About
Our vision
Our vision is to establish KINS&E as a hub of excellence in nuclear science and engineering and a leading center for advanced nuclear energy research, innovation, and education, positioning Ben-Gurion University at the forefront of global nuclear science and engineering.
We focus on:
- Advanced nuclear energy systems – SMRs, microreactors, and MSRs.
- Safety and reliability – engineered resilience against technical, environmental, and operational challenges.
- AI-nuclear integration – enabling the future of artificial intelligence and large-scale computing through nuclear-powered infrastructure, and vice versa.
- Collaboration – fostering partnerships across academia, industry, and government to accelerate innovation.
The environmental benefits of nuclear energy, such as low-carbon electricity generation, are well recognized. Our emphasis is on innovative technology, energy resilience, and secure infrastructure for future societies.
Background & motivation
The field of nuclear energy has been undergoing a significant transformation in recent years thanks to advances in nuclear reactor design, computational capabilities, materials science, control theory, and the use of artificial intelligence. Modern nuclear reactors can be integrated with additional industries (cogeneration) such as desalination, wastewater treatment, and hydrogen production. Moreover, the artificial intelligence revolution unfolding around us relies heavily on an accompanying energy revolution, which must follow and constitutes a necessary condition for the continued advancement of this technology. Technology giants such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Nvidia are currently leading investments in the development of the next generation of nuclear reactors for electricity production.
The institute was born out of the recognition of the growing importance of advanced nuclear technologies in the global and Israeli energy landscape. Innovative nuclear energy systems are developing worldwide, integrating modularity, high efficiency, and passive safety systems. In Israel, however, there is a critical need to significantly strengthen the field at the academic level. The institute was founded to bridge this gap and to lead research, education, and innovation through a multidisciplinary model.
Leadership
The institute is established and led by Prof. Erez Gilad, founding director of KINS&E and professor of reactor physics at Ben-Gurion University. Prof. Gilad is an expert in reactor simulations and computational modeling with over two decades of experience in nuclear engineering research.
Funding & support
KINS&E was established with the support of the Carmela and Yosef Klein Foundation and in partnership with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, which provides the academic framework and institutional infrastructure.
