DOE Strengthens Domestic Supply Chain for American Energy and Manufacturing

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Isotope R&D and Production (IRP), within the Office of Science, has announced the successful establishment of the domestic production capability for Iridium-192 (Ir-192) at DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Just over two years after announcing a joint product development agreement with QSA Global Inc., the collaboration has produced the first domestically manufactured, high specific activity Ir-192 discs and is now in routine production. These irradiated Ir-192 discs were shipped to QSA Global who fabricated them into commercial sealed sources for use in various industries across the U.S.

Establishing domestic production of critical isotopes is central to stabilizing the U.S. isotope market and securing long-term supply chain resilience for critical sectors such as manufacturing and energy systems. The establishment of Ir-192 production marks a major milestone in reversing decades of foreign dependence and advancing U.S. leadership in isotope capability.

Ir-192 is indispensable for enabling non-destructive testing of structural integrity in metal components such as castings, forgings, and welds, in a process called industrial gamma radiography. Structural integrity testing is foundational to sectors including shipbuilding, automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and energy. The radioisotope also supports on-site inspection of oil and gas pipelines, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of critical energy infrastructure and reinforcing national defense readiness. This milestone represents the successful execution of a strategic effort launched to address a critical supply gap.

For more than two decades, the United States relied on foreign sources for Ir-192 following the cessation of domestic production. The 2023 agreement between DOE IRP and QSA Global was designed to reverse that dependency. It leverages ORNL's High Flux Isotope Reactor (a DOE Office of Science User Facility) and radioisotope production expertise alongside QSA Global's manufacturing and commercialization capabilities. Together, the partners rapidly advanced target design, irradiation processes, and transportation protocols to enable deployment for high-priority domestic applications.

"This achievement demonstrates the power of coordinated federal leadership and industry partnership to deliver critical capabilities at speed," said Christopher Landers, Director, DOE IRP. "By restoring a domestic supply of Ir-192, we are strengthening U.S. supply chain resilience, reducing reliance on foreign sources, and ensuring our industrial and energy sectors have access to the materials they need to operate safely and competitively."

The establishment of Ir-192 production directly advances IRP's mission to foster a reliable, secure, and innovative domestic isotope supply through strategic partnerships and enhanced production capabilities. It also reflects a broader commitment to stabilizing the U.S. isotope market and securing long-term domestic independence in supply, key steps toward positioning the United States as the global leader in isotope science and production.

"Securing a domestic supply of Ir-192 is critical for our industry and our nation," said Jake Bourn, General Manager at QSA Global, Inc. "At a time of international supply volatility, our collaboration with the US DOE and ORNL empowers QSA Global to deliver with unmatched reliability. We are honored to bridge the gap between government innovation and the frontline technicians working to protect America's energy infrastructure."

Through continued collaboration with industry and the National Laboratory system, DOE IRP remains committed to strengthening the nation's isotope enterprise, ensuring that critical materials like Ir-192 are available when and where they are needed to support economic competitiveness, infrastructure resilience, and national security.