Washington State University is set to begin construction on an expansion of its Nuclear Science Center, which will add 5,000 square feet of research space to Washington’s sole nuclear research facility.

The project, which has a budget of $7.6 million and is funded through congressional appropriations backed by Senator Patty Murray, will include the addition of three hot cells designed for nuclear research and a chemistry wet lab.

This expansion aims to enhance the operational capabilities of WSU’s 1-megawatt TRIGA research reactor, which has been in operation for 64 years.

The construction is anticipated to take one year, although the hot cells are expected to take up to five years before they become operational.

“With the expansion, we’re now going to be able to use the full nuclear capacity of the core,” stated Corey Hines, the director of the center.

Currently, the facility conducts approximately 15 experiments simultaneously, supporting a diverse group of researchers from WSU, government entities, and private companies. Since 1961, the center has trained 113 nuclear reactor operators and has been involved in producing radioactive isotopes for both national laboratories and medical research purposes.

Kim Christen, WSU’s vice president for research, noted that the new hot cells will significantly enhance the capabilities of WSU scientists and their regional and national collaborators in areas like fuel discovery, specialized isotope production, and the development of materials for extreme environments.