It was exciting to take it to that site and have it work. I can set up a lab technique that may give me the most fantastic results in the world. That's great, but doing something in the lab is far different from hauling the unit out and performing a demonstration in the field. To be able to tear down a fairly complex piece of equipment, haul it to Oak Ridge, put it back together, and have it all work is a indication of the maturity of what we've done. Also delighted is Martin Edelson, program director for Ames Lab's Environmental Technology Development Program.
Vitrification is the process of encasing hazardous materials in glass for long-term storage.
Gray also sees spent fuel rod characterization as an area holding potential for the technique and notes these diverse problems are not just specific to the United States. I view this as another opportunity to apply our technique. Our system is relatively clean compared to how hazardous waste is handled in Russia. Gray and Jensen are not lacking in applications to which to match the detector's expertise. And it looks like they will have plenty of time in which to do it.