The Nuclear Engineering program within Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering has a number of tools among its researchers that offer unique opportunities for study and education. One of those is the molten salt loop in the lab of Jinsuo Zhang.

The foundation of this technology is a familiar one. Salt is found in kitchens and restaurants around the world, but it has the ability to do more than flavor food. It can be heated, which makes the solid crystals into a liquid substance. This state is the “molten” state produced it can be used as the fuel in a nuclear reactor, or heat transfer fluid.

The salt doesn’t act alone. Adding uranium or thorium to the mix is what makes it a nuclear fuel where fission can occur to generate heat. Its high heat capacity means it can absorb and transfer large amounts of heat efficiently, making it an excellent coolant and fuel carrier. One of its standout safety features is that when molten salt comes into contact with a cooler environment, it solidifies almost instantly. This property significantly reduces the risk of leaks and accidents, as the solidified salt can keep the radioactive materials contained within its solid state.

Virginia Tech is at the cutting edge of molten salt technology research, establishing itself as a global leader. Utilizing state-of-the-art facilities, the university conducts pioneering work with real fuel salts, identical to those used in advanced nuclear plants. This innovative approach has attracted millions in research funding, enabling us to fully characterize salt properties—from thermal, kinetics to physical properties—driving groundbreaking advancements in clean energy solutions.