Providing education, research, problem-solving, and service in nuclear science and engineering
RadLab
The RadLab at The University of Texas at Austin focuses on research using radiation and radioactivity to improve security and quality of life.
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Reactor
The NETL reactor, designed by General Atomics, is a TRIGA Mark II nuclear research reactor. The NETL is the newest of the current fleet of U.S. university reactors.
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Robotics
The Nuclear and Applied Robotics Group is an interdisciplinary research group whose mission is to develop and deploy advanced robotics in hazardous environments in order to minimize risk for the human operator.
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REACTOR
One of the major resources at the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory is the people. NETL personnel help researchers and clients design and build experiment apparatus, choose the best analytical methods, and help in the interpretation of the results.
NETL personnel have developed procedures for researcher and client use, conducted regulatory audits at various locations, and assisted in applying for radioactive materials licenses. While nuclear and radiation related areas are our specialty, the breadth of knowledge of NETL personnel extends outside those areas to allow a multi-disciplined approach to creative solutions for our clients.
Radioisotopes have a variety of applications in research, industry, and medicine. Research uses of radioisotopes vary widely from tracers in biological systems to development of systems for detecting covert nuclear weapons. Industrial uses include thickness measurement using the transmission of radiation through a material, material flow measurement by injecting radioactive tracers into the flow path, detecting explosives, and electrical power generation using radioisotope thermoelectric generators. Radioisotopes are used in medicine for diagnostic imaging as well as treatment of diseases such as hyperthyroidism and cancer. The Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory can produce a variety of radioisotopes to meet client needs.
The unique capabilities of NETL make it conducive for collaborative research. Recent projects have been related to radiation oncology dosimetry, hydrogen embrittlement of metals, and development of nuclear medicine products. The varied knowledge and experience of NETL staff can be a valuable resource for your research needs.
The Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory is an innovative facility with unique capabilities. Services provided by the NETL are available to researchers and clients both within and outside The University of Texas at Austin including international clients. Services include education and training, nuclear and radiation related research, nuclear analytical services, radioisotope production, and specialized technical services. With the varied areas of specialty of NETL staff, NETL welcomes all nuclear and radiation related inquiries.
Nuclear and Radiation Research
NETL research areas are typically related to nuclear forensics but also include robotics applications along with other areas.
Nuclear Analytical Research and Services
Trace element analysis using neutron activation analysis and prompt gamma activation analysis. Measuring distribution of elements in material using neutron depth profiling. Imaging materials with neutron radiography.
Radioisotope Production
The NETL can produce a variety of radioisotopes for use in research, nuclear medicine, and industrial processes.
Technical Services
The NETL staff have a variety of areas of specialty to aid in design and development of experiments, processes, and products.
$20M+
In funding for molten salt reactor development
60+
Graduate students
$1.7M
Research expenditures per tenured/tenure-track faculty in FY23
News
PhD candidate wins MARC XIII Poster Competition
Bradley Gladden, a current PhD candidate, was recently selected as the winner of the MARC XIII Student Poster Presentation Competition for her work titled "Modeling Fluorinated Spent Nuclear Fuel in a Molten Salt Reactor."
Dr. Dale Klein addresses the realities of the nuclear renaissance
Dr. Dale Klein, UT Austin Professor and former Commissioner of the NRC, spoke during a plenary at the 21st International Symposium on the Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Materials (PATRAM 2025), in San Antonio, Texas last July. He cautioned us all not to repeat past mistakes, to consider the role of an independent regulator "sacrosanct," and develop an integrated, "long-term approach between industry and government, both here and internationally, if we want nuclear to scale to what the global economy now demands." Read more of his speech in this issue of Nuclear Newswire.
ANS and Nuclear Niche Present: TerraPower- A Leading Company in Energy and Healthcare
This Nuclear Niche event will be co-sponsored with the KBH Center and our UT American Nuclear Society Student Chapter. We will be welcoming Dr. Jon McWhirter, Chief Engineer at TerraPower to speak on the intersection of nuclear power and healthcare.
📅 When: Thursday, November 6th, 5:00 PM
📍 Where: ETC 3.112
🎤 Speaker: Dr. Jon McWhirter, Chief Engineer at TerraPower
Event: Dr. Derek Haas speaking at the Texas Energy Summit
Come see Dr. Derek Haas speak on nuclear power in Texas at the 2025 Texas Energy Summit in downtown Austin at the Capitol. Student registration is free.
📅 When: Thursday, November 6th, 1:30 PM
📍 Where: Texas State Capitol
📝 Registration Link: Here
NuFor 2025
Dr. Sheldon Landsberger gave a presentation at the NuFor 2025 (Nuclear Forensics) conference in London, England at the Institute of Physics on October 8. More than 100 people attended mainly undergoing nuclear forensics research. Presentation co-authored by Derek Haas gave an overview of their nuclear forensics research conducted at the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab over the last 23 years.
