From Vice Chancellor Alan Rebar

In 1949, when NC State physics professor Clifford K. Beck envisioned a nuclear reactor on campus to support a course of study in nuclear engineering, over 90 percent of the nation’s atomic energy was directed toward military ends. Four years later, with fuel hand delivered from Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Beck and his colleagues powered up the world’s first reactor dedicated to peaceful, educational purposes.

Physics faculty looking at nuclear reactor plans in 1951. From left, Clifford K. Beck, Raymond L. Murray, Arthur C. Menius, Arthur W. Walther, Newton Underwood (from NCSU Libraries Rare & Unique Digital Collections)

Today, that tradition of leadership in energy technology continues at NC State. In this issue of Results, you’ll learn about two multidisciplinary, data-driven programs working to make nuclear power safer and more efficient. With nuclear power generating more than 60 percent of the nation’s carbon-free electricity, our work is vitally important to the economy—and to future generations.

In this issue, you’ll also learn about efforts to avert a global food crisis and find out how NC State is making it easier to move innovative ideas from the lab to the marketplace. Plus, you’ll get an early look at some of NC State’s most promising ideas and meet the seasoned researchers and young scholars who are working together to break the boundaries of traditional academic disciplines.

Alan Rebar
Vice Chancellor
Research, Innovation and Economic Development