Nuclear power is an important energy source in the U.S. and around the world and is essential as a clean energy to reduce current carbon emissions from fossil fuels. However, many people feel the risk of nuclear accidents does not outweigh the benefits associated with nuclear energy. Michael Tonks, assistant professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering at Penn State and director of the Microstructure Science and Engineering Laboratory at Penn State, is involved with three projects through the Department of Energy's Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP). These projects are exploring new materials for nuclear fuel, which could make current light water reactors (LWRs) safer. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/03/160316131326.htm
