Analytical Chemistry

Characterization of chemicals and materials, data evaluation from many modern physical and chemical experiments, and analysis of reactor and accelerator operations depend on identification and quantitation of samples.  The operation of the Atomic Energy Commission (and its successor agencies, for that matter)  depended on development and conduct of analytical methods, especially those related to nuclear and radioactive materials. In addition, the instruments used by postwar analytical chemists represented a considerable expenditure of funds, investments perhaps too large for typical university laboratories. Siting analytical chemistry programs within National Laboratories filled not only a scientific requirement, but represented a method by which the Federal Government could establish user-oriented programs.

The Atomic Energy Commission provided support to the National Laboratories both to develop new methods for analysis and to operate facilities to perform chemical analysis.

Last Modified: June 28, 2012

One of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE's Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by the Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University, the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit, applied science and technology organization.

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