Mini-SHINE/MIPS Experiment

Abstract

The mission of the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI) is to reduce and protect vulnerable nuclear and radiological materials located at civilian sites worldwide. The Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) Reactor Conversion subprogram supports the conversion of domestic and international civilian research reactors and isotope production facilities from the use of weapons-of-mass-destruction- (WMD-) usable HEU fuel and targets to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel and targets. These efforts result in permanent threat reduction because WMD-usable HEU in the civilian fuel cycle is minimized or eliminated. The main technology components of the program are (1) the development of advanced LEU fuels, (2) design and safety analysis for research reactor conversion, and (3) development of targets and processes for the production of the medical isotope molybdenum-99 ( 99 Mo )without using HEU.