A new phase of testing has begun at the Purdue University Reactor Number One (PUR-1), an experimental nuclear research facility in the United States. For the first time, engineers at Purdue University are leveraging an operational nuclear installation to evaluate artificial intelligence technologies, digital control systems, and cybersecurity measures. These innovations could eventually serve as the foundation for next-generation nuclear power.
PUR-1 is not designed to generate electricity; its sole purpose is scientific research, workforce training, and the assessment of emerging technologies. However, in 2019, it became the first research reactor in the U.S. to receive a license for the use of a fully digital control and safety system. This distinction has made it a one-of-a-kind platform for experimenting with advanced software solutions.
Under this new initiative, researchers will examine a range of digital tools and concepts, including:
AI-based systems for monitoring reactor conditions;
cyberattack prevention technologies;
modern digital communication channels;
real-time digital twins of the reactor;
automated control systems that could one day enable remote operation of nuclear facilities.
According to the researchers, testing on an actual reactor yields far more valuable data than computer simulations alone. It allows them to observe how software and digital systems perform under real-world operating conditions—including abnormal scenarios and potential failures.
This project holds particular significance at a time when the United States is aggressively advancing small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors. These units are much more compact than traditional nuclear power plants and are being considered for powering remote areas, industrial facilities, military bases, and large data centers.
Developers believe that digitalization could fundamentally reshape the operation of nuclear power plants. In the future, a single operator might be able to oversee several reactors at once—potentially from hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away.
The U.S. Department of Energy is also backing the development of such technologies. Several demonstration projects for microreactors are expected to come online as early as 2026. Still, widespread deployment will not be possible without proven reliability of digital control and safety systems. PUR-1 is expected to fill that gap, serving as the first testbed in the United States where these technologies are validated on an actual operating nuclear reactor.
Originally built in 1962, the PUR-1 reactor remains the only functioning nuclear reactor in the state of Indiana.
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