Assessment of the Retrospective and Prospective Economic Impacts of Investments in U.S. Neutron Research Sources and Facilities from 1960 to 2030

Published

May 1, 2024

Author(s)

Amanda Walsh, Sara Nienow, Jonathan Merker, Emily Decker, Claire Strack, Marwa Salem, Gray Martin, Brooke Shaw

Abstract

RTI International received funding from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conduct a study on the retrospective and prospective economic impacts of investments in U.S. neutron scattering research facilities from 1960 through 2030. This report focusses primarily on quantifying the economic returns to investments in the three current U.S. federal neutron scattering facilities with broad open user programs: the High-Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), both located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and the NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) reactor. This report also provides insights on additional infrastructure and policy needs to help the United States stay globally competitive moving forward.

Citation

Grant/Contract Reports (NISTGCR) - NIST GCR 25-060

Report Number

NIST GCR 25-060

NIST Pub Series

Grant/Contract Reports (NISTGCR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.GCR.25-060

Local Download

Citation

Walsh, A. , Nienow, S. , Merker, J. , Decker, E. , Strack, C. , Salem, M. , Martin, G. and Shaw, B. (2024), Assessment of the Retrospective and Prospective Economic Impacts of Investments in U.S. Neutron Research Sources and Facilities from 1960 to 2030, Grant/Contract Reports (NISTGCR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.GCR.25-060, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=959634 (Accessed October 13, 2025)