Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

From Knoxville:

AMS Corporation was recently awarded a $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support cable insulation material development, qualification, and testing for the next generation of nuclear power reactors.

According to the company, many small modular and other advanced reactors currently under development worldwide feature environmental conditions substantially harsher than current reactor designs. This project addresses the need for more durable cable insulation materials capable of withstanding these challenging environments while performing their intended function.

AMS has designed an accelerated thermal aging program to simulate environmental conditions that various cable insulation materials may be exposed to in advanced reactor environments. The project will involve testing and evaluation of a wide range of material to be subjected to various environments that encompass the conditions that will be present in different advanced reactor designs. The results of this work will provide the nuclear industry with the environmental qualification, testing guidance, capabilities, and tools to develop and select insulation materials for electrical cabling.

After this project, AMS will be positioned to provide laboratory testing, qualification, and engineering services to new reactor developers and cable manufacturers, supporting the safe and efficient operation of next-generation nuclear reactors.

From Oak Ridge:

Boston Government Services LLC (BGS) has named Doug Freund, a highly respected industry veteran, as its Chief Operating Officer. Most recently the Senior Vice President of Kiewit Nuclear Solutions, he previously served as Vice President of Operations Support, responsible for management of operations of the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, TX.

BGS was founded in 2007 by Harry Boston and employs more than 350 engineers, scientists, and technical professionals across the nation. It has been ranked as a Top 50 Department of Energy contractor. In December 2022, BGS was acquired by Bernhard Capital Partners, a services- and infrastructure-focused private equity management firm located in Baton Rouge, LA.

From Johnson City:

FoundersForge is spotlighting two events this week. The “Tri-Dev Meetup” starts at 6 p.m. EDT September 12 at Spark Plaza (click here to reserve a space) and the “Founder’s Meetup” occurs two nights later, also at 6 p.m. but at Ntara (click here to register).

From Nashville:

• Through its “Master Innovator Recognition Program,” Vanderbilt University’s Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization recently recognized four faculty members for their excellence in innovation. The annual recognition program acknowledges Vanderbilt’s top innovators and entrepreneurs for their contributions to the creation, development, and commercialization of intellectual property. Awardees have demonstrated excellence in a select number of key commercialization categories, including new inventions disclosed, patent applications filed and issues, new companies formed, technology licenses executed, commercialization revenue generated, and products on the market – all based on the candidate’s innovations created at Vanderbilt. This year’s honorees are Richard Caprioli, C. David Weaver, Susan Eagle, and Franz Baudenbacher.
• The Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC) has announced the appointment of Haley “Zap” Zapolski as the organization’s first-ever Capital Connector. She previously worked at the EC as a Program Manager from 2018-2021 and has served in additional contract roles. Zapolski is Co-Host of a podcast called The Cap Table and served a stint as Managing Director at Jumpstart Foundry. In her capacity as Capital Connector, Zapolski will take on a pivotal role within Nashville Entrepreneur Center, supporting entrepreneurs in their journey to secure vital funding for their innovative ideas and start-ups. Haley will be responsible for a range of essential duties, including:

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