Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power

35 - Brett Rampal: The Future of Nuclear, 2026 Milestones, and the Road to 2030

In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, host Dominique sits down with nuclear engineer Brett Rampal to examine the momentum behind today’s nuclear resurgence and what lies ahead. From recent reactor design approvals and pilot programs accelerating deployment to the policy challenges of nuclear waste management, Brett offers a clear look at the industry’s most pressing issues. The conversation also highlights workforce development and the wide range of career opportunities shaping the nuclear industry’s future. Brett Rampal is a nuclear energy expert with over 20 years of experience across industry, policy, and investment. He has held engineering and leadership roles at GE Hitachi, Westinghouse, NuScale, and Clean Air Task Force, contributing to reactor design, safety analysis, and major U.S. nuclear policy initiatives. He currently serves as Senior Director of Nuclear and Power Strategy at Veriten, advising energy companies, utilities, and investors on nuclear development and deployment. www.ucanpower.org

34 - Staff Sheehan: Revolutionizing Nuclear Waste, Project Omega’s Breakthroughs

In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, we sit down with Staff Sheehan of Project Omega to explore how cutting-edge innovation is transforming the future of nuclear energy. From breakthrough approaches to recycling spent nuclear fuel to the development of long-lasting power sources like Strontium-90 batteries, Sheehan explains how advanced fuel cycle technologies can turn nuclear waste into a strategic asset. We dive into the science behind molten salt electrochemistry, the “picks and shovels” enabling the next generation of nuclear systems, and Project Omega’s recent DARPA recognition—highlighting the growing importance of these capabilities for both defense and civilian energy applications. Listen now to learn how innovation is reshaping the nuclear fuel cycle—and why it matters for national security and energy resilience. https://ucanpower.org/ [https://ucanpower.org/]

33 - Rod Baltzer: Deep Isolation and the Future of Nuclear Waste

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear Podcast, UCAN Power welcomes Rod Baltzer, CEO of Deep Isolation, for an in‑depth discussion on how deep borehole technology could transform nuclear waste disposal in the United States. Baltzer explains why traditional mined repositories have struggled to deliver timely solutions and how Deep Isolation’s approach—placing nuclear waste deep underground in stable geologic formations—offers a faster, more flexible, and potentially more publicly acceptable alternative. The conversation explores the geological advantages of deep boreholes, the role of existing oil and gas technologies in monitoring and verification, and how deeper disposal expands the number of viable sites while reducing surface‑level impacts. The episode also highlights recent milestones, including ARPA‑E Scale Up funding and groundbreaking at Deep Isolation’s Texas demonstration site, marking a key step toward commercial deployment. Beyond technology, Baltzer discusses the importance of community trust, transparent monitoring, and the potential value of establishing an independent nuclear waste management organization outside the Department of Energy to accelerate progress. From policy implications to long‑term vision, this episode offers a clear look at how innovation, geology, and governance can converge to address one of nuclear energy’s most persistent challenges.

32 - Yasir Arafat: Aalo Powering the AI Era

Artificial intelligence is transforming the world—but powering it is becoming one of the greatest energy challenges of our time. From training massive AI models to running data centers that demand reliable, 24/7 electricity, the future of computing is colliding head‑on with the limits of today’s energy systems. In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, host Dominique Cooper sits down with Yasir Arafat, Co‑Founder, CTO, and President of Aalo Atomics, to explore how factory‑built, advanced nuclear microreactors could unlock abundant, dependable power for the AI era and beyond. Yasir shares his personal journey—from growing up with energy scarcity to leading pioneering reactor programs at Westinghouse and Idaho National Laboratory, including the MARVEL microreactor project—and how those experiences shaped Aalo Atomics’ mission. The conversation dives into Aalo’s bold focus on AI data centers as its first customer, the decision to use sodium‑cooled reactor technology, and the company’s race toward a historic milestone: achieving criticality on the Aalo X experimental reactor at INL, which would mark the first new sodium‑cooled reactor to operate in the U.S. in over 40 years. 🎧 Subscribe to Advanced Nuclear for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of energy. 🔗 Learn more about U.S. Advanced Nuclear and UCAN Power at ucanpower.org [http://ucanpower.org]

31 - Lucian Niemeyer: Restoring American Nuclear Industry Dominance

In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, the official podcast of UCAN Power, host Dominique Cooper is joined by Lucian Niemeyer for an in‑depth discussion on the role advanced nuclear technologies play in strengthening U.S. national security and energy resilience. The conversation centers on UCAN Power’s recent white paper, Restoring American Nuclear Industry Dominance, which outlines how the Department of Defense can lead the development, demonstration, and deployment of advanced nuclear systems to meet both defense and commercial electricity needs. Niemeyer explains why today’s reactor technologies are safer and more capable than ever—and why resilient, reliable power has become a strategic imperative. The episode explores how advanced nuclear can be deployed at scale on military installations and in future space missions, examining funding models, public‑private partnerships, and the challenges posed by fragmented nuclear programs. Niemeyer also lays out practical steps the Department of Defense can take now to accelerate deployment, strengthen the industrial base, and ensure nuclear power underpins deterrence, operational readiness, and long‑term national security. White paper: https://ucanpower.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/UCAN-Power-White-Paper-on-DOW-Nuclear-Power-Deployment-Jan-26.pdf [https://ucanpower.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/UCAN-Power-White-Paper-on-DOW-Nuclear-Power-Deployment-Jan-26.pdf]