Lithium and Uranium Sampling and Preservation Methods at Y-12 National
Security Complex

The Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) was constructed during World War II for the enrichment of the Uranium 235 isotope, used in the first atomic bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. After World War II, Y-12 continued its isotope enrichment mission focusing on medical isotopes and morphed other facilities into a nuclear production mission. The Y-12 site consists of more than 811 acres of land stretching for more than 2 miles in length and about ½ mile wide along an east Tennessee valley (see Fig.1). The site contains hundreds of buildings comprised of over seven million square feet of chemical, metallurgical, machining, and assembly production processes. Y-12 houses a number of unique facilities and equipment found nowhere else in the world. Today, Y-12 produces many specialty materials, but the main mission focuses upon two material streams; namely 1) enriched uranium 235 isotope material and 2) enriched lithium 6 isotope compounds. Because of the abundance of these resources the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has requested that Y-12 collect and preserve numerous physical samples of its uranium and lithium materials for various programs (e.g., NA-22, NA-83, etc.). These materials may be used for analytical reference, nuclear forensics analysis, evaluation, comparison, and other applications. This document will discuss future forensic activities planned to be conducted at Y-12.