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ACU’s NEXT Lab, Natura Resources complete molten salt transfer from Copenhagen Atomics

Abilene Christian University’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing (NEXT) Laboratory recently acquired a test batch of purified salt from Copenhagen Atomics (CA), another step toward deployment of the Natura Resources-funded Molten Salt Research Reactor. ACU is part of the Natura Resources Research Alliance – along with the Georgia Institute of Technology, Texas A&M University and The … Continued
Dillard Science and Engineering Research Center

NRC construction permit issuance expected in September

This week the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) announced it will complete the safety assessment and construction permit issuance for the Natura Resources-funded Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR) at Abilene Christian University by Sept. 30. In March, the NRC completed the environmental assessment of the Natura-funded MSRR at ACU. The reactor will be the first deployment … Continued

NRC completes environmental assessment of ACU NEXT Lab

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently completed its environmental assessment of Abilene Christian University’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing (NEXT) Lab, a significant milestone in its goal to build a Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR). NEXT Lab – in collaboration with Natura Resources – has set out to design, license and commission an MSRR to be … Continued

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Cornyn visits ACU’s NEXT Lab, praises nuclear research

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn visited Abilene Christian University’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory (NEXT Lab) April 2 to learn more about ACU’s research into advanced molten salt reactors, sponsored by Natura Resources. Cornyn toured the new Dillard Science and Engineering Research Center where nuclear research is underway and where the reactor will be housed. He … Continued

ACU NEXT Lab receives third patent

Research at Abilene Christian University’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory (NEXT Lab) – sponsored by Natura Resources – has led to the approval of a third patent as the team works toward designing and building the first university-based Molten Salt Research Reactor. This month, the U.S. Patent and Trademark office will officially award ACU the … Continued

Second NRC official visits ACU’s NEXT Lab

The Honorable David Wright, a member of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), visited Abilene Christian University’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory (NEXT Lab) Dec. 6 to meet with senior leaders from ACU and Natura Resources.  Wright is the second NRC official to visit NEXT Lab; NRC chair Christopher Hanson came to ACU’s campus in … Continued

Dillard Science and Engineering Research Center

ACU celebrates grand opening of science, research facility

The Gayle and Max Dillard Science and Engineering Research Center (SERC) – home of Abilene Christian University’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory and the future home of one of the first advanced reactors in the United States – opened on Friday with more than 300 people on hand to celebrate the occasion and tour the … Continued

Natura Resources selects Zachry Nuclear Engineering to design reactor for deployment at ACU

Abilene Christian University’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory and Abilene-based Natura Resources have taken another step toward construction of one of the first advanced reactors in the United States. Zachry Nuclear Engineering has been selected to design the Natura Resources Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) that will be deployed on ACU’s campus. “Natura Resources is excited … Continued