capability

FIU is developing innovative solutions for separating radionuclides held in a variety of matrices to address key environmental and energy challenges. -BREAK- Capabilities and Research Areas This research focuses in three areas: separation of actinides from lanthanides in highly alkaline high-level radioactive waste; separation of actinides in highly acidic dissolved nuclear fuel as part of a closed cycle processing of fuel for nuclear power; and separation, detection and measurements of…

Advancement in computer, material and design technologies has provided an avenue for robotic systems to be utilized in a number of engineering applications that includes manufacturing, inspection, and even simple household functions.  At ARC, robotic systems are being developed to provide a means to inspect areas that may be difficult to obtain access to or unsafe for people to enter. These tools are being designed with sensor systems that can…

Advances in simulation software will improve the ability for engineers to effectively simulate engineering processes without having to develop and test systems with costly experimental facilities. Engineers at ARC utilize finite element analysis to aid in the design of complex structures, and computational fluid dynamics software to assist in addressing complex challenges related to simulating fluid flow processes that further expand the capability of the simulation software. Some issues currently…

Use of composite materials continues to increase in today’s engineering applications due to improved strength to weight ratios, its resistance to corrosion and the reductions in repair and maintenance costs. At ARC, our engineers have focused research efforts on understanding how composite structures can be joined using adhesive bonding.  In particular, we are investigating quality control procedures for bonding, the durability of the bonds and how contamination may affect bonds….

FIU is researching ways to improve technologies to use less electrical energy and natural resources in production and in operations while reducing waste and pollution. FIU’s ARC is developing Green Buildings by improving technologies for heating and cooling buildings, a major source of energy usage in buildings. Improvements in heating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC) is one area of research.  Another area is sustainable remediation which seeks to lower the Green House…

The Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management (EM) has a mission to clean up the contaminated soils, groundwater, buildings, and wastes generated over the past 60 years by the research, development, and production of nuclear weapons. The nation’s nuclear weapons complex generated complex radioactive and chemical wastes. Research at FIU ARC provides the necessary data and technology solutions for the engineering staff at the sites to mitigate risk associated…

Increasing concentrations of heavy metals and radionuclides in the global environment require a focus on contaminant fate, transport, and persistence in soils and groundwater. The Applied Research Center (ARC) at Florida International University (FIU) carries out research and development of applications with a focus on soil and groundwater remediation. For the last twenty years ARC has developed programs and trained outstanding engineers and scientists to conduct advanced and applied research…

Nuclear research and education was launched in 1990 at FIU.  Since 2014 FIU has developed a Radiochemistry PhD track launched in Aug. 2015 and a Health Physics Specialty under the BS in Physics launched in Aug. 2016. Over this period, many new faculty, staff and students have engaged in nuclear related R&D. Presently over 110 faculty and staff and 75 students are active in nuclear research. -BREAK- Capabilities and Research Areas:…

ARC has over 20 years of experience in performing research in the area of D&D of nuclear facilities, having participated in over 300 projects since 1995 in support of the DOE’s Office of Environmental Management. As part of this support, ARC has evaluated baseline and innovative technologies for D&D applications; to date, over 150 technologies have been assessed at ARC’s facilities in Miami, at DOE sites, and at technology vendors’…