DBDC Hosts Texas A&M Students
BERKELEY, CA, April 21, 2026 – The Deep Borehole Demonstration Center (DBDC) welcomed a group of students from Texas A&M University who were in the area to attend the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Student Conference 2026, held April 16-18 in College Station, Texas. While the visit was not part of the official conference program, students visited the facility to learn more about ongoing work in deep borehole disposal.
Their visit came just months after the launch of a multi-year, full-scale deep borehole demonstration program initiated by Deep Isolation taking place at the DBDC site near Cameron, Texas. The work is being carried out without the use of radioactive material and is intended to build operational experience and inform the safety case for the technology.
During their time at the facility, students met with DBDC Executive Director Andy Griffith and observed elements of the demonstration program, including the drilling rig and the full-size Universal Canister System (UCS) prototype developed by Deep Isolation through a U.S. Department of Energy-funded grant (Project UPWARDS).
“The students asked thoughtful questions and came prepared,” said Andy Griffith, Executive Director of the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center. “It’s encouraging to see this level of interest in the practical side of waste disposal. These are the kinds of engineers and scientists who will be responsible for carrying this work forward.”
Students attending the ANS conference came from across the country and around the world, reflecting a shared interest in nuclear science and engineering at a time when reliable energy and responsible waste management remain central concerns, underscored by the DOE’s recent Request for Information, which encourages states to explore integrated nuclear systems that include long-term waste disposal.
DBDC regularly hosts students, researchers, and collaborators as part of its broader effort to advance understanding of deep borehole disposal through demonstration and open exchange of information.
Texas A&M students visit the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center, April 2026.
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About the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center:
The Deep Borehole Demonstration Center is a US 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing deep borehole disposal as a safe and effective solution for radioactive waste management. Through international collaboration, scientific excellence, and community engagement, the Center conducts demonstrations and develops safety cases to support the global deployment of deep borehole technologies.
For more information about the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center and its initiatives, please visit www.deepboreholedemo.org.
Media contact
info@deepboreholedemo.org