In-Core Experiments
Group

Boron Neutron Capture
Cancer Therapy (BNCT)

Trace Element
Analysis

Neutron Scattering

Neutron Radiography

NTD Silicon Doping

Neutron Activation Analysis

The MIT-NRL’s main trace element analysis capability is Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA). MIT faculty and staff have used the MIT-NRL’s NAA facility for studies in the transport of air pollutants, mineral uptake in the body, aerosol formation, the role of aerosols in acid rain, and geochemical studies. In the past few years, MIT-NRL’s NAA capability has been expanded for toxic trace elements analysis in biological samples such as animal and human hair and tissue samples.

The primary irradiation facilities that are utilized for NAA are 2PH1 and 1PH1 pneumatic tubes, and four 3GV vertical beam ports. The 2-inch (2PH1) and 1-inch (1PH1) pneumatic tubes have thermal neutron fluxes of 5x10¹³ n/cm² s and 8x10¹² n/cm² s, respectively. The 3GV vertical beam ports have a thermal neutron flux of 4x10¹² n/cm² s. The 1PH1 pneumatic tube can be set up so the irradiated sample is transferred automatically to the hot lab in the adjacent building for short irradiations (from a few seconds to a few minutes). NAA counting facility is equipped with four High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detectors, multichannel analyzers, and Genie 2000 Gamma spectrum analysis system.

The Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences Department (EAPS) operates a separate NAA lab. The EAPS NAA lab utilizes the MITR's 3GV beam ports and is specialized in geological samples.

Radioassay services are also provided by the NAA laboratory for detection and identification of trace amounts of radioactive materials.

In addition to the NAA facility, a Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA) facility is also available for trace element analysis. PGNAA is primarily used for the quantification of trace amount of B-10 in blood for BNCT research. The PGNAA facility is installed at one of the MITR’s horizontal beam ports, 4DH3. The thermal neutron flux at sample location is approximately 1.7x10⁷ n/cm² s. The PGNAA counting facility is equipped with a HPGe detector with a multichannel analyzer, and Genie 2000 Gamma spectrum analysis.

NAA Laboratory contact
Lin-wen Hu, PhD
TEL: (617)258-5860
Email: LWHU@mit.edu

ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma -- Optical Emission Spectrometer)

The Trace Element Analysis Group is also equipped with an Inductively Coupled Plasma -- Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES) . ICP-OES is a widely used multi-element analysis technique that offers good precision and speed. The sample to be analyzed, if solid, is first dissolved and then mixed with water before being fed into the plasma. Atoms in the plasma emit light with characteristic wavelengths for each element. This light is recorded by optical spectrometers and when calibrated against standards the technique provides a quantitative analysis of the sample. For general information regarding ICP-OES including detection limits, consult the online resource at http://icp-oes.com/.
To learn about the specific ICP-OES spectrometer that NRL has, go to http://www.spectro.com/pages/e/p010304.htm.

ICP-OES Facility contact
Gordon Kohse, PhD
TEL: (617)253-4298
Email: KOHSE@mit.edu