The Nuclear Facilities

Rensselaer’s Nuclear Facilities

The Gaerttner LINAC Laboratory

The Gaerttner LINAC Laboratory is a research facility that houses a linear particle accelerator, or LINAC, which is used to accelerate charged particles to very high energies for use in various experiments in nuclear and particle physics, materials science, and other related fields. The LINAC in the Gaerttner Laboratory is a small, versatile machine that is used for a wide range of research applications. The Gaerttner Laboratory is named after Professor Fredrick R. Gaerttner, a former professor of physics at RPI who was instrumental in the development of the laboratory. The laboratory has a long history of research and innovation and has been used for a wide range of experiments and research projects over the years. Some of the research areas at the Gaerttner Laboratory include:

Nuclear and particle physics: 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: The Gaerttner Laboratory 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: 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 Gaerttner Laboratory is an important facility for nuclear and particle physics research at RPI and provides valuable opportunities for students and researchers to study the behavior of particles and materials at the atomic and subatomic level.

The Waltenhouse Critical Reactor Facility

The 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). The WRCF is 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: 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: 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: 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.

Overall, the WRCF is an important facility for nuclear research and education and provides valuable opportunities for students and researchers to study the behavior of materials and biological systems under controlled radiation conditions.

Sources https://www.rpi.edu/dept/ne/public_html/LINAC.html https://homepages.rpi.edu/~danony/PNR/PNR.html