Jenifer Shafer, professor of chemistry and Ben L. Fryrear Presidential Chair, works in the Radiochemistry Lab with Nuclear Engineering PhD student Klemmer Nicodemus.
Electrical demand is surging, in large part due to power-hungry AI and the expansion of data centers, electrification, and advanced manufacturing. Nuclear power is one response.
The International Energy Agency projects that global electricity demand will continue rising at one of the fastest rates in decades, with data centers expected to more than double their electricity consumption before the end of the decade.
Colorado School of Mines experts stand ready to provide journalists with insights on reactor technology, fuel cycles, grid reliability, advanced materials, supply chains and nuclear energy’s role in meeting a power-hungry world’s growing electricity needs.
Thomas Albrecht, University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and director of the Nuclear Science & Engineering Center
Albrecht is an expert on the next generation of nuclear reactors and an authority on nuclear waste and the reclamation of mine sites. Nuclear-related defense topics and nuclear medicine are also fair game for Albrecht, with the opportunities for turning nuclear waste into nuclear medicine of special interest. When it comes to nuclear energy, Albrecht is a fan of modular nuclear reactors, noting they don’t carry with them the melt down risk that existed with older nuclear reactor designs.
Mark Jensen, professor of chemistry and Jerry and Tina Grandey University Chair in Nuclear Science and Engineering
Nuclear fuel recycling in the context of advanced nuclear reactors are of special interest to Jensen, who notes that recycling the fuel from small modular reactors will be especially important as these reactors continue to gain favor. Jensen argues that switching to nuclear power sooner rather than later is important since much of our power still comes from the burning of fossil fuels, which is not good for the environment.
Nuclear site contamination and clean-up are also areas of expertise for Jensen.
Jenifer Shafer, professor of chemistry and Ben L. Fryrear Presidential Chair
Shafer, former Associate Director of Technology at the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), has a background in nuclear fuel recycling, advanced reactor technologies, and nuclear forensics. She has deep expertise in the enabling technologies needed to support deployment of the next wave of nuclear technologies.
In her role as Ben L. Fryrear Presidential Chair at Mines, Shafer is focusing on the intersection of energy and commercialization, working to support efforts to move new energy technologies to the market.
About Mines
Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge and innovations to serve industry and benefit society – all to create a more prosperous future.
