Nuclear energy is a broad interdisciplinary field focused on producing energy from nuclear reactions, primarily nuclear fission and nuclear fusion, while ensuring safety, reliability, and economic viability. It addresses several major national and global energy challenges including reliable baseload power, energy security and independence, and emergency preparedness and safety. Nuclear energy is strategically important to U.S. industrial competitiveness as it supports high-energy industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, and to maintain technological leadership, supply chain and manufacturing growth, and national security. Indiana has strong industrial, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities that align closely with nuclear energy development.
Global Nuclear Energy Economic Summit
Save the Date October 19, 2026 | October 20, 2026The Global Nuclear Energy Economic Summit will bring together key industry leaders to strategize on concrete business deals that accelerate immediate nuclear power deployment.
Advancing Nuclear Energy Research
Nuclear energy research at Purdue integrates experimental science, computational modeling, systems engineering, & industry collaboration to address challenges in energy production, safety, & security.
Researchers conduct laboratory- and large-scale testing to understand nuclear system behavior under normal & accident conditions, supported by high-performance computing & multiphysics simulations. Purdue distinguishes itself through tight coupling of experiment & simulation, leadership in reactor safety & thermal-hydraulics, & active contributions to advanced, micro modular, & small modular reactor designs.
Strong partnerships with industry, national laboratories, & federal agencies anchor this work. At its center is PUR-1 — the only research reactor in the nation fully licensed with a digital instrumentation & control system, integrated with a digital twin for remote operation.
Nuclear Energy Pillar Key Outcomes
- Research and development partnership with nuclear startups in Indiana by 2027
- Demonstrate quantum encryption-based cyber security system for remote reactor control and operation with digital twin by 2027
- Microreactor or pilot-scale systems deployment by 2030
Nuclear Energy Initiatives
Research
Advancing small modular and next-generation reactor technologies — anchored by PUR-1, the nation's first all-digital research reactor — to deliver safe, abundant, and reliable 24/7 baseload power.
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Education
Preparing the nuclear workforce through the nation's first SMR credential program, an online Master of Nuclear Engineering, hands-on reactor training, and outreach from high school through PhD.
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Industry
Partnering with utilities, reactor vendors, national labs, DOE, and Indiana nuclear startups to accelerate advanced reactor deployment and strengthen the state's role in nuclear manufacturing.
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