Skip to main content

Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics News

Governor Tony Evers looks at readings in the control room of the University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor
February 25, 2026

Governor gets firsthand look at future of nuclear energy at UW–Madison

Inside the University of Wisconsin Nuclear Reactor Tuesday morning, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers peered over the shoulders of student operator Nick Tierney, a senior majoring in nuclear engineering, to eye the array of instrumentation on…

UW-Madison nuclear reactor
February 18, 2026

Wisconsin governor, Public Service Commission, announce partnership with UW-Madison to study the future of nuclear energy in Wisconsin

Bipartisan legislation signed into law by Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers established the study to help meet Wisconsin’s growing need for carbon-free electricity During his 2026 State of the State address Feb. 17, 2026, Wisconsin Gov….

Charlie Hirst works on equipment in the UW-Madison Ion Beam Laboratory
January 23, 2026

Engineers watch radiation-damaged nuclear reactor materials fix themselves in real time

In nuclear reactors, radiation causes defects to form inside materials, and this process can change those materials’ overall properties—usually for the worse. One approach for mitigating this radiation damage is heating those damaged materials. This…

JungHyun Bae
January 23, 2026

Focus on new faculty: JungHyun Bae is developing radiation detection technology to enhance safety

As the demand for nuclear energy increases, there are growing challenges for managing the spent nuclear fuel. The United States doesn’t yet have a licensed site for permanent storage, so the spent fuel is stored…

Lorelai Haase
December 10, 2025

Through top scholarship, Navy sailor is docking at UW for a bachelor’s degree

Freshman Lorelai Haase will maintain her active-duty status while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering. Some college-bound students prioritize a university’s location or campus culture when choosing where to apply. Lorelai Haase had something…

Sébastien Philippe
October 8, 2025

Sébastien Philippe named MacArthur Fellow

Nuclear security specialist Sébastien Philippe, an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, has been awarded a 2025 MacArthur Fellowship. Often referred to as “genius grants,” the fellowships are presented by the John D. and…

October 7, 2025

With major U.S. investment, UW-Madison leads effort to advance abundant fusion energy for all

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is leading a major multi-institution project to develop and test a critical fusion technology—research that will directly benefit commercial fusion power plant developers. A $19 million Fusion Innovative Research Engine (FIRE)…

Sebastian Philippe
September 8, 2025

Focus on new faculty: Sébastien Philippe aims to reduce the risk of nuclear war

Early in his academic career, Sebastien Philippe realized the potential for his work to have a major societal impact. His research on the consequences of French nuclear weapon testing in the South Pacific led to…

TRISO fuel
August 22, 2025

New computational tools enable better understanding of TRISO nuclear fuel ‘health’

As advanced nuclear reactor designs move forward in commercial development, many of them will use TRISO particle fuel, a highly robust uranium fuel that can withstand extreme temperatures without melting. TRISO fuel includes pyrolytic carbon,…

Gabe Dengler-Jeanblanc presents his work at the ANS conference.
August 1, 2025

Through research, undergrad contributes to the future of nuclear

When Gabe Dengler-Jeanblanc, an undergraduate in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, started working on a research project in Assistant Professor Ben Lindley’s lab, he didn’t anticipate it would lead to him presenting…