Articles tagged with "microreactor"
Japanese team makes palm-sized microreactor to power robots, drones
Japanese researchers at the Institute of Science, Tokyo, have developed a palm-sized Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) microreactor designed to power high-demand edge devices such as drones, robotics, and AI hardware. Unlike conventional industrial SOFCs that require about 30 minutes to reach operating temperatures of 600°C, this microreactor heats up within five minutes from a cold start. The key innovation lies in its “scaffolding” design using yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), a specialized ceramic formed into a flexible, cantilevered structure that minimizes thermal conduction and stress, preventing cracks that typically plague small-scale SOFCs due to intense heat. The microreactor integrates microchannels for fuel and water flow within a lightweight, multilayered insulation system that traps heat effectively, isolating the high internal temperatures from the external environment. This design not only ensures structural integrity but also enables rapid heating and efficient energy conversion, offering up to four times the energy density of
energysolid-oxide-fuel-cellmicroreactorportable-powerroboticsdronesthermal-managementUS firm gets funds for world’s first mass-producible nuclear reactors
Radiant, a US-based company developing the world’s first mass-producible micro nuclear reactors, has secured over $300 million in new funding led by Draper Associates and Boost VC. This capital injection comes just six months after their Series C round and will support the construction of the R-50 factory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which aims to produce up to 50 reactors annually starting in 2026. Radiant is also on track to launch its first reactor, the Kaleidos Demonstration Unit (KDU), next year at Idaho National Laboratory’s Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) facility. The Kaleidos microreactor is designed to replace diesel generators in remote locations and provide backup power for critical infrastructure such as hospitals, data centers, and military sites. It features innovative safety and operational technologies, including meltdown-proof TRISO fuel, helium gas heat transfer, and passive air cooling that eliminates the need for on-site water. The reactor delivers one megawatt of
energynuclear-reactormicroreactorportable-powerTRISO-fuelclean-energyenergy-innovationRadiant Nuclear raises $300M for its semi-sized 1 MW reactor
Radiant Nuclear has raised over $300 million in a new funding round led by Draper Associates and Boost VC, valuing the company at more than $1.8 billion. This latest raise follows a series of substantial investments in nuclear startups, reflecting growing interest driven largely by the increasing electricity demands of AI and data centers. Radiant is developing a 1-megawatt microreactor designed to be transported via semi-truck, cooled by helium, and fueled with TRISO fuel that enhances safety and allows for five months between refueling. The company aims to replace diesel generators at commercial and military sites, offering customers options to purchase units outright or subscribe through power purchase agreements, with the company responsible for reactor removal after its 20-year lifespan. Radiant plans to build a demonstration reactor at Idaho National Lab, targeting testing by summer 2026, aligning with a broader industry goal set by the Trump administration for three reactors to achieve criticality by July 4, 2026. The
energynuclear-energymicroreactorclean-energypower-generationenergy-startupsdata-centersUS announces next-gen nuclear reactor experiments on sedan-sized MARVEL
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has selected five teams to conduct initial experiments using MARVEL, a sedan-sized microreactor test bed designed to pioneer nuclear power integration into non-traditional applications. MARVEL is a sodium-potassium-cooled microreactor fueled by uranium-zirconium hydride, producing 85 kW of thermal energy and about 20 kW of electricity. Its compact design and advanced cooling system allow it to operate at high temperatures (500°C to 550°C), making it suitable for innovative uses such as powering data centers and advancing water desalination. The reactor will operate at INL’s Transient Reactor Test Facility, providing a unique platform for private-sector innovation in nuclear energy. The selected teams include major industry and academic players aiming to demonstrate MARVEL’s viability in critical sectors. Amazon Web Services plans to integrate MARVEL with modular data centers for defense and government use, while DCX USA and Arizona State University will explore powering
energynuclear-reactormicroreactorAI-powerIdaho-National-Laboratoryclean-energyadvanced-materialsProject Pele: Microreactor development speeds up with nuclear fuel delivery
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has reached a significant milestone in the development of Project Pele, a pioneering mobile microreactor prototype designed to provide resilient power for military operations. The recent delivery of tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel—advanced nuclear fuel composed of uranium, carbon, and oxygen particles coated with durable layers such as silicon carbide—marks a critical step forward. These fuel particles are highly resistant to heat, radiation, and corrosion, making them ideal for advanced reactors like Project Pele. The fuel fabrication and qualification involved collaboration among INL, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Department of Energy’s Advanced Gas Reactor TRISO Fuel Qualification Program, leveraging unique world-class capabilities. Project Pele is led by the Department of War’s Strategic Capabilities Office in partnership with BWX Technologies Inc. (BWXT), the Department of Energy, and INL. The first delivery of TRISO fuel was celebrated by these stakeholders, highlighting the collaborative effort to accelerate innovation in advanced nuclear fuels and
energynuclear-energymicroreactorTRISO-fueladvanced-materialsIdaho-National-LaboratoryProject-PeleUS firm's goal to power Earth, space with nuclear reactor gets funding
Nuclear startup Antares has secured $96 million in a Series B funding round led by Shine Capital to advance its small modular R1 microreactor, designed for use in remote Earth locations and space applications. The funding, comprising $71 million in equity and $25 million in debt, will support equipment acquisition, factory construction, and uranium procurement. Antares’ R1 microreactor uses TRISO fuel—carbon spheres with ceramic-coated uranium—and is capable of generating between 100 kilowatts and 1 megawatt of electricity. The company, founded two years ago, is building a 145,000-square-foot facility in Torrance, California, to produce up to 10 reactors annually and has contracts with the US Air Force, Space Force, Defense Innovation Unit, and NASA. Antares aims to demonstrate its reactor for the Department of Energy (DOE) next year and to operate a full-scale prototype by 2027. This funding milestone comes amid a broader “nuclear renaissance
energynuclear-powermicroreactorsmall-modular-reactorTRISO-fueladvanced-nuclear-technologyclean-energyMicroreactor startup Antares raises $96M for land, sea, and space-based nuclear power
Nuclear startup Antares has secured $96 million in Series B funding to advance its small modular reactor (SMR) technology designed for land, sea, and space applications. The funding round, led by Shine Capital and including both equity ($71 million) and debt ($25 million), reflects growing investor interest in nuclear power amid a broader resurgence in the sector. Antares is developing a reactor utilizing TRISO fuel and aims to demonstrate its reactor for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) next year, with plans to achieve full-power operation by 2027. The company is also among 11 participants in the DOE’s reactor pilot program, which targets operational reactors by mid-2026, a notably accelerated timeline for the nuclear industry. This funding and development come amid a wider revitalization of nuclear energy, including both small modular reactors and large nuclear plants. Other startups like Deep Fission, Aalo Atomics, and TerraPower have recently made significant progress or raised capital, while major corporations
energynuclear-powermicroreactorsmall-modular-reactorTRISO-fuelDepartment-of-Energyclean-energy-technologyLast Energy’s 5 MW nuclear reactor to be built at Texas university
Last Energy is set to deploy a 5 megawatt (MW) pilot microreactor, the PWR-5, at Texas A&M University’s RELLIS campus as part of a collaborative project with the Texas A&M University System. This initiative marks Last Energy’s first reactor deployment in the U.S. and is fully financed through private capital, with testing expected to begin in summer 2024. The PWR-5 is a scaled-down version of Last Energy’s larger PWR-20 design and will initially demonstrate safe, low-power criticality before progressing to electricity generation for the grid. The project benefits from fast-tracked licensing under the U.S. Department of Energy’s New Reactor Pilot Program, reflecting federal efforts to accelerate nuclear innovation. The PWR-5 reactor is a modular, pressurized water reactor (PWR) with a small footprint of 0.3 acres, enabling near-universal siting and proximity to energy demand centers. Its design leverages industry-standard
energynuclear-energymicroreactorTexas-A&MLast-EnergyPWR-5-reactorclean-energy-innovationUS firms to trial nuclear reactor aboard satellite for space travel
Texas-based Space Ocean Corporation and Space Nuclear Power Corporation have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to collaborate on testing a 10-kilowatt micro nuclear reactor aboard Space Ocean’s ALV-N satellite. This partnership aims to integrate Space Nukes’ reactor technology with Space Ocean’s fluid logistics and delivery infrastructure to support sustained orbital and planetary missions, including lunar and deep space operations. If successful, Space Nukes will become a key supplier of nuclear power units for future Space Ocean missions. The reactor technology is based on the KRUSTY design developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory for NASA, which has been ground-tested and requires no further development or testing, offering a scalable, reliable power source for long-duration space missions. Space Nukes’ first-generation reactors, ranging from 1 to 20 kWe, are compact and lightweight enough for various deep space applications and are designed to operate autonomously for decades. The 10-kWe variant weighs approximately 1,300 kg and uses a highly
energynuclear-reactorspace-technologymicroreactorsatellite-powerspace-explorationnuclear-power-unitsUS firm sells unique ODIN nuclear microreactor design to UK buyers
US-based NANO Nuclear Energy has signed a $6.2 million letter of intent to sell its proprietary ODIN microreactor design to UK firm Cambridge AtomWorks. The ODIN microreactor is an advanced portable nuclear reactor utilizing High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) with enrichment levels up to 20%. Its design emphasizes safety and reliability through low-pressure coolant systems and natural convection for efficient heat transfer during operation and shutdown. The reactor also features a unique reactivity control system to ensure robustness. Cambridge AtomWorks, led by nuclear experts from the University of Cambridge and previously a consultant on ODIN’s development, is described as a “natural buyer” for the technology. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2025. Following this sale, NANO Nuclear plans to focus its efforts on its portfolio of gas-cooled advanced microreactors, including the KRONOS MMR Energy System, LOKI MMR, and ZEUS. The company
energynuclear-energymicroreactoradvanced-reactor-designnatural-convectionHALEUportable-nuclear-reactorAalo Atomics raises $100M to build a microreactor and data center together
Aalo Atomics, a nuclear startup inspired by a Department of Energy small modular reactor design called Marvel, has raised $100 million in a Series B funding round led by Valor Equity Partners and several other investors. The company plans to activate its first microreactor by summer 2026, aiming to challenge the nuclear industry’s typical long development timelines by leveraging economies of scale. Its flagship product, the Aalo Pod, will combine five Aalo-1 reactors to generate 50 megawatts of electricity through a single turbine. Additionally, the startup intends to build an experimental data center adjacent to its prototype reactor, though this aspect appears more promotional than a breakthrough innovation. Aalo Atomics targets delivering electricity at a competitive rate of three cents per kilowatt-hour, comparable to new natural gas and solar power plants, although no specific timeline has been set for achieving this price point. The company’s aggressive schedule and cost goals reflect broader trends in advanced nuclear startups seeking to modernize and scale nuclear power efficiently
energynuclear-energymicroreactordata-centerclean-energysmall-modular-reactorpower-generationPele microreactor core fabrication begins for 2028 military launch
The Pele microreactor, a 1.5-megawatt transportable nuclear reactor, has entered the core fabrication phase at BWX Technologies’ Innovation Campus in Lynchburg, Virginia. Designed for the U.S. Department of Defense Strategic Capabilities Office, the reactor aims to begin producing energy by 2028. Compact enough to fit into four 20-foot shipping containers, Pele is a gas-cooled system powered by TRISO fuel, a high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) that can withstand extreme heat and offers low environmental risk. It is intended primarily to power forward military bases but also has potential applications in disaster response and remote research stations, providing electricity for up to three years without refueling. BWXT is collaborating with key partners including Rolls-Royce, which is developing the power conversion module, and Northrop Grumman, responsible for the control module. The project began in 2016 after the Department of Defense identified a need for transportable power
energymicroreactornuclear-energymilitary-technologytransportable-powerdisaster-responseBWX-TechnologiesBreakthrough nuclear cooling system passes key test at Idaho lab
The MARVEL microreactor project at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has successfully completed a critical three-month testing campaign of its innovative cooling system using the Primary Coolant Apparatus Test (PCAT), a non-nuclear facility designed to simulate the reactor’s thermal behavior. MARVEL features a unique sodium-potassium coolant and a natural circulation passive cooling mechanism that allows the reactor to cool itself without pumps, relying on natural convection. The PCAT tests confirmed the viability of this cooling approach, demonstrating stable natural circulation flow capable of safely managing up to 100 kilowatts of thermal power, with expectations that the actual reactor will perform even better due to enhanced heat removal capacity. In addition to validating the cooling system, the PCAT campaign rigorously tested INL’s thermal-hydraulic design and safety analysis software, RELAP5-3D, with experimental data closely matching the software’s predictions, boosting confidence in operational and safety assessments. However, the tests revealed higher-than-anticipated heat losses in
energynuclear-reactorcooling-systemmicroreactorthermal-powerpassive-coolingIdaho-National-LaboratorySam Altman’s next-gen nuclear plant picks builder, eyes 2027 debut
Oklo, a nuclear energy company backed by Sam Altman, has selected Kiewit Nuclear Solutions as the lead constructor for its first commercial Aurora nuclear power plant at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The 75-megawatt advanced microreactor project, named Aurora-INL, aims to begin pre-construction in 2025 with commercial operations targeted for late 2027 to early 2028. Oklo secured access to its preferred site at Idaho Falls earlier in 2025 and has completed key site characterization work, including borehole drilling and preparations for a potential commercial radioisotope production facility at INL. Kiewit was chosen through a competitive process for its technical capabilities and experience in large-scale industrial construction, which complements the largely non-nuclear components of the Aurora plant. Oklo’s CEO Jacob DeWitte emphasized that Kiewit’s expertise is critical for efficient project delivery, cost reduction, and maintaining safety and quality standards. The Aurora reactor features a modular design,
energynuclear-poweradvanced-reactorsclean-energymicroreactorenergy-infrastructureenergy-technologyTrump-backed DOME facility clears path for microreactor testing
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has launched the world’s first nuclear microreactor test bed, known as the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME), aimed at accelerating the commercialization of advanced portable nuclear reactors. Backed by President Trump’s administration, which seeks to expand U.S. nuclear capabilities and global leadership, the DOME facility will enable private companies to conduct fueled reactor experiments as early as spring 2026. The Department of Energy (DOE) has conditionally selected Westinghouse and Radiant to test their innovative microreactor designs at DOME, leveraging streamlined regulatory processes introduced through recent NEPA reforms and an executive order to reduce bureaucratic delays. DOME repurposes the historic EBR-II dome at INL and benefits from priority status under the Defense Production Act, allowing experiments generating up to 20 megawatts of thermal energy. Westinghouse will test its eVinci Nuclear Test Reactor, a compact, transportable unit producing 5 meg
energynuclear-powermicroreactorIdaho-National-LaboratoryDepartment-of-Energyadvanced-reactor-technologyenergy-innovationFirst US nuclear reactor in 50 years to supply power where grids can’t
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is advancing the development of advanced microreactor technology through the MARVEL project, the first U.S. nuclear reactor in 50 years designed to supply power and heat in remote locations where traditional grids are unavailable. Managed by Idaho National Laboratory (INL), MARVEL is an 85-kW thermal, 20-kW electric test reactor cooled by a sodium-potassium (NaK) alloy. It uses uranium hydride fuel rods moderated by hydrogen and surrounded by a beryllium reflector, employing existing technologies and off-the-shelf components for faster construction. The reactor is located at INL’s Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) and aims to serve as a physical test bed for integrated testing of reactor components, autonomous controls, microgrid interfaces, and process heat applications in a real nuclear environment. MARVEL’s development is divided into three phases over approximately five years. The first phase, currently underway, focuses on finalizing design,
energynuclear-reactormicroreactoradvanced-nuclear-technologyDepartment-of-Energymicrogridsodium-potassium-coolantAurora nuclear reactor may run US base for 10 years without refueling
Oklo has received a Notice of Intent to Award from the Defense Logistics Agency Energy to deploy its Aurora nuclear microreactor at Eielson Air Force Base (AFB) in Alaska. This marks the first formal US military project to adopt a commercial fast microreactor, aiming to enhance energy independence and operational security for defense infrastructure, particularly in remote or unstable environments. The Aurora reactor is designed to operate autonomously for up to 10 years without refueling, using recycled high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel, which reduces nuclear waste and supports long-term, reliable power supply. Its liquid-metal-cooled fast reactor technology offers safety and efficiency advantages over traditional reactors, including a compact core and no need for pressurization. Eielson AFB, home to the 354th Fighter Wing and F-35A aircraft, faces logistical challenges due to its remote sub-Arctic location. The Aurora’s modular design and long fuel cycle will reduce dependence on vulnerable fuel supply
energynuclear-reactormicroreactormilitary-energy-resilienceautonomous-powersmall-modular-reactorsustainable-energySmall nuclear reactor to unleash 1,832°F heat in US for future power
NuCube Energy, a California-based company, is collaborating with the Utah San Rafael Energy Research Center (USREL) to test its next-generation small nuclear microreactor technology. This innovative reactor can deliver heat exceeding 1,832°F (1,000°C), enabling high-temperature industrial applications and off-grid power generation. The technology is notable for producing cost-competitive electricity that can rival natural gas, and it can operate independently from existing power grids, which is particularly beneficial for rural and industrial areas. The reactor design incorporates TRISO fuel and heat pipe technology to minimize moving parts, enhancing safety and reliability. Housed within a stainless-steel compartment, the microreactors also streamline permitting processes. The collaboration with USREL, known for demonstrating advanced power generation technologies, aims to advance NuCube’s modular reactors toward commercialization. This partnership is expected to support clean, affordable, and reliable energy solutions while facilitating integration with chemical and energy conversion processes, potentially transforming energy access in states like Utah.
energynuclear-reactormicroreactorclean-energyhigh-temperature-heatmodular-reactorsenergy-research