Research & Development

Areas of Focus

Virginia does not have a research reactor facility that would serve the needs of the Virginia Universities and industry. With increasing demand for new nuclear and the use of advanced materials and technologies, research, education and testing needs that can be served with a test reactor facility will continue.
Organizing our VA stakeholders around an accessible research reactor facility will serve to deepen the expertise and capabilities of the VA universities and help position Virginia as a leader in an innovative research model for the future. This will further serve as an academic talent attractor for education of students in the Commonwealth as well as researchers who would benefit from the reactor’s flexible test capabilities.

Advanced reactors will operate at higher temperatures and use innovative coolants and fuels—promising greater efficiency and new applications in power, hydrogen, and industrial heat. However, these conditions create unique materials-performance challenges that must be fully understood to ensure safety, durability, and cost-effective operation.
The Virginia Center for Nuclear Materials Reliability (VA-CNMR) will create a seamless ecosystem that connects education, workforce development, and industry collaboration. By integrating these elements, it can open pathways to new research areas, drive innovation and technology transfer, and ultimately consolidate Virginia’s position as a national leader in nuclear science and engineering.

Tripling nuclear generation capacity by 2050 would require commensurately tripling the fuel supply chain capacity. The different fuel supply chain elements will depend on the mix of technologies deployed.
The component supply chain consists broadly of raw materials, processing, component manufacturing and modular assembly or sub-assembly. A common concern of the US nuclear supply chain for all reactor design generations involves manufacturing capacity and capability for large components

Small Grants Program that will invite proposals for projects from Virginia universities, community colleges, high schools, economic development organizations, workforce development organizations, and non-profit organizations that support Virginia industry and workforce development. Proposed projects would address

- - opportunities to build the supply chain for the nuclear energy industry in Virginia.
  - technology development needed to grow nuclear energy in Virginia.
  - building a workforce pipeline to support the nuclear energy industry in Virginia.