The High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), a nuclear research reactor from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, produces neutrons used in a variety of scientific research. Here’s a quick tour.
This equipment is used as part of the Biological Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (Bio-SANS) Instrument. Bio-SANS is one of the foundational technologies for work done as part of ORNL’s Center for Structural Molecular Biology.
Scientists work on removing an HFIR fuel element from the reactor pool.
In July 2015, the HFIR was refueled. On average, a fuel cycle for the HFIR will last for about 26 days.
The tubes are storage canals for fuel elements. Spent fuel glow blue because of Cherenkov radiation, which causes electrons to move through the pool’s water faster than the speed of light.
ORNL’s Matt Collins works on neutron scattering equipment for SANS research.
At the center of the reactor’s fuel element, you’ll find the flux trap. Target materials are irradiated in this area of the reactor.
Christophe Higy and Philipp Gutfreund from the Institut Laue-Langevin prepare a research sample for the HFIR.
IMAGINE is a neutron image-plate single crystal diffractometer. A diffractometer measures structure and scattering on a material when it is irradiated.
Flora Meilleur places an organic molecule crystal on the sample holder in the IMAGINE diffractometer.
Conner is a former Senior Editor for TechRepublic. He is now a Senior Research Analyst at 451 Research.
