JSU gets $250,000 contract from Corps of Engineers to eliminate depleted uranium

September 28, 2016
JSU Department of Chemistry’s Dr. Fengxiang Han joins John H. Ballard, a research physicist with the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in announcing the cooperative agreement. Ballard said the collaboration will benefit greatly the faculty and students at Jackson State University.
JSU Department of Chemistry’s Dr. Fengxiang Han joins John H. Ballard, a research physicist with the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in announcing the cooperative agreement. Ballard said the collaboration will benefit greatly the faculty and students at JSU.

JSU has received a $250,000 contract from the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop technology that will eliminate environmental exposure or contain depleted uranium that resulted from Department of Defense munitions.

While depleted uranium is an effective penetrating material because of its density and self-sharpening characteristics, there are concerns about its low-grade radioactive properties, especially contamination of soil and water and inhalation by civilians and military personnel.

The contract proposal qualifies for a multiyear cooperative agreement between the Vicksburg ERDC-Environmental Laboratory and Jackson State University.

The study is expected to enhance development and selection of the most cost-effective and environmental friendly technology for managing or cleaning areas of depleted uranium.

JSU’s approach will include laboratory studies that examine oxide/soil interactions of depleted uranium, as well as a field pilot study and controlled greenhouse experiments.