Experiment Capabilities

Advanced Test Reactor National Scientific User Facility Users' Guide

Collaborative development of nuclear energy science and technology by three major sectors—academia, the commercial nuclear power industry, and the federal government—is key to meeting challenges in the development of nuclear energy. All three share a common need for experimental capabilities, whether for basic science investigations, applied research in nuclear fuels and materials or validation of data. In April 2007, to fill this need, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Deputy Secretary of Energy designated the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) as a National Scientific User Facility (NSUF). The Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), the Office of Science, and Office of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Programs, or Naval Reactors (NR) strongly endorsed the action. While functioning as a NSUF, the ATR will continue to support its current national missions.

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Hot Fuel Examination Facility

When the U.S. Department of Energy created the Advanced Test Reactor National Scientific User Facility (ATR NSUF) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in April 2007, it provided important new resources to advance the nation’s energy security. The designation opened the Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF) to new users – universities, laboratories and industry – for basic and applied nuclear research and development. HFEF makes available to academic, industrial and federal researchers one of the world’s outstanding post- and interim-irradiation examination capabilities. ATR NSUF combines these HFEF resources with the materials and fuels irradiation and isotope production capabilities of the ATR, making it the premier facility in the world for scientific investigation of nuclear fuels and materials for nuclear energy systems.

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