[2] In April 1961, Purdue University selected Lockheed Corporation to build its research reactor after twelve companies submitted bids.

[1][4] The university also uses it as a source for neutrons for research in nuclear engineering, health science, chemistry, pharmacy, agriculture, biology, and nanotechnology.

[4] In 2005, journalism interns produced a report for ABC News about the possibility of terrorist attacks on research reactors in the United States.

When they arrived at Purdue University, the interns were surprised at how easy it was for the general public to obtain a tour of the reactor facilities.

[9] In response, the university said that the ABC report had misrepresented the nature of research reactors and that the interns were not qualified to make such safety evaluations.

Unlike power plants, that produce electricity by running steam turbines, research reactors operate well below boiling conditions.

Because of its low power range and its underground location, Purdue says that any attack on its reactor facilities would be unlikely to affect anything outside of that room.