Nuclear Reactor Program

Nuclear reactor in Burlington Labs.

Nuclear Reactor Program

Partner of the Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF), Idaho National Lab
Member of the Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network (RTNN)

Message from the NRP

The Nuclear Reactor Program (NRP), as a center at North Carolina State University (NCSU), stands in strong and complete support of the messages expressed by our leadership for equity, diversity, and the rejection of all and any forms of racism and discrimination. At the NRP we have always operated according to such moral and ethical standards. We believe that the prosperity of humanity is existentially dependent on its diversity. Consequently, the NRP pledges to be not only a center of education and science, but a center of unequivocal inclusion, which we believe is the only way we can achieve our vision and execute our mission.

Mission

To enhance, promote, and utilize the PULSTAR research reactor and associated facilities in an exemplary manner, leading to national recognition as a premier 1-MW Nuclear Reactor Program dedicated to research, teaching, and extension. The PULSTAR reactor facility is available for use by research faculty and staff within the UNC system or at other academic institutions, and by governmental agencies and industries in the State of North Carolina and the Nation.

NRP User Guide

The Nuclear Reactor Program administers the PULSTAR Reactor and associated instrumentation as a User Facility.

As such, all NRP experimental facilities and capabilities are available for use by users within and external to NC State University and the UNC system.

Learn more about how to become a user of the state-of-the-art PULSTAR User Facilities.

TRTR 2021: Test Research and Training Reactors

TRTR 2021

The 2021 Test, Research and Training Reactors (TRTR) Annual Conference will be hosted by the Nuclear Reactor Program of North Carolina State University.  It will be held virtually from Sunday October 17th through Thursday October 21st, 2021.  Please see the 2021 TRTR Annual Conference meeting website for details. 

NRP Highlights

More NRP Highlights

Grant Awards

The NRP has been awarded US DOE, NSF, NNSA and Nuclear Navy funding for research on advanced small and micro nuclear reactors, for research in the area of neutron thermalization with implications for reactor and critical system design, and to support advanced nuclear fuel research and facility upgrades, nuclear cybersecurity, and for the upgrade of suppporting facility infastructure.

View Grant Awards View NRP User Publications

Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF)

Rapid Turnaround Experiment (RTE) & Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research (CINR) — Recent User Awards:

PeriodPI / InstitutionProject Title and Scope
7/14/2020 –
4/13/2021
Dr. Couet, Univ. of WisconsinRTE#20-4128: “Characterization of Oxide Porosity in Irradiated Zirconium Pre-Transition Corrosion Films”
10/1/2020 –
9/30/2022
James Wall, Electric Power Research Institute, ORNLCINR RPA-20-19172: “Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components”
View more NSUF awards