The tracer Technology Center at Brookhaven National Laboratory is responsible for the development of new tracers and new applications of tracers.
Tracers generally are gases used to tag and track the course of various substances.
The Center's scientists, engineers and technical collaborators have done pioneering work in the development and practical use of perfluorocarbon tracers in such areas as tracking atmospheric pollutants, measuring air ventilation rates in homes and commercial buildings, finding leaks in electric and gas utility equipment, and studying oil and gas reservoir characteristics. Although the Center's work is focused on applications of gaseous conservative tracers made of inert compounds such as perfluorocarbons, other applications require the use of non-conservative tracers. The Center is prepared to develop types such as gaseous reactive and depositing tracers, soluble tracers, and aerosol tracers. Tracer technology is a specialized field requiring ultra-low level detection, unique physical and chemical separation processes, highly sophisticated equipment, and trained operators. The Center offers the latest capabilities available in tracer technology and is committed to on-going developments in the field.