The US Department of Energy (DOE) is investing nearly $64m in advanced nuclear energy technology to DOE national laboratories, industry, and 39 US universities in 29 states.
The awards are segregated under DOE’s Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP), Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) programme, and Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) programme.
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The DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy has finalised 89 projects for funding for nuclear energy research, facility access, and crosscutting technology and infrastructure development.
DOE Nuclear Energy Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ed McGinnis said: “Because nuclear energy is such a vital part of our nation’s energy portfolio, these investments are necessary to ensure that future generations of Americans will continue to benefit from safe, clean, reliable, and resilient nuclear energy.
“Our commitment to providing researchers with access to the fundamental infrastructure and capabilities needed to develop advanced nuclear technologies is critical.”
Under NEUP the DOE will be awarding $47m, to be used to support 63 US university-led nuclear energy research and development projects across 29 states.
The amount will be used by the projects to provide science and engineering faculties, as well as enable students to develop new technologies and solutions for civil nuclear capabilities.
In addition, $5m will be awarded under NEUP to support 18 university-led projects for research reactor and infrastructure improvements.
The DOE will be awarding $5m under the NEET programme for five research and development projects led by DOE national laboratories, industry, and universities.
The research and development projects carried out under the NEET programme will focus on the development of advanced sensors and instrumentation, advanced manufacturing methods, and materials for multiple nuclear reactor plants and fuel applications.
Under its NSUF programme, DOE has finalised one industry-led and two university-led projects to investigate important nuclear fuel and material applications.
The projects selected under the programme will receive $6.6m in total for research, facility access costs, and enhance their expertise in experimental neutron and ion irradiation testing, post-irradiation examination facilities, and for synchrotron beamline capabilities.
