Research reactors: Global perspectives and insights into Saudi Arabia's advancements and future prospects

Research reactors play a crucial role in harnessing nuclear energy for diverse applications across various fields, serving as critical infrastructure for science, technology, and health sectors worldwide. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current status, utilization, and design aspects of research reactors worldwide, with the goal of informing Saudi Arabia's emerging research reactor program. It explores their classification based on criticality status and power levels, highlighting their flexibility compared to standard Light Water Reactors (LWRs). Unlike LWRs, research reactors employ diverse fuel materials, often enriched to levels exceeding 5 wt%. Key applications, including radioisotope production, neutron activation analysis, and beam port applications, are discussed in detail. Special attention is given to the production of critical isotopes such as I-131, Te-99, and Ir-192, emphasizing the global challenges posed by shortages and operational constraints among major producers. The paper also reviews the status of Saudi Arabia's research reactor program, shedding light on the sectors involved in the project's development and the potential contributions to the nuclear energy landscape. This includes an assessment of local needs for isotope production, education, and industrial testing, particularly in the eastern province. The importance of expanding isotope production capacity to meet growing demands is underscored, along with strategies to overcome existing challenges. This study provides insights into the evolving role of research reactors and underscores their significance in advancing scientific research, medical advancements, and industrial applications. It also highlights the strategic opportunity for Saudi Arabia to address regional gaps and build nuclear capacity by leveraging lessons from international research reactor programs. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd