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Conference Spotlight
2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Latest News
Aalo Atomics achieves criticality on July 4
Executive Order 14301 set an ambitious goal for at least three test reactors to achieve criticality by July 4. Two private companies participating in the Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program—Antares and Valar Atomics—reached this stage earlier in June, and Deployable Energy—participating in the DOE's Nuclear Energy Launch Pad—became the third last week.
In the last few weeks, reports indicated that Aalo would be next, reaching criticality at Idaho National Laboratory with a low-enriched uranium–fueled, sodium-cooled reactor on or near the target date set forth by President Trump’s EO 14301. In the early hours of July 4, Aalo’s critical test reactor—a full-scale zero-power version of its planned 10-MWe Aalo-X—did just that, becoming the fourth DOE-authorized reactor to hit the milestone.
The department of Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University has a unique history. It is home to the first university-based nuclear reactor and associated Nuclear Reactor Program dedicated to teaching, research, and extension. It is also the lead university in two unique consortia: The Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL), funded by the Department of Energy, uses advanced computer simulations to create safer, more cost-effective nuclear power plants. The Consortium for Nonproliferation Enabling Capabilities (CNEC) is funded by the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA’s) Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN R&D) Proliferation Detection Program (PDP). The mission of the PDP is to develop technologies to detect foreign nuclear weapons development activities; to support nuclear arms control treaties verification and monitoring for compliance; and to support national nuclear security more broadly. The Consortium for Nuclear Power (CNP) has been established at the North Carolina State University (NCSU) in March 2017. The mission of CNP is to promote research and development, innovation, education, and training as well as the provision of technical support/expert advice/consultancy services that benefit the nuclear industry and its regulation Come join this session to learn more about NCSU's department of Nuclear Engineering, hear research opportunities, and why you join the WolfPack!
To meet with recruitment officials for the graduate program at NCSU, click here to visit the University Recruitment Booth
