# DOE Expands Domestic Isotope Supply

The Department of Energy’s Office of Isotope R&D and Production, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) report new domestic capabilities to produce highly enriched silicon and germanium precursor gases. The materials have contaminant isotope levels below 1 ppm, and silicon-28 reaches 99.9999% purity. The capability could provide a domestic source for quantum-computing and semiconductor research, but the announcement does not include a solicitation, contract value, or award. Organizations interested in availability are directed to the DOE National Isotope Development Center (NIDC).

- Procurement teams supporting quantum-information-science or semiconductor research can contact NIDC to ask about material availability and potential supply arrangements.
- The reported purity levels may be relevant when evaluating whether these materials fit research or development specifications; the announcement does not specify quantities, pricing, or delivery terms.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Published:** October 07, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
- DOE Office of Isotope R&D and Production (IRP)
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
- DOE National Isotope Development Center (NIDC)

### Key Quotes
> But we carefully designed our systems and handling procedures to maintain the starting feedstock isotopic purity through to the final silane and germane products.
> — Mike Powell, Project Principal Investigator, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

### Sources
- [Silencing the noise: DOE unveils breakthrough in domestic silicon and germanium isotope supply chains to power next-gen quantum information science – Oak Ridge National Lab](https://www.ornl.gov/news/silencing-noise-doe-unveils-breakthrough-domestic-silicon-and-germanium-isotope-supply-chains/) - ORNL