SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign celebrated plans for a micro nuclear reactor Friday. NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. will work with UIUC to have a micro modular reactor built next to the current nuclear research center on campus.

NANO Nuclear has created a strong relationship with the Grainger College of Engineering, and they hope to see many U of I students participate in this work.

"We're just excited that we have a leading institution in nuclear energy helping us with tremendous amounts of engineers alongside our engineers," said NANO Nuclear President Jay Yu. "This is a perfect time for the new nuclear age."

Yu told WAND News his company hopes to get a permit approved within the first quarter of 2026 and start pouring concrete and steel for the proje

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