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Groundbreaking nuclear research at ACU earns national coverage

The groundbreaking nuclear research at Abilene Christian University, sponsored by Natura Resources, received a boost this week when a Fox Business news crew visited the university’s Dillard Science and Engineering Research Center to report on the advances taking place on campus. The news crew spent two days on the ACU campus preparing for segments that … Continued
ACU NEXT Lab Molten Salt Test System

ACU partners with Texas Tech, Natura to advance cutting-edge technology

Abilene Christian University and Texas Tech University announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Natura Resources LLC of Abilene to seek business opportunities and funding for projects related to Natura’s molten salt reactor (MSR) currently under construction on the ACU campus. The collaboration, which includes the Texas Produced Water Consortium (TxPWC) located at Texas Tech, … Continued

Sen. Ted Cruz visits ACU’s NEXT Lab

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz visited Abilene Christian University’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory (NEXT Lab) Aug. 20 to learn more about the groundbreaking nuclear research taking place, sponsored by Natura Resources.  Cruz toured the new Dillard Science and Engineering Research Center where nuclear research is underway and where the future reactor will be housed. He also … Continued

NEXT Lab

ACU one of 12 universities sharing $25 million from DOE

Abilene Christian University is part of a consortium of 12 universities and 12 national laboratories recently awarded $25 million over the next five years from the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to support the science that underlies its nuclear security and nonproliferation missions. Led by the Georgia Institute of Technology, the … Continued

ACU launches American Nuclear Society student chapter

The American Nuclear Society officially approved the establishment of a student section at Abilene Christian University. ACU is one of 54 U.S. colleges and universities to have an ANS student chapter.  The organization’s purpose is to communicate to the student body about current developments relative to ACU’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory (NEXT Lab) and … Continued

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

NEXT Lab director gains access, insight into U.S. Nuclear Navy operations

  Abilene Christian University is breaking new ground with its Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory, or  NEXT Lab, creating exciting opportunities for students and faculty. A key example is Dr. Rusty Towell’s recent invitation to the U.S. Navy’s Distinguished Visitor Program, allowing a behind-the-scenes look at the world’s most experienced operator of nuclear reactors. As … Continued