McMaster, CNL and AECL explore opportunities for collaboration in nuclear research and education

McMaster, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) gathered for a day-long workshop to explore opportunities for collaboration in nuclear research, education and training.

The workshop was designed to build on McMaster’s partnership with CNL, Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, and AECL, a federal Crown Corporation. 

McMaster’s nuclear leaders discussed their programs of research, showcased the unique capabilities of the University’s world-class nuclear research facilities – including the McMaster Nuclear Reactor and Centre for Advanced Nuclear Systems – and toured some of CNL’s 50+ cutting-edge labs.

The partners are exploring potential research collaborations in areas with national strategic importance, including small modular reactors, hydrogen, materials characterization, medical isotopes and radiochemistry.

They are also working together to develop new education and experiential learning programs – including the CNL Nuclear Undergraduate Research Experience program – to train the next generation of talent in the nuclear industry.

Dave Tucker, McMaster’s Chief Nuclear Officer and Associate Vice-President, Nuclear gave opening remarks. Tucker says the partnership between McMaster and CNL – Canada’s nuclear university and Canada’s national nuclear laboratory – provides exciting opportunities to integrate their highly-specialized experts and infrastructure to advance nuclear research, education and training across Canada.

Karin Stephenson, Director of Nuclear Research and Education Support at Nuclear Operations & Facilities (NOF), presented an overview of McMaster’s global leadership in nuclear research and education. McMaster’s nuclear research facilities enable discoveries in medicine, clean energy, nuclear safety, materials and environmental science, while providing cancer treatments for more than 70,000 patients every year.

Joey Kish, professor in the department of materials science and engineering, shared McMaster’s leadership in nuclear materials research and advanced manufacturing. Kish’s research focuses on corrosion prediction and protection of structural materials in the automotive, aerospace, energy generation and chemical processing industries.

Bipasha Bose, Program Manager at the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute’s Materials Property Assessment Laboratory (MPAL), discussed how she supports MPAL and its academic and industry partners to solve advanced materials and manufacturing-related challenges.