Personal profile
Biography
Rob is a research scientist in the Pyrochemistry and Molten Salt Systems department at INL with over ten years of both computational and experimental experience in the molten salt pyroprocessing field. He received bachelor's degrees in French, chemistry, and chemical engineering from University of Idaho in Moscow. Dr. Hoover then moved to Idaho Falls and earned a master's in nuclear engineering and Ph.D. in chemical engineering focusing on pyrochemical processing of used nuclear fuels. He is currently working at INL on many different aspects of separations in molten salt systems, focusing on the chemistry and electrochemistry of actinide bearing molten salts. Dr. Hoover has authored or co-authored 12 peer-reviewed publications and over 20 presentations at national and international conferences and workshops on topics relating to pyroprocessing technology and safeguards.
Research Interests
Pyroprocessing, focused on the electrorefining process
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, Chemical Engineering, University of Idaho
… → 2014
Master, Nuclear Engineering, University of Idaho
… → 2010
Bachelor, Chemical Engineering, University of Idaho
… → 2007
Bachelor, Chemistry, University of Idaho
… → 2007
Bachelor, French, University of Idaho
… → 2007
External positions
Adjunct Faculty, University of Idaho, Department of Chemical and Materials Science Engineering, University of Idaho
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Roadmap for Assessing Fuel Reprocessing in Fluoride-Based Salts
Horvath, D. C., Fredrickson, G. L., Karlsson, T. Y., Hoover, R. O., Herrmann, S. D., Fuller, R. G., Hawthorne, K., O’Hanlon, D. & Lichtenstein, T., Jul 1 2025Research output: Book/Report › Technical Report
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Spectroscopic Identification and Quantification of Species in Molten Salts
Austin, R., Lecroy, G., Meiers, J., Ramos Ballesteros, A., Gakhar, R., Hoover, R. & Williams, A., Nov 9 2025, Advances in Nuclear Nonproliferation Technology and Policy Conference (ANTPC 2025) .Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
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Imaging and Analysis of Insoluble Electrorefiner Material
Karlsson, T. Y., Howard, C. B., Erfurth, N. H., Trowbridge, T. L., Hoover, R. O., James, S. M., Cook, M. T. & Malewitz, T. J., Jun 1 2024.Research output: Working paper
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Deployment and Demonstration of Process Monitoring Equipment and Techniques in a Pyroprocessing Facility
Williams, A., Hoover, R., Hoyt, N., Lafreniere, P. L., Malewitz, T. J. & Warmann, S., 2023, Proceedings of INMM & ASARDA Joint Annual Meeting 2023.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
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Development, feasibility, and uncertainty of radioactive 22Na tracer dilution and gamma spectroscopy for mass determination of molten salt for pyroprocessing spent nuclear fuels
Cao, G., Storms, B., Coleman, M. E., Hoover, R. & Li, S., Mar 2023, In: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. 332, 3, p. 723-735 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2 Scopus citations
Prizes
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Distinguished Under 40 – Greater Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce
Hoover, R. (Recipient), 2017
Prize: Honorary award
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1st Place Chemical Separations Category - 2012 Fuel Cycle Innovations in Research, U.S. DOE
Hoover, R. (Recipient), 2012
Prize: Honorary award
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Outstanding Graduate Student - University of Idaho College of Engineering
Hoover, R. (Recipient), 2010
Prize: Honorary award