ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) -- A little-known piece of Kodak's history has emerged as the company struggles for survival: It used to operate a small nuclear research reactor at its Rochester, N.Y., home.
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports (http://on.rocne.ws/JUUy84 ) the reactor fueled by 3 1/2 pounds of highly enriched uranium operated for 30 years before it was dismantled in 2007. The fuel was moved under secrecy and high security to a federal facility.
Researchers say Kodak used the refrigerator-sized device to produce neutrons for testing materials and imaging. They say it was mentioned in research papers. But the company didn't publicize its existence in the city.
Reactors at Cornell and the University at Buffalo have been shut down in recent years. One at Rensselaer Polytechnic University is no longer fueled by highly enriched uranium.
