Organisation Description
The LUTECE platform provides advanced facilities for material characterisation and experimental studies, supporting ASNR’s research on the safety of radioactive waste management.
The platform is organised around two main types of analyses:
1. Analysis of solutions and waters – Equipped for detection of anions, cations, trace elements, and isotopic ratios at extremely low concentrations. Core instrumentation includes ICP-MS, ICP-OES, ion chromatography, a UV/visible spectrometer, and a CHONS analyser. Supporting devices such as automatic titrators complement these analyses.
2. Solid sample analysis – Supports comprehensive examination of materials like concrete, rock, and steel, whether prepared in-house or at the Tournemire URL. The platform manages the full lifecycle of samples, from preparation (sawing, pressing, polishing, impregnation, drying) to analysis and data processing. Main tools include XRD, SEM-EDS, a nano indenter, and two micro tomographs with complementary resolutions. These allow detailed mapping of mineralogical, chemical, and physical properties (Young’s modulus, density, pore size distribution). Post-processing software provides qualitative and quantitative datasets for direct use in modelling applications.
Potential Type of Collaboration
Participation in working groups; access to data or facilities; joint research initiatives; training programmes or knowledge transfer activities.
