Established in 1943 as Laboratory No. 2 of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov was tasked with the development of nuclear weapons. Since the 1950s, the Institute also has worked on peaceful nuclear energy technologies. It has designed reactors for military and civilian naval and space applications, developed microelectronics, and also created Russia's internet.[1] Designated a national research center in 1991, the Institute is also one of the four organizations comprising the pilot cooperation project at the National Research Center Kurchatov Institute, established in 2009.[2]

The Institute is focused on the study of thermonuclear fusion, plasma physics, solid state physics, and superconductivity. One of its newest projects is nanotechnology; the Kurchatov Institute is designated as the lead implementing research organization for Russia's national research and development strategy in this area.[3]

There are 5 operational research reactors and 9 critical assemblies on site at Kurchatov, all of which are powered by highly-enriched uranium fuel (HEU).[4] For an overview of Russia's HEU policy and the full list of Russia's facilities using HEU, see the Russia Civilian HEU profile.

The Institute has participated in materials protection, control, and accounting programs focused primarily on physical security.[5] Conversion to low-enriched uranium of some of these facilities is anticipated.

Sources:
[1] "Курчатовский институт" [Kurchatov Institute], Kurchatov Institute website, undated, www.kiae.ru (accessed 18 October 2012).
[2] "National Research Centre Kurchatov Institute," KIAE website, undated, www.kiae.ru (accessed 18 October 2012).
[3] "Курчатовский институт" [Kurchatov Institute], Kurchatov Institute website, undated, www.kiae.ru (accessed 18 October 2012).
[4] "Research reactors: Russia," International Panel on Fissile Materials, undated, fissilematerials.org (accessed 18 October 2012).
[5] "Protection, Control and Accounting of Nuclear Materials: International Challenges and National Programs-Workshop Summary," National Research Council of the National Academies, 2006, p. 46.