(IDAHO FALLS, Idaho) – The Idaho National Laboratory announced today that its Structural Properties Laboratory became fully operational in late January. SPL is located at the lab’s Materials and Fuels Complex and represents a major milestone in advancing nuclear energy research and innovation.
SPL tests and studies the materials used in nuclear reactors, helping today’s plants operate safely for longer and supporting development of the advanced reactors of tomorrow.
Equipped with a hot cell for handling highly radioactive materials, advanced robotics for safe material manipulation and scalable space for future growth, SPL sets a new standard for nuclear research infrastructure. This is the first new hot cell in the Department of Energy complex in over four decades.
A $166 million congressional line-item capital construction project, work began on this Hazard Category 3 research facility in March 2020. The project was completed on budget and ahead of schedule, demonstrating INL’s ability to execute large, complex projects.
“The opening of SPL marks a significant step forward in our ability to advance nuclear energy technologies,” said Anne Demma, director of INL’s Nuclear Materials Performance Division. “This facility not only strengthens our research capabilities but also demonstrates the resilience and dedication of our team in overcoming unprecedented challenges to deliver a world-class laboratory.”
SPL is now fully commissioned and ready to fulfill its research mission. In the coming months, it will receive shipments from the Hot Fuels Examination Facility at MFC, the Advanced Test Reactor and other DOE facilities to support the Nuclear Science User Facilities program and enhance its materials library. As additional instruments come online, SPL’s capabilities will expand to support a growing portfolio of research projects.
Throughout the course of construction, the project team addressed numerous challenges including a construction workforce constrained by the COVID-19 pandemic, large-scale supply chain challenges and technical challenges.
“Bringing a new laboratory online requires extraordinary effort,” said Ron Crone, associate laboratory director for MFC. “INL recognizes the dedicated staff and contractors whose expertise and commitment made this achievement possible.”
For more information about SPL and its capabilities, visit this link.
To inquire about conducting research in SPL, contact:
Brandon Miller – brandon.miller@inl.gov
Anne Demma – anne.demma@inl.gov
NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Sarah Neumann, 208-520-1651, sarah.neumann@inl.gov
Sydney Weeks, 208-533-9496, sydney.weeks@inl.gov
