Purdue’s Digital Reactor Charts Future of Nuclear Energy

AI, cybersecurity, and remote ops tested in fully digital U.S. reactor

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Purdue University’s research reactor, PUR-1, has emerged as a proving ground for modernizing nuclear infrastructure in the U.S. Originally built in the 1960s, this low-power facility is now the nation’s first fully digital nuclear reactor licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Its transformation replaces analog instruments with screens, sensors, and ethernet-connected systems, offering a glimpse into the next phase of nuclear energy management.

The digital overhaul, completed in 2019 with Department of Energy support, has enhanced control accuracy and system responsiveness. Precision once limited to 5% estimates is now refined to near watt-level accuracy—enabling more detailed oversight and responsiveness than traditional analog systems could offer. For regulators and operators considering upgrades or new builds, the PUR-1 conversion provides a working example of digitization within U.S. compliance standards.

The shift is more than cosmetic. Operators can now monitor the system through software-based interfaces, streamlining training and improving safety checks through automation and real-time diagnostics. These capabilities are especially relevant for small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors, where digital control architectures are becoming essential for remote, distributed deployment.

AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Twins Fuel a New Research Frontier

With its new infrastructure, PUR-1 has become a national platform for advanced reactor R&D—supporting projects in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and virtual simulation.

In 2023, Purdue researchers, led by assistant professor Stylianos Chatzidakis, developed a high-fidelity digital twin of PUR-1. This real-time simulation replicates the physical behavior of the reactor using sensor input and machine learning models, enabling virtual testing without disrupting real-world operations. One recent study, published in Scientific Reports, demonstrated a predictive model that could anticipate power fluctuations in small reactors with 99% accuracy—offering significant implications for improving the stability and efficiency of future SMRs.

Security remains a key concern as nuclear systems become increasingly reliant on networked control. Chatzidakis’s team has tested AI algorithms designed to detect anomalies in system behavior that may signal a cyber threat. These tools aim to strengthen situational awareness in digital environments where standard safeguards may fall short.

Looking further ahead, the team is also exploring quantum encryption as a way to secure remote communications between control centers and reactors. While still in early stages, simulations based on PUR-1 data suggest that quantum-based cryptography could offer strong protections against even next-generation cyber threats.

Beyond research, PUR-1 continues to serve an educational mission. The facility hosts thousands of student visitors each year and participates in a DOE-sponsored reactor-sharing program, helping to train the next generation of nuclear engineers on digital technologies that will likely define the future commercial landscape.

Environment + Energy Leader