Sustainable and Effective University Engagement Model

To prepare future nuclear materials experts, it is imperative to engage students in real-world challenges before they enter the workforce. A model approach to engage undergraduate engineering students is presented by reviewing two case studies that used safeguards design projects to introduce students to nuclear nonproliferation while advancing existing research and development activities. The first case study involves an instrument support system prototype that was designed and fabricated by students to assist in testing non-destructive measurement capabilities for uranium and plutonium isotopes in spent nuclear fuel and fresh mixed-oxide fuel using lead slowing-down spectroscopy. The second case study details a shielded, shock-isolated prototype transport device produced by students to adapt a high-purity germanium detection array to measure uranium-235 residuals in empty uranium hexafluoride cylinders. The employment of this educational model established partnerships with university faculty, informed a large portion of the undergraduate engineering population about nonproliferation opportunities, and prepared future nuclear materials experts for the workforce while advancing current research efforts at minimal cost. In contrast to previous university outreach approaches, this engagement model creates a multi-level value proposition that increases the sustainability of university engagements with limited funding.