MU will partner with the Missouri University of Science and Technology, the Ameren Corporation, and the Westinghouse Electric Company in an effort to conduct research to benefit the nuclear energy field.

The four organizations will form the Small Modular Reactor Research and Education Consortium and will use MU’s reactor for their studies. MU has the highest-powered research reactor on a college campus in the U.S.

Missouri S&T, which is home to Missouri’s first nuclear reactor, will lead the group in this project.

The research will be funded by a $250,000 grant from the Missouri Technology Corporation.

Ameren will provide more financial support in addition to the grant. The company will also advise researchers throughout the project.

Richard Smith, director of research and development at Ameren, said the consortium will focus on education at the beginning of its research.

“An initial project will work on economic development efforts, informing interested companies of the potential to provide goods and services related to the business aspects of SMR [Small Modular Reactor] technology,” he said.

Information gathered from the research could have a much larger impact than initially seen at the surface, Smith said.

Leading researchers in the study hope to strengthen relationships with key companies in the nuclear energy field, but also hope to affect society as a whole.

“I look forward to the opportunity to do research that will be important to society, provide jobs for students as well as give students an opportunity for employment after graduation,” said Joseph Smith, Laufer Endowed Energy Chair Director at Missouri S&T.

New research in the nuclear field could also help the U.S. along with many other countries in facing the energy crisis.

Joseph Smith said nuclear energy will be a key component in solving the world’s energy crisis in the future.

“Our generation’s challenge is energy security, climate change, and affordable energy,” he said. “A lot of energy comes from fossil energy, which is about 70%, and nuclear will be a part in replacing that. We see a lot more renewable energy coming on as well such as solar, wind, geothermal and others.”

Richard Smith of Ameren agrees nuclear power a good energy option in the future.

“With investment in fully developing and commercializing this technology, SMR nuclear power will be a safe and reliable source of clean energy in the future without consuming fossil fuels,” he said.

The consortium could have a positive impact on Missouri’s economy as well.

“The nuclear energy project, if successful, could create 10,000 jobs and $9 billion in revenue, with possible teaming up with the companies in Pennsylvania,” Joseph Smith said.

The creation of high-paying jobs will also help the state’s tax revenue, he said.