Idaho State University has identified the location for its upcoming Advanced Research and Test Reactor, according to reporting from eastidahonews.com. The facility will be constructed at ISU’s Business and Research Park on the Pocatello campus.
The project follows a selection in April by the Department of Energy, which named ISU for its Nuclear Reactor Innovation Center Launch Pad USA program. The university is collaborating with Idaho Falls-based NuCube Energy to design and commission the reactor.
This microreactor is not intended to generate electricity for the power grid. Instead, it will provide direct access to heat, bypassing traditional power conversion systems. The facility aims to support scientific experiments, technology development, testing, and student training.
Dan LaBrier, an associate professor of nuclear engineering at ISU and the project lead, emphasized the educational value of the initiative. “By bringing this technology to a campus setting, ISU is proving that modern reactors can be safely operated and offer the potential to provide valuable resources to our communities,” LaBrier told the EastIdahoNews.com.
The development strengthens ISU’s position in nuclear education. The university currently hosts the only ABET-accredited nuclear engineering undergraduate program in Idaho. This expansion aligns with previous announcements regarding ISU’s second nuclear microreactor and fundraising efforts, further cementing the institution’s role in advancing domestic energy technology.