India launches new research reactor

A new reactor, launched in Trombay campus of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre on 10 Sept 2018, re-emphasises the capability of Indian scientists and Engineers to build, complex facilities for health care, science education and research.

A higher capacity swimming pool type research reactor “Apsara-upgraded”, made indigenously, uses plate type dispersion fuel elements made of Low Enriched Uranium (LEU).

By virtue of higher neutron flux, this reactor will increase indigenous production or radio-isotopes for medical application by about 50% and would also be extensively used for research in nuclear physics, material science and radiation shielding.

It is upgrade of Apsara came into existence nearly 62 years ago. After providing more than five decades of dedicated service to the researchers, the reactor was shut down in 2009. fiinews.com