A wall of dense concrete that serves as shielding surrounds the tank of heavy water.

[10] The reactor uses highly enriched uranium 235 fuel, in the form of uranium-aluminum cermet with aluminum cladding.

The MITR research program encompasses most aspects of neutron science and engineering including nuclear medicine.

Some of these activities are: The MITR is one of only six facilities in the world that was engaged in patient trials for the use of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) to treat both brain tumors and skin cancer.

The reactor has been criticized by Miles Pomper of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies for having insufficiently unique uses relative to the risk of using highly enriched uranium.