(BOISE, Idaho) — This week, Idaho National Laboratory signed agreements with Boise State University and University of Idaho to deepen collaborative research and development projects that will advance solutions to the nation’s energy and security challenges ensuring energy dominance and economic prosperity.
The new Strategic Understanding for Premier Education and Research (SUPER) agreements will foster collaboration among students, faculty, and INL researchers. They establish a framework to pursue innovations in advanced energy and cybersecurity for protecting critical infrastructure.
Boise State and INL will collaborate on these areas of research:
- Advanced materials and manufacturing for extreme environments: This is the discovery, development, and characterization of strong, reliable materials used in industrial energy production and other applications that can survive difficult conditions such as ultra-low and high temperatures, extreme pressures, radioactivity, corrosive chemicals, etc. Examples include high-entropy alloys, quantum materials, high-temperature materials, wide and ultra-wide band gap semiconductors, metamaterials and radiation-resistant alloys to support manufacturing for next-generation reactor components and microelectronics.
- Secure and resilient energy systems: This research applies the technological advancements, strategic decision making, robust controls, and cyber-informed design to safeguard our critical infrastructure. This priority area leverages research and development in AI/computing and socio-technical system factors for the protection of national and energy security, while supporting system resilience amidst disruption, and the securing of the U.S. against cyberattacks on our government agencies and industry that can exploit our systems and networks.
“Boise State has rapidly grown and advanced our research enterprise, particularly in these areas that are so critical for Idaho and our nation. We are committed to collaborating with industry and government partners to educate American workers and set up businesses for success in global markets,” said Dr. Marlene Tromp, Boise State president. “This new agreement will produce incredible new knowledge and pay dividends for years to come.”
University of Idaho and INL will focus on the following areas of research:
- Nuclear materials and fuel cycle engineering: This research will explore ways to enhance the efficiency of nuclear power systems and improve fuel use and production for nuclear operations.
- Nuclear integrated energy systems and power systems: This research will look at the research, development and deployment of nuclear energy beyond the U.S. power grid, such as applying nuclear heat to industrial processes like hydrogen production and providing the energy necessary to operate high-demand technology systems like data centers.
- Power systems and industrial cybersecurity: This area will research ways to enhance the security and resiliency of the industrial control systems that serve as the command center for our nation’s critical infrastructure ensuring that electrical power, clean water and other vital services are protected.
“The University of Idaho has been a proud partner of the Idaho National Laboratory since its inception and this agreement launches the next phase of our institutional partnership to meet the energy needs of Idaho and the nation with safe, resilient and reliable solutions,” said U of I President C. Scott Green. “We are excited to work with INL to build a secure power grid shaped by the next generation of nuclear technology advancements and nuclear integrated energy systems for a sustainable future.”
The five-year agreements leverage the facilities, capabilities, and expertise of the lab and Idaho universities to create impactful research and development outcomes. Longstanding research and development efforts in areas such as nuclear energy and high-performance computing will continue under these enhanced partnerships.
“Since INL’s inception in 1949, we have established and strengthened research collaborations with Boise State University and University of Idaho,” said INL Director John Wagner. “Research in the areas that we have identified today is critical to accelerating our nation’s energy, manufacturing and technology sectors for the benefit of the American people. These agreements have the potential to elevate INL’s impact on these urgent national priorities.”
INL also signed a SUPER agreement with Idaho State University in early December to promote collaboration in the areas of critical and strategic materials and minerals, and environmental sustainability and security.
The memorandums of understanding are between Battelle Energy Alliance, which manages INL for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy, Boise State University and University of Idaho.
“We are focused on changing the world’s energy future and securing our nation’s critical infrastructure alongside our research partners at the University of Idaho, Boise State University and Idaho State University,” said Wagner.
NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS:
Sarah Neumann, Idaho National Laboratory, 208-526-0490, [email protected]
Stephany Galbreaith, Boise State University, 986-200-8259, [email protected]
Jodi Walker, University of Idaho, 208-885-4295, [email protected]
About Boise State University
Boise State provides an innovative, transformative, and equitable educational environment that prepares students for success and advances Idaho and the world. Serving more than 32,000 students annually, Boise State is proud to be powered by creativity and innovation, receiving national recognition as one of the most innovative universities in the country. Located in Idaho’s capital city, the university has a growing research agenda and plays a crucial role in the region’s knowledge economy and famed quality of life. In the past 10 years, the university has quadrupled the number of doctoral degrees and doubled its master’s degree offerings. Learn more at BoiseState.edu.
About University of Idaho
The University of Idaho, home of the Vandals, is Idaho’s land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to more than 12,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing community, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at www.uidaho.edu.
