LARAMIE, Wyo. — The University of Wyoming (UW) is planning to create a new nuclear research core facility after receiving a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The facility will only be open to use by faculty and students from across UW, but Caleb Hill, assistant professor of Chemistry and Nuclear Energy Research Center (NERC) co-director, says access may expand to non-UW entities in the future.
“Our main goal is serving the research and teaching mission of UW,” Hill told Buckrail. “We’re establishing the infrastructure UW needs to train students in nuclear science and carry out research in this field.”
According to Hill, the primary safety concern when working with radioactive material is minimizing exposure to the users. The planned facility will have the necessary equipment for monitoring, ventilation and shielding. All UW users will undergo intensive training and studies will utilize the minimum amounts of material needed.
“We anticipate the facilities will enable new lines of research related to critical materials extraction, nuclear fuel production/reprocessing and the development of advanced materials for nuclear applications,” Hill says.
Hill also notes the radiation safety office at UW will work to help ensure the operations and safety of the facility.
At the end of last year, TerraPower announced Kemmerer, Wyoming, would be the site of a nuclear reactor as nuclear power is considered in the transition from coal power.
