Guest Submission by Dr. William Cook,

Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, Director, Centre for Nuclear Energy Research,

University of New Brunswick.

r. William Cook speaking at the launch of the Advanced Nuclear Reactors Laboratory at UNB

Dr. William Cook

At the launch of the Advanced Nuclear Reactors Laboratory at UNB

On July 30th, 2025, the Centre for Nuclear Energy Research (CNER) at the University of New Brunswick cut the ribbon on the Advanced Nuclear Reactors Laboratory (ANRL). This state-of-the-art facility opened with support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Research New Brunswick and represents an expansion of laboratories that CNER has been building and operating over the past 34 years to support the nuclear industry in Canada and abroad.  

The ANRL facility at CNER further expands its capabilities to support advanced nuclear reactor systems that may be deployed in New Brunswick, Canada or globally. Over the past eight years, CNER has worked with advanced reactor vendors to identify key issues and experimental work required to support the planned construction and operation of these reactor systems. During that time, the concept for the advanced nuclear reactors lab was visualized.    

For example, the coolants used for advanced nuclear reactor systems, such as molten salt and liquid metals, react with moisture and oxygen in the environment so specialized facilities are required for their handling and appropriate experimentation. The ANRL was designed specifically for the purpose of maintaining these materials in inert environments for safe handling and experimental purposes.

Additionally, expanded capacity at the ANRL allows for work with the current generation of water-based reactors, including CANDU, PWRs, BWRs, and the GenIII+ small modular reactors (SMRs) being deployed in Ontario, which has given CNER enhanced capabilities to support all potential reactor systems that will be deployed in the coming decade. 

As New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada aim to tackle nation building projects, energy is at the top of most minds. The growth of AI data centres and the eventual expansion of electric vehicle use, combined with the retirement of several large electrical generating assets in New Brunswick and a growing population, means that new generation capacity will absolutely need to be deployed in the coming decade. Nuclear power is poised to be the cornerstone for the base load energy production required.

Did you know

Founded in 1991, CNER specializes in operational chemistry and material performance for the current generation of nuclear reactor systems and operates eight high-temperature, high-pressure test systems that simulate the conditions in nuclear reactor environments.   CNER has also successfully designed, deployed and maintained the HEPro corrosion monitoring sensor that has saved CANDU utilities millions of dollars on critical path time to plant start up and is progressing to full commercial deployment in partnership with the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL). 

Inside the Advanced Nuclear Reactors Laboratory

Researchers and officials tour UNB’s new facility, designed to advance nuclear innovation and clean energy solutions.

Contact information:

To learn more, visit the UNB’s Centre for Nuclear Energy Research website or email info@cner-research.ca