Month: April 2025

The Risk of Unvalidated Research: Why AtomAssist Is Built for the Work That Matters Most

Posted on by sondra

When it comes to nuclear, energy, and environmental work—there’s no room for guesswork.

In today’s fast-paced professional world, where timelines are short and the information we rely on must be accurate, many teams are turning to artificial intelligence to support research and reporting. But in industries where compliance, safety, and regulatory integrity are non-negotiable, the source of that information matters just as much—if not more—than the speed of the answer.

That’s where AtomAssist comes in.

Designed for engineers, field professionals, analysts, and managers in highly regulated fields like nuclear and utilities, AtomAssist was created to solve a specific problem: helping users access, understand, and trust their own documents and data—faster and more reliably than ever before.

A First-Hand Use Case from Deep Fission

During a recent session, Ingrid Nordby of Deep Fission walked through how she used AtomAssist to navigate a complex research task focused on groundwater contamination and borehole data—critical components in environmental and nuclear facility assessments.

“I was particularly interested in groundwater contamination test results,” Ingrid shared. “I had a collection of scientific articles, reports, and field data, and I uploaded everything into AtomAssist to see how it could help.”

Once the materials were in the system, Ingrid asked AtomAssist to generate summaries, extract specific insights, and even build a clear, technical narrative. The results were impressive.

“It returned exactly what I uploaded—only now it was organized and explained in a way I could use in a report,” she said. “It saved me hours of work.”

Built for Validation

What sets AtomAssist apart is its commitment to validation. In high-risk sectors, an answer is only as good as its proof—and AtomAssist ensures every output is traceable back to original, verified source documents.

Ingrid explained how easy it was to confirm where the information was coming from:
“I clicked on the ‘Sources’ tab, and it gave me all the validation information I needed. I knew the data it was referencing was the exact documentation I had uploaded.”

This level of traceability gives teams peace of mind. When regulators or internal stakeholders ask, “Where did this come from?”—the answer is a click away.

From Raw Data to Ready-to-Use Narratives

AtomAssist doesn’t just analyze documents—it helps translate them into usable content. Ingrid was able to pull results from multiple uploaded files and ask AtomAssist to build a narrative that aligned with her technical goals.

“I wasn’t just looking for information,” she said. “I wanted information I could use right away—and that’s what AtomAssist gave me.”

The narrative tools also allow for follow-up questions, refinements, and targeted insights—so if you need a version for a technical appendix, a stakeholder update, or a management summary, the system can help build each from the same core data.

Creating Reusable Knowledge Sets

In regulated industries, the same data often needs to be used across teams and departments. One of the most powerful features Ingrid used was the ability to write extracted insights into new datasets within the AtomAssist platform.

With help from the Nuclearn team, she learned how to consolidate all validated source references into a structured dataset that could be referenced again and again.

“Now I’m thinking about how to create a single-source document that my whole team can use,” Ingrid said. “Once the content is verified and structured, AtomAssist makes it easy to pull from that data in the future.”

This capability supports knowledge retention, reduces rework, and keeps everyone aligned on the same version of the truth—without the chaos of emails, folders, or uncontrolled edits.

Precision Is a Requirement, Not a Bonus

For professionals in nuclear, utilities, safety, and compliance, documentation isn’t a suggestion—it’s a system of record. Misinformation, outdated reports, or vague sourcing can have consequences ranging from delayed operations to regulatory penalties.

That’s why AtomAssist was built with precision and trust at its core. Every analysis, summary, or insight provided by the platform is grounded in what’s already approved by your organization.

It’s not searching a public database. It’s not scanning the internet. It’s referencing only the material you’ve given it—the material that meets your compliance requirements, your safety standards, and your internal review processes.

This difference is what makes AtomAssist not just useful, but essential in high-stakes environments.

Security and Compliance by Design

AtomAssist is built for deployment in secure environments. It meets the demands of on-premise requirements, data confidentiality, and Part 810 compliance.

Whether you’re a nuclear site manager, a corrective action program lead, or an engineer managing records for regulatory filings, AtomAssist respects the boundaries and expectations of your industry.

And it doesn’t require users to learn a new interface or scripting language. It works where you work—using your documents, your taxonomy, and your subject matter.

Reducing Risk and Enhancing Productivity

Ingrid’s experience underscores what so many professionals in complex industries already know: you don’t have time to double-check everything manually—but you can’t afford to get it wrong.

AtomAssist eliminates the guesswork. It enables you to pull trusted data from your own source library, validate it instantly, and build what you need with confidence.

From policies and procedures to test reports and technical briefs, AtomAssist can support:

  • Engineering & Maintenance Documentation
  • Licensing and Environmental Reports
  • Root Cause & Corrective Action Narratives
  • Outage Preparation Materials
  • Executive Summaries & Stakeholder Briefings

All while ensuring your work is based on real, validated information—not approximations.

Looking Forward: A Smarter Way to Work

What Ingrid found in AtomAssist wasn’t just an AI system. It was a work partner. One that respects the technical rigor of her field, the pressure of her deadlines, and the importance of making sure every claim is backed up.

As she put it:

“AtomAssist helped me get to what I needed faster. But more importantly, it helped me trust the process. Everything I used had validation behind it.”

For teams working in regulated industries, that level of trust is priceless.

The Bottom Line

In critical sectors, research isn’t just about finding information—it’s about defending it. Every decision, every report, and every stakeholder update must stand up to scrutiny.

That’s what AtomAssist is built for. It empowers professionals to do their best work, backed by the sources they already trust. It’s secure, compliant, and ready to be deployed in the toughest documentation environments.

So, the next time you’re preparing a report, chasing down test results, or building a summary for executive review, remember:

With AtomAssist, you’re not just answering questions. You’re building with certainty.

Texas Takes the Lead: Highlights from Texas Nuclear Legislative Day 2025

Posted on by sondra

On April 10, 2025, the steps of the Texas State Capitol weren’t just a backdrop for political speeches—they became the frontlines of a movement. Texas Nuclear Legislative Day, hosted by the Texas Nuclear Alliance (TNA), brought together energy advocates, industry leaders, and state policymakers with one unified mission: to make Texas the leader of the American nuclear renaissance.

The gathering was more than symbolic. It marked a turning point in how Texas envisions its energy future—and underscored that nuclear energy is no longer just part of the conversation. It is the conversation.

A Bold Vision at a Critical Time

Texas Nuclear Legislative Day came at a moment when energy priorities across the state and nation are shifting rapidly. With rising electricity demands, increasing concern over grid reliability, and global pressure to decarbonize, Texas—long known for oil and gas—is setting its sights on nuclear.

Governor Greg Abbott’s recent directive to the Legislature made it clear: nuclear power should be central to the state’s long-term energy strategy. The enthusiastic response from the Capitol last week shows that lawmakers, industry professionals, and citizens alike are embracing this future.

“The robust participation from nuclear industry employees and supporters, coupled with the warm reception we received from members of the Texas Legislature, highlight nuclear’s rising prominence and undeniable potential in shaping Texas’ energy landscape,” said Reed Clay, President of the Texas Nuclear Alliance.

Legislative Support for a Nuclear Future

Throughout the day, TNA members and supporters met directly with legislators to champion a series of pro-nuclear bills aimed at jumpstarting a new era of nuclear innovation. These included:

  • HB 14 & HB 279 – Laying the regulatory and funding groundwork for advanced nuclear projects

  • SB 388, SB 1061, SB 1534, SB 1535, SB 2060, and SB 2967 – Addressing a range of supportive measures, from licensing to research collaboration

  • HB 500 – Establishing a Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Fund to attract capital and accelerate deployment

These proposals are more than political gestures—they’re tools to transform Texas into a center of nuclear excellence. If passed, they will unlock funding for next-generation reactors, incentivize public-private partnerships, and signal to global investors that Texas is serious about leading the nuclear renaissance.

Why Nuclear—and Why Now?

Attendees at Texas Nuclear Legislative Day didn’t just advocate for technology—they told a broader story. One of opportunity, urgency, and responsibility.

Nuclear energy offers reliability in a way no other clean energy source can. It provides high-capacity, zero-carbon baseload power while requiring far less land than solar or wind. As extreme weather, rising demand, and industrial growth strain the grid, advanced nuclear is positioned to be the solution that meets Texas’s ambitious goals for economic strength and energy independence.

What’s Next?

The conversations in Austin were just the beginning. With legislation advancing and public interest growing, Texas is poised to become a national model for what’s possible when innovation, policy, and industry work hand-in-hand.

At Nuclearn, we’re proud to support the companies, coalitions, and communities working to shape the future of nuclear. From advanced AI integration to safer, more efficient plant operations, we’re helping utilities and policymakers realize the full promise of nuclear in the 21st century.

The future is already taking shape in Texas—and it’s powered by nuclear.

Reimagining the Future of Energy: Liz Muller’s Bold Blueprint for Nuclear Innovation

Posted on by sondra

In a world increasingly defined by bold ideas and urgent action, few leaders stand out like Liz Muller. As the featured guest on the latest episode of The Future of Nuclear podcast, Liz brings her vision, conviction, and action-first mindset to a conversation that’s as inspiring as it is important.

Muller, the CEO and Co-Founder of Deep Fission, isn’t following in anyone’s footsteps—she’s carving a new path entirely. With a unique background in mathematics, mechanics, and global policy—not reactor physics or traditional nuclear operations—Liz approaches energy challenges with an outsider’s clarity and a changemaker’s urgency. And the results speak for themselves.

From launching Deep Isolation, a venture that transformed the global conversation around nuclear waste disposal, to now heading Deep Fission—a company working to install small modular nuclear reactors a mile underground—Liz’s work is reshaping what’s possible in clean energy. Her story isn’t just about technological disruption. It’s about leadership, courage, and a refusal to accept the status quo.

From Policy Circles to Deep Boreholes

Liz’s journey into nuclear energy began not in a lab, but in the world of climate policy. While working with the OECD, she quickly recognized that many global sustainability goals would remain out of reach without a meaningful shift in how the world produces and stores energy.

So, she did what true innovators do: she created a solution.

That solution was Deep Isolation—a company that applies oil and gas drilling technologies to isolate nuclear waste in deep boreholes. It was an elegant answer to a longstanding problem, and one that propelled Liz into the spotlight as a disruptor in the nuclear space.

But she didn’t stop there.

With Deep Fission, Liz is now pushing the boundary even further. The company’s groundbreaking concept of deploying 15 MW reactors a mile underground removes many of the safety, regulatory, and financial barriers that have historically slowed nuclear energy expansion.

As she explains in the podcast, “We’re not just reducing cost—we’re changing the paradigm.”

The Power of Underground Thinking

What makes Deep Fission so compelling is the simplicity of its logic and the elegance of its engineering.

Instead of building massive above-ground facilities that take a decade or more to complete, Deep Fission is leveraging the natural containment and pressure of underground environments to house reactors. The model offers a host of benefits: enhanced safety, reduced surface footprint, faster permitting, and significantly lower capital investment.

But beyond the technical aspects, Liz’s vision represents something bigger—a reimagination of how we deliver power in a rapidly changing world. She sees a future where nuclear energy isn’t just safe and reliable—it’s nimble, scalable, and ready to meet the needs of both developed and developing nations.

Empowering Teams with AI and Purpose

Throughout her conversation with host Phil Zeringue, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Nuclearn, Liz talks not only about the “what” of her work, but the “how.” And that “how” centers around culture.

Her approach to building high-performing teams is grounded in two core values: innovation and empowerment. Liz surrounds herself with what Phil calls “A-players”—people who are deeply mission-driven and unafraid to challenge old assumptions. And in Liz’s world, AI is more than a buzzword; it’s embedded into every layer of the organization.

“We’ve made AI part of how we work and how we think,” Liz says. With a Chief AI Officer on the leadership team and a commitment to AI-native design thinking, Deep Fission is moving faster and more intelligently than many of its peers.

It’s this intersection of talent, tech, and tenacity that makes Deep Fission one of the most promising ventures in the energy sector today.

Leading with Authenticity—and Humor

Despite tackling some of the world’s toughest challenges, Liz brings humor and humility to the table. She jokes about having the “deepest” conversations in nuclear, makes light of AI-generated bios that list her as a rock collector with samples from every continent, and laughs off hallucinations that claim she’s a TED Talk regular.

But beneath the levity is a deeply serious commitment to solving real problems. “If you’re going to be responsible, you need to have a solution for the waste. If you want nuclear to scale, you have to solve the cost issue. These aren’t optional,” she says.

This blend of accessibility and accountability makes Liz not only a compelling founder but also a leader other leaders want to follow.

A Call to Action for the Next Generation

As the interview draws to a close, Liz delivers what may be the most important message of all: an invitation to build.

“There’s so much that can still be done,” she says. “If you’re driven, if you’re passionate, come build with us.”

It’s a powerful call—not just to engineers and scientists, but to regulators, policymakers, students, and climate advocates. In Liz’s world, everyone has a role to play. The only thing not allowed is sitting on the sidelines.

The Nuclearn Perspective

At Nuclearn, we’re proud to highlight leaders like Liz Muller—people who aren’t just talking about the future of energy, but creating it. The future of nuclear power depends on bold thinkers and action-oriented entrepreneurs, and Liz exemplifies both.

She’s proving that nuclear can be faster, safer, and smarter. That AI can be part of the solution. And that with the right leadership, even the most entrenched systems can evolve.

If you care about energy, innovation, or simply want to be inspired by what’s possible when smart people tackle hard problems, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Ready to hear more?
Visit nuclearn.ai and check out The Future of Nuclear podcast featuring Liz Muller.
Listen for yourself—and discover how the future of clean energy is being built, one borehole at a time.

Shaping the Future of Nuclear: Lisa Marshall’s Global Impact Begins in the Classroom

Posted on by sondra

In the rapidly evolving world of nuclear energy, innovation isn’t only found in labs and reactor design—it’s also found in classrooms, campus labs, and summer programs that empower the next generation. Few people understand this better than Lisa Marshall.

As the President of the American Nuclear Society and Director of Outreach, Retention, and Engagement at North Carolina State University’s Department of Nuclear Engineering, Lisa Marshall is leading a movement to transform how we educate, inspire, and retain nuclear talent. In the latest episode of The Future of Nuclear podcast, Lisa joined host Phil Zeringue for a conversation that was equal parts insight, empathy, and vision.

Her message was clear: a sustainable future for nuclear energy begins by nurturing curiosity, building community, and creating environments where every student can thrive.

From Geography to Nuclear: A Path Fueled by Purpose

Lisa’s own journey into nuclear wasn’t linear. With an academic background in geography—a discipline focused on the relationship between people, space, and technology—Lisa didn’t come from a traditional engineering pipeline. Instead, it was a single class that combined technical insight with societal relevance that first lit the spark for her nuclear interest.

That spark became a calling.

When she arrived at NC State, she wasn’t hired for her nuclear expertise. She was hired for her ability to advise, build programs, and create community. What followed was two decades of transformational leadership in nuclear education—leadership that emphasized inclusion, mentorship, and mission-driven learning.

“I always ask myself: how do I create an environment for students to thrive?” Lisa says. “It’s not just about curriculum—it’s about building confidence, allowing failure, and showing them that they belong.”

Building the Pipeline—And the Ecosystem Around It

One of Lisa’s most powerful contributions is her holistic view of education. To her, it’s not just about getting more students into nuclear engineering programs—it’s about building what she calls an “ecosystem of engagement” that starts well before college and continues long after graduation.

“We lose kids in middle school, even earlier,” she explains. “They don’t see themselves in STEM, and by the time they get to high school, it can be too late.”

That’s why Lisa’s programs focus on continuous touchpoints: three-week summer residential camps, immersive first-year projects like the “Nuclear Probe Project,” and long-distance trips to nuclear training facilities. The goal is to connect students with real-world experiences that humanize nuclear technology and demonstrate its impact in energy, medicine, security, and beyond.

This philosophy is deeply rooted in belonging. “An NC State engineering degree shows you have the technical skills,” Lisa explains. “But companies want to know: Can you collaborate? Will you ask for help? Are you mission-driven?”

Beyond Soft Skills: Fostering Professionalism and Resilience

One of the most powerful takeaways from Lisa’s episode is her emphasis on “professional skills”—not “soft skills.” For Lisa, communication, collaboration, and emotional intelligence aren’t nice-to-haves; they’re essential tools for leadership in the nuclear workforce.

She challenges students to leave their comfort zones—not just to grow, but to prepare themselves for a career in an industry that’s increasingly diverse, interdisciplinary, and globally relevant.

Through her work with ANS, Marshall has created spaces where students build these capabilities early. She credits the society with helping her find her own leadership voice. “I got tricked into going to my first ANS meeting,” she laughs. “But from there, I found my people. It’s where I started giving back.”

That commitment to giving back is now evident in everything she touches—from her classroom teaching to her international work with the OECD. Whether she’s helping students navigate their first engineering project or speaking on behalf of nuclear innovation at global forums, Lisa shows up with the same clarity and purpose.

Global Perspective, Local Passion

Lisa’s identity as a Caribbean Canadian-American adds depth to her global outlook. Her upbringing and education influence how she sees the intersection of science, society, and culture—and how nuclear must evolve to stay relevant.

As a thought leader, she’s involved in global efforts to address nuclear’s role in medicine, agriculture, energy, and security. But as an educator, she’s equally invested in individual growth. “We need relationship builders,” she says. “People who will be there for the long term. Engagement isn’t a one-time thing. It’s the foundation.”

Lisa understands that building a nuclear future isn’t just about innovation—it’s about creating a culture where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to lead.

Go Slow to Go Far: A Leadership Philosophy for the Future

Perhaps the most powerful theme in Lisa’s conversation with Phil Zeringue is her belief in process over position. “It’s the steps we take, not the title at the end,” she says. “We have to make space for curiosity, failure, growth, and connection. That’s how we build a nuclear future that’s innovative, inclusive, and strong.”

This mindset—of intentional leadership, human-centered education, and long-term investment—is exactly what the nuclear sector needs. It’s also why Lisa Marshall is one of the most influential voices in nuclear education today.

At Nuclearn, we are proud to feature her story and share the values she embodies: mentorship, inclusivity, and the power of education to shape a better world.

🎧 Want to hear more from Lisa Marshall?
Visit nuclearn.ai to listen to her full conversation on The Future of Nuclear podcast.
Discover how she’s building the next generation of nuclear leaders—one student, one lesson, and one bold idea at a time.