Effects of ageing on US university research programmes

The history of University Research Reactor (URR) programmes in the United States is analyzed from the 1954 Atoms for Peace program until today. Of the 72 URRs commissioned only 34 remain in operation. The ageing process has had a minimal impact on physical structures and components. The greater impact of ageing has been on the programmes conducted at URRs. After initial construction with substantial federal support, a severe lack of funding existed for normal operating expenses, conducting active research programmes, and maintaining facilities in a state-of-the-art condition. Some facilities funded improvements by selling services to purchase new equipment and support the staff. Improvements also resulted form a recent $4 million federal upgrade program. Efforts are underway to establish a rational program of support to equip the network of URRs as contemporary research centers more committed to their educational and research missions and less driven by the need to perform service work to support their existence. (orig.)