Savannah River establishes nonproliferation R&D center

Purposes: SRNL stated that the NASC will bring together scientists, engineers, and policy experts for four main purposes:

• To advance and expand scientific research and development knowledge, such as trace actinide behavior during fuel processing, through novel detection advances and comprehensive validation testing. 

• To develop and advance methods and detection capabilities related to advanced manufacturing processes. 

• To demonstrate the modernization of safeguard solutions by applying advanced nuclear forensics and 
radiation detection applied to weapons production activities, such as tritium and pits. 

• To create safe and efficient global pathways for the removal and elimination of weapons-useable nuclear 
materials by developing and applying advanced materials packaging science.



Beyond nonproliferation: “Instead of focusing expressly on nonproliferation,” Taylor said, “the NASC will build on the lab’s rich history of nuclear material processing and environmental management; build on the reality that nuclear, as a form of clean energy, requires modern nuclear material security solutions; and be an innovation and collaboration hub for advancing new approaches and solutions to safeguarding nuclear materials.”