Just published, a super important announcement that ACU has signed an agreement with Teledyne Brown to build the first molten salt, generation four, university nuclear test reactor on the Abilene campus. This resonates around the world. It will be the safest and cleanest reactor ever conceived. We are now truly big time and work closely with the Department of Energy. ACU leads the project with U Texas, Texas A&M, and Georgia Tech. Imagine, a WAC school leading the nation in advanced nuclear engineering in such a critical endeavour.

https://www.ans.org/news/article-4159/ab...h-reactor/

(07-28-2022 01:38 PM)RCI Wrote:  Just published, a super important announcement that ACU has signed an agreement with Teledyne Brown to build the first molten salt generation four, university test nuclear reactor on the Abilene campus. This resonates around the world. It will be the safest and cleanest reactor ever conceived. We are now truly big time and work closely with the Department of Energy. ACU leads the project with U Texas, Texas A&M, and Georgia Tech. Imagine, a WAC school leading the nation in advanced nuclear engineering in such a critical endeavour.

Well, congratulations, of course. But given your title I was expecting at least a new UnderAmour sponsorship.

Been working on this for a few years, and there are 150 researchers toiling away building and testing all kinds of required stuff.

Congrats. How did ACU get involved with that project?

(07-29-2022 04:50 PM)RobtheAggie Wrote:  Congrats. How did ACU get involved with that project?

ACU started it. The university has a strong nuclear division and long history with the Department of Energy and our national labs.

And now the application for the reactor is in the process of going through the NRC for approval. This is a major step, the first new advanced university test reactor in 30 years or more. This is a really big deal for a WAC university, a big deal for any university. The team is lead by ACU and included U Texas, Austin, Texas A&M, and Georgia Tech.

The reactor building will be opened very soon, on September 1st, 2023, so it will soon be a lot of equipment moving. Hopefully the research reactor goes live in late 2025 or early 2026. It will be the safest nuclear reactor ever, and the most fuel efficient as well. They are planting trees and grass around the building now.
https://youtu.be/K-UVAOMkdMQ

(08-13-2023 09:19 PM)RCI Wrote:  The reactor building will be opened very soon, on September 1st, 2023, so it will soon be a lot of equipment moving. Hopefully the research reactor goes live in late 2025 or early 2026. It will be the safest nuclear reactor ever, and the most fuel efficient as well. They are planting trees and grass around the building now.
https://youtu.be/K-UVAOMkdMQ

Hope the blast radius doesn't reach Stephenville, wouldn't want to lose two WAC schools in one accident.

Just kidding.

(08-22-2023 10:51 AM)edinburger Wrote:  

(08-13-2023 09:19 PM)RCI Wrote:  The reactor building will be opened very soon, on September 1st, 2023, so it will soon be a lot of equipment moving. Hopefully the research reactor goes live in late 2025 or early 2026. It will be the safest nuclear reactor ever, and the most fuel efficient as well. They are planting trees and grass around the building now.
https://youtu.be/K-UVAOMkdMQ

Hope the blast radius doesn't reach Stephenville, wouldn't want to lose two WAC schools in one accident.

Just kidding.

Don't worry, it is the safest reactor ever built. The pressure is about like your sink faucet. You could punch a hole in it and just put the spilled fuel back in and seal it up.

The ribbon cutting to open the Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC) went very well. There were lots of people from all around the country. It is the only nuclear facility of its type in the USA.

The NRC is aiming to provide the first construction permit by May 2024. This will be the first operational advanced nuclear research reactor in the history of the USA. Exciting times for everyone. Current work includes the team focusing on advanced commercial reactors that will fit on an 18-wheeler flatbed truck. Ship it, bury it in the ground, then add the fuel! This Texas Initiative is very, very important to our country.