Posted on 01/28/2010 11:31:32 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Northwestern University scientists say they've created a material that can trap the radioactive ion cesium while ignoring harmless ions such as sodium. Researchers led by Professor Mercouri Kanatzidis said their synthetic material is made from layers of a gallium, sulfur and antimony compound. They said it has been extremely successful in removing cesium -- found in nuclear waste, but very difficult to clean up -- from a sodium-heavy solution that consisted of concentrations similar to those found in real liquid nuclear waste.
The scientists said the new material sequestered 100 percent of the cesium ions from the solution, while simultaneously ignoring sodium ions.
"Ideally we want to concentrate the radioactive material so it can be dealt with properly and the non-radioactive water thrown away," Kanatzidis said, adding the new material could lead to a much-needed breakthrough in nuclear waste remediation.
The study is reported online in the journal Nature Chemistry.
(Excerpt) Read more at nuclearpowerdaily.com ...
Ping Dear Hubby - English please ummmmmm huh?
Ping Dear Hubby - English please ummmmmm huh?
Superb news!
I would like to know what made them think a gallium, sulfur and antimony compound would do this. How did they know how much of each to use?
Dear hubby needs to follow the name of this scientist and watch the commercialization development of this into the market. Pretty flippin’ huge.
It’s a great beginning, especially if they can get this material to sequester other radioactive ions as well... cesium is only part of the problem in liquid rad waste.
I’m not sure why the article states that they’re looking for a “much-needed breakthrough” in treatment of radioactive liquid waste, though - we use a combination filter/demineralizer system at the plant I work at and the rad levels of the water we release are often less radioactive than the stuff you get out of your tap...
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