Isotope separation via liquid solution centrifugation

This technology is a method of utilizing dissolved salts and soluble compounds in liquid solutions to separate isotopes by high-speed centrifugation.

Unmet Need: Method for efficient isotope production

Isotopes are utilized in many industries including nuclear energy, medical applications, and scientific research. However, isotopes are difficult to produce at large scales. Current methods to isolate isotopes are expensive, energy-intensive, and environmentally toxic.

The Technology: Safe, efficient, environmentally-friendly isotope separation process by liquid solution centrifugation

This technology is an efficient method to separate isotopes through liquid solution centrifugation, generalizable across all elements. Using dissolved salts or other soluble compounds in liquid solutions, multiple isotopes can be effectively co-separated at the same time by high-speed centrifugation, at ambient temperatures and pressures. Cation-anion pairs, solvent, solution concentration, and temperature can be tuned for optimal thermodynamic and kinetic properties for high throughput and separation rates of enriched isotopes. Additionally, selectivities can be further enhanced by using countercurrent configurations. This method of isotope separation provides a safe and environmentally friendly approach for efficient isotope production, which is vital for many industries.

This technology has been validated with several isotopic systems.

Applications:

  • Production of isotopes for sustainability sciences
  • Production of isotopes for fundamental sciences
  • Production of enriched isotopes for new superheavy elements
  • Applications for nuclear energy and related research
  • Radiopharmaceutical applications
  • Scientific research relying on highly enriched isotopes

Advantages:

  • Generalizable across elements
  • High selectivity
  • Can co-separate all isotopes in solution
  • Cost-efficient
  • Safe manufacturing processes
  • High-throughput of enriched isotopes
  • Energy efficient
  • Environmentally friendly

Lead Inventors:

Yuan Yang, Ph.D.

Joseph Francis Wild

Patent Information:

Patent Pending(WO/2024/107424)

Related Publications:

Tech Ventures Reference: