1. Resolve™ Filters for alpha source preparation Charleston, SC May 4, 2004

2. Resolve™ Filters 0.1μ polypropylene 25mm disks Uniform pore size distribution Quality control appropriate for α-spectrometry

3. Product Development/Validation Evaluation of Resolve Filters –Comparison with commercially available filters Supplier #1 Supplier #2 –Evaluate performance (alpha spec) and appearance (SEM) Validate lot-to-lot variability of supplier Assurance of filter quality

4. Reported Lot-to-lot Variability Filter Supplier #1, 1500x Known “poor” performing lotKnown “well” performing lot

5. SEM Comparison Supplier #1: 1500 XSupplier #2: 1500 X Eichrom Filter: 1500 X

6. Various Lots of Eichrom Filters Eichrom lot AEichrom lot B Eichrom lot DEichrom lot C 1500x

7. Compared to “Poor Performing” Lot Eichrom lot A Eichrom lot B Eichrom lot DEichrom lot C Known “poor” performing lot 1500x

8. Compared to “Well Performing” Lot Eichrom lot AEichrom lot B Eichrom lot DEichrom lot C Known “well” performing lot 1500x

9. Filter Blank Comparison 1000 minute direct count Measured activity (pCi) in the U-232 region Supplier #1Supplier #2Eichrom Filter <0.0155<0.0040<0.0259 <0.0321<0.0022<0.033 <0.0031<0.0019<0.0017

10. Alpha Spectra – lot 292218 Am-243 FWHM: 32 keV Am-241 FWHM: 31 keV U-232 FWHM: 23 keV

11. Alpha Spectra: Lot 264825 Am-243 FWHM:28 keV Am-241 FWHM: 32 keV U-232 FWHM:29 keV

12. Quality Assurance Program Screening of filter material roll stock SEM –Visual evaluation –Pore size uniformity: subjective determination Alpha Spectrometry –Am-241/243; 50µg Ce –FWHM each peak <= 50 keV

13. A little background on filters Design and specification set on “removal” of particles from liquids. Nominal “pore size” related to the size of particles removed from the liquid. In alpha spec source prep the major consideration should be a uniform pore size to give the best source. “Shiny side” apparent on some types of filters indicating different performance each side.

14. “0.1 micron” pore size filter 1µ Surface pores > 0.1µ will occur Designed to remove 99.98% of particles >0.1µ Goal of Eichrom product is uniform pore size 15,000x

15. Resolve “0.1 micron” pore size filter 1µ 15,000x

16. Two sides of the filter “Inside” and “Outside” of the Roll Stock (5,000x magnification) Inside Lot 292218Outside Lot 292218

17. Peak Resolution Evaluation FWHM (keV) Am-243 Outside Am-243 Inside Am-241 Outside Am-241 Inside 36294126 28223337 31383245 32353744 43423742 4341 Ave =34Ave =33Ave = 36Ave = 39 Std dev = 7Std dev = 8Std dev = 4Std dev = 8

18. External Product Evaluation Barry Stewart, Carlsbad EMRC –“These filters are superb for use in making sources for alpha spectroscopy.” Am 241/243 With and without substrate ASTM C1163-98, LaF 3 ppt., 50 µg La carrier “Glossy side” up and down

19. External Results SampleSubstrateOrientationFWHM keV Am-243 recovery Am-241 recovery 1NoGlossy down2898.4% 2NoGlossy down2595.7%95.5% 3NoGlossy up22101.9%97.6% 4NoGlossy up26100.2%99.3% 5YesGlossy down25100.5%96.1% 6YesGlossy down2398.6%97.0% 7YesGlossy up2595.1%94.8% 8YesGlossy up2697.6%95.0%

20. Summary Eichrom now supplies a 0.1µ polypropylene filter for alpha spec source prep Pore size uniformity is monitored by SEM analysis and performance is measured by FWHM of Am-243/241 (specification <= 50 keV.) Performance demonstrated at Eichrom and externally. Both sides of filter are equivalent: no need to “put the shiny side up.”