Atomic Energy Research Establishment

Atomic Energy Research Establishment
Harwell in 1957
Established1 January 1946 (1946-01-01)
LocationHarwell, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
51°34′52″N 1°18′18″W / 51.581°N 1.305°W / 51.581; -1.305

The Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE) was the main centre for atomic energy research and development in the United Kingdom from 1946 to the 1990s. It was created, owned and funded by the British Government.

1972

A number of early research reactors were built here starting with GLEEP in 1947 to provide the underlying science and technology behind the design and building of Britain's nuclear reactors such as the Windscale Piles and Calder Hall nuclear power station. To support this an extensive array of research and design laboratories were built to enable research into all aspects of nuclear reactor and fuel design, and the development of pilot plants for fuel reprocessing. The site became a major employer in the Oxford area.

In the 1990s demand for government-led research had significantly decreased and the site was subsequently gradually diversified to allow private investment, and was known from 2006 as the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia · View on Wikipedia

Developed by Nelliwinne