Researchers at the University of Illinois will use computational and experimental models to test the performance of new, corrosion-resistant cladding, evaluating how the technologies will function in a working light water reactor. (Photo used under Creative Commons from Flickr user kevin dooley)

By The Associated Press

CHAMPAIGN - The U.S. Department of Energy is giving the University of Illinois $3.5 million to use on research related to nuclear power.

The Energy Department said Thursday the money is part of President Barack Obama's strategy to develop and maintain a wide variety of energy sources.

A department news release says university researchers will use the money to test the performance of new nuclear technology for light-water reactors through computer modeling and experimentation.

The money is part of a $13 million investment the Energy Department announced Thursday for nuclear technology. The rest of the money went to the Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Tennessee.