An Atlanta company has become the first African-American-owned business to license a technology, developed by researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The company, Advanced Systems Technology (AST) will be able to use ORNL technology to identify uranium and transuranic wastes inside sealed drums faster and more reliably than is possible using other methods. In fact, this new technique significantly reduces the time required to analyze waste. In addition, its cost per drum is one-fourth that of other methods, according to researchers in ORNL's Waste Management and Remedial Action Division. Using the Active/Passive Neutron Examination and Assay (APNEA) system, AST can find even tiny amounts of uranium without opening drums, says Hensley, who prepares to load a drum into the machine. AST uses the Active/Passive Neutron Examination and Assay (APNEA) system to "look for neutrons," to allow workers to analyze and find even tiny amounts of uranium without opening sealed drums, enabling AST to meet extremely strict regulations governing nuclear waste. APNEA gives the Georgia-based company increased capabilities in nuclear, environmental and defense services.