June 30, 2025

After-Pop! What is a Hot Cell?

After-Pop! What is a Hot Cell?

After-Pop! Episode: What the Heck is a Hot Cell?

In this After-Pop! Danielle breaks down the mysterious world of nuclear hot cells—shielded enclosures that let scientists safely handle some of the most radioactive materials on Earth. From spent nuclear fuel to life-saving radiopharmaceuticals, hot cells are the unsung heroes of nuclear science and medicine.

✨ What We Cover:

  • What hot cells are and why they matter

  • How they look and operate (hello, robotic arms!)

  • The different types of hot cells: standard, GMP, mini cells, and mobile

  • The crucial role they play in nuclear fuel reprocessing, reactor safety, medical isotope production, and more

  • A look ahead at innovations in automation and training

🎧 Listen to our full episode with Marcellus Boykin, where we first touched on hot cells and other nuclear workforce innovations: [LINK TO EPISODE]

🔗 Learn more about hot cells:


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