Kodak’s Secret Underground Neutron Lab: A 31-Year History of Non-Weaponized Nuclear Research

Key points

• Kodak operated a californium neutron flux multiplier (CFX) in an underground Rochester lab from 1975 to 2006.
• The device contained 3.5 pounds of highly enriched uranium and 3.1 milligrams of californium-252 to amplify neutron output by up to 30 times.
• The equipment was used for neutron activation analysis and radiography to detect impurities in photographic chemicals and inspect film without damage.
• The device was not a self-sustaining reactor because it relied on californium to initiate fission; without it, the reaction would cease.
• The facility was decommissioned in 2007, with uranium removed under federal security, and the site was later declared safe despite minor concrete activation.

Background

While recent news has focused on geopolitical uranium enrichment and new nuclear startups, Kodak’s historical use of nuclear materials highlights a distinct, non-weapons application of highly enriched uranium in commercial research. Unlike the current debates surrounding North Korean facilities or US enrichment revivals, Kodak’s device was a specialized tool for material science, not energy production or arms development. The archive notes that while modern entities like General Matter are pushing for rapid domestic enrichment, Kodak’s legacy demonstrates how nuclear technology was previously integrated into private corporate R&D under strict government oversight, a practice that remained largely hidden from the public until 2012.

Why it matters

This story clarifies a common misconception about corporate nuclear holdings, distinguishing between weapon-grade materials and research tools. It highlights how highly enriched uranium was utilized for non-military scientific purposes under strict regulatory frameworks, offering a historical counterpoint to current anxieties about nuclear proliferation and the dual-use nature of enrichment technologies.

What to watch

No new developments are expected, as the facility was decommissioned in 2007 and the building has been sold. The recent report serves as a retrospective analysis rather than an announcement of new activity or policy changes.