The American Nuclear Society (ANS) has officially designated the Illinois Tech reactor as a Nuclear Historic Landmark. With this distinction, the iconic “atomic furnace” joins an exclusive group of facilities that have defined atomic development in the United States.
Illinois Tech Reactor as a Symbol of Applied Science
Built in 1956, in the midst of the post-war era, this reactor was the first in the world to be completely privately owned and operated.Financed by 25 industrial companies, including IBM, Caterpillar and US Steelincluding IBM, Caterpillar and US Steel, it marked a transition from secret military use to open civilian research. Its legacy is as much about the innovative spirit as it is about the ability to integrate science and security in a densely populated urban environment like Chicago.
The reactor design incorporated liquid fuel: a uranyl solution with uranium-235 dissolved in water. In the event of an uncontrolled reaction, the liquid expanded, automatically stopping the criticality, reducing operational risks.
Science with direct impact on society
For more than a decade, the reactor advanced multiple fields of science. Research was conducted on fertilizer absorption and pest control, catalysis and diffusion studies, cold sterilization techniques for food safety, and medical isotope production. His technical legacy continues to inspire contemporary developments in diagnostics and energy.
Jeff Terry, vice president for research at Illinois Tech, noted during the dedication ceremony that “this pioneering effort is a reminder of the progress that has been made and the future that remains to be built. For her part, Lisa Marshall, president of ANS, stressed that “it is essential to preserve these places and to talk about what was accomplished there.”
The commemorative plaque was installed in the Mies campuscampus in Bronzeville, thus closing a historic circle for the city and nuclear science. nuclear science.
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Source and photo: Illinois Institute of Technology
