Student Contributed to Utah Reactor Milestone
A Southern Utah University engineering student helped support reactor testing during a summer internship.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Nuclear
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In summer 2026, Southern Utah University student Calvin Hadley completed a mechanical engineering internship at Valar Atomics in Orangeville, Utah. This work followed the company's test reactor achieving criticality in June 2026.
Why it matters
Valar Atomics aims to provide reliable nuclear energy for data infrastructure and manufacturing. The internship program allows students to bridge classroom theory with the development of helium-cooled reactor technology.
The test facility utilizes helium gas as a coolant, diverging from traditional water-cooled designs. Hadley applied thermodynamic and fluid mechanics principles to assist with these engineering projects.
The players
Calvin Hadley
He is a mechanical engineering student at Southern Utah University who interned at a nuclear energy firm.
Valar Atomics
The company develops nuclear energy technology designed for industrial, fuel, and data infrastructure applications.
Southern Utah University
Located in Cedar City, this public institution provides engineering education and research opportunities for students.
The details
During his time at the San Rafael Energy Lab, Hadley focused on applying academic coursework to industrial reactor design. Valar Atomics prioritizes helium cooling to support the energy needs of fuel production and high-demand data centers.
Timeline
The Valar Atomics test reactor achieved criticality in June 2026.
Calvin Hadley completed his internship during the summer of 2026.
Hadley will work on his senior capstone project throughout the 2026-2027 academic year.
Deeper Dive
This project represents a push toward helium-cooled reactor technology in the modern energy sector. By moving away from water-based cooling, Valar Atomics aligns with emerging efforts to improve reactor efficiency for specialized industrial sectors.
The success of these helium-cooled systems could eventually lead to cheaper and more stable energy supplies for major data and manufacturing hubs. Students in the region may also see increased career pathways as the state builds out its nuclear energy infrastructure.
The takeaway
Hands-on internships remain a critical gateway for students seeking to enter the specialized nuclear energy sector. Hadley intends to continue this career path at Valar Atomics following the completion of his degree.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Nuclear energy research.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cedar City News.
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