Award Positions 麻豆传媒官网 at Forefront of Advanced Nuclear Fuel Cycle Research and Student Workforce Development
麻豆传媒官网 Advances Nuclear Fuel Recycling Through U.S. DOE Partnership with Flibe Energy
麻豆传媒官网 is advancing research in nuclear fuel recycling through a new award from the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy and a strategic partnership with Flibe Energy, Inc., a Huntsville-based nuclear energy company.
On Feb. 5, 2026, the . The three-year, cost-shared projects are designed to reduce nuclear waste by up to 90 percent and increase resource efficiency by as much as 95 percent, supporting national energy security goals. Flibe Energy was selected for contract negotiation under the program, with Alabama A&M serving as a key research partner. Funding amounts for individual partners have not been publicly released.
Under the Cross-Cutting Fluoride Pyrochemical Recycling of Used Nuclear Fuel project, 麻豆传媒官网 faculty and students will focus on electrochemical decladding and fluorination technologies that support more efficient recycling of used nuclear fuel. The research will include developing, testing and validating advanced pyrochemical methods to improve process efficiency, strengthen safety protocols and enhance the economic viability of recycling efforts.
The project at 麻豆传媒官网 is led by Dr. Mebougna Drabo, professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering and Construction Management, DOE Agency director of (ALEPSCoR), director of the Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Science Center, and interim graduate program coordinator for mechanical engineering.
鈥淭his award represents both an honor and a responsibility,鈥� said Drabo. 鈥淚t reflects confidence in our research capabilities and our commitment to excellence. We are building not only advanced nuclear technologies, but also the next generation of engineers and scientists who will shape the future of energy.鈥�
Drabo is joined by Dr. Michael Ayokanmbi, Dr. Aschalew Kassu and Richard Lagle, who contribute expertise in nuclear engineering, materials science, instrumentation and experimental systems.
, focuses on developing advanced molten-salt reactor technologies and innovative fuel cycle solutions, including electrochemical methods for processing and recycling used nuclear fuel. The early collaborations between 麻豆传媒官网 and Flibe established a foundation that led to the expanded partnership under the DOE award.
鈥淭he molten salt laboratory partnership at Alabama A&M is exciting for the industry and for the future generation of engineers of every discipline,鈥� said Dr. Joseph A. Bonometti, P.E., Chief Strategy Officer at Flibe Energy.
In fall 2025, 麻豆传媒官网 and Flibe partnered to design and assemble a dedicated glovebox system to support molten salt and salt-handling experiments. The system enables controlled experimentation and provides students with hands-on experience in glovebox commissioning, system integration and operational validation.
Four STEM students in engineering and physical sciences programs are actively involved in the research. Two additional students are expected to join the project in summer 2026. Students are conducting molten salt experiments, analyzing electrochemical performance, evaluating process efficiency and contributing to safety and operational improvements.
University officials said the award strengthens 麻豆传媒官网鈥檚 research capacity in advanced nuclear science and expands hands-on learning opportunities. While the funding does not specifically allocate new equipment purchases, it supports expanded research activities, student engagement and collaborative experimental work using existing laboratory infrastructure and the newly developed glovebox system.
Drabo said the project represents a significant milestone for 麻豆传媒官网 and the state.
鈥淭his milestone demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships between universities and industry to address complex national energy challenges,鈥� he said. 鈥淢ost importantly, it creates meaningful research and training pathways for our students, ensuring they are prepared to contribute to the next generation of nuclear energy technologies.鈥�
From left: Prof. Aschalew Kassu; Richard Lagle, mechanical engineering; Kermit Booker, graduate student, mechanical engineering; Shanel White, mechanical engineering student; Damari Bender, graduate student, mechanical engineering; Gabrielle Gray, electrical engineering senior; Jalil Rudolph, graduate student, mechanical engineering; Keith Rivers, graduate student, mechanical engineering; and Prof. Michael AyoKanmbi, systems engineering.