Nuclear Forensics Studies and the Development of a Companion Graduate Course

Sheldon Landsberger, Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program, University of Texas, Austin, United States (s.landsberger@mail.utexas.edu)
Derek Haas, Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program, University Of Texas, Austin, United States

The term nuclear forensics is the detection and analysis of nuclear materials before they are used in a terrorist plot, the analysis of radioactive debris following a nuclear event or the investigation of the pedigree of nuclear materials in nonproliferation. The fast-moving geopolitical situation in the nuclear domain makes it imperative that the training of future scientists and engineers remain a top-priority for pre- and post- detonation scenarios. Nuclear forensics typically encompasses these three main broad areas: radiochemistry, chemical instrumentation, and non-destructive techniques (typically gamma-ray spectrometry).  Research reactors (10 KW – 10 MW) are a great resource to perform research and development in nuclear forensics as well as in the critical need of education.  By the sheer fact that reactors can produce isotopes in small or large amounts means that researchers have a unique source of material for nuclear forensics studies.  A companion graduate course in nuclear forensics was developed with a grant through the US Department of Homeland Security. In addition, several guest lecturers from national laboratories and universities were added to the curriculum resulting in a more meaningful and current course. As well due to COVID-19 restrictions, all the laboratories were videotaped and given virtually. A detailed overview of the related research, lectures, and experimental laboratories will be given. The format of this course can be adopted to other non-nuclear forensics graduate and training courses.

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Short Biography of Presenting Author

Sheldon Landsberger was born in Petach-Tikva,Israel in 1950 and left for Canada in 1953. He received his Bachelors of Science in Chemistry and Mathematics in 1972 from Sir George Williams University, Montreal, Canada; his Masters of Science in Nuclear Chemistry in 1973 from the University of Salford, England; his Masters of Science in Physics in 1976 from Concordia University, Montreal Canada; and PhD in Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry in 1982 from the University of Toronto, Canada. He did his postdoctoral fellow at the National Research Council, Ottawa Canada from 1982-1983. He then was a research scientist at the McMaster Nuclear Reactor, Hamilton, Canada from 1983-1986. He was a professor in Department of Nuclear Engineering from 1987-1997, at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and since 1997 a professor and Coordinator in the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Area in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, at the University of Texas at Austin. He has published more than 250 peer-reviewed papers and 200 conference proceedings. He has been a consultant to the International Atomic Energy Agency since 1988 and currently holds the Robert B. Trull Chair in Engineering. Dr. Landsberger has received the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Award for Excellence in Engineering Teaching and is currently the Editor of Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Special Issues and Reviews. Dr. Landsberger has graduated more than 60 MS and 35 PhD graduate students.