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University of Missouri Research Reactor Center
The University of Missouri Research Reactor Center (MURR) is a nuclear research facility at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, United States. It houses a tank-type nuclear research reactor. As of June 2025, MURR is the most powerful university research reactor in the United States, with a thermal output of 10 megawatts. It is fueled with highly enriched uranium.
In 1955, University President Elmer Ellis appointed a committee to evaluate the feasibility of a research reactor. A construction permit was issued by the Atomic Energy Commission in November 1961. Construction began in 1963 on a former polo field, led by Ardarth Emmons. The MURR became operational on October 13, 1966.
In 1970, MURR scientist Dr. George Leddicotte gave a courtroom testimony on murder trial evidence using neutron activation analysis.
Ir-192 was produced at MURR to fight breast cancer in 1976.[clarification needed]
In 1986, the first experiments that were performed led to the development of Quadra met and Thera Sphere, which were later approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for helping fight against bone and liver cancer respectively.
In 2016, MURR was awarded the Nuclear Historic Landmark Award from the American Nuclear Society.
As of June 2025, the University of Missouri is working on NextGen MURR, an initiative to build a new 20-megawatt reactor.
Some important reactor events are summarized here.
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University of Missouri Research Reactor Center
The University of Missouri Research Reactor Center (MURR) is a nuclear research facility at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, United States. It houses a tank-type nuclear research reactor. As of June 2025, MURR is the most powerful university research reactor in the United States, with a thermal output of 10 megawatts. It is fueled with highly enriched uranium.
In 1955, University President Elmer Ellis appointed a committee to evaluate the feasibility of a research reactor. A construction permit was issued by the Atomic Energy Commission in November 1961. Construction began in 1963 on a former polo field, led by Ardarth Emmons. The MURR became operational on October 13, 1966.
In 1970, MURR scientist Dr. George Leddicotte gave a courtroom testimony on murder trial evidence using neutron activation analysis.
Ir-192 was produced at MURR to fight breast cancer in 1976.[clarification needed]
In 1986, the first experiments that were performed led to the development of Quadra met and Thera Sphere, which were later approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for helping fight against bone and liver cancer respectively.
In 2016, MURR was awarded the Nuclear Historic Landmark Award from the American Nuclear Society.
As of June 2025, the University of Missouri is working on NextGen MURR, an initiative to build a new 20-megawatt reactor.
Some important reactor events are summarized here.