1950

Year of construction of 

the Irradiated Material 

Examination and 

Testing facility; with 

multiple upgrades, it’s 

still in use today 

Actinium-227

Produced by ORNL in the 

Radioisotope Development 

Laboratory for Bayer's 

Xofigo cancer drug

250+

Stable isotopes 

distributed by ORNL in 

quality-controlled

batches

ORNL’s Nuclear Facilities: 

Making Innovation Possible

OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has a mission to produce isotopes and develop nuclear 

fuels and other new materials—work enabled by the Laboratory’s unique complex of nuclear 

facilities. The diverse R&D undertaken at ORNL requires hot and cold laboratories, glove boxes, 

high bays, and heavily shielded hot cells, with an array of specialized equipment. 

ORNL has highly trained workers to staff and maintain these facilities, keeping science 

happening around the clock. Without these support systems, the world-changing research 

performed by ORNL and its collaborators would be impossible.

Research Thrusts

• Advanced manufacturing techniques in a nuclear environment

• Examination of advanced nuclear fuel forms after they have been irradiated

• Characterization of the properties of irradiated materials

• Continuous improvements to nuclear fuel waste forms 

• Nuclear nonproliferation science to keep our nation safe

• Isotope production for applications in research, national security, medicine, and industry

"Sometimes when you’re a researcher, you do a lot of 

theoretical work—you do a calculation, and that’s where it

stops. It’s really exciting to see the work you do actually makes

something physical that you can see. We occasionally get letters from people 

overseas and elsewhere thanking us for supplying these materials to them. It makes 

you happy to be able to enable other people’s work.” 

 —Radioisotope Science and Technology

 Division Director Susan Hogle
of novel fuels, and fuel particle 

CONTACT:

Allen Smith

Interim Director 

Nonreactor Nuclear

Facilities Division

smithaw@ornl.gov

865-576-7953

One Bethel Valley Road

Oak Ridge, TN 37831

www.ornl.gov

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle LLC for the US Department of Energy January 2023

ORNL’s Nuclear Facilities

Radiochemical Engineering Development Center (REDC)—The largest hot cell facility at ORNL, REDC has 15 hot cells where scientists can 

safely handle radioactive materials for processing, testing, recovery, and purification. In its unique laboratory spaces, experts work with some 

of the most exotic and rare materials on Earth using specialized equipment and systems to produce unique radioisotopes. These radioisotopes 

include berkelium-249, which enabled the discovery of tennessine, element 117, and could help further expand the periodic table. 

Irradiated Material Examination and Testing (IMET) Facility—IMET has six heavily shielded hot cells for testing the physical and mechanical 

properties of materials and examining materials that have undergone radiation. Sixty shielded storage walls provide space for irradiated 

specimens and hot equipment. IMET also has a specimen preparation lab with a hood and glove boxes, where samples are prepared, and a tank 

vault room for storing and draining liquids.

Irradiated Fuels Examination Laboratory (IFEL)—This building allows for the safe handling of increasing levels of radiation when examining 

the chemical, physical, and metallurgical properties of nuclear reactor fuel elements and reactor parts. Many tasks can be completed In IFEL, 

including capsule disassembly, spent nuclear fuel examination and repackaging, safe testing of novel fuels, and fuel particle sorting and analysis.

Radioisotope Development Laboratory—This facility houses four high-level hot cells specifically for beta–gamma radiation and one hot cell 

specifically for alpha radiation, along with seven laboratories for handing low-level materials, and a decontamination room. 

Radiochemistry Laboratory—This four-floor facility has laboratories, shop areas, cell ventilation ducts, and storage areas with chemical and 

radioactive labs throughout. The first floor has four hot cells surrounded by support laboratories and operating areas. The second floor houses 

the high bay area and chemical and radiochemical laboratories.. Controlled storage is available in the attic, which contains exhaust stacks for 

several ventilation systems.