Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • Classifieds
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / News / NEXT Lab explores alternative energy
(Photo by Holly Dorn)

NEXT Lab explores alternative energy

November 17, 2017 by Lauren Franco

The Nuclear Energy Experimental Testing Lab (NEXT) hosted its first open house, showcasing the near-completion of the first phase of their three-phased mission.

Professor of Engineering and Physics, and Director of the NEXT Lab, Rusty Towell, said the NEXT Lab focuses on hands on practical testing to develop advanced nuclear reactors.

“The big picture goals, the motivation behind the whole project is the ability to solve some of the world’s most critical needs,” Towell said. “Those are to raise people out of poverty by providing them with clean, inexpensive, safe power, pure abundant water and also medical isotopes that are necessary to treat, diagnose and cure cancer.”

The inspiration behind the project largely came from local supporters of ACU who also believe in the goal, most of which helped fund the initial phase.

In a non-nuclear environment with no nuclear reactor, students and faculty studying in the lab are question how to advance the Liquid-Fueled
Molten Salt Reactors (LFMSR) and get a license for an advanced reactor. Currently, their main focus is instrumentation development.

About a year ago, the NEXT Lab shipped from being an idea to a funded project. Over the summer, equipment was put in place with the help of  8-10 students and 8-10 faculty and staff. Students from majors across four departments, engineering and physics, chemistry and computer science assisted in putting the lab together.

There are three phases of the NEXT Lab. First, to initiate an on-campus research program demonstrating the understanding and abilities to safely prepare, heat, flow and study salt mixtures. Second, to build a basic molten salt test loop for advanced testing. Lastly, to build a full-sized, non-nuclear molten salt loop.

Not only does the NEXT Lab work toward global goals, Towell said it is also training the next generation of scientists and engineers.

“I think what really engages students and what helps train and shape students in a powerful way is when you can give them real world problems and you can work with them in the lab in sort of a mentoring relationship,” Towell said. “That’s where students engage, where they can take their classroom learning and put it into practice, and that’s what is really powerful about this project, is that were able to engage students doing that.”

The NEXT Lab hosted their first open house last Saturday, but currently does not have more planned for the future.

For more information, visit acunextlab.org

Filed Under: News

Other News:

  • Student life implements new software, updates rushing process

  • Conversations about extension of Brown Library hours continuing

  • Dead Day events bring atmosphere of liveliness

About Lauren Franco

My name is Lauren and I'm the Editor in Chief of the Optimist this year. I'm an avid fan of romantic comedies, the First Amendment and national parks. More than anything, I'm passionate about storytelling via photographs, and love getting to know the heart of people through my lens.

You are here: Home / News / NEXT Lab explores alternative energy

Other News:

  • Student life implements new software, updates rushing process

  • Conversations about extension of Brown Library hours continuing

  • Dead Day events bring atmosphere of liveliness

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
3h

BREAKING: Campus will continue operating remotely Wednesday due to continued icy conditions.

Reply on Twitter 1620523455421779970 Retweet on Twitter 1620523455421779970 Like on Twitter 1620523455421779970 Twitter 1620523455421779970
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
30 Jan

BREAKING: Campus is closed today due to inclement weather.

Reply on Twitter 1620118377296699393 Retweet on Twitter 1620118377296699393 Like on Twitter 1620118377296699393 4 Twitter 1620118377296699393

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

2 days ago

The Optimist
ACU’s Alpha Psi Omega chapter raised money for the Living Waters Charity by putting on a show in the span of 24 hours. See more photos from our gallery: ... See MoreSee Less

Gallery: 24-Hour Musical tells the heartwarming story of Junie B. Jones - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

ACU’s Alpha Psi Omega chapter raised money for the Living Waters Charity by putting on a show in the span of 24 hours. This year, the department chose to perform the beloved children’s musical “...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

4 days ago

The Optimist
Greek Life has started a partnership with Campus Director, a software company that works with universities all over the country. Read more: ... See MoreSee Less

Student life implements new software, updates rushing process - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Greek Life has started a partnership with Campus Director, a software company that works with universities all over the country. The Campus Director software has an algorithm programmed to match rushe...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Jan. 25, 2023

Tune in to this week's newscast for a look at Greek Life rushing, the annual ... [Read More…]

  • Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved