Nuclear Engineering Radiation Laboratories

About NERL

The Nuclear Engineering Radiation Laboratories (NERL) at Purdue University support hands-on education in radiation measurement and nuclear engineering. Building on Purdue’s long tradition of laboratory-based nuclear instruction dating to the 1960s, NERL provides students with practical experience using radiation detectors, electronics, shielding, and data analysis in a safe, supervised environment. Working with sealed sources and modern instrumentation, students develop the technical skills and confidence expected of practicing nuclear engineers. NERL complements Purdue University Reactor Number One (PUR-1), linking radiation measurement training with research reactor experience while also supporting outreach, visiting student programs, and collaborative educational initiatives.

Video Tour of the Radiation Laboratories

Step inside one of the most hands-on learning spaces in the Purdue University School of Nuclear Engineering, where students don’t just study radiation—they work with it.

Within a safe, supervised environment, students work directly with sealed radiation sources and modern detection systems. In this lab, undergraduate and graduate students conduct real experiments using the same types of detectors and equipment found in nuclear research and industry. From measuring neutron flux in the reactor to building detection systems from scratch, every experiment is designed to turn theory into experience.

Student Experience

Beginning sophomore year, NERL transforms theory into hands-on experience. Students work directly with radiation sources, detectors, and reactor-based experiments in a structured, safety-focused environment—often describing it as their first truly immersive nuclear engineering experience.

Across the undergraduate curriculum, students complete more than 20 radiation-focused experiments. They design detector circuits, conduct contamination-style surveys, measure reactor parameters, analyze neutron flux in the PUR-1 reactor, and perform experiments such as gold foil activation and simulated fuel loading.

The laboratory sequence includes two undergraduate courses taken in sequence and a graduate-level lab reserved for incoming grad students who do not have a nuclear background:

  • NUCL 205: Nuclear Engineering Undergraduate Laboratory I
    Sophomore-level introduction to radiation properties, radioactive materials, and detector systems (10–12 experiments).
  • NUCL 305: Nuclear Engineering Undergraduate Laboratory II
    Senior-level course building on advanced detection methods, reactor measurements, and system analysis (10–12 experiments).
  • NUCL 504: Nuclear Engineering Experiments
    Introductory graduate lab covering similar topics at greater depth and pace, including advanced reactor simulations.

For many students, this lab strengthens their commitment to nuclear engineering by giving them a clear path toward reactor operator training and future careers in reactor operations and the broader nuclear industry.

Perspective: Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant

Purdue School of Nuclear Engineering Graduate RA/TA William Stephen Richards describes how students respond to hands-on work at NERL, where they gain practical experience with radiation sources and detection systems, design and test detector configurations, collect and analyze experimental data, and apply quantitative radiation measurement techniques to real engineering challenges.

Facility Tours

One of the primary roles NERL plays is education and outreach to the community about nuclear topics. We give approximately 1,500 guided tours of PUR-1, NERL, and other related labs each year. Each experience is tailored to visitor interests and age. During the tour, we traditionally discuss general radiation principles, common natural radiation sources, health effects of radiation, nuclear reactor basics, and of course take a look at Purdue's Nuclear Reactor. All tours are scheduled and confirmed in advance, and all visitors must have a valid ID on hand. Special arrangements and times can be accommodated for large groups.

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Atoms at Work Summer Camps

Outreach

Beyond supporting the Purdue School of Nuclear Engineering’s undergraduate and graduate programs, NERL advances broader educational outreach and collaboration. The laboratory hosts visiting student groups, partners with other institutions through reactor-sharing and instructional initiatives, and provides foundational nuclear training for scientists and engineers transitioning into the nuclear field. Our labs host several outreach programs that introduce students to nuclear science and engineering. Through the Reactor Sharing Program, high school classes visit campus to conduct hands-on experiments such as neutron activation analysis using PUR-1. NERL welcomes local Scout groups completing nuclear science merit badges, where participants build cloud chambers and learn how radiation is detected. In addition, the Atoms at Work Summer Program brings rising high school seniors to campus for a week of lectures and experiments, culminating in a hands-on reactor experiment.