Enhancing our High-Tech Nuclear Facilities:
The Subcritical Assembly Project
Welcome Message
Thank you for visiting our website. Ontario Tech is exploring the opportunity to further enhance the student experience in our highly acclaimed Nuclear Engineering program, through the addition of new equipment and components to our high-tech nuclear labs; specifically, the addition of a subcritical assembly.
A subcritical assembly is a type of nuclear reactor that provides a very conducive environment for education, training, and research purposes, given its inherently distinct design features.
The addition of a subcritical assembly would provide numerous valuable benefits and opportunities:
- enhanced hands-on learning experiences for students;
- important applications for faculty and student research; and
- support for nuclear industry partners with new technology developments and research to combat global challenges.
It is early in the project and numerous steps are required before this plan could come to fruition. For example, to operate the subcritical assembly, Ontario Tech would require a license from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), who are responsible for regulating the use of nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment. Active engagement with our campus community, Indigenous communities, and the public have begun and we will continue our outreach to seek input and perspectives to our proposed plans.
We welcome you to browse the website to learn more about this exciting project and encourage you to get involved.
- The Subcritical Assembly Project Team
Researchers removing a graphite moderator rod
