Skip to main content

PNNL

  • About
  • News & Media
  • Careers
  • Events
  • Research
    • Scientific Discovery
      • Biology
        • Chemical Biology
        • Computational Biology
        • Ecosystem Science
        • Human Health
          • Cancer Biology
          • Exposure Science & Pathogen Biology
          • Metabolic Inflammatory Diseases
        • Integrative Omics
          • Advanced Metabolomics
          • Chemical Biology
          • Mass Spectrometry-Based Measurement Technologies
          • Spatial and Single-Cell Proteomics
          • Structural Biology
        • Microbiome Science
          • Biofuels & Bioproducts
          • Human Microbiome
          • Soil Microbiome
          • Synthetic Biology
      • Chemistry
        • Computational Chemistry
        • Chemical Separations
        • Chemical Physics
        • Catalysis
      • Earth & Coastal Sciences
        • Atmospheric Science
          • Atmospheric Aerosols
          • Human-Earth System Interactions
          • Modeling Earth Systems
        • Coastal Science
        • Ecosystem Science
        • Plant Science
        • Subsurface Science
        • Terrestrial Aquatics
      • Materials Sciences
        • Materials in Extreme Environments
        • Precision Materials by Design
        • Science of Interfaces
        • Solid Phase Processing
          • Cold Spray
          • Friction Stir Welding & Processing
          • ShAPE
      • Nuclear & Particle Physics
        • Dark Matter
        • Flavor Physics
        • Fusion Energy Science
        • Neutrino Physics
      • Quantum Information Sciences
    • Sustainable Energy
      • Electric Grid Modernization
        • Emergency Response
        • Grid Analytics
          • AGM Program
          • Tools and Capabilities
        • Grid Architecture
        • Grid Cybersecurity
        • Grid Energy Storage
        • Grid Resilience and Decarbonization
          • Earth System Modeling
          • Energy System Modeling
        • Transmission
        • Distribution
      • Energy Efficiency
        • Appliance and Equipment Standards
        • Building Energy Codes
        • Building Technologies
          • Advanced Building Controls
          • Advanced Lighting
          • Building-Grid Integration
        • Building and Grid Modeling
        • Commercial Buildings
        • Federal Buildings
          • Federal Performance Optimization
          • Resilience and Security
        • Grid Resilience and Decarbonization
        • Residential Buildings
          • Building America Solution Center
          • Energy Efficient Technology Integration
          • Home Energy Score
        • Energy Efficient Technology Integration
      • Energy Storage
        • Electrochemical Energy Storage
        • Flexible Loads and Generation
        • Grid Integration, Controls, and Architecture
        • Regulation, Policy, and Valuation
        • Science Supporting Energy Storage
        • Chemical Energy Storage
      • Environmental Management
        • Waste Processing
        • Radiation Measurement
        • Environmental Remediation
      • Fossil Energy
        • Subsurface Energy Systems
        • Carbon Management
          • Carbon Capture
          • Carbon Storage
          • Carbon Utilization
        • Advanced Hydrocarbon Conversion
      • Nuclear Energy
        • Fuel Cycle Research
        • Advanced Reactors
        • Reactor Operations
        • Reactor Licensing
      • Renewable Energy
        • Solar Energy
        • Wind Energy
          • Distributed Wind
          • Wildlife and Wind
          • Wind Data Management
          • Wind Resource Characterization
        • Energy Equity & Health
        • Marine Energy
          • Environmental Monitoring for Marine Energy
          • Marine Biofouling and Corrosion
          • Marine Energy Resource Characterization
          • Testing for Marine Energy
          • The Blue Economy
        • Hydropower
          • Environmental Performance of Hydropower
          • Hydropower Cybersecurity and Digitalization
          • Hydropower and the Electric Grid
          • Materials Science for Hydropower
          • Pumped Storage Hydropower
          • Water + Hydropower Planning
        • Grid Integration of Renewable Energy
        • Geothermal Energy
      • Transportation
        • Bioenergy Technologies
          • Algal Biofuels
          • Aviation Biofuels
          • Waste-to-Energy and Products
        • Hydrogen & Fuel Cells
        • Vehicle Technologies
          • Emission Control
          • Energy-Efficient Mobility Systems
          • Lightweight Materials
          • Vehicle Electrification
          • Vehicle Grid Integration
    • National Security
      • Cybersecurity
        • Discovery and Insight
        • Proactive Defense
        • Trusted Systems
      • Nuclear Material Science
      • Nuclear Nonproliferation
        • Radiological & Nuclear Detection
        • Nuclear Forensics
        • Ultra-Sensitive Nuclear Measurements
        • Nuclear Explosion Monitoring
        • Global Nuclear & Radiological Security
      • Stakeholder Engagement
        • Disaster Recovery
        • Global Collaborations
        • Legislative and Regulatory Analysis
        • Technical Training
      • Systems Integration & Deployment
        • Additive Manufacturing
        • Deployed Technologies
        • Rapid Prototyping
        • Systems Engineering
      • Threat Analysis
        • Advanced Wireless Security
          • 5G Security
          • RF Signal Detection & Exploitation
        • Climate Security
        • Grid Resilience and Decarbonization
        • Internet of Things
        • Maritime Security
      • Chemical & Biothreat Signatures
        • Contraband Detection
        • Pathogen Science & Detection
        • Explosives Detection
        • Threat-Agnostic Biodefense
    • Data Science & Computing
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • Graph and Data Analytics
      • Software Engineering
      • Computational Mathematics & Statistics
      • High-Performance Computing
      • Visual Analytics
    • Lab Objectives
    • Publications & Reports
    • Featured Research
  • People
    • Inventors
    • Diversity & Inclusion
    • Lab Leadership
    • Lab Fellows
    • Staff Accomplishments
  • Partner with PNNL
    • Academia
      • Distinguished Graduate Research Programs
      • Internships
      • Visiting Faculty Program
      • Joint Appointments
      • Joint Institutes
      • Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship
      • Minority-serving Institutions
    • Community
      • Regional Impact
      • STEM Education
        • Resources
        • Student STEM Ambassadors
        • STEM Ambassadors in the Classroom
      • Philanthropy
      • Volunteering
    • Industry
      • Available Technologies
      • Industry
      • Industry Partnerships
      • Licensing & Technology Transfer
      • Entrepreneurial Leave
  • Facilities & Centers
    • All Facilities
      • Atmospheric Radiation Measurement User Facility
      • Electricity Infrastructure Operations Center
      • Energy Sciences Center
      • Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory
      • Grid Storage Launchpad
      • Institute for Integrated Catalysis
      • Interdiction Technology and Integration Laboratory
      • PNNL Seattle Research Center
      • PNNL-Sequim
      • Radiochemical Processing Laboratory
      • Shallow Underground Laboratory

Breadcrumb

  1. Research
  2. National Security
  3. Nuclear Nonproliferation

Nuclear
Nonproliferation

Detecting and controlling
the proliferation of
weapons of mass effect

PNNL researchers are using acoustic technology to quantify the density and flow rate of UF6 gas in enrichment plants. NNSA is the primary sponsor of this research that supports international safeguards.

Andrea Starr | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

  • Cybersecurity
  • Nuclear Material Science
  • Nuclear Nonproliferation
    • Radiological & Nuclear Detection
    • Nuclear Forensics
    • Ultra-Sensitive Nuclear Measurements
    • Nuclear Explosion Monitoring
    • Global Nuclear & Radiological Security
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Systems Integration & Deployment
  • Threat Analysis
  • Chemical & Biothreat Signatures
  • News & Updates
  • Attend a Nuclear Nonproliferation Event
  • Publications
  • Projects
  • Explainer Articles

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) supports the actions of the United States government to limit the number of nuclear-capable states and prevent terrorist access to materials and technology that can threaten the United States and its allies. This work enhances global stability and constrains the range of potential threats facing the nation. We have been working to reduce these threats throughout our history as a national laboratory.

The Radiochemical Processing Laboratory (RPL), a Hazard Category II non-reactor nuclear research facility, is
home to radiological research and development that advances nuclear nonproliferation technology.

Our nuclear nonproliferation roots grow deep

Our scientific roots in Hanford’s plutonium production efforts during the Manhattan Project and the Cold War gave rise to the capabilities and expertise we apply to nuclear nonproliferation efforts today. At the end of the Cold War, our staff helped governments in the former Soviet states secure nuclear materials that were vulnerable to theft. Since that time, we have partnered with our Department of Energy sponsors, other national laboratories, and the international community to improve physical security, install and help sustain detection systems, and lay the groundwork for a civil framework to sustain international safeguards and export control.

A multidisciplinary approach to nuclear nonproliferation

Nuclear nonproliferation refers to deterring the spread of nuclear weapons to entities that do not currently possess them and deterring the increase of nuclear weapons by countries that already possess them. Work in this area often confronts a balance between the peaceful use of nuclear energy and threats—this is a dynamic environment affected by world events. Nuclear nonproliferation is a multifaceted endeavor, and progress requires a holistic approach across many disciplines. 

Fundamental science discoveries in physics, chemistry, and biology and the engineering of detection systems advance national security solutions. PNNL’s nuclear nonproliferation research spans data science, nuclear explosion detection,  legal and regulatory analysis, plutonium and uranium detection, low enriched uranium fuels, ultra-sensitive nuclear measurements, and nuclear forensics, among others.

PNNL convenes recognized experts in research and development, nonproliferation policy, systems integration and deployment, training and education, and nuclear security. Together, we work with our partners and sponsors and collaborate with international organizations to address current challenges, strengthen nonproliferation and arms control norms, and anticipate future threats.

Recent News

FEBRUARY 8, 2023
Staff Accomplishment

Lyons Announced as Member of the FRIB User Organization Executive Committee

Read
Stephanie Lyons
FEBRUARY 1, 2023
Staff Accomplishment

Warmbrod Invited to Join Editorial Board for Frontiers in Microbiology

Read
Portrait photo of Lane Warmbrod
NOVEMBER 17, 2022
Staff Accomplishment

Joules for PNNL-developed Safeguard Technologies

Read
Hands holding an award
SEE MORE RELATED NEWS

Facilities

Radiochemical Processing Laboratory Shallow Underground Laboratory

Related Divisions

AI and Data Analytics Division
Signature Science and Technology Division
Operational Systems and Technology

Related Links

TrainingWhat are Export Controls?

PNNL

  • Get in Touch
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Doing Business
    • Environmental Reports
    • Security & Privacy
    • Vulnerability Disclosure Program
  • Research
    • Scientific Discovery
    • Sustainable Energy
    • National Security
Subscribe to PNNL News
Department of Energy Logo Battelle Logo
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is managed and operated by Battelle for the Department of Energy
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn