Zoé (reactor)

Zoé was France's first nuclear reactor. It began operation in 1948 at the Fort de Châtillon, near Paris. The name "Zoé" is an acronym derived from the components used in its construction: Z for zéro (zero power), O for oxyde d'uranium (uranium oxide), and E for eau lourde (heavy water). It was designed by Frédéric Joliot-Curie and his team and was primarily used for research and isotope production.

Zoé was a heavy-water moderated, natural uranium fueled reactor. Its low power output allowed for relatively safe operation and experimentation. The reactor played a crucial role in the early development of the French nuclear program, providing a platform for training scientists and engineers, and for producing isotopes used in medicine and industry. It also provided valuable experience in reactor design and operation that informed subsequent reactor projects.

Zoé was shut down in 1976 and subsequently decommissioned. Its legacy remains significant as the foundational reactor that launched France's engagement with nuclear technology. The knowledge and materials gained through its operation were instrumental in advancing nuclear science and engineering in the country.