Oak Ridge National Laboratory's High Flux Isotope Reactor has been designated a Nuclear Historic Landmark by the American Nuclear Society.

The HFIR is the sixth facility at ORNL to gain that designation.

The 85-megawatt research reactor, which was built in the 1960s, remains an important part of the lab's research activities and production of radioisotopes for medicine, research and industry.

Here's what ORNL Director Thom Mason said in a statement: "This designation from the ANS recognizes HFIR's role in the history of the nuclear age, but it also speaks to the excellence of its design and operation. HFIR remains one of the world's most capable reactor-based neutron science, radioisotope production and materials irradiation facilities, and we expect that to continue for many years." Read more here.