Four McMaster researchers in the Faculty of Engineering have been awarded $960,000 to advance cutting-edge research on small modular reactors (SMRs).
The investment is part of the NSERC-CNSC Small Modular Reactors Research Grant Initiative Phase II, established by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission — Canada’s nuclear regulator —and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.
The Initiative is designed to support innovative research on reactor safety, efficiency and environmental impact.
As outlined in the Government of Canada’s SMR Action Plan, small modular reactors offer a promising pathway to support Canada’s low carbon energy transition and are expected to be less complex, easier to operate and more cost effective than current nuclear technology.
The McMaster recipients of the $240,000 two-year grants are:
- James Cotton, Mechanical Engineering | Assessing Safety Risks of SMR Heating Applications
- Stephen Veldhuis, Mechanical Engineering | Material property assessment under extreme conditions in a nuclear environment
- Benzhong Zhao, Civil Engineering | Source Term Characterization and Integrated THMC Modeling for Co-Disposal of SMR and CANDU Fuels in Canadian Crystalline Repositories
- Alan Wassyng, Computing and Software | Evaluating Safety and Security Assurance of Remote Operation of Small Modular Reactors
Their projects cover a range of topics, from SMR safety and the performance and life cycle of materials to the secure remote operation of SMRs and spent fuel management.
Mechanical Engineering professor James Cotton will lead a study exploring heating applications of SMRs.
“One of the ways to make nuclear energy more efficient is by using SMRs for both electricity and heat. Using carbon free, reliable heat from nuclear sources could help replace natural gas heating processes for industrial activities, offices, and homes,” he says.
His project will examine the safety of using SMRs for heat and look at different design options — including reactors that produce only heat, without electricity. Thermal storage is also part of the research, which helps balance heating demand and supply.
“We’re studying how to make these systems work safely and effectively, supporting Canada’s move toward a cleaner, more sustainable future,” he says.
John Preston, McMaster’s Associate Vice-President, Nuclear (Acting), says the investment will support cutting-edge research in SMR development and deployment and help position Canada as a clean energy leader.
“McMaster researchers are addressing critical challenges and opportunities in the deployment of SMRs. Their work is paving the way for the safe and secure use of SMR technology in communities and industries across Canada,” he says.
“Congratulations to our researchers and thank you to NSERC and the CNSC for your investment in their work and in Canada’s clean energy future.”