Synergistic educational role of the UFTR Neutron Activation Analysis Laboratory

The University of Florida Training Reactor (UFTR) is a light-water-cooled, graphite- and light-water-moderated, modified Argonaut-type reactor licensed to operate at steady-state power levels up to 100 kW. Despite its relatively low power level, the two-slab core configuration provides a peak thermal flux near 2 X 10{sup 12} n/cm{sup 2}{center_dot}s, making neutron activation analysis (NAA) a primary educational and research application of the facility. The synergism between the UFTR and the Neutron Activation Analysis Laboratory (NAAL) ensures their mutual viability as the NAAL has a long and evolving history of involvement with diverse educational activities at many academic levels both within the University of Florida and at other educational institutions. Indeed, its placement under reactor facility management over a decade ago marked the beginning of a long period of increased usage for both facilities.