U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) visited ACU on Tuesday and toured the Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing (NEXT) Lab, guided by University President Dr. Phil Schubert and Natural Resources Founder & CEO Doug Robison. The visit, which includes interaction with student researchers and a demonstration, underscores the NEXT Lab’s significant strides in nuclear research and its impending molten salt research reactor project. The visit coincides with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s review of the construction permit for the innovative reactor, poised to position ACU as a leader in nuclear research by 2026.
-
- Sen. John Cornyn points at the rendering of the completed facility. (Photo by John Stai)
-
- Texas Sen. John Cornyn listens to Dr. Kim Pamplin, professor of chemistry, during a visit to ACU’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory, or NEXT Lab. (Photo by John Stai)
-
- Alli Mae Berry (’19), NEXT Research Scientist, performs a demonstration. (Photo by John Stai)
-
- Dr. Rusty Towell, Director of NEXT Lab, talks to Sen. John Cornyn about the molten salt nuclear reactor. (Photo by John Stai)
-
- Sen. John Cornyn receives a tour around the NEXT Lab. (Photo by John Stai)
-
- Dr. Rusty Towell, Director of NEXT Lab, and Sen. John Cornyn listen to University President Dr. Phil Schubert. (Photo by John Stai)
-
- Community members of Abilene stand with Sen. John Cornyn for a group photo. (Photo by John Stai)
-
- Sen. John Cornyn speaks during his visit at the NEXT Lab. (Photo by John Stai)
