Assuring a Future U.S.-Based Nuclear and Radiochemistry Expertise

The growing use of nuclear medicine, the potential expansion of nuclear power generation, and the urgent needs to protect the nation against external nuclear threats, to maintain our nuclear weapons stockpile, and to manage the nuclear wastes generated in past decades, require a substantial, highly trained, and exceptionally talented workforce. Assuring a Future U.S.-Based Nuclear and Radiochemistry Expertise examines supply and demand for expertise in nuclear chemistry nuclear science, and radiochemistry in the United States and presents possible approaches for ensuring adequate availability of these skills, including necessary science and technology training platforms. Considering a range of reasonable scenarios looking to the future, none of these areas are likely to experience a decrease in demand for expertise. However, many in the current workforce are approaching retirement age and the number of students opting for careers in nuclear and radiochemistry has decreased dramatically over the past few decades. In order to avoid a gap in these critical areas, increases in student interest in these careers, in the research and educational capacity of universities and colleges, and sector specific on-the-job training will be needed. Concise recommendations are given for actions to avoid a shortage of nuclear chemistry, nuclear scientists, and radiochemists in the future. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1 Introduction 2 Defining Nuclear and Radiochemistry Expertise 3 Academic Basic Research and Education 4 Medicine 5 Energy and Power Generation 6 National Security 7 Environmental Management 8 Summary of Supply and Demand for Nuclear and Radiochemistry Expertise 9 Approaches to Assuring U.S. Nuclear and Radiochemistry Expertise 10 Committee Recommendations Appendix A: Study Statement of Task Appendix B: Biographical Information Appendix C: Public Meeting Schedule and Guest Speakers Appendix D: Questionnaire Descriptions Appendix E: 2008 Nuclear and Radiochemistry Faculty List Appendix F: Data Collection from National Laboratories Appendix G: Positron Emission Tomography Radiopharmaceuticals Appendix H: Chemistry Department Chairs Appendix I: Commercial Nuclear Power Plants