Virtual Ford Nuclear Reactor
In June 2021, Yuxuan Liu and Professor Brendan Kochunas from the University of Michigan’s Department of Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences received a Simulation Grant from the Office of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education. The grant supported the integration of heat transfer simulations into the Virtual Ford Nuclear Reactor (FNR), a virtual reality headset experience developed in collaboration with the Center for Academic Innovation. Using Ansys Discovery, the team conducted multiphysics conjugate heat transfer and neutronics calculations to simulate the original FNR.
In collaboration with the Center for Academic Innovation XR Team, a digital twin of the reactor was created, and the simulations were integrated into the virtual lab, enhancing real-time interactivity and expanding educational data. This initiative enriched the NERS Extended Reality Nuclear Reactor Laboratory course by providing insights into reactor operations and safety previously unavailable with the physical reactor. As the environment artist, I redesigned the model using floorplans and reference images from library archives. My primary role focused on set dressing—creating a realistic atmosphere with added details like trash, junk piles, and grime. After several user testing sessions, former reactor operators, who still teach in the program, pointed out that the VR space felt too clean and lacked the character and charm of the actual reactor.
History
The Ford Nuclear Reactor (FNR) was a research reactor at the University of Michigan, operating from 1957 until its decommissioning on July 3, 2003, as part of the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project. Initially running at 1 MW and later upgraded to 2 MW, it utilized enriched uranium fuel and featured multiple beam ports for interdisciplinary research in nuclear science, medicine, and engineering. Funded in part by the Ford Motor Company, the reactor played a crucial role in peaceful nuclear applications. Following decommissioning, its facility was repurposed into the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute and later renovated into the Nuclear Engineering Laboratory in 2017. The FNR’s legacy continues to support advanced research and education in nuclear engineering.
Aerial Photograph of University of Michigan North Campus Building Construction, 1955 | Courtesy of Ann Arbor Public Library Archive
Historical Reference Images
The Virtual Environment
This top down image shows a majority of the playable VR environment.
OVERVIEW
Virtual reality replica of decommissioned Ford Nuclear Reactor
The Virtual Ford Nuclear Reactor is a virtual reality (VR) replica of the decommissioned Ford
Available to license for internal non-commercial, education, or research purposes at no charge
BACKGROUND
Four experiments are included:
1) Neutron activation and axial flux profile measurement
2) Temperature and Void Reactivity coefficient measurement
3) Xenon Transient and
4) Shutdown Power and Control Rod Calibration.
The VR simulations are built in and run on Unreal Engine from Epic Games, Inc. Additionally, a system dynamics model was created incorporating the point kinetics equations with feedback heat transfer in the core heat transfer in the pool, and heat transfer in the heat exchanger and secondary side. This model was built in Matlab's Simulink and is exported as a Functional Mock-up Unit (FMU) that runs real time and is integrated with Unreal Engine using the UnrealEngine-FMIPlugin.Interactive - conduct pre-programmed reactor physics experiments.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Intellectual Property: Copyright protected software.
LICENSING - The Virtual Ford Nuclear Reactor is available to be licensed for internal non-commercial, education, or research purposes. Please click the "Order Now" button below to license and download the user guide (.pdf file ~3 MB) and software package (.zip file ~2.1 GB).