Articles tagged with "nuclear-fuel"
Neutron scattering experiment sheds light on HALEU TRISO nuclear fuel
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have, for the first time, used neutron scattering techniques to non-destructively probe the internal chemistry of tristructural isotropic (TRISO) nuclear fuel particles containing high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). Conducted at ORNL’s Spallation Neutron Source using the Spallation Neutron and Pressure Diffractometer (SNAP), the experiment directed a focused neutron beam at unirradiated HALEU TRISO particles. By analyzing how neutrons scattered after interacting with the fuel, scientists gained critical insights into the internal structure and composition of these robust, ceramic- and carbon-coated uranium kernels, which are key to high-temperature gas reactors (HTGRs). The study specifically examined the balance between uranium carbide and uranium oxide within the fuel kernels, an important factor influencing fuel performance. Unlike traditional uranium oxide kernels, uranium carbide-based kernels can absorb oxygen released during fission and convert it into uranium oxide rather than
energynuclear-fuelTRISOHALEUneutron-scatteringOak-Ridge-National-Laboratoryadvanced-materialsUS firm to get highly concentrated nuclear fuel for demonstration reactor Hermes
Kairos Power, an Alameda-based nuclear energy company, has secured an allocation of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to fuel its Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor (Hermes 1) under construction in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. HALEU, enriched between 5% and 20% U-235, is essential for most advanced U.S. reactors, enabling smaller designs, longer operating cycles, and improved fuel efficiency. This allocation supports Kairos Power’s efforts to demonstrate its advanced reactor technology and advance toward affordable, scalable nuclear power. The company will use the HALEU to produce TRISO fuel pebbles for Hermes 1 in collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory, leveraging manufacturing processes developed in Kairos Power’s labs. Hermes 1 is notable as the first non-light-water reactor approved for construction by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Groundbreaking occurred in July 2024, with
energynuclear-energyadvanced-reactorsHALEUKairos-Powernuclear-fueldemonstration-reactorUS firm produces enriched uranium above 5% for nuclear reactor fuel
Urenco USA has become the first commercial uranium enrichment facility in the United States to produce uranium enriched above 5 percent U-235, achieving enrichment levels up to 8.5 percent. This milestone marks the company’s ability to produce low enriched uranium plus (LEU+), enriched between 5-10 percent U-235, with plans to begin commercial-scale production by mid-2026. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission authorized Urenco USA in September 2025 to enrich uranium up to 10 percent U-235, enabling the company to offer flexible fuel solutions for current and advanced nuclear reactors. This development is expected to reduce U.S. reliance on Russian nuclear fuel imports. LEU+ offers several advantages for the nuclear industry, including supporting longer operating cycles and reducing costs for existing light-water reactors, enabling deployment of new accident-tolerant fuel designs, and accelerating the commercialization of advanced reactor technologies. Additionally, LEU+ can serve as feedstock for producing high-assay low
energynuclear-energyuranium-enrichmentLEU+advanced-reactorsnuclear-fuelenergy-independenceNew low-enriched nuclear fuel passes key FRM II reactor test
Germany’s FRM II research reactor has successfully tested new low-enriched uranium fuel plates designed to replace its current highly enriched uranium fuel. Developed through a European collaboration involving Framatome, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and other partners, the fuel plates underwent rigorous irradiation tests at the Belgian BR-2 reactor to simulate the harsh conditions inside FRM II. The plates, made from monolithic uranium molybdenum, demonstrated structural stability and durability under neutron bombardment, overcoming challenges that previous candidate materials could not. This marks a significant technical breakthrough toward converting FRM II to use fuel with less than 20% uranium-235, aligning with international non-proliferation goals and the reactor’s licensing requirements. The successful irradiation tests support FRM II’s plan to submit a license application in 2025 for conversion to the new fuel, which would enable the reactor to continue its scientific mission safely and efficiently. The development process, ongoing since 2019, combined materials science,
energynuclear-fuellow-enriched-uraniumreactor-technologymaterials-scienceirradiation-testingFRM-II-reactorUK to tap 440 tons of spent nuclear fuel for cancer treatment doses
The UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has partnered with Cambridge-based biotech firm Bicycle Therapeutics in a 15-year agreement to utilize 440 tons of reprocessed uranium from spent nuclear fuel for extracting the medical isotope lead-212 (212Pb). This isotope is vital for radiopharmaceuticals, which deliver targeted radiation therapy directly to cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Bicycle Therapeutics will collaborate with the UK National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) to apply advanced chemical extraction techniques to isolate trace amounts of lead-212’s parent material, Thorium-228, from the reprocessed uranium. This parent material is then converted into Radium-224 and used in a bespoke lead-212 generator developed with SpectronRx, enabling a sustainable and regenerative supply of the isotope for cancer treatments. The regenerative nature of the reprocessed uranium supply means it can provide enough lead-212 for tens of thousands of precision therapy doses annually, potentially revolutionizing treatment for difficult cancers such as certain prostate
energynuclear-fuelradiopharmaceuticalscancer-treatmentmedical-isotopessustainable-energynuclear-medicineUS seeks inspiration from nature for next-gen nuclear fuel design
Scientists at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) are pioneering a novel approach to nuclear fuel design by drawing inspiration from nature’s mathematics, specifically triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS). These complex, repeating lattice structures, found naturally in butterfly wings and sea urchin shells, offer highly efficient geometries that can enhance heat transfer in nuclear fuel. INL’s concept, called the Intertwined Nuclear Fuel Lattice for Uprated heat eXchange (INFLUX), replaces traditional solid cylindrical fuel rods with a TPMS-based lattice. This design increases surface area contact with coolant, enabling more efficient heat removal and potentially leading to safer, more compact, and higher-performing nuclear reactors. Recent laboratory tests involving 3D-printed electrically conductive models of the INFLUX lattice demonstrated that the TPMS geometry transfers heat about three times more efficiently than conventional fuel rods. This improvement could allow for thinner fuel, lower operating temperatures, and reduced thermal stress, enhancing reactor performance and economics. Manufacturing challenges remain due
energynuclear-fueladditive-manufacturingheat-transfertriply-periodic-minimal-surfacesreactor-technologymaterials-scienceIs Space Running Out of Nuclear Fuel?
The article discusses the challenges of powering space exploration missions, particularly those venturing into the outer solar system where solar energy is insufficient. For over five decades, NASA has relied on plutonium-based Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) to provide reliable power for rovers and space probes. However, the United States has now nearly depleted its plutonium reserves, posing significant obstacles for upcoming missions that depend on this fuel source. To address this shortage, researchers are exploring Americium as a promising alternative to plutonium. Americium’s availability, especially in Europe, offers potential to either replace or supplement plutonium in future space power systems. The article features insights from experts such as Chris Whiting from NASA’s Glenn Research Center and Dr. Ramy Mesalam from the University of Leicester’s Perpetual Atomics, highlighting ongoing efforts to develop Americium-based technologies for space applications.
energynuclear-fuelspace-explorationRTGsplutoniumamericiumNASAUS' meltdown-proof advanced nuclear fuel enters critical testing phase
X-energy, a US company, has initiated a critical 13-month irradiation test of its advanced TRISO-X nuclear fuel at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). This marks the first time the company’s “fuel pebbles” undergo such testing in a US lab, a key milestone toward regulatory approval by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The TRISO-X fuel features uranium kernels encapsulated in multiple protective carbon and ceramic layers, designed to prevent radioactive release and make the fuel meltdown-proof. During testing at INL’s Advanced Test Reactor, the fuel will be subjected to varied power levels, temperatures, and burnup conditions to simulate real reactor environments, aiming to establish a new safety and reliability standard for nuclear fuel. This fuel qualification is central to X-energy’s commercial plans, including the construction of the TX-1 fuel fabrication facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which could become the first NRC-licensed advanced nuclear fuel plant in over 50 years. The facility will produce fuel for X-energy
energynuclear-fueladvanced-reactorsTRISO-Xsmall-modular-reactorsnuclear-safetyirradiation-testingWorker falls into US nuclear plant's reactor cavity, ingests pool water
A worker at the Palisades Nuclear Plant fell into the reactor cavity, which was filled with water, on October 21, 2025, while performing duties inside the containment building. Despite wearing all required personal protective equipment, including a life vest, the worker ingested some cavity water. Radiation protection personnel responded promptly, removing the worker from the water, decontaminating him, and monitoring contamination levels. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) confirmed the incident and noted the worker had 300 counts per minute detected in their hair before being sent off-site for medical evaluation. Ongoing radiological assessments indicate that exposure levels remain well below regulatory limits. The Palisades facility, an 800-megawatt single-unit pressurized water reactor located near Lake Michigan, is currently transitioning from decommissioning to operational status after being shut down in May 2022. Recently, the plant received 68 new nuclear fuel assemblies, marking a significant step toward restarting operations following NRC
energynuclear-energynuclear-power-plantradiation-safetyreactor-cavitynuclear-fuelenergy-infrastructureWeapons-grade plutonium could be turned into nuclear fuel in US
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced plans to repurpose weapon-grade plutonium from Cold War-era stockpiles into nuclear reactor fuel, aiming to reduce reliance on uranium imports, particularly from Russia. The DOE will allow American nuclear companies to request up to 19 metric tons of this plutonium, primarily plutonium-239, which is both a key material in nuclear weapons and a principal fuel in fast neutron reactors. This initiative is expected to bolster the domestic nuclear industry and support the development of advanced nuclear reactors that can meet growing clean energy demands. The DOE intends to select the first group of companies eligible to access the plutonium by the end of December 2025, with potential additional awards thereafter. Being chosen could expedite Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing for these companies. Notably, firms such as Oklo and Newcleo are anticipated to apply for access to the stockpile, with recent collaborations aimed at establishing advanced fuel fabrication infrastructure in the U.S. This move represents a significant step
energynuclear-energynuclear-fuelplutoniumDepartment-of-Energynuclear-reactorsclean-energySam Altman-backed Oklo to help advance nuclear fuel ecosystem in US
Oklo, a nuclear technology firm backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has entered into a significant agreement with Europe-based newcleo to develop advanced nuclear fuel fabrication and manufacturing infrastructure in the United States. Newcleo plans to invest up to $2 billion through an investment vehicle, with Sweden’s Blykalla also considering investment to secure nuclear fuel-related services. This partnership aims to bolster the US nuclear fuel ecosystem by fostering transatlantic cooperation, enhancing energy security, and supporting the domestic fuel supply chain. The collaboration may include co-locating fuel fabrication facilities and repurposing surplus plutonium in line with US safety standards, which Oklo’s CEO Jacob DeWitte highlighted as a way to eliminate legacy liabilities and accelerate advanced reactor deployment. This agreement aligns with recent US federal initiatives to promote nuclear power as a clean energy source. In May 2025, President Donald Trump directed the Department of Energy (DOE) to launch a pilot program accelerating advanced reactor testing, targeting criticality for at least
energynuclear-poweradvanced-nuclear-reactorsnuclear-fuelenergy-securityclean-energyUS-energy-infrastructureGE-Hitachi unveils advanced nuclear fuel for boiling water reactors
Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), a GE Vernova-led alliance with Hitachi, has introduced GNF4, a next-generation nuclear fuel designed for boiling water reactors (BWRs) in the US. Scheduled for initial deployment in 2026 and full availability by 2030, GNF4 features an advanced 11×11 fuel matrix that increases the heat-generating surface area, enhancing uranium utilization and boosting power output. The design incorporates two key components approved by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): Ziron Cladding, which offers superior corrosion resistance and reduces hydrogen pickup compared to traditional Zircaloy 2 cladding, and Aluminosilicate Doped Uranium Dioxide Pellets, providing accident-tolerant protection against pellet-clad interaction (PCI). In addition to these innovations, GNF4 leverages proven technologies such as NSF Channel Material, a zirconium alloy that resists fuel channel distortion, and the Defender+ Debris Filter, which has a strong track
energynuclear-fuelboiling-water-reactorsadvanced-materialscorrosion-resistanceuranium-dioxide-pelletsfuel-assembly-design2-metric-ton nuclear fuel boost planned under US-French collab
The article reports on a new US-French collaboration between Standard Nuclear Inc. and Framatome to form a joint venture, Standard Nuclear-Framatome (SNF), aimed at producing commercial-scale quantities of Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) nuclear fuel. TRISO fuel, known for its exceptional safety and durability at extreme temperatures, is ideal for advanced reactors such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and micro-reactors. The venture plans to begin manufacturing at Framatome’s Richland, Washington facility in 2027, pending regulatory approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, with an initial production target of 2 metric tons of TRISO fuel annually. This represents a significant increase in capacity to support the growing advanced reactor market in the US and globally. The partnership leverages Standard Nuclear’s specialized manufacturing capabilities alongside Framatome’s extensive fuel cycle expertise and infrastructure, overseen by a joint board of directors. Both companies emphasize the strategic importance of establishing a robust domestic TR
energynuclear-fuelTRISOadvanced-reactorssmall-modular-reactorsnuclear-collaborationreactor-safetyRussia's liquid metal nuclear fuel assembly to advance fast reactors
Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom has developed and accepted a new nuclear fuel assembly, OS-5, designed for use in fourth-generation fast neutron reactors, specifically the BREST-OD-300 reactor. This assembly features mixed nitride uranium-plutonium (SNUPP) fuel with a novel liquid metal sublayer intended to lower fuel operating temperatures without altering coolant parameters. This design aims to reduce thermal expansion of the fuel pellets, thereby minimizing mechanical stress on the cladding and improving fuel reliability and economic efficiency. The BREST-OD-300, a 300 MWe fast neutron reactor, is central to Rosatom’s “Proryv” (Breakthrough) project, which seeks to establish a closed nuclear fuel cycle by reprocessing used fuel to recover plutonium and actinides for new fuel fabrication, thus reducing nuclear waste volume and radiotoxicity. The OS-5 fuel assembly is slated for pilot industrial operation in the BN-600 reactor at the Beloyarsk nuclear power
energynuclear-fuelfast-reactorsliquid-metal-fuelRosatomBREST-OD-300nuclear-technologyUS firm tests powerful nuclear laser to advance uranium enrichment
Global Laser Enrichment (GLE), a U.S.-based company, has completed a large-scale demonstration testing campaign of its SILEX laser uranium enrichment process at its Test Loop facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. The campaign, which began in May 2024 and will continue through 2025, aims to produce hundreds of pounds of low-enriched uranium (LEU) for nuclear fuel. GLE’s facility is notable as the world’s only uranium enrichment site that is not government-owned or heavily government-funded. The company, jointly owned by Australia’s Silex Systems and Canada’s Cameco Corporation, is working to commercialize this third-generation laser enrichment technology, which is considered more efficient than traditional methods like gaseous diffusion and gas centrifuge. The SILEX process uses highly selective laser excitation to separate the fissile uranium-235 isotope from uranium-238, increasing the concentration of U-235 needed for nuclear reactors. This technology is seen as pivotal for advancing domestic uranium enrichment capabilities in
energynuclear-energyuranium-enrichmentlaser-technologynuclear-fueladvanced-reactorsenergy-supply-chainUS team funded to explore nuclear fuel for space, remote reactors
Scientists at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) are collaborating with Oak Ridge National Laboratory on a Department of Energy-funded project to study the performance of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel in small modular and microreactors. Led by Dr. Ayodeji Alajo, the research focuses on HALEU fuel enriched between 5 and 20 percent uranium-235, which is higher than the fuel used in current commercial reactors but lower than highly enriched uranium used in older research reactors. The goal is to evaluate how HALEU behaves under various conditions, including remote locations and space missions, where reactors must operate safely for extended periods without refueling. The Missouri S&T Reactor (MSTR), operating at 200 kilowatts and housed in a large water pool for radiation shielding, will serve as the testbed for this research. Unlike commercial reactors that generate electricity, MSTR is used solely for research, allowing scientists to observe nuclear fission and
energynuclear-fuelsmall-modular-reactorsmicroreactorsHALEUnuclear-engineeringspace-reactorsUS lab tests GE Vernova nuclear fuel after 6 years in commercial use
Scientists at the US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have begun analyzing advanced nuclear fuel rods developed by Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), a GE Vernova-led joint venture with Hitachi Ltd., after six years of commercial reactor use. These high burnup fuel rods, designed to enhance nuclear reactor efficiency and reduce spent fuel waste, were manufactured at GNF’s Wilmington, NC facility and operated through extended cycles beyond current US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing limits. The examination at PNNL aims to assess the fuel and cladding performance after prolonged reactor exposure, supporting ongoing development under the DOE’s Accident Tolerant Fuel program. High burnup fuels utilize more fissile material, allowing reactors to operate longer and more efficiently while generating less nuclear waste, which improves fuel cycle economics and safety. The advanced fuel is expected to remain in reactor cores for extended periods, potentially enabling fuel cycle lengths of 36-48 months. GE Vernova plans to use this fuel design
energynuclear-fueladvanced-materialspower-plantsfuel-efficiencynuclear-energyGE-VernovaAustralia is not prepared for AUKUS submarine's nuclear waste
The article highlights growing concerns about Australia's preparedness to manage nuclear waste from its planned fleet of nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS agreement. Australia is set to acquire about eight submarines fueled by highly-enriched uranium, which is considered military-grade and can theoretically be used for nuclear weapons. The nuclear waste generated will include intermediate-level radioactive waste (reactor compartments roughly the size of a four-wheel drive) and high-level waste (spent fuel roughly the size of a small hatchback), with the latter remaining dangerously radioactive for hundreds of thousands of years. Under the treaty, Australia is solely responsible for the storage, security, and disposal of this waste and is prohibited from exporting it. Critics emphasize that Australia currently lacks a clear plan, designated site, or cost estimates for handling this nuclear waste. The political challenge is compounded by the mismatch between the long-term environmental risks—spanning millennia—and short political cycles of 4-5 years, raising fears that the issue will be deferred to future generations
energynuclear-wastenuclear-powered-submarinesAUKUSradioactive-waste-managementnuclear-fuelenvironmental-safetyUS reshores uranium processing with new enrichment facility deal
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has signed a lease agreement with General Matter Inc. to establish a new private-sector uranium enrichment facility on a 100-acre parcel of federal land at the former Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) site. The PGDP, operational from 1952 to 2013, was originally used for enriching uranium for nuclear weapons and later for commercial nuclear fuel. This initiative aims to repurpose the site to support America’s goal of becoming a leader in nuclear energy by reshoring and expanding domestic nuclear fuel supply chains, which are critical for national security, commercial power generation, and scientific research reactors. General Matter, one of four companies selected by DOE in October 2024 to provide uranium enrichment services, plans to begin construction in 2026 and start uranium enrichment operations by the end of the decade. The lease includes access to 7,600 cylinders of uranium hexafluoride, which will be reprocessed to support reenrichment
energynuclear-energyuranium-enrichmentDepartment-of-Energydomestic-supply-chainnuclear-fuelnuclear-reactorsUS picks first firm to make new nuclear fuel, cut Russia dependence
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected Standard Nuclear as the first company to establish a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain under its fuel line pilot program, launched in July 2025. This initiative aims to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources, particularly Russia, for enriched uranium and critical nuclear materials, while fostering private sector investment in advanced nuclear technologies. Standard Nuclear will develop facilities in Tennessee and Idaho to fabricate nuclear fuel, specifically targeting advanced reactors that utilize TRISO (TRi-structural ISOtropic particle) fuel. The company will bear all costs related to the facility’s construction, operation, and decommissioning, while reactor developers will source nuclear feedstock, potentially through DOE’s high-assay low-enriched uranium allocation program. TRISO fuel, composed of uranium kernels encapsulated by multiple layers of carbon and ceramic materials, offers enhanced structural resilience and safety compared to traditional nuclear fuels. Its robust design allows it to retain fission products under all reactor conditions, making it
energynuclear-fueladvanced-reactorsTRISO-fuelDepartment-of-Energynuclear-supply-chainUS-energy-independenceUS firm forges breakthrough nuclear fuel for longer-lasting reactors
US company Lightbridge has made a significant advancement in nuclear fuel technology by successfully fabricating enriched uranium-zirconium alloy samples, which form the core material for its next-generation Lightbridge Fuel product. This development marks a key milestone as the company moves beyond earlier work with depleted uranium to using enriched uranium, bringing the advanced fuel closer to commercial deployment. The proprietary fabrication process, previously validated with depleted uranium at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), has now been applied to enriched uranium, moving toward full-scale production. The fabricated alloy samples will undergo irradiation testing at INL’s Advanced Test Reactor under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Lightbridge and INL. These tests simulate reactor conditions to assess the alloy’s behavior over time, providing critical performance data needed for regulatory approval. Both Lightbridge and INL emphasize the importance of this collaboration in advancing safer, more efficient nuclear fuel technology. Successful testing and regulatory clearance could enable widespread adoption of Lightbridge Fuel in commercial reactors, potentially enhancing safety
energynuclear-fueluranium-zirconium-alloyLightbridgeIdaho-National-Laboratoryadvanced-materialsreactor-technologyNASA tests new nuclear fuel that could outlast plutonium in space
NASA is exploring americium-241 as a promising alternative to plutonium-238 for powering long-duration space missions, particularly those venturing far from the Sun where solar energy is insufficient. Traditionally, NASA has relied on plutonium-238 in radioisotope power systems (RPS) for over six decades, but americium-241 offers advantages including a longer half-life (432 years) and potentially easier, more cost-effective production. In collaboration with the University of Leicester, NASA’s Glenn Research Center tested a Stirling generator powered by simulators mimicking americium-241 decay heat. This Stirling convertor features floating pistons without crankshafts or rotating bearings, enabling continuous operation for decades with minimal wear. Notably, the system maintained power output even after one convertor failed, demonstrating robustness crucial for deep-space missions. The successful prototype met performance and efficiency goals, prompting NASA to develop a next-generation testbed with reduced mass, improved fidelity, and readiness for environmental testing
energynuclear-fuelamericium-241NASAradioisotope-power-systemStirling-generatorspace-explorationUS cracks alloy code to shrink nuclear fuel disposal time by 20 years
The Savannah River Site (SRS) has developed a redesigned carrier for spent nuclear fuel that significantly accelerates the processing time for permanent disposal. The innovation addresses a bottleneck at the site’s H Canyon chemical separations facility, where original carriers used to transport a special type of spent nuclear fuel failed to dissolve completely in nitric acid, delaying the dissolution process. By collaborating with an external vendor, engineers replaced the aluminum alloy used in the carrier’s bail (handle) with a thinner, more readily dissolvable alloy, enabling the carrier to dissolve fully alongside the fuel. This improvement is expected to reduce the overall processing time by more than 20 years and save over $4 billion. This advancement supports the “Accelerated Basin De-inventory” mission, which focuses on processing spent nuclear fuel from the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The fuel, characterized by a unique cylindrical core, is dissolved at SRS before being vitrified for long-term storage. The new
energynuclear-fuelalloymaterials-sciencenuclear-waste-disposalSavannah-River-Sitefuel-processingNew nuclear fuel in US blends thorium, uranium to cut waste, cost
US scientists at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), in partnership with Clean Core Thorium Energy and Texas A&M University, have developed and tested a novel nuclear fuel called ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life). This fuel blends thorium with high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), enriched between 5% and 20% uranium-235, aiming to reduce nuclear waste, enhance reactor safety, and lower operational costs. Unlike typical fuels used in pressurized heavy-water reactors (PHWRs) that contain less than 0.72% uranium-235, ANEEL’s design is proliferation-resistant and can be used in existing PHWRs without requiring reactor or fuel bundle modifications. The ANEEL fuel pellets, fabricated with a proprietary thorium-uranium oxide blend featuring an annular shape for gas management, underwent months of irradiation testing at INL’s Advanced Test Reactor (ATR). Initial post-irradiation examinations revealed that the fuel maintained its structural
energynuclear-fuelthoriumuraniumadvanced-reactorsnuclear-waste-reductionreactor-safetyRussian firm advances Gen-V nuclear fuel loading for closed fuel cycle
Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom has initiated the pilot operation of fifth-generation (Gen-V) nuclear fuel assemblies, designated TVS-5, by loading them into the VVER-1200 reactor core at the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant (NPP). Manufactured by the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrates Plant, these fuel bundles are designed for fully automated fabrication, enabling industrial-scale production critical for advancing a closed nuclear fuel cycle. The pilot phase will span three 18-month fuel cycles, using a regular enriched uranium dioxide fuel matrix under strict regulatory oversight by Rostechnadzor. This development marks a significant milestone in Russia’s strategic shift toward a dual-component nuclear power system that integrates thermal and fast neutron reactors with a closed fuel cycle. The closed cycle aims to reuse spent nuclear fuel by reprocessing uranium and plutonium, thereby improving resource efficiency and sustainability in nuclear power generation. Rosatom emphasizes that the TVS-5 fuel design and its automated manufacturing process are essential steps toward enabling the
energynuclear-fuelnuclear-powerautomated-fabricationclosed-fuel-cycleVVER-1200Rosatom