Ralf Sudowe’s research laboratory focuses on the development of advanced radioanalytical techniques for environmental monitoring, emergency response, nuclear forensics, and nuclear safeguards. By combining advanced radiochemical separations with state-of-the art radiation detection techniques, we strive to provide information on the origin, speciation, and mobility of radioactive material and evaluate its impact on humans and the environment.
In addition, we develop separation techniques that can be applied to the production of radioactive isotopes for nuclear medicine applications and basic science or that can be utilized for the nuclear fuel cycle.
research project
Bioavailability of radionuclides in contaminated soils
In addition to naturally occurring radioactive material, human activities, such as atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons or reactor accidents, have resulted in the contamination of the environment with potentially hazardous radioactive species. We study the bioavailability of radioactive cesium and other radionuclides, e.g., in soil samples taken in the exclusion zone around the damaged Fukushima
research project
Minor actinide separations
The separation of americium from curium is of significant interest in many fields including nuclear energy, nuclear forensics, and stockpile stewardship. Finding ways to efficiently partition these elements poses a significant challenge due to their nearly identical chemical behavior. We are investigating the use of oxidizing agents, such as sodium bismuthate, for the separation of these elements.
research project
Separation of radioscandium for medical applications
Scandium-47 is an important medical isotope in an emerging class of what are called “theranostic” radiopharmaceuticals, combining both therapeutic and diagnostic attributes into a single isotope or isotope pair. We are developing robust methods for separating radioscandium from large calcium and titanium targets used in photonuclear production operations.
Publications
Rapid method to determine plutonium, neptunium, americium and curium in granite samples
Maxwell, S.L.; Culligan, B.; Hutchinson, J.B.; McAlister, D.R.; Sudowe, R., Applied Radiation & Isotopes 2018, 140 (2), 102-108.
Effects of urban debris material on the extraction chromatographic separation of strontium – Part I: steel
McLain, D.R.; Amato, V.; Sudowe, R., Journal of Nuclear and Radioanalytical Chemistry 2017, 314 (3), 2585-2590.
Development of a standardized sequential extraction protocol for simultaneous extraction of multiple actinide elements
Faye, S.A.; Richards, J.N., Gallardo, A.; Campbell, K.R.; Sudowe, R., Journal of Nuclear and Radioanalytical Chemistry 2017, 312 (1), 37-45.
Separation of americium in high oxidation states from curium utilizing sodium bismuthate
Richards, J.M.; Sudowe, R., Analytical Chemistry 2016, 88 (9), 4605-4608.
Synthesis of a new element with atomic number Z = 117
Oganessian, Yu.Ts.; Abdullin, F.Sh.; Bailey, P.D.; Benker, D.E.; Bennett, M.E.*; Dmitriev, S.N.; Ezold, J.G.; Hamilton, J.H.; Henderson, R.A.; Itkis, M.G.; Lobanov, Yu.V.; Mezentsev, A.N.; Moody, K.J.; Nelson, S.L.; Polyakov, A.N.; Porter, C.E.; Ramayya, AV.; Riley, F.D.; Roberto, J.B.; Ryabinin, M.A.; Rykaczewski, K.P.; Sagaidak, R.N.; Shaughnessy, D.A.; Shirokovsky, I.V.; Stoyer, M.A.; Subbotin, V.G.; Sudowe, R.; Sukhov, A.M.; Tsyganov, Yu.S.; Utyonkov, V.K.; Voinov, A.A.; Vostokin, G.K.; Wilk, P.A., Physical Review Letters 2010, 104 (2), 142502(4).
more publications
Sampling in the Fukushima exclusion zone
Radiochemistry teaching laboratory
Detector teaching laboratory
contact information
Office:
Molecular & Radiological Health Science Building Room 335
Laboratory:
Molecular & Radiological Health Science Building Room 327
(970) 491-0219
