ACU, Texas Tech & Natura Resources move closer to molten salt reactor deployment

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – Texas Tech University, Abilene Christian University, and Natura Resources are one step closer to the deployment of molten salt reactor technology, with the hopes of addressing Texas’s water, energy and medical needs.

The project, with support from the Texas Legislature, will mix nuclear innovation, water desalination, and medical isotope production. With recent funding signed by Governor Greg Abbott, Texas Tech will accelerate its water research production in the race to complete the construction of the molten salt research reactor at ACU.

In the funding, there is a subaward to ACU for research, development, permitting, licensing and construction of the MSR-1 through the university’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory.

“Texas Tech University is proud to partner with Abilene Christian University and Natura Resources in advancing desalination of produced water through cutting-edge molten salt reactor technology,” said Lawrence Schovanec, president of Texas Tech University. “This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to innovation, sustainability and addressing critical energy and water security challenges.”

One of the project’s goals is to produce life-saving medical isotopes for cancer treatment, diagnostic imaging, and other applications.

“We are deeply grateful to the Texas Legislature for their historic commitment to advanced nuclear innovation,” said Doug Robison, founder and CEO of Natura Resources. “This appropriation allows Natura and ACU to deploy the nation’s first advanced, liquid-fueled reactor in late 2026. Such milestones position Natura as the leader in the advanced reactor space and Texas as the leader in clean energy, water technology and the production of life-saving medical isotopes. Thanks to this unprecedented support, Texas is poised to shape the future of energy, water and medical science for the world.”