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Technique Disables Plutonium's Use in Bombs

Irene Klotz, Discovery News

Fuel used in nuclear reactors contains two uranium isotopes, one fissionable, the other not. The latter undergoes various reactions, which results in the creation of plutonium, among other elements. The plutonium also has fissionable and unfissionable components. It's the fissionable plutonium that can be used in nuclear weapons.

"We have shown that small amounts of Americium -- one-tenth of one percent -- is enough to obtain enough Plutonium-238 so that you cannot build a bomb," said Ronen, the lead researcher of a report appearing in next month's Science and Global Security journal.

Americium, however, isn't a miracle cure for weapons proliferation, he added, since other enrichment methods are available to produce weapons-grade fuel.

"Still, it's an important development," Ronen said.

PwrTalk: Nuclear Power

Americium

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory