The activities of the Radiochemistry and Radiation Chemistry Laboratory (RadChem), funded by national and European projects, focus on:

• The reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management: separation of fission products, lanthanides and actinides through hydro- and pyro-metallurgical processes for the development of Generation IV reactors.
• The decommissioning of nuclear/industrial plants: methods for radiochemical characterisation of radioactive waste and materials contaminated by artificial and natural radionuclides.
• Radioactive waste management: methods for the treatment and conditioning of radioactive waste from laboratory to pilot scale, characterisation and qualification testing.
• Technological and medical applications of ionising radiation: study of radio-resistance and radiation-induced modifications of polymers and various matrices; innovative chemical dosimeters for industrial applications and radiotherapy.
• Innovative education: development of educational materials for education and training activities in radiochemistry and nuclear fields.

The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments for handling solid and liquid matrices, as well as for their chemical-physical and nuclear characterisation (UV-Vis spectrometry, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, and XRF) and radiometric measurements (α and γ spectrometry, low-background liquid scintillation).

It offers chemical and radiochemical characterisation services and testing of environmental and technological matrices, even if contaminated, in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice and ISO/EPA/UNI/ASTM standards.