The World of Nuclear Science

Reactors - Research

Research reactors are essentially nothing more than a source of neutrons. They are much smaller in comparison to nuclear power reactors, and therefore use less fuel. They pose less of a risk to the environment, however, a nuclear explosion can still be devastating.

Neutrons produced by research reactors are used for experiments as well as the manufacture of artificial radioactive isotopes. These artificial radioisotopes can be used in various fields including medicine, industry and agriculture. They are very important to us, and a lot of the procedures, especially medical and industrial, rely on these artificial isotopes that cannot be found in the environment.

Hundreds of research reactors exist in the world, and some universities also have them on site. They are invaluable tools for research and development in science.

There is considerable amount of public misperception that research reactors pose as much danger as power reactors. In fact, within a 10 kilometre radius of a research reactor, the additional radiation exposure is totalled to no more than what a frequent international air traveller would experience.