IDAHO FALLS – Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has completed substantial construction of a new facility that will serve as a national asset for accelerated research, development and qualification of structural nuclear materials. The Sample Preparation Laboratory (SPL) is expected to be operational in 2025.
As the first new hot cell facility built at INL in 49 years, SPL’s nuclear materials analysis capabilities will increase understanding of structural materials for nuclear power plants. It will also provide opportunities to accelerate research and deploy advanced materials that will extend the life of new and existing advanced reactors.
The facility is designed to provide visiting researchers with access to state-of-the-art scientific instruments to study nuclear structural materials.
SPL was designed in 2017 and funded by Congress in 2019. Construction began in June 2020 and achieved substantial completion ahead of schedule and below the $166-million budget. To celebrate substantial construction completion, INL held a ribbon-cutting event at its Materials and Fuels Complex, where SPL is located.
Guests included U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, U.S. Department of Energy Acting Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Mike Goff, and the Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Infrastructure Programs Tracey Bishop. Materials and Fuels Complex Associate Laboratory Director Ron Crone, INL Director John Wagner, Goff and Simpson provided remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Guests received a guided walk-through of some of SPL’s one-of-a-kind research capabilities, which fill a national gap for testing nuclear structural materials. More information about the facility is here.
“The Sample Preparation Lab will give us the opportunity to partner with other national laboratories, universities and the nuclear power industry,” said Crone. “These expanded collaborations will enable INL to provide innovative material solutions to support nuclear energy in the United States.”
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