The critical role of the states in the ongoing resurgence of nuclear power across America is the topic for this week's show. In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power, Kirsten Verclas and Kelsey Jones from the nonprofit National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) explore the roles of state energy offices, their collaboration with the Department of Energy and Congress, and the growing focus on nuclear energy in our country. The conversation highlights NASEO's Advanced Nuclear First Movers Initiative, where 11 states have banded together to catalyze new nuclear deployments, NASEO's work with other nuclear-focused organizations, and the importance of public-private partnerships in bringing advanced nuclear technologies to market.

This podcast is brought to you by the United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power (UCAN Power) Homepage - https://ucanpower.org/

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In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear Podcast, Chris Ritter, a nationally-recognized leader in AI applications and the Director of the Digital Innovation Center of Excellence (DICE) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), explores how AI can enhance the design, licensing, and operation of nuclear technologies, particularly through the use of digital twins—virtual models that mirror physical assets. Chris shares his journey to INL, the establishment of DICE, the challenges and future prospects of AI supporting the nuclear industry, and the potential for significant improvements in reactor efficiency, remote operations, and licensing efficiency. The discussion also covers the use of multiple AI programs and the importance of human oversight in AI applications.

Chris Ritter is the division director of scientific computing & AI and director of the Digital Innovation Center of Excellence at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). His team of ~100 computational and data scientists are changing the world’s future with AI/ML, digital twinning, digital engineering, multi-physics, HPC, and digital thread technologies across a portfolio of nuclear energy, non-proliferation, semiconductor, and defense applications.

Chris founded INL's nationally leading digital engineering team which grew from 0 to over ~57 of the nation’s top researchers and developers in digital science. His team led the first nuclear reactor digital twin, built the Deep Lynx open digital thread platform, developed the first autonomous non-nuclear microreactor, and is actively building multiple petabyte-scale digital thread platforms. Additionally, he co-president of Newcomers in Leadership and Chief Digital Officer of SMART USA. Prior to INL, Chris co-founded and led development of the #1 cloud-native MBSE tool, Innoslate, used in 107 counties across 2,000 companies around the world.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI in Advanced Nuclear

02:00 Chris Ritter's Journey to INL

04:00 The Creation of DICE at INL

07:11 Understanding Digital Twins

10:49 Accuracy and Applications of Digital Twins

16:02 Future Work and Innovations in Digital Twins

18:06 Reducing Risk and Optimizing Performance with AI

22:37 Barriers to Entry in Nuclear Technology

23:38 Current State of AI Adoption in Nuclear

26:25 The Role of AI in Reactor Design

32:57 AI in Licensing and Regulatory Processes

36:34 Future of AI in Reactor Operations and Design

This podcast is brought to you by the United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power (UCAN Power) Homepage - UCAN Power - United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucanpower

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear podcast, host Jim Howe speaks with Jarret Adams, founder and CEO of Full On Communications, about the importance of effective external and internal communications in the nuclear industry. They discuss the need for clear and consistent messaging to engage communities, address public misconceptions, and promote the benefits of nuclear power. Adams emphasizes the inseparable nature of communications and business strategy, the importance of transparency, the challenges faced by new nuclear startups, and the evolving landscape of nuclear energy amid geopolitical changes and technological advancements. The conversation also touches on the significance of branding and the recent pledge to triple nuclear power capacity by 2050.

Jarret has more than 25 years of international experience in corporate communications. He created Full On to help the nuclear energy sector tell its story better. He previously worked at AREVA, where he served as Vice President of Communications and Director of Media Relations and Online Communications. He has also served as a Senior Communications Consultant for the U.S. Nuclear Energy Institute.

Prior to creating Full On Communications, Jarret was a Director of Communications for an international public relations agency based in the United Arab Emirates and focusing on the clean energy sector. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and holds an MBA from the George Washington University. He also attended the Ecole Supérieure de Journalisme, a graduate school of journalism, in France.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Advanced Nuclear Power

03:05 Jared Adams: Background and Philosophy

05:58 The Importance of Effective Communication

09:01 Engaging Communities on Nuclear Power

12:02 Navigating Public Perception and Misconceptions

15:01 Challenges for New Nuclear Startups

17:48 Cost and Efficiency in Nuclear Energy

20:54 Avoiding Communication Pitfalls

24:09 Branding and Messaging in Nuclear

26:48 Geopolitical and Technological Changes

29:57 Documentary: Nuclear Resurgence

32:59 The Tripling Nuclear Power by 2050 Pledge

34:10 Key Takeaways and Future Outlook

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear Podcast, host Jim Howe speaks with Liz Muller, CEO of Deep Fission, about her company's innovative approach to nuclear power. They discuss Liz's background, the unique design that places nuclear reactors in mile-deep boreholes, and the potential benefits of this approach, including cost efficiency, safety, and shortened time to deployment. The conversation also touches on the challenges of public perception, the importance of collaboration with the data center industry and other end-users, and the future of nuclear energy in the U.S.

Liz is a serial entrepreneur at the forefront of nuclear energy and environmental innovation. She is the Co-Founder and CEO of Deep Fission, a groundbreaking nuclear energy startup transforming the industry by placing reactors a mile underground. Previously, she served as CEO of Deep Isolation, a pioneering nuclear waste company, where she now serves as Executive Chairwoman. Liz also founded Berkeley Earth, a nonprofit delivering critical data science on climate change.

A named inventor on multiple patents, Liz was recognized as a Clean Energy Rising Star by Business Insider in 2020. Beyond her professional achievements, she is a published author, backpacker, dance instructor, and proud mother of two, based in the Bay Area.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Advanced Nuclear Podcast

01:30 Meet Liz Muller: A Leader in Nuclear Innovation

02:33 Liz's Journey into the Nuclear Industry

04:01 Deep Isolation and the Birth of Deep Fission

07:03 Innovative Reactor Design: A Mile Underground

11:01 Cost Efficiency of Borehole Reactors

12:01 Manufacturing and Fuel Considerations

13:52 Operational Characteristics of the Reactor

15:02 Deployment and Accuracy of Boreholes

16:44 Rapid Deployment of Nuclear Reactors

18:15 Safety Advantages of Underground Reactors

20:30 Environmental Considerations and Public Perception

21:00 Geological Flexibility and Deployment Locations

22:01 Disposal and Retrieval of Spent Fuel

23:31 Target Industries for Nuclear Power

24:17 Military Applications of Underground Reactors

25:55 Addressing Public Concerns about Nuclear Power

27:12 Financial Viability and Market Response

29:35 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

Jim Howe speaks with Jordan Robison, Vice President of Engineering and Program Management at Natura Resources. They discuss the company's innovative approach to advanced nuclear technology, focusing on molten salt reactors and their potential applications. Robison shares insights on Natura's rapid progress, partnerships with universities, and the importance of regulatory engagement. The conversation highlights the growing opportunities in the advanced nuclear sector and the need for diverse technologies to meet global energy demands.

Jordan is the Vice President of Engineering and Program Management at Natura Resources, where he drives innovative engineering solutions and oversees critical program development. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Austin College, a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Dallas, and an MBA from Abilene Christian University, equipping him with a unique blend of technical prowess and strategic leadership. With a career that began in technical and engineering management roles within the semiconductor and oil and gas industries, Robison brings a wealth of experience to his leadership position at Natura Resources.

Since joining Natura Resources in 2020, Robison has played a pivotal role in advancing Natura Resources' molten salt reactor technology, guiding both university research initiatives and commercial development efforts. He works closely with faculty and staff from Natura’s five university partners—Abilene Christian University (ACU), Georgia Tech, Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin, and Texas Tech University—while collaborating with the teams at Zachry Nuclear Engineering and Teledyne Brown Engineering to advance the detailed design of the Natura MSR-1 demonstration system that is being deployed at ACU.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Advanced Nuclear Power

01:30 Natura Resources: Company Overview and Mission

03:26 Natura's Innovative Approach to Reactor Deployment

07:53 Commercial Projects and Applications

11:21 Leveraging University Partnerships for Success

15:16 Understanding Molten Salt Reactor Technology

19:40 Safety Features of Molten Salt Reactors

21:16 Modular Construction Benefits

23:41 Fuel Supply and Regulatory Engagement

28:05 Exploring Market Opportunities and Applications

35:35 Conclusion and Future Outlook

This podcast is brought to you by the United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power (UCAN Power) Homepage - UCAN Power - United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucanpower

Host Jim Howe speaks with Dominique Cooper, a passionate advocate for nuclear energy and its skilled workforce. They discuss the importance of nuclear in producing clean energy, the need for a trained workforce to support the industry's growth, and the diverse career opportunities available in nuclear. Dominique emphasizes the significance of community engagement and transparency in building trust around nuclear projects, as well as the role of nuclear in national security and space exploration. The conversation highlights the urgency of investing in education and training to inspire the next generation of nuclear professionals.

Dominique is a mission-driven strategist and connector working at the intersection of national security, nuclear innovation, and space technology. As founder of Mission Evangelists and partner at Partners in Air and Space, she helps organizations align tech, people, and purpose for maximum impact. With nearly 20 years of experience across the DoD, Intelligence Community, nuclear industry, Silicon Valley, and commercial space sector—including leadership roles at Maxar and NGA—Dominique turns complex challenges into clear missions. A professional speaker and former TV personality, she’s known for making bold ideas feel personal, actionable, and inspiring.

This podcast is brought to you by the United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power (UCAN Power) Homepage - UCAN Power - United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucanpower

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear Podcast, host Jim Howe speaks with Jake Jurewicz, CEO of Blue Energy, about his company's innovative approach for deploying advanced nuclear technologies. They discuss the unique value proposition of Blue Energy, focusing on modular plant architecture, cost and time savings, safety benefits, and refueling issues. The conversation also covers regulatory engagement with the NRC, the business model of financing and operating nuclear plants, market demand, and international opportunities for nuclear energy. Jake emphasizes the importance of execution in the nuclear industry and the current favorable conditions for new nuclear projects.

Jake is the CEO and co-founder of Blue Energy, which is leveraging manufacturing techniques and supply chains from offshore oil and wind to reduce the cost, construction timelines, and overall risk for deploying nuclear power. Jake has spent his career building, investing in, and advising companies in the energy, climate, security, and construction sectors. He previously co-founded Entropy Power, a developer of behind-the-meter co-located industrial loads at wholesale generators and served on the corporate strategy team at Exelon Corporation, leading projects in R&D, strategic planning, and venture capital.

Jake holds a Masters in Nuclear Science & Engineering as well as a dual bachelors in physics and nuclear science & engineering from MIT.

This podcast is brought to you by the United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power (UCAN Power) Homepage - UCAN Power - United Coalition for Advanced Nuclear Power

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ucanpower

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear Podcast, host Jim Howe speaks with Marc Nichol, Executive Director of New Nuclear at the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). They discuss the evolution of advanced nuclear technologies, the importance of safety features, and the various applications of nuclear energy beyond electricity production, including medical isotopes and space propulsion. The conversation also covers the role of nuclear power in supporting the Department of Defense, the growing demand from data centers and AI, and the challenges facing the advanced reactor community. Marc emphasizes the need for collaboration and investment to realize the potential of nuclear energy in securing a clean energy future.

Marc Nichol joined Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) in 2011 and is the Executive Director of New Nuclear. In this role, he leads industry’s efforts to improve the policy, regulatory, and business environment for new and advanced reactors.

Marc has previously worked for Duke Energy, Toshiba America Nuclear Energy and Transnuclear, in the areas of used nuclear fuel management, operations and new plant projects.

Marc holds degrees in Nuclear Engineering from Purdue University and the University of California Berkeley, and an MBA from the University of North Carolina.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Advanced Nuclear Power

01:31 Mark Nichol's Background and NEI Overview

05:03 The Evolution of Advanced Nuclear Technologies

10:39 Enhanced Safety Features in Nuclear Reactors

17:04 Applications Beyond Electricity Production

22:49 Medical Isotope Production and Space Applications

27:42 DOD Applications and Mobile Reactors

35:00 Nuclear Power for Data Centers and AI

39:35 Challenges Facing Advanced Reactor Development

45:25 Investment Trends in Fission Technologies

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