News Hits

NERS in the News

2024

WMUK

July 17, 2024

A new law aims to advance U.S. nuclear power, but some fear it shortchanges safety

Prof. Brendan Kochunas discusses his perspective on the ADVANCE Act.

World Nuclear News

July 10, 2024

US study examines feasibility of coal-to-nuclear conversion

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

Pinpointing coal plants to convert to nuclear energy, considering both practicality and community support

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

Nuclear microreactor gets unmatched safety with live 3D temperature mapping

A team of researchers at NERS has developed a groundbreaking real-time, 3D temperature mapping system for nuclear microreactors.

MLive

June 26, 2024

Nuclear energy on fast track with national bill; Michigan to benefit

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

Could Advanced Nuclear Reactors Fuel Terrorist Bombs?

Professor Emeritus John Lee is one of five influential engineers who warn of the proliferation risks of low-enriched uranium.

Michigan News

June 5, 2024

US public opinion on social media is warming to nuclear energy, but concerns remain

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

$3.6 million awarded to UMich to advance nuclear energy

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

Photos Preview Boost to America’s Nuclear Triad

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

Nuclear security workforce development

Prof. Sara Pozzi discusses the need to develop the next generation of nuclear security professionals.

Mlive

May 23, 2024

Michigan nuclear science students are on a mission to save the world

NERS endeavors to utilize nuclear science for various beneficial purposes, from environmental cleanup to medical advancements and national security measures.

Mlive

May 22, 2024

Nuclear waste storage along the Great Lakes: How severe is the risk?

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

Nuclear is getting a reaction in Michigan. Is it reaching critical mass?

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

Net-zero initiative launches online fusion forum

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

Racing hydrogen cars in Detroit

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

Here’s how scientists reached nuclear fusion ‘ignition’ for the first time

The experiment, performed in 2022, also revealed a never-before-seen phenomenon. Prof. Carolyn Kuranz is quoted.

Stateline

February 12, 2024

Federal money could supercharge state efforts to preserve nuclear power

A plant in Michigan might become the first to reopen after closing. Chair Todd Allen is quoted.

2023

Michigan Engineering

December 5, 2023

New Energy

Once derided as “forever 30 years away,” fusion energy has a new swagger. Will it last?

Idaho National Laboratory

November 9, 2023

Idaho National Laboratory to play a key role in Midwest hydrogen hub

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

Soon-to-be most powerful laser in the US is open for experiments

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

Michigan-backed hydrogen hub gets up to $1B from feds

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

As Michigan looks for green energy sources, is the answer more or less nuclear power in the state?

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 is releasing treated wastewater from the Fukishima nuclear plant

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

Todd Allen and Carol Browner: Palisades Nuclear Plant promises clean power

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 gets $7.5M in federal aid to research nuclear energy projects

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

How Oppenheimer weighed the odds of an atomic bomb test ending Earth

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

Mark J. Kushner honored with Distinguished University Professorship

Kushner was named the William P. Allis Distinguished University Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

CNA

July 5, 2023

Risk involved in releasing treated radioactive water from Fukushima plant ‘minimal’: Analyst

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

Astrophysics, nuclear fusion centers receive $27M

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

Russia and U.S. Cut Each Other Off From Key Info On Nuclear Weapons

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

Smaller, safer, cheaper? Modular nuclear plants could reshape coal country.

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

Why fusion ignition is being hailed as a major breakthrough in fusion – a nuclear physicist explains

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

Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough: Can The Quest For Clean Energy Finally Help Tackle The Climate Crisis?

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

U.S. reaches a fusion power milestone. Will it be enough to save the planet?

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

Where should we put our country’s nuclear waste? StateImpact Oklahoma goes underground to find out

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

Is nuclear having a moment? It depends on who you ask.

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

Solar powered, point-of-use plasma disinfection tool for clean water on demand

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

How neutrinos could ensure a submarine’s nuclear fuel isn’t weaponized

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.