Conference explores advances in reactor operations, research and digital twin development
The University of Texas at Austin Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory (NETL) recently hosted the National Organization of Test, Research and Training Reactors (TRTR) Annual Conference, welcoming more than 150 nuclear professionals, researchers and students from across the country.
The week-long conference featured workshops, facility tours, networking opportunities, and nearly 60 papers and presentations spanning the full spectrum of research and test reactor operations, science and policy. It was an opportunity to exchange knowledge, discuss new challenges, and highlight the role universities play in advancing the nuclear sector.
“It was a privilege to welcome the TRTR conference to Austin and demonstrate the University’s outstanding research, expertise and leadership,” said Mike Whaley, Associate Director of NETL.
Among the presenters were UT faculty and students, who shared research on advanced testing and modeling capabilities, digital twin development, international reactor collaboration, and nuclear measurement and isotope production techniques.
A digital twin forum was also held, bringing together representatives from multiple institutions to share progress and explore applications of digital twin technology for research reactors. Discussions addressed shared challenges such as validation, regulatory acceptance, data readiness for AI applications, and opportunities to develop shared infrastructure and reusable tools.
“The forum highlighted strong interest in using research reactors—like ours at UT Austin—as platforms to develop digital twins and demonstrate their safe, practical uses,” said Senior Engineering Scientist Nick Luciano. “There was also strong interest in continued collaboration to help institutions learn from one another’s progress.”
Full abstracts and conference presentations can be viewed at trtr2026netl.org/TRTR2026_Program.html. UT Austin’s presentations are listed below:
Conference Presentations
Flux Model Verification for Solid-State Nuclear Power
Author: Eric Palmer, Mechanical Engineering PhD Student
Examination of a Circuit's Slew Rate Degradation During In-situ Irradiation of Circuit Sensitive Transistor
Author: Michael Sheridan, Postdoctoral Researcher
UT-Austin NETL Combined Electromagnetic and Neutron Environments Testing Capabilities
Authors: Nicholas Crenshaw, Mechanical Engineering PhD Student; Michael Sheridan, Postdoctoral Researcher; William Charlton, Professor and Director of NETL; Josh Young*
Research Reactor Outreach Program: A Collaboration between the International Atomic Energy Agency, the University of Texas and Jordan Atomic Energy Commission
Author: Sheldon Landsberger, NRE Professor
Data-Driven Improvements to TRIGA Reactor Operations
Author: Sam Queralt, Scientist Associate
Advancing Digital Twin Development of Research Reactors Through a Shared Platform
Authors: Ryan Stewart^, Emerald Ryan^, Jieun Lee^, Logan Browning^; Nicholas P. Luciano, Senior Engineering Scientist; Cole Gentry, Senior Engineering Scientist; Kevin Clarno, NRE Associate Professor
Analysis of Xenon Prompt Gammas from Thermal Neutron Capture
Author: Andrew David Rosen, Undergraduate Research Assistant
Design and Fabrication of a System for High-Pressure Xenon Irradiation
Author: Robert Cerna Morales, Mechanical Engineering PhD Student
Xenon-135 Production and Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis
Authors: Ivy Seidel, Mechanical Engineering PhD Student; Will Flanagan, Research Scientist; William Charlton, Professor and Director of NETL; Derek Haas, NRE Associate Professor and Area Coordinator
*Engineering Consultant
^Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Representative
