radon:140714 [Assay and Acquisition of Radiopure Materials]

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====== Community Database Meeting (7/14/2014) ======

**Meeting Time:**  12:00 pm CDT

**Connection Details:**

We will use Big Blue Button.  Instructions below.
  - Go to the following website: http://shemp.physics.smu.edu/physics/index.jsp
  - Enter your name in the box 'Full Name'. This is how your name will be displayed for everyone to see.
  - Select 'Virtual Room - AARM Conference Room' from the pull down session menu.
  - Enter the pswd for the conference.
  - Hit the 'Join' button.

====== Agenda ======

Ideas:
  * Effectiveness of plate-out reduction when materials are stored under purge (JC).
  * Experiments to test plate-out in an electric field (JC)
  * Effectiveness of various cleaning techniques (which ones?) (JC)
  * Plate-out rate determination, standardization, and characterization (JLO)
    * Use e-formed copper plates as a witness plate. Perform a hard etch to begin.
    * Expose plate to a known concentration of Rn in air under three cases: No flow, low flow, high flow.
    * After fixed period of time, remove plate and isolate.
    * Wait for everything to decay to Pb-210.
    * Etch to remove and capture Pb-210. This is the hard step we need to make quantitative.
    * Perform a MS measure to get the Pb-210 concentration.

Resources:
  * PNNL: Pure copper, chemistry, ICP-MS.
  * SMU:  We currently have an [[http://www.physics.smu.edu/cooley/cdms/facilities.html|XIA alpha particle counter]], purge box and fume hood access. We are considering the purchase of a radon source for controlled exposures.
  * Syracuse:  Commercial alpha counter, air sampler
====== Minutes ======

Attendees:  John, Jeter, Eric, Richard, Ray, Steve and Jodi

John gave a brief update on his understanding of the FWP process.  David Asner (PNNL Division Manager of Radiochemistry group) is in conversation with Michael Salamon (DOE) and Prisca as to what should be proposed.  In terms of assay, we are not sure what this will look like.

Jodi outlined some of the ideas of projects that are under consideration and/or development at SMU regarding material storage.  This includes the idea of using and an electrostatic sink while storing materials.  Richard points out that 90% of radon daughters are positively charged.  Ideally, the study would be compare an electrostatic sink to a traditional nitrogen purge under low, medium and high flow rates (as suggested by John).  Finally, the study could be extended to better characterize the effectiveness of purge bags that are often used when transporting materials from site to site.  These studies are proposed under controlled conditions inside an exposure box.

Richard indicated that the project plans at SDSMT is complimentary to that of SMU.  They would like to focus on radon exposure in as realistic and environment conditions.  They are also interested in developing ideas to minimize plate-out and reducing radon in the environment.  

Eric has developed a method to implant Po via electrochemical means.  He is interested in participating in studies that compare Po deposition via traditional radon plate-out vs this electrochemical process.  If the two methods are equivalent, the electrochemical process would provide a quick way (minutes) to produce contaminated samples for studies of cleaning methods, etc.

Another question that was brought up is whether or not we can really extrapolate measurements made with these relatively highly contaminated sources down to very low levels.

Finally, we concluded by talking about the capabilities of the various participants.  PNNL has excellent ICPMS capability, which will likely not help us much with these studies.  They can produce blank material (and have done it in the past, verified by XIA LLC).  SDSMT has a commercial alpha counter available and an air sampler.  SMU has an XIA alpha counter and a RAD7.

Next Step:  Jodi will put together a document to circulate.  We will use the document to flesh out details of our ideas.
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