up nuclear reactors. ORNL is the only producer of this isotope in the Western Hemisphere and

one of two producers in the entire world.

Researchers continue to use tungsten-188 in numerous clinical trials, with promising treatments for bone 

pain and lung, liver, and skin cancers.

Selected ORNL-Produced Isotopes

ORNL produces most of the world’s californium-252, 

a versatile radioisotope used across industry and 

in port security. Californium-252 is also used to 

start up nuclear reactors, including the future 

startups of Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4, the 

first new reactors built in the United States in 

more than 30 years.

The Radiochemical Engineering Development Center is the largest 

hot cell facility at ORNL, with 15 hot cells that allow scientists to 

safely handle radioactive materials for processing, testing, 

recovery, and purification. The facility includes unique 

laboratory spaces to chemically process materials and 

pursue new isotope production techniques that reduce 

costs and optimize isotope production.