The Gaerttner Linear Accelerator (LINAC) Center[edit]

The Gaerttner Linear Accelerator (LINAC) Center is a research facility that houses a linear particle accelerator (Lina), which is used to accelerate charged particles to very high energies for use in various experiments within nuclear and particle physics, materials science, and other related fields.

The Linac was the most powerful of its kind when it opened in 1961 under an Atomic Energy Commission contract. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute provided the site and building, and the Linac was dedicated on October 21, 1961, alongside the Jonsson-Rowland Science Center. In 1963, a $120,000 National Science Foundation grant funded the Nuclear Engineering and Science Building, expanding graduate research in neutron and radiation studies and providing facilities for the Linac. Federal funding cuts in 1972 led Rensselaer to purchase Linac in 1974, renaming it the Gaerttner Linear Accelerator in 1975 to honor its first director, Dr. Erwin R. Gaerttner. The American Nuclear Society designated it a Nuclear Historic Landmark in 1998, and a $1.1 million refurbishment was completed in 2001. The Center continues to be used for a wide range of experiments and research projects over the years.

Nuclear and Particle Physics[edit]

The Linac is used to produce high-energy particle beams for studies of nuclear and particle physics, including studies of the structure of atomic nuclei and investigations of the properties of subatomic particles.

Materials Science[edit]

The Gaerttner Center is also used for materials science research, including studies of the properties of materials under extreme conditions, such as high pressures and temperatures.

Medical Physics[edit]

The Linac is used for medical physics research and development, including the development of new radiation therapies for cancer treatment and the study of radiation effects on biological systems.

The Waltenhouse Critical Reactor Facility[edit]

The Waltenhouse Critical Reactor Facility (WRCF) is a low-power research reactor that uses highly enriched uranium fuel. The reactor operates at a maximum thermal power of 2 MW, which is much lower than commercial power reactors, but still produces a significant amount of neutron radiation. The WRCF is designed to operate safely and reliably and is subject to strict regulatory oversight by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Built by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) as an experimental facility in 1956, this site was initially used to develop a prototype for the Army Package Power Reactor. ALCO donated the reactor to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1964, where it is now used primarily for educational and research purposes in various fields such as nuclear engineering, materials science, and medical imaging. The reactor provides a unique opportunity for students and researchers to study the behavior of materials and biological systems under controlled irradiation conditions. Some of the research areas at the WRCF include:

Radiation Effects on Materials[edit]

Researchers study the effects of radiation on materials such as metals, polymers, and ceramics to understand how they degrade over time in radiation environments. This information is important for designing materials that can withstand high levels of radiation in applications such as nuclear power plants and space exploration.

Neutron Activation Analysis[edit]

The WRCF is used to activate materials with neutrons, which can then be analyzed to determine their composition. This technique is used in a variety of fields such as forensics, environmental monitoring, and archeology.

Medical Imaging[edit]

The WRCF is used to produce medical isotopes for use in imaging and therapy. For example, the reactor can produce Technetium-99m, which is used in more than 80% of all nuclear medicine procedures.