The machine was approximately the size of a refrigerator and was housed in a secure underground laboratory. According to the report, Kodak did not use it to generate electricity or develop nuclear weapons. Instead, the company's scientists relied on the equipment to examine materials, detect unwanted substances in chemicals and inspect objects internally without damaging them.
Known as a californium neutron flux multiplier, or CFX, the device was designed to produce a supply of neutrons, tiny particles found inside atoms. Scientists used these neutrons to investigate the composition and properties of different materials.
The presence of highly enriched uranium inside the machine later attracted particular attention. The material can also be used in nuclear weapons, prompting questions about why a photography company had access to it. However, the device operated under government supervision, and its existence had been documented in scientific papers, even though Kodak had not widely publicised the equipment.
Kodak's research activities extended beyond manufacturing cameras and selling photographic film. The company also investigated the materials and chemicals used in its products, requiring scientists to determine their composition and identify any unwanted substances that could affect their properties.
The nuclear device supported this work through two techniques: neutron activation analysis and neutron radiography.
Neutron activation analysis allowed scientists to identify elements present in a sample. Researchers directed neutrons at the material, causing some of its atoms to emit signals in the form of gamma rays. By measuring these signals, scientists could determine which elements were present and detect impurities.
The second technique, neutron radiography, enabled researchers to examine the interior of an object without cutting it open. Neutron imaging is particularly useful for inspecting certain lighter materials, including water and photographic film, that may not appear clearly in conventional X-ray images.
The facility's history highlights an unusual application of nuclear technology in industrial research. Although the device contained highly enriched uranium, its stated purpose was to help Kodak scientists analyse materials and inspect objects, rather than produce electricity or develop nuclear weapons. Its decades-long operation remained largely outside public attention until the facility's existence became widely known in 2012.
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