Alabama A&M University (AAMU) has announced its participation in a new nuclear fuel recycling initiative, supported by an award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy and a partnership with Flibe Energy, Inc., a company based in Huntsville.
On February 5, 2026, the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy revealed that it would provide more than $19 million to five U.S. companies for projects focused on developing technologies to recycle used nuclear fuel. These three-year, cost-shared efforts are intended to reduce nuclear waste by up to 90 percent and improve resource efficiency by as much as 95 percent. The projects align with national energy security objectives. Flibe Energy was chosen for contract negotiation under this program, with AAMU named as a primary research partner. Specific funding amounts for each participant have not been disclosed.
AAMU’s work will be conducted under the Cross-Cutting Fluoride Pyrochemical Recycling of Used Nuclear Fuel project. Faculty and students at the university will concentrate on electrochemical decladding and fluorination techniques aimed at making nuclear fuel recycling more efficient. Their research includes developing and testing advanced pyrochemical processes to enhance safety protocols, increase process efficiency, and support the economic feasibility of recycling methods.
The project is led by Dr. Mebougna Drabo, who serves as professor and chair of the Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering and Construction Management at AAMU. He also directs Alabama’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (ALEPSCoR), heads the Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Science Center, and acts as interim graduate program coordinator for mechanical engineering.
“This award represents both an honor and a responsibility,” said Drabo. “It reflects confidence in our research capabilities and our commitment to excellence. We are building not only advanced nuclear technologies, but also the next generation of engineers and scientists who will shape the future of energy.”
Drabo is joined on the project by Dr. Michael Ayokanmbi, Dr. Aschalew Kassu, and Richard Lagle—each bringing expertise in fields such as nuclear engineering, materials science, instrumentation, and experimental systems.
Flibe Energy specializes in molten-salt reactor technology development along with innovative solutions for processing recycled nuclear fuel using electrochemical approaches. Previous collaborations between AAMU and Flibe set the stage for this expanded partnership through DOE funding.
“The molten salt laboratory partnership at Alabama A&M is exciting for the industry and for the future generation of engineers of every discipline,” said Dr. Joseph A. Bonometti, P.E., Chief Strategy Officer at Flibe Energy.
In fall 2025, AAMU worked with Flibe to design a dedicated glovebox system tailored for molten salt experiments—a setup that allows controlled experimentation while giving students hands-on experience in commissioning equipment, integrating systems, and validating operations.
Currently four STEM students from engineering or physical sciences are participating directly in these research activities; two more are expected to join during summer 2026. Their roles include conducting experiments involving molten salts, analyzing electrochemical results, assessing process efficiencies, and working on improvements related to safety or operations.
University officials noted that this award boosts AAMU’s ability to conduct advanced nuclear science research while expanding practical learning opportunities for students. While there is no specific provision within this funding for purchasing new equipment outright, it does enable broader research activity using existing lab resources alongside the newly developed glovebox system.
Drabo described this effort as an important achievement both for Alabama A&M University itself and statewide: “This milestone demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships between universities and industry to address complex national energy challenges,” he said. “Most importantly, it creates meaningful research and training pathways for our students, ensuring they are prepared to contribute to the next generation of nuclear energy technologies.”
