NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing portable, clean energy solutions, today announced that Professor Andrew W. Woods, Ph.D. and Alejandra de Lara, BSc, MPhil have joined its Nuclear Technology and Engineering Team.
“It is a pleasure to see our Nuclear Technology and Engineering team grow with the additions of Dr. Woods and Alejandra,” said Prof. Ian Farnan, Lead for Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Radiation and Materials at NANO Nuclear Energy. “Their experience and unique expertise are a timely addition to the team and the next phase of the development of the ‘ODIN’ microreactor.”
“We are very happy to welcome Dr. Woods and Alejandra to the team,” said Eugene Shwageraus, Lead of Nuclear Reactor Engineering of NANO Nuclear Energy. “The next steps in the development of ‘ODIN’ require a dedicated team of experts to ensure the technology is ready to meet regulatory requirements and progress towards commercialization. I am delighted to work alongside Dr. Woods and Alejandra and develop a portable, secure and reliable solution to the world’s growing energy needs.”
Dr. Woods’ research focuses on developing simplified mathematical and experimental models to study complex fluid flow and heat transfer processes in single and multiphase flow. Applications of his work span various fields, including the dynamics of explosive volcanic eruptions, geothermal power generation, carbon sequestration, and large scale, subsurface energy storage. In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Woods was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 2017. He is a Professor in the University of Cambridge.
Alejandra de Lara has submitted her Ph.D. for examination at the University of Cambridge. Her Ph.D. project was sponsored by Framatome and focused on adapting fuel behavior prediction codes to molten salt-cooled reactors and analyzing their benefits compared to Light Water Reactors.
Her research demonstrated several fuel design features that would improve the performance of salt-cooled reactors. High-temperature operation of such reactors enables greater thermodynamic efficiency in power conversion using advanced cycles, while also allowing for the direct use of nuclear heat to drive industrial processes such as synthetic fuel production, hydrogen generation, and district heating.
“The ‘ODIN’ team has grown rapidly in recent months, and it is a pleasure to welcome Dr. Woods and Alejandra,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer, and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear Energy. “Dr. Woods is an experienced and well-versed leader in the field of complex fluid flow and heat transfer processes and I am certain his skills will be invaluable in the next steps of ‘ODIN’s” development. Similarly, Alejandra has proven herself as a leading young researcher and is the perfect example of the next generation’s excellence in nuclear science.”