
News Hits
NERS in the News
2024
Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
February 20, 2025
NERS graduate students Riley Fisher and Muhammad Abdussami, along with Professor Aditi Verma, explore the legal and policy implications of the Supreme Court’s upcoming NRC v. Texas case in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
Inc.
FEBruary 4, 2025
Helion Energy says its series F raise will fund it through the deployment of the first-ever commercial nuclear fusion plant. Professor Carolyn Kuranz is quoted.
The Michigan Daily
December 3, 2024
In 1948, The Michigan Daily published a special edition to announce the creation of the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project, a research institute dedicated to peaceful uses of nuclear technology.
Energy Frontier: The Wyoming Landscape
December 11, 2024
Dr. Allen and Dr. Krutka discuss his career, the important role of national labs, the development of advanced nuclear reactors, and his dedication to ensuring that the national and international discussion of nuclear energy includes voices far more diverse than just nuclear engineers.
The Michigan Daily
December 10, 2024
As the body of research on climate change continues to grow, attention is increasingly focused on sustainable sources of energy. At the University of Michigan’s Nuclear Reactor Analysis & Methods lab, researchers focus on one specific energy source: nuclear energy.
The Detroit News
October 21, 2024
Nationwide, states are taking steps to ensure they have diverse clean electricity to improve air quality, protect public health and create local jobs.
Michigan public
October 1, 2024
Professor Brendan Kochunas discussed the future of the Palisades nuclear plant on Stateside.
Wired
September 27, 2024
Constellation, an energy company that provides electricity and natural gas to customers in 16 states and Washington, announced on Sept. 20, 2024, that it plans to restore and restart Unit 1 at Three Mile Island, a nuclear plant near Middletown, Pennsylvania, that was shut down in 2019. Microsoft has signed a 20-year agreement to purchase electricity generated by the plant to offset power demand from its data centers in the mid-Atlantic region. By NERS Chair Todd Allen.
Issues in Science and Technology
September 26, 2024
Radical designs for fission and fusion energy systems require engineers who are grounded in technical knowledge, adept at engaging communities in participatory design, and fluent in ethical, equity-centered communication. By Aditi Verma, Katie Snyder, Shanna Daly.
Wired
September 24, 2024
Microsoft’s deal to bring back a Three Mile Island nuclear reactor is just one part of Big Tech’s quid pro quo with nuclear power. NERS Chair Todd Allen is quoted.
The Wall Street Journal
September 11, 2024
Despite a rising demand for clean fossil-free energy, not enough young people are entering the atomic industry. Professor Sara Pozzi is quoted.
WMUK
July 17, 2024
Professor Brendan Kochunas discusses his perspective on the ADVANCE Act.
World Nuclear News
July 10, 2024
A study by researchers at NERS ranks the feasibility of converting 245 operational coal power plants in the USA into advanced nuclear reactors, providing valuable insights for policymakers and utilities to meet decarbonisation goals.
Michigan News
July 9, 2024
An assessment ranks the feasibility of converting 245 operational coal power plants in the U.S. into advanced nuclear reactors, providing valuable insights for policymakers and utilities to meet decarbonization goals, according to a new study by NERS and Fastest Path to Zero Institute researchers.
MSN
JuNE 30, 2024
A team of researchers at NERS has developed a groundbreaking real-time, 3D temperature mapping system for nuclear microreactors.
MLive
June 26, 2024
National efforts to hasten the buildout of advanced nuclear energy capacity is expected to benefit efforts already underway in Michigan. Chair Todd Allen is quoted.
IEEE Spectrum
June 19, 2024
Professor Emeritus John Lee is one of five influential engineers who warn of the proliferation risks of low-enriched uranium.
Tech Times
June 6, 2024
The national average is 54% positive.
Michigan News
June 5, 2024
300,000 X posts show 48 of 50 states have a more positive than negative tone about nuclear energy, with a national average at 54% positive.
The Michigan Daily
May 28, 2024
In April, the Department of Energy awarded the University of Michigan $3.6 million to research the development and effects of nuclear energy. The money will be used to research monitoring and cooling systems, as well as radiation damage to reactors.
Newsweek
May 28, 2024
The article discusses the United States Air Force’s (USAF) recent release of photos showcasing the B-21 Raider stealth bomber during test flights at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Prof. Sara Pozzi comments on the importance of maintaining the reliability of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile.
Nuclear Newswire
May 23, 2024
Prof. Sara Pozzi discusses the need to develop the next generation of nuclear security professionals.
Mlive
May 23, 2024
NERS endeavors to utilize nuclear science for various beneficial purposes, from environmental cleanup to medical advancements and national security measures.
Mlive
May 22, 2024
Concerns and safety measures surrounding the storage of nuclear waste along the Great Lakes are discussed amidst Michigan’s plans to revive a nuclear plant to meet clean energy goals. Chair Todd Allen is quoted.
Mlive
May 21, 2024
Michigan has an increased focus on nuclear power as a key solution for meeting energy demands and climate goals. Chair Todd Allen discusses the growing interest in smaller nuclear reactors.
Nuclear Newswire
May 15, 2024
The University of Michigan’s Fastest Path to Zero Initiative has launched the Global Fusion Forum, an online platform focused on fusion energy. It was created to foster international engagement and collaboration in the area of fusion technology.
Michigan Engineering
May 14, 2024
Henderson Academy students used electrolyzers to produce hydrogen gas from water and power miniature fuel cell cars. Chair Todd Allen is quoted.
Science News
February 16, 2024
The experiment, performed in 2022, also revealed a never-before-seen phenomenon. Prof. Carolyn Kuranz is quoted.
Stateline
February 12, 2024
A plant in Michigan might become the first to reopen after closing. Chair Todd Allen is quoted.
2023
Michigan Engineering
December 5, 2023
Once derided as “forever 30 years away,” fusion energy has a new swagger. Will it last?
Idaho National Laboratory
November 9, 2023
INL, along with Argonne National Laboratory, Northwestern University and the University of Michigan, will support MachH2 by providing the technoeconomic and life cycle analyses of the hydrogen hub.
Michigan ENgineering
October 16, 2023
The NSF-supported facility at U-M is about to begin welcoming researchers to study extreme physics that could advance medicine, microelectronics and more.
The Detroit News
October 13, 2023
The U.S. Department of Energy is giving a Michigan-backed clean hydrogen hub project up to $1 billion to develop regional supply chains for the production, distribution and use of hydrogen in trucks and heavy-duty vehicles, officials said Friday.Chair Todd Allen is quoted.
WWJ
August 28, 2023
Michigan is home to three of the world’s 400-some nuclear power stations. When all three are up and running, Michigan gets about 30% of its energy from nuclear sources. Chair Todd Allen discusses.
KCBS Radio
August 24, 2023
Japan has started a controversial practice of releasing treated wastewater from the Fukishima nuclear plant today to get rid of the hundreds of millions of gallons being stored on site. Prof. John Lee discusses.
Detroit News
August 14, 2023
Reopening a modernized Palisades would revitalize the state’s grid with reliable clean energy for decades to come.
Detroit News
July 24, 2023
U-M received $7.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, which in June funded 68 nuclear energy projects with grants totaling more than $56 million. The projects support the development of nuclear technology, early career faculty research and student research at universities and a national laboratory.
Washington Post
July 24, 2023
In a chilling, existential, bizarrely comic moment, the new movie “Oppenheimer” revives an old question: Did Manhattan Project scientists think there was even a minute possibility that detonating the first atomic bomb on the remote plains of New Mexico could destroy the world? NERS Prof. Aditi Verma is quoted.
University Record
July 20, 2023
Kushner was named the William P. Allis Distinguished University Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
CNA
July 5, 2023
The United Nations’ nuclear watchdog said that a two-year review showed Japan’s plans to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea were consistent with global safety standards. The amount of risk involved is very minimal and inconsequential, said some observers. Prof. John Lee shares more.
UNIVERSITY RECORD
June 20, 2023
Two Centers of Excellence for studying basic science surrounding how hot plasmas behave, funded by the National Nuclear Security Administration, have been awarded to NERS professors Carolyn Kuranz and Ryan McBride.
Newsweek
March 23, 2023
The United States is returning the favor regarding the sharing of nuclear data after Russia suspended its participation in the New START Treaty last month. NERS prof. Sara Pozzi is quoted.
The Washington Post
February 19, 2023
The Biden administration envisions dozens of ‘modular’ nuclear plants sprouting across the country. Why coal communities are so eager to be the staging ground for the risky endeavor. Fastest Path to Zero Lead Data Analyst Gabrielle Hoelzle is quoted.
2022
The Conversation
December 13, 2022
American scientists have announced what they have called a major breakthrough in a long-elusive goal of creating energy from nuclear fusion. NERS prof. Carolyn Kuranz is quoted.
Forbes
December 13, 2022
Scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California have managed to get more energy out of a nuclear fusion reaction than they put in to trigger it. NERS Chair Todd Allen is quoted.
NPR
December 13, 2022
Scientists with the U.S. Department of Energy have reached a breakthrough in nuclear fusion. NERS prof. Ryan McBride is quoted.
StateImpact Oklahoma
SEPTEMBER 15, 2022
More than 2,000 feet underground in Carlsbad, New Mexico, sits the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). NERS prof. Aditi Verma is quoted.
Protocol
August 1, 2022
In the race to decarbonize the world’s energy mix, solar panels, wind turbines and batteries have taken center stage. NERS Chair Todd Allen is quoted.
Michigan Engineering News
JUNE 3, 2022
John Foster’s group is developing a plasma-device for disinfecting water on-demand that will be solar- or human-powered.
ScienceNews
JUNE 2, 2022
Nuclear submarines might provide rogue nations with a path to nuclear weapons. But neutrinos could help reveal attempts to go from boats to bombs. NERS prof. Igor Jovanovic is quoted.