As the global demand for clean energy grows, so does the need to safely manage nuclear waste and ensure the secure transportation of nuclear materials. At the University of Utah, this challenge is being addressed through a unique interdisciplinary model—where nuclear engineering is integrated within the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CvEEN), connecting energy systems with infrastructure, materials, and transportation safety.

Two CVEEN researchers are leading efforts to tackle these issues, supported by a combined $4 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2025 Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP).

Dr. Michael Simpson, professor in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering and an adjunct professor in Civil & Environmental Engineering, received a $3 million Integrated Research Project (IRP) award to address one of the field’s most pressing challenges: the safe and sustainable management of spent fuel from molten chloride fast reactors (MCFRs). His team is developing methods to recover valuable uranium and transuranic materials from spent fuel salt while converting remaining waste into durable glass and ceramic forms suitable for long-term geologic disposal. By enabling a closed fuel cycle, this work could significantly reduce environmental risks, improve resource efficiency, and eliminate the need for prolonged storage of highly reactive salt waste.

Dr. Luis Ibarra, associate professor in Civil & Environmental Engineering, was awarded $1 million to improve the safety and performance of nuclear fuel transportation systems. His research focuses on the development of advanced impact limiters—engineered materials designed to absorb shock and protect transportation casks during accident scenarios. Through a combination of experimental testing, simulation, and machine learning, the project aims to optimize materials and designs that can withstand extreme thermal, radiation, and mechanical conditions while remaining cost-effective and scalable.

While these projects focus on different stages of the nuclear lifecycle, they are unified by a systems-level perspective—one that reflects CvEEN’s integration of nuclear engineering with civil infrastructure and environmental stewardship.

Together, these projects reflect the University of Utah’s leadership in addressing critical infrastructure and environmental challenges associated with nuclear energy—advancing technologies that support safer waste management, more resilient transportation systems, and the broader transition to sustainable, low-carbon power.