University of Wisconsin
Nuclear Reactor Laboratory
Department of Engineering Physics,
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Nuclear Reactor Laboratory
Welcome to the University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor (UWNR)
website. The UWNR was established as a teaching laboratory for the Engineering Physics Department. The capabilities
of the laboratory are also available for use by others. Click on the menu
above to take a virtual tour of our facility, learn about Neutron Activation
Analysis (NAA) services, or access course websites hosted by the UWNR.
Outreach
The UWNR maintains an open and welcoming environment to the general public and the community around it.
In the past year, the UWNR has brought in
members of the community for the following activities:- More than 400 Boy
Scouts earned their "Atomic Energy" badge.
- Nuclear science education for close to 800 general public individuals in the form of tours, demonstrations, and science experiments.
- Individuals who have participated include local middle schools, local high schools, and different university groups.
Instruction
In addition to instruction for students from the department, students from a number of other educational institutions
have used the UWNR facilities under the
sponsorship of the U. S. Department of Energy Reactor Sharing Program. Such use has ranged from individual laboratory sessions to semester-long
laboratories on selected topics (reactor operation characteristics, neutron activation analysis, and radiation safety instrumentation).
Read more about information on the Reactor Sharing Program
and previous uses by other educational institutions.
Training and Services
Several courses which train on reactor operations and radiation detection
equipment are offered through the Engineering Physics Department. Click on
Courses on the main menu at the top of this page for more information.Radiation and safety training is performed for
the UW Police Department and the UW Safety Department.
The UWNR also provided support for other Universities including various instrument calibrations and other compliance assistance and expertise.
The UWNR extends its aid to support the Nuclear Plant Community including Operator Training and Isotope production for moisture carryover studies.
Research Support
Research support is provided for industry as well as other educational institutions. The primary activities in the past have involved sample analysis
by Neutron Activation Analysis. Click on NAA on the main menu at the top
of this page for more information. Additional research that has or will be
done at the UWNR include:
- Medical Isotopes
Heart stents were irradiated prior to implanting. Study to determine if radiation emissions from implanted stents would prevent re-blocking of artery following stent placement. -
Environmental Assessment
Used reactor to measure stable environment tracers. Used to study the transport of contaminants in ground water systems. -
Neutron radiography imaging for industrial customers
Unique imaging service (similar but different applications from x-ray imaging).
Current project - diesel fuel injector imaging. - Trace element detection
Industrial customers used this service to measure trace quantities of unwanted elements in their high performance copper and nickel alloys. -
Archeology
Archeology departments around the country are major users of Neutron Activation
Analysis services. This is a trace element detection service that allows researchers to establish
the source region for archeological samples. - Advance Reactor Design Research
Material properties in a nuclear reactor environment.-
For questions or further information:
Telephone: 608-262-3392
Email:
reactor "at" engr.wisc.edu
Mailing Address:
Nuclear Reactor Laboratory
1513 University Avenue
Madison, WI 53706-1572
Back to Reactor Laboratory Homepage
Last Modified: 9/5/2007
