United States · San Diego, CA · 32.912, -117.130 (approximate location)

Thermionic Critical Experiment

Thermionic Critical Experiment, a research reactor (critical assembly) in San Diego, CA, United States, with 200 W of thermal power, operated by John Jay Hopkins Laboratory for Pure and Applied Science. Decommissioned, first critical in 1968.

It was one of the 340 research reactors the United States has had; 48 remain in operation today. It went critical 26 years after the first research reactor in the United States, CP-1, Chicago Pile 1 (1942). 44 critical assemblies remain in operation today across 12 countries. Its declared uses include materials testing.

Country

United States

City

San Diego, CA

Type

Critical assembly

Thermal power

200 W

Operator

John Jay Hopkins Laboratory for Pure and Applied Science

Status

Decommissioned

First criticality

1968

Purpose

Materials testing

See also: every research reactor in United States · How research reactors work