A 1-Megawatt research reactor produces thermal neutrons for radioactivation purposes and for digital neutron radiography. Fast neutrons for atomic displacement research are produced by both the reactor and the 5.5 MegaVolt Pulsed van-de-Graaff accelerator.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell Research Reactor (UMLRR) is a 1 MegaWatt thermal (MWth) open pool materials testing reactor (MTR)-type nuclear research reactor designed and built by General Electric Company.
UMLRR was originally built to contain a Thermal Column, two 8 inch (in) diameter Beamports, four 6-in diameter Beamports, two 2-in diameter Pneumatic Transfer tubes, and various In-Core Radiation Baskets.
To-date, UMLRR contains a Thermal Column, one 8-in diameter Beamport, two 6-in diameter Beamport, one 2-in diameter Pneumatic Transfer tube, a Fast Neutron Irradiator, three In-Core Radiation Baskets, and one center Flux Trap.
The particle accelerator is capable of generating a beam of monoenergetic neutrons.