Articles tagged with "nuclear-reactors"
Manhattan Project site to host world’s first nuclear reactor factory
Radiant, a California-based nuclear startup, plans to build the world’s first factory for mass-producing portable nuclear generators on historic Manhattan Project land in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The factory, named R-50, will be located on portions of the former K-27 and K-29 sites, part of the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant used during World War II for uranium enrichment. Construction is set to begin in early 2026, with the goal of delivering the first Kaleidos nuclear generators by 2028 and scaling production to 50 reactors annually in subsequent years. Radiant’s CEO, Doug Bernauer, emphasized the symbolic significance of transforming the original Manhattan Project site into a hub for next-generation nuclear technology. The Kaleidos microreactor, Radiant’s flagship product, is a 1-megawatt failsafe nuclear microreactor designed for reliable, portable power without frequent refueling. It targets diverse applications including remote communities, critical infrastructure, military operations, and data
energynuclear-energyportable-nuclear-generatorsManhattan-ProjectOak-Ridgenuclear-reactorsclean-energy-innovationNuclear reactor fears eased as US lab clears graphite of safety risk
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have resolved a decades-old debate regarding the impact of microscopic pores in graphite used in nuclear reactors. Their study, published in the journal Carbon, confirms that the natural porosity within graphite blocks does not affect the material’s atomic vibrations or its fundamental neutron moderation properties. This finding is significant because graphite has been a key component in nuclear reactors since the first reactor in 1942, valued for its ability to withstand extreme temperatures and slow down neutrons to sustain controlled nuclear chain reactions. The research provides greater confidence in the safety and design of current and next-generation reactors, including very high-temperature reactors (VHTRs) and molten salt reactors. The study addressed a critical flaw in previous models that treated graphite porosity by randomly removing atoms, which artificially distorted the material’s vibrational properties and led to overestimations in reactor criticality calculations. Using advanced neutron scattering experiments combined with machine-learned atomic potentials, the ORNL team demonstrated that the increased neutron
energynuclear-reactorsgraphitematerials-scienceneutron-scatteringreactor-safetyhigh-temperature-reactorsArgonne studies 3D-printed steels for next-gen nuclear reactors
Researchers at the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory have conducted studies on 3D-printed stainless steels to support the development of next-generation nuclear reactor components. Using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), an additive manufacturing technique, they produced samples of two key alloys: 316H, a conventional stainless steel used in reactors, and Alloy 709 (A709), a newer alloy designed for advanced nuclear applications. The LPBF process creates unique microstructural features due to rapid heating and cooling, including numerous dislocations that can both strengthen the steel and increase its susceptibility to fracture. Heat treatments are applied to relieve stress by allowing atomic rearrangement, but some dislocations may be retained to enhance performance. The studies revealed significant differences between 3D-printed and conventionally wrought steels, particularly in how the printed materials respond to heat treatments. For 316H, experiments using advanced microscopy and in situ X-ray diffraction showed that nano oxides—common defects in 3D-printed
materials3D-printingadditive-manufacturingstainless-steelnuclear-reactorsheat-treatmentlaser-powder-bed-fusionEurope bets on lead-cooled nuclear reactors to decarbonize sea vessels
A Swiss technology company, ABB, and Swedish nuclear firm Blykalla have expanded their partnership to accelerate the deployment of small modular lead-cooled nuclear reactors (SMRs) for large maritime vessels, aiming to decarbonize the shipping industry responsible for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Their collaboration focuses on integrating Blykalla’s Generation IV Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor (SEALER)—a 55 MWe passively safe, lead-cooled SMR originally designed for remote Arctic applications—into commercial deep-sea ships. The SEALER reactor’s design emphasizes inherent safety, high thermal efficiency, and minimal operator oversight, making it well-suited for maritime propulsion. ABB will leverage its expertise in system integration, automation, and power distribution to adapt the SMR technology for shipboard use, ensuring seamless integration with onboard power grids, control systems, and propulsion architectures. The partnership includes plans for feasibility studies, regulatory engagement, and classification society collaboration to prepare for deployment. This initiative aligns
energynuclear-reactorssmall-modular-reactorsmaritime-energyclean-energydecarbonizationshipping-industryNuclearn gets $10.5M to help the nuclear industry embrace AI
Nuclearn, a startup founded by Bradley Fox and Jerrold Vincent, has raised $10.5 million in a Series A funding round led by Blue Bear Capital to advance AI applications in the nuclear power industry. The company focuses on using AI to improve operational efficiency and business processes in nuclear reactors, rather than automating reactor control. Its AI tools are already deployed in over 65 reactors worldwide, helping generate routine documentation and streamline repetitive tasks while ensuring human oversight remains central to liability and safety. Originating from experiments at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Nuclearn’s technology incorporates nuclear industry-specific terminology and offers customizable AI models for utilities. The software can operate in the cloud or on-site to comply with strict security protocols. Reactor operators can adjust automation levels based on their confidence in the AI’s performance, with uncertain cases flagged for human review. Fox likens the AI to a “junior employee,” emphasizing that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission views AI as a supportive tool rather than an autonomous
energynuclear-powerartificial-intelligenceAI-in-energypower-industryenergy-technologynuclear-reactorsReal-time 3D imaging shows nuclear materials corroding under stress
MIT researchers have developed a novel real-time 3D imaging technique that uses focused high-intensity X-rays combined with a silicon dioxide buffer layer to observe nanoscale corrosion and strain in nuclear reactor alloys, specifically nickel-based metals. This method overcomes previous challenges by stabilizing samples and allowing phase retrieval algorithms to capture the dynamic failure processes inside materials under conditions simulating those in nuclear reactors. By watching corrosion and cracking as they happen, scientists can better understand material degradation, which could lead to designing safer, longer-lasting nuclear reactors. An unexpected outcome of the research was the ability to tune strain within crystals using X-rays, a finding with potential applications beyond nuclear engineering, including microelectronics manufacturing where strain engineering improves device performance. The team plans to extend this technique to study more complex alloys relevant to nuclear and aerospace industries and investigate how varying buffer thickness affects strain control. Experts highlight the significance of this work for advancing knowledge on nanoscale material behavior under radiation and the importance of substrate effects in strain relaxation.
materialsnuclear-materialscorrosion3D-imagingX-ray-imagingnuclear-reactorsmaterial-scienceAmazon to deploy X-energy's nuclear reactors to power AI data centers
Amazon has partnered with X-energy, Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP), and Doosan Enerbility to develop advanced small modular reactors (SMRs) in the U.S. to power AI data centers. The collaboration focuses on deploying X-energy’s Xe-100 SMRs, which use TRISO-X fuel, known for its high safety standards. This initiative addresses the rapidly growing energy demands of data centers, projected to consume between 214 TWh and 675 TWh annually by 2030—up to 2.6 times the 2023 levels. SMRs offer a reliable, low-emission, and grid-independent power source that can be sited near data centers, reducing transmission losses and enabling efficient energy management. Amazon’s plan includes a 5 GW SMR roadmap featuring 12 Xe-100 units at the Energy Northwest site, with additional reactors planned for Seadrift, Texas, pending regulatory approval. Each partner contributes unique strengths: X-energy provides advanced reactor technology,
energynuclear-reactorssmall-modular-reactorsdata-centersAI-power-demandcarbon-free-energyAmazon-AWSLiDAR scans decommissioned nuclear reactors at Hanford for safety
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management at the Hanford Site has employed Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology to conduct detailed inspections of six cocooned, decommissioned nuclear reactors. Unlike previous annual drone inspections that focused on the exterior of the storage enclosures, this new approach uses LiDAR to create precise 3D models of the reactors’ interior structures. This advancement allows engineers and safety specialists to better assess the condition of the enclosures, identify potential issues, and enhance long-term safety and risk reduction measures. The inspections are part of ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of these structures as Hanford continues its decades-long cleanup mission. Hanford Site, established in 1943 for plutonium production during the Manhattan Project, played a critical role in the U.S. nuclear weapons program until its last reactor shut down in 1987. Since then, the site has focused on environmental remediation, including soil and groundwater treatment and waste management. The introduction of
energyLiDARnuclear-reactorssafety-inspection3D-imagingenvironmental-managementinfrastructure-monitoringMIT study could help predict graphite lifespan in nuclear reactors
A recent MIT study has advanced understanding of how graphite, a critical material in nuclear reactors, behaves under radiation. Graphite is widely used as a neutron moderator and reflector in reactors, playing a key role in sustaining controlled nuclear chain reactions. However, radiation exposure causes graphite to deform through swelling, shrinking, and cracking, complicating predictions of its lifespan. The MIT team applied a statistical method called the Weibull Distribution alongside X-ray scattering techniques to analyze irradiated graphite samples from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Their research revealed unexpected pore behavior: initially, pores fill as graphite degrades, but over prolonged irradiation, a recovery or annealing process occurs where new pores form and existing pores smooth and enlarge, influencing the material’s volume changes. This discovery sheds light on graphite’s complex composite structure—comprising crystalline filler particles, a less crystalline binder matrix, and pores ranging from nanometers to microns—that affects its radiation response. The study’s findings could lead to more accurate, non-destructive predictions of graphite’s
materialsgraphitenuclear-reactorsradiation-damagematerial-lifespancomposite-materialsenergy-materialsThese 5 Countries Have 71% of World’s Nuclear Power Capacity - CleanTechnica
As of June 2025, five countries—the United States, France, China, Russia, and South Korea—account for 71% of the world’s total nuclear electricity generation capacity, according to IAEA data. Globally, 416 nuclear reactors operate across 31 countries, totaling 376 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity. The U.S. leads with the largest capacity and nuclear electricity production, operating reactors primarily built between 1967 and 1990, with a high operational capacity factor of 92% in 2024. Nuclear power contributed significantly to U.S. electricity generation in 2023 and 2024. France holds the second-largest nuclear fleet globally and the largest in Europe, with 63 GW installed capacity. Nuclear power supplied nearly 65% of France’s electricity in 2023, a legacy of extensive development following the 1970s oil crisis to enhance energy security. China has rapidly expanded its nuclear capacity since 1991 and currently operates
energynuclear-powerelectricity-generationnuclear-reactorsenergy-capacityclean-energypower-plantsUS 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 scientists to test dampers to make nuclear reactors quake-proof
Researchers at the University of Wyoming, led by Assistant Professor Ankit Saxena, are developing a new technology to make nuclear reactors and other infrastructure more resistant to earthquakes. Funded by a $199,064 National Science Foundation grant through July 2027, the project focuses on using particle dampers—devices containing entrapped particles that dissipate vibrational energy through collisions—to protect nuclear power plants from seismic activity. The team aims to optimize the design of these dampers using topology optimization, an advanced iterative engineering technique, to tailor them for effectively absorbing or reflecting earthquake frequencies. While the primary goal is seismic protection for nuclear reactors, the research has broader applications across aerospace, automotive, civil engineering, robotics, defense, and other energy sectors. The technology involves embedding box-like containers with particle dampers around reactors, with materials customized based on local soil and seismic conditions. This approach could also safeguard other energy infrastructure such as wind turbines, coal plants, and hydroelectric projects. Although Wyoming’s upcoming Natrium reactor
energynuclear-reactorsseismic-protectionparticle-dampersvibration-dampingtopology-optimizationearthquake-safetyUS lab taps Amazon cloud to build AI-powered nuclear reactors
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), a leading U.S. Department of Energy nuclear research facility, has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to leverage advanced cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) for the development of autonomous nuclear reactors. This collaboration aims to create digital twins—virtual replicas—of small modular reactors (SMRs) ranging from 20 to 300 megawatts. Using AWS tools such as Bedrock, SageMaker, and custom AI chips (Inferentia, Trainium), INL plans to enhance modeling, simulation, and ultimately enable safe, self-operating nuclear plants. The initiative is designed to reduce costs, shorten development timelines, and modernize the nuclear energy sector, which has historically faced regulatory delays and high expenses. This partnership is part of a broader U.S. government strategy to integrate AI into nuclear energy infrastructure, supporting faster, safer, and smarter reactor design and operation. It follows a similar deal between Westinghouse and Google Cloud, signaling AI’s growing
energyartificial-intelligencenuclear-reactorsdigital-twinscloud-computingautonomous-systemssmall-modular-reactorsTough alloy tested at 1112°F to replace steel in nuclear reactors
Researchers at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) are investigating high entropy alloys (HEAs) as potential replacements for stainless steel in nuclear reactors, aiming to improve materials that withstand extreme heat and radiation. HEAs differ from conventional alloys by combining five or more metals in roughly equal atomic proportions, resulting in a stable solid solution with a distorted lattice structure that imparts unique properties such as high strength, ductility, corrosion resistance, and radiation tolerance. The study focused on an HEA composed of iron, manganese, chromium, and nickel, chosen for its stability at high temperatures and manufacturability. Using the ultrabright synchrotron light at the Canadian Light Source, the team exposed the HEA to high-energy protons at 752°F (400°C) and 1112°F (600°C) under varying radiation doses. They observed the formation of small defects called Frank Loops, which increased with temperature, and noted elemental segregation within the alloy at higher temperatures. While the HEA demonstrated better
materialshigh-entropy-alloysnuclear-reactorsradiation-resistancesuperalloysenergy-materialscorrosion-resistanceSlovakia clears 7,400 tons of radioactive waste from Soviet reactors
Slovakia has completed the decommissioning and dismantling of two Soviet-era VVER-440 V1 reactors at the Bohunice nuclear power plant, removing nearly 7,400 tons (6,700 tonnes) of radioactive and contaminated materials. This milestone, confirmed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), marks the end of the main decommissioning phase and clears the site for redevelopment by 2027. The project was carried out by a consortium led by Westinghouse and Slovak firm VUJE under the EBRD-managed Bohunice International Decommissioning Support Fund (BIDSF), which received €638 million (USD 745 million) from the EU and various donor countries. The dismantling involved advanced robotic decontamination and cutting techniques to safely handle both primary and secondary radioactive waste. The two reactors, commissioned in the late 1970s and originally built with Soviet technology and Czechoslovakian assistance, were Slovakia’s first
energynuclear-energyradioactive-wastedecommissioningSlovakianuclear-reactorsenvironmental-cleanupSizewell’s Exploding Budget Exposes Europe’s Nuclear Blindspot - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the dramatic cost escalation of the UK’s Sizewell C nuclear power project, whose budget has nearly doubled from £20 billion in 2020 to almost £38 billion today. This surge is framed not as an isolated incident but as symptomatic of broader, systemic issues within Europe’s nuclear power development efforts. Despite Europe’s ambitions to expand nuclear energy to meet climate goals, the article argues that governments and utilities have repeatedly underestimated the complexity and scale required for successful nuclear deployment. Drawing on historical evidence and expert analysis, the article outlines seven critical factors for successful nuclear programs: a strategic national priority with consistent government oversight; integration with military nuclear objectives; use of a single, fully proven standardized reactor design; deployment of large-scale gigawatt reactors; comprehensive government-supported training programs; rapid and sustained deployment over decades; and construction of numerous reactors to realize economies of scale. When applied to Europe’s European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) program, these criteria reveal significant shortcomings. European nuclear efforts lack consistent
energynuclear-powerEuropeenergy-policynuclear-reactorsclean-energyenergy-infrastructureUS supercomputer unlocks nuclear salt reactor secrets with AI power
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have developed a novel artificial intelligence (AI) framework that models the behavior of molten lithium chloride with quantum-level accuracy but in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods. Utilizing the Summit supercomputer, the machine-learning model predicts key thermodynamic properties of the salt in both liquid and solid states by training on a limited set of first-principles data. This approach dramatically reduces computational time from days to hours while maintaining high precision, addressing a major challenge in nuclear engineering related to understanding molten salts at extreme reactor temperatures. Molten salts are critical for advanced nuclear reactors as coolants, fuel solvents, and energy storage media due to their stability at high temperatures. However, their complex properties—such as melting point, heat capacity, and corrosion behavior—are difficult to measure or simulate accurately. ORNL’s AI-driven method bridges the gap between fast but less precise molecular dynamics and highly accurate but computationally expensive quantum simulations. This breakthrough enables faster, more reliable
energyAInuclear-reactorsmolten-saltsmachine-learningsupercomputingmaterials-scienceUS strikes spared Iran’s nuclear reactors, satellite images reveal
Recent satellite images and reports reveal that U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, conducted during Operation Midnight Hammer, caused significant damage but notably spared Iran’s most sensitive nuclear reactors. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that three key reactors at the Isfahan Nuclear Technology and Research Centre, including a Chinese-built miniature neutron source reactor using highly enriched uranium, remained undamaged. Officials suggest this was a deliberate decision by military planners to avoid potentially catastrophic radioactive leaks and global precedent from hitting operational reactors. The IAEA has raised concerns about the difficulty of monitoring Iran’s nuclear program amid ongoing military actions and is pressing Iran to disclose the locations of its enriched uranium stockpiles. Satellite imagery shows that the Fordow enrichment facility, built into a mountain near Tehran, sustained heavy damage with multiple large craters and blocked tunnel entrances, though the extent of internal damage remains uncertain. Experts note ambiguity over whether some damage was caused by strikes or preemptive Iranian measures. Overall, while the
energynuclear-energyuranium-enrichmentnuclear-reactorssatellite-imageryinternational-atomic-energy-agencyIran-nuclear-programRussia to use submarines with nuclear reactors to supply gas via Arctic
Russia is developing nuclear-powered submarines equipped with three Rhythm-200 nuclear reactors to transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) via the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in the Arctic. These submarines, designed by the Kurchatov Institute, aim to reduce transit times from 20 to 12 days by traveling at speeds of about 17 knots beneath the ice, enabling year-round gas transportation from Arctic terminals. The project is seen as a potential alternative to traditional surface LNG carriers and pipelines, with Russian officials and President Vladimir Putin endorsing its feasibility and efficiency. Despite the ambitious plans, analysts express skepticism about Russia's ability to deliver the submarines due to capacity constraints in nuclear submarine design and the impact of Western sanctions on investment and infrastructure development along the NSR. Significant upgrades to Arctic ports and related facilities are necessary for the route to become competitive. The Russian government plans to increase the Arctic Basin's port capacity by over 34 million tons by 2030, reflecting a broader
energynuclear-reactorsLNG-transportationArctic-shippingsubmarinesNorthern-Sea-Routemaritime-energy-transportStandard Nuclear emerges from the ashes of a failed startup
Standard Nuclear has launched with $42 million in funding to develop advanced nuclear fuel, building upon assets acquired from the bankruptcy of Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) for $28 million. The new company’s CEO, Kurt Terrani, was formerly USNC’s vice president. The funding round was led by Decisive Point, with participation from Andreessen Horowitz and others. Standard Nuclear has secured $100 million in non-binding fuel sales projected for 2027 and is collaborating with customers such as Nano Nuclear Energy and Radiant Industries. The company acknowledges that acquiring USNC’s assets accelerated its timeline. USNC had focused on commercializing TRISO fuel—uranium pellets coated with carbon- and ceramic-based layers—which is considered safer and more meltdown-resistant than traditional nuclear fuel, though it has not been widely used since its development in the 1950s. USNC’s history was marked by a broad and ambitious business model, including two reactor designs, nuclear propulsion, and spacecraft heating systems, but it was primarily funded by a single investor, Richard Hollis Helms, who invested over $100 million plus loans. Helms, a former CIA Arabist, founded USNC after retiring from intelligence work. Despite efforts to raise more capital in 2022, USNC struggled financially and declared bankruptcy in October 2024 amid mounting debts and payroll issues. Standard Nuclear, led by Decisive Point founder Thomas Hendrix, purchased USNC’s fuel-related assets in a bankruptcy auction completed in February 2025, establishing its operational base and continuing the development of TRISO fuel technology.
energynuclear-energyadvanced-nuclear-fuelTRISO-fuelstartup-fundingnuclear-materialsnuclear-reactors10 nuclear reactors to power 500,000 US homes with 1,000MW output
The article discusses Westinghouse’s plan to deploy 10 large-scale nuclear reactors in the US, each with a 1,000 MW output, aiming to power approximately 500,000 homes. This initiative aligns with former President Donald Trump’s executive orders issued in May 2023, which call for quadrupling US nuclear capacity by 2050 and initiating construction of 10 full-sized reactors by 2030. Westinghouse, leveraging its AP1000 pressurized water reactor design—already licensed and operational globally—is positioned as the primary candidate to fulfill this mandate. The company highlights its modular construction expertise, a stable supply chain, and lessons learned from previous projects, including the Vogtle site in Georgia and deployments in China, as key advantages. Discussions with the US Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office are ongoing to secure necessary financing. The estimated cost for building these reactors could reach $75 billion, excluding potential overruns, which remains a significant hurdle given the US utilities’ cautious stance after past cost escalations. Westinghouse faces limited competition in the large reactor market due to political and strategic factors sidelining foreign vendors and other domestic companies focusing on small modular reactors (SMRs). Meanwhile, SMR developers like NuScale and Holtec International are gaining attention by promoting smaller, modular units that can be co-located to match the output of large reactors with potentially lower costs and faster construction timelines. Despite the executive order’s emphasis on large reactors, SMRs are emerging as a competitive alternative in the evolving US nuclear energy landscape.
energynuclear-reactorsWestinghouseUS-energy-policymodular-constructionAP1000-reactornuclear-capacity-expansionNuclear reactors, semiconductors to get smarter with next-gen US plasma tech
energyplasma-technologynuclear-reactorssemiconductor-manufacturingcomputational-physicsindustrial-processessimulation-toolsNext-gen nuclear reactors rely on solar salts for better heat control
energynuclear-reactorsthermal-energy-storagemolten-saltsadvanced-materialsradiation-resistancereactor-safety