Research Reactor Section

Utilization and Applications

The fleet of research reactors around the world has a well-documented history of contributing to peaceful nuclear research and technology development. These research reactors have helped in the education and training of generations of scientists, reactor operators, and engineers. They are also used for basic research, isotope production, neutron radiography, neutron beam research and material characterization and testing, among other applications. The Research Reactor Section works with IAEA Member States to ensure that each research reactor is as fully utilized as possible. For states that host research reactors, we can assist with developing projects that increase utilization, depending on the characteristics of the reactor. For states that do not have a research reactor, we work to develop regional collaborative efforts – mainly in the form of Research Reactor Coalitions and networks – that address research and training needs while also increasing reactor utilization.

This video describes the main applications of research reactors and the issues confronting research reactor utilization programmes in IAEA Member States.

Current Projects

• Coalitions and Networks
  • The Baltic Research Reactor Network
  • The Caribbean Research Reactor Coalition
  •  The Central African Research Reactor Network
    • Brochure Research Reactors in Africa
  • The Eastern European Research Reactor Initiative
  • The Eurasia Research Reactor Coalition
  • The Mediterranean Research Reactor Network
  • Commonwealth of Independent States Research Reactor Coalition
  • Global TRIGA Research Reactor Network
  • Low-Flux Research Reactor Network for Utilization Improvement
  • Feasibility of using High-Flux Research Facilities as International Centres of Excellence

• Neutron Beam Applications
  • New publication: Neutron Transmutation Doping of Silicon at Research Reactors, IAEA-TECDOC-1681
  • Compendium on Good Practices for Utilizing Research Reactors for Education
  • Cooperative Research Project on Development of Routine Automation of Advanced Neutron Activation Analysis Laboratories
  • Cooperative Research Project on Development, Characterization and Testing of Materials Using Neutron Beams
  • Cooperative Research Project on Effective Adaptation of Increased Neutron Fluence
  • Cooperative Research Project on Advanced Neutron Imaging and Tomography Techniques
  • Neutron Beams for High Precision Nuclear Data Measurements
  • Technical Meeting on Research Reactor Users' Networks (RRUNs): Advances in Neutron Therapy, 1–5 July 2013, Mainz, Germany
  • Cooperative Research Project (2014-17) on Coordination of Neutron Based State of the Art Techniques for Improving Cancer Treatment – Joint with NAPC, NAHU and PACT
• Medical Isotope Research and Production
  • Feasibility of low-specific-activity non-HEU Molybdenum-99 production and distribution
• Internet Reactor Project
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• International Centres of Excellence in Research Reactors (ICERR) (Password Protected)