Instructional Capabilities
Instructional use of the reactor is largely twofold. First, it is used significantly for classes in nuclear engineering, radiation protection, and chemistry at both the graduate and undergraduate levels to demonstrate numerous principles which have been presented in the classroom. Basic neutron behavior is the same in small reactors as it is in large power reactors, and many demonstrations and instructional experiments can be performed using the OSTR which could not be carried out with a commercial power reactor. The reactor is also available for shorter-term demonstration experiments for graduate and undergraduate students in any academic discipline, as well as for visitors from other universities and colleges, from high schools, and from public groups. A second instructional capability of the OSTR involves education of reactor operators, operations managers, and radiation health physicists.

Research Capabilities
The OSTR is a unique and valuable tool for a wide variety of research applications, and serves as an excellent source of neutrons and/or gamma radiation. The OSTR's irradiation facilities provide a wide range of neutron flux levels and neutron flux qualities, which are sufficient to meet the needs of most researchers.

Typical uses include:

Neutron activation analysis
[³⁹Ar/⁴⁰Ar] geochronology
Fission track geochronology
Radioisotope production
Neutron radiography
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) studies