{ "meta": { "name": "NuclearDB", "name_zh": "核能知识引擎", "domain": "nuclear.genetech.tools", "description": "Nuclear energy knowledge base covering reactors, fusion approaches, SMRs, nuclear fuel, and radiation applications", "updated": "2026-06-29T04:15:30.857Z", "total_entities": 408, "categories": [ "reactors", "fusion", "smr", "nuclear_fuel", "radiation_applications" ], "related_sites": [ { "domain": "quantum.genetech.tools", "name": "QuantumDB", "relation": "Quantum simulation for fusion", "url": "https://quantum.genetech.tools" }, { "domain": "energy.genetech.tools", "name": "EnergyDB", "relation": "Nuclear as clean energy source", "url": "https://energy.genetech.tools" }, { "domain": "deepsea.genetech.tools", "name": "DeepSeaDB", "relation": "Deep sea fusion fuel (deuterium)", "url": "https://deepsea.genetech.tools" } ] }, "data": { "reactors": [ { "id": "REACT-001", "name": "ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor)", "type": "Tokamak fusion", "status": "Under construction", "capacity": "500 MW fusion power (Q≥10)", "location": "Cadarache, France", "operator": "ITER Organization (35 countries)", "technology": "Deuterium-tritium tokamak; superconducting Nb₃Sn magnets; 6.2m major radius", "description": "The world's largest fusion experiment, designed to produce 500 MW of fusion power from 50 MW of heating (Q≥10). Construction 78% complete as of 2024. First plasma targeted for 2030, D-T operations by 2035. Total cost ~$22 billion. ITER will be the first fusion device to produce net energy and test integrated fusion technologies." }, { "id": "REACT-002", "name": "SPARC (Commonwealth Fusion Systems)", "type": "Tokamak fusion (compact)", "status": "Under construction; targeting Q≥2 by 2026-2027", "capacity": "50-100 MW fusion power (Q≥2)", "location": "Devens, Massachusetts, USA", "operator": "Commonwealth Fusion Systems (MIT spinoff)", "technology": "High-temperature superconducting (REBCO) magnets; compact tokamak design", "description": "CFS is building SPARC, a compact tokamak using revolutionary REBCO (rare-earth barium copper oxide) high-temperature superconducting magnets. These magnets are 40x stronger than ITER's, enabling a much smaller device. SPARC aims to demonstrate Q≥2 by 2026-2027. CFS has raised $2+ billion and plans commercial fusion (ARC) by 2030s. Virtual tour of CFS commercial fusion campus available April 2026." }, { "id": "REACT-003", "name": "NIF (National Ignition Facility)", "type": "Inertial confinement fusion (laser)", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "3.15 MJ fusion yield (Dec 2022 - first ignition); up to 5.2 MJ (2024)", "location": "Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA", "operator": "US Department of Energy / LLNL", "technology": "192-beam Nd:glass laser; indirect drive (hohlraum); DT fuel capsule", "description": "Achieved fusion ignition on Dec 5, 2022 - the first time more energy was produced from fusion than the laser energy delivered to the target (Q~1.5). Repeated ignition in 2023-2024 with yields up to 5.2 MJ. While not a power plant design, NIF proved ignition is possible and advances weapons physics and fusion science." }, { "id": "REACT-004", "name": "JET (Joint European Torus)", "type": "Tokamak fusion", "status": "Decommissioned (2023)", "capacity": "16 MW fusion power (Q=0.67 in 1997; 69 MJ in 2023)", "location": "Culham, UK", "operator": "UKAEA / EUROfusion", "technology": "Copper magnet tokamak; D-T fuel; ITER-like wall (beryllium/tungsten)", "description": "The world's largest operating tokamak until decommissioning. Set the fusion energy record: 69 MJ sustained fusion in 2023 using D-T fuel. JET tested ITER-relevant wall materials and operating scenarios for 40 years. Its data directly informed ITER design. Final D-T campaign in 2023 provided crucial tritium handling experience." }, { "id": "REACT-005", "name": "KSTAR (Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research)", "type": "Tokamak fusion", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "Research device (no net power)", "location": "Daejeon, South Korea", "operator": "Korea Institute of Fusion Energy (KFE)", "technology": "Nb₃Sn superconducting tokamak; advanced divertor configurations", "description": "KSTAR achieved a world record 48-second high-confinement (H-mode) plasma at 100 million°C in 2023, and extended to 102 seconds in 2024. These long-pulse records are critical for demonstrating steady-state operation needed for future power plants. KSTAR tests ITER-relevant divertor and plasma control technologies." }, { "id": "REACT-006", "name": "EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak)", "type": "Tokamak fusion", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "Research device", "location": "Hefei, China", "operator": "Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP)", "technology": "Fully superconducting tokamak; tungsten divertor; D-shaped cross-section", "description": "China's flagship fusion device. EAST achieved 403-second H-mode plasma in 2023 and 1056-second long-pulse plasma in 2021. It was the first fully superconducting tokamak and tests steady-state operation scenarios. EAST's tungsten divertor provides data for ITER and China's CFETR project." }, { "id": "REACT-007", "name": "TAE Technologies Norman", "type": "Field-reversed configuration (FRC)", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "Research device; targeting p-B11 fuel", "location": "Foothill Ranch, California, USA", "operator": "TAE Technologies", "technology": "Field-reversed configuration; hydrogen-boron (p-B11) fuel; neutral beam injection", "description": "TAE is pursuing aneutronic fusion using hydrogen-boron fuel, which produces no neutrons and enables direct energy conversion. The 'Norman' device sustained FRC plasmas at 30 million°C. TAE's Copernicus device (next generation) aims for fusion-relevant temperatures. Google is a partner, providing AI optimization for plasma control." }, { "id": "REACT-008", "name": "Helion Energy Polaris", "type": "Field-reversed configuration / magneto-inertial", "status": "Under construction", "capacity": "Target: 50 MW electricity generation", "location": "Everett, Washington, USA", "operator": "Helion Energy", "technology": "Pulsed FRC; deuterium-helium-3 fuel; direct energy conversion", "description": "Helion uses pulsed FRC technology with direct energy conversion (no steam cycle), potentially achieving >50% efficiency. Microsoft signed a PPA with Helion for 2028 delivery - the first commercial fusion power purchase agreement. Polaris is Helion's 7th prototype. D-He3 fuel produces minimal neutrons. Backed by Sam Altman and Peter Thiel." }, { "id": "REACT-009", "name": "APOLLO (Zap Energy)", "type": "Sheared-flow-stabilized Z-pinch", "status": "Under construction", "capacity": "Research → commercial", "location": "Seattle, Washington, USA", "operator": "Zap Energy", "technology": "Z-pinch with sheared-flow stabilization; no magnetic coils; compact design", "description": "Zap Energy's approach eliminates expensive magnetic coils by using the plasma's own current to create the confining magnetic field (Z-pinch). Sheared-flow stabilization prevents plasma instabilities. This enables a dramatically simpler and cheaper device. Zap has achieved 37 million°C plasmas and raised $330M+." }, { "id": "REACT-010", "name": "Hualong One (HPR1000)", "type": "Pressurized water reactor (Generation III+)", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1,160 MWe per unit", "location": "Fuqing (units 5-6), Fangchenggang (units 3-4), Zhangzhou; also Pakistan (K2, K3)", "operator": "CNNC / CGN", "technology": "3-loop PWR; passive safety systems; 60-year design life; double containment", "description": "China's indigenous Gen III+ reactor design, developed from the ACPR1000 and ACP1000. Features passive safety systems (no operator action needed for 72h after accident). First unit (Fuqing 5) connected to grid in 2020. China plans 30+ Hualong One units domestically and is exporting to Pakistan, Argentina, and potentially other countries." }, { "id": "REACT-011", "name": "Pacific Fusion Pulser", "type": "Pulser-driven inertial fusion", "status": "Breakthrough announced February 2026", "capacity": "Targeting commercial fusion power", "location": "USA", "operator": "Pacific Fusion", "technology": "Pulser-driven inertial confinement; cheaper approach to ICF", "description": "Pacific Fusion announced a breakthrough in pulser-driven inertial fusion in February 2026, finding a cheaper way to make their fusion reactor work. This approach uses electrical pulsers instead of expensive lasers to compress and heat fusion fuel, potentially offering a much more cost-effective path to inertial fusion energy than NIF's laser-based approach." }, { "id": "REACT-012", "name": "Wendelstein 7-X (Stellarator)", "type": "Stellarator (optimized)", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "Research device (no net power)", "location": "Greifswald, Germany", "operator": "Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP)", "technology": "Optimized stellarator; 50 non-planar superconducting coils; modular coil design", "description": "The world's largest stellarator and the flagship of the stellarator approach. W7-X achieved 1.3 GJ energy turnover and 8-minute plasmas in 2023, demonstrating that optimized stellarator designs can achieve tokamak-like confinement quality. Stellarators are inherently stable (no plasma current needed), eliminating disruption risk. W7-X proves the concept works at scale." }, { "id": "REACT-013", "name": "Sandia MagLIF (Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion)", "type": "Magneto-inertial fusion", "status": "Operational (research)", "capacity": "Research device; significant neutron yields", "location": "Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA", "operator": "Sandia National Laboratories", "technology": "Z-pinch compression of magnetized, laser-preheated fuel; Z machine driver", "description": "MagLIF uses Sandia's Z machine (the world's most powerful pulsed power device) to compress magnetized, laser-preheated fusion fuel. The approach combines elements of both magnetic and inertial confinement. MagLIF is scaling favorably with increasing current, and Sandia has demonstrated significant neutron yields. It represents a middle ground between tokamaks and laser ICF." }, { "id": "REACT-014", "name": "AP1000 (Westinghouse)", "type": "Pressurized water reactor (Generation III+)", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1,117 MWe per unit", "location": "Sanmen (China, units 1-2), Vogtle (USA, units 3-4)", "operator": "Westinghouse / various utilities", "technology": "2-loop PWR; passive safety systems; modular construction; 60-year design life", "description": "Westinghouse's AP1000 features passive safety systems that require no active pumps or diesel generators for emergency cooling (gravity and natural circulation only). The first AP1000s entered operation in China (Sanmen 1, 2018) and the US (Vogtle 3, 2023). Vogtle 4 (2024) was the first new US nuclear reactor in decades. The AP1000 is being considered for new builds in Eastern Europe and elsewhere." }, { "id": "REACT-015", "name": "EPR (Areva/Framatome)", "type": "Pressurized water reactor (Generation III+)", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1,650 MWe per unit", "location": "Taishan (China, units 1-2), Flamanville (France), Olkiluoto (Finland)", "operator": "EDF / various utilities", "technology": "4-loop PWR; double containment; core catcher; 60-year design life", "description": "The EPR is the world's largest pressurized water reactor design at 1,650 MWe. It features a core catcher for severe accident mitigation and double containment. Taishan 1&2 in China operate successfully, while the European builds (Flamanville 3, Olkiluoto 3) suffered massive delays and cost overruns but are now operational. The EPR experience provides lessons for future large reactor projects." }, { "id": "REACT-016", "name": "TerraPower Natrium", "type": "Sodium-cooled fast reactor (Generation IV)", "status": "Under construction", "capacity": "345 MWe reactor + 500 MWe peak (with molten salt thermal storage)", "location": "Kemmerer, Wyoming, USA", "operator": "TerraPower (Bill Gates-founded)", "technology": "Sodium-cooled fast reactor; molten salt thermal storage; HALEU fuel", "description": "TerraPower's Natrium reactor combines a 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt thermal storage system that can boost output to 500 MWe during peak demand. Founded by Bill Gates, Natrium is one of the most advanced Generation IV reactor projects. It uses HALEU fuel and is being built at the site of a retiring coal plant in Wyoming. DOE selected it for the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program." }, { "id": "REACT-017", "name": "Kairos Power Hermes", "type": "Fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (FHR)", "status": "Under construction (demonstration)", "capacity": "35 MWth (demonstration); commercial: 140 MWe per unit", "location": "Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA", "operator": "Kairos Power", "technology": "TRISO fuel in pebble bed; FLiBe (fluoride-lithium-beryllium) coolant; low-pressure operation", "description": "Kairos Power's Hermes is a scaled demonstration of their fluoride salt-cooled, high-temperature reactor (FHR) technology. It became the first Gen IV reactor to receive a construction permit from the NRC (December 2023). The FHR uses TRISO fuel (inherently safe) in a pebble bed with FLiBe salt coolant at low pressure. Kairos is also developing HALEU TRISO fuel production capability." }, { "id": "REACT-018", "name": "CFETR (China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor)", "type": "Tokamak fusion", "status": "In design phase", "capacity": "Targeting 200 MW fusion power; Q≥5", "location": "Hefei, China", "operator": "Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP)", "technology": "Superconducting tokamak; bridge between ITER and DEMO", "description": "CFETR is China's planned fusion engineering test reactor, designed to bridge the gap between ITER and a commercial fusion power plant (DEMO). It targets 200 MW fusion power with Q≥5 and will test tritium breeding and power extraction technologies. CFETR represents China's ambitious fusion roadmap and complements EAST's research program." }, { "id": "REACT-019", "name": "VVER-1200 (Rosatom)", "type": "Pressurized water reactor (Generation III+)", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1,198 MWe per unit", "location": "Novovoronezh (Russia), Leningrad (Russia), Akkuyu (Turkey), El Dabaa (Egypt), Rooppur (Bangladesh)", "operator": "Rosatom", "technology": "4-loop PWR; passive safety systems; 60-year design life; core catcher", "description": "Russia's flagship Gen III+ reactor design, the VVER-1200 is the most exported nuclear reactor globally. It features passive safety systems and a core catcher. Rosatom is building VVER-1200s in Turkey (Akkuyu, first NPP build by foreign owner-operator), Egypt (El Dabaa), Bangladesh (Rooppur), and other countries. Russia dominates international nuclear reactor exports." }, { "id": "REACT-020", "name": "X-energy Xe-100", "type": "High-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR)", "status": "Under development", "capacity": "80 MWe per module; 4-module plant = 320 MWe", "location": "Planned for Dow chemical facility in Texas", "operator": "X-energy", "technology": "TRISO fuel in pebble bed; helium coolant; 750°C outlet temperature; modular design", "description": "X-energy's Xe-100 is a modular high-temperature gas-cooled reactor using TRISO fuel (the most robust nuclear fuel ever created) in a pebble bed design. Each 80 MWe module can be combined into multi-module plants. The high outlet temperature (750°C) enables industrial process heat applications. DOE selected X-energy for the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. Dow Chemical plans to install Xe-100 at their Texas facility for industrial heat." }, { "id": "REACT-021", "name": "CFS ARC (Affordable Robust Compact)", "type": "Tokamak fusion (commercial)", "status": "Planned; follows SPARC demonstration", "capacity": "Targeting 200-400 MWe net electricity", "location": "To be determined", "operator": "Commonwealth Fusion Systems", "technology": "HTS magnet tokamak; compact design; liquid blanket; modular replacement", "description": "ARC is CFS's planned commercial fusion power plant, designed to follow the successful demonstration of SPARC. It will use the same HTS magnet technology but at commercial scale, producing 200-400 MWe net electricity. ARC features a modular design allowing component replacement and a liquid blanket for tritium breeding. CFS aims for ARC deployment in the 2030s." }, { "id": "REACT-022", "name": "First Light Fusion", "type": "Projectile-driven inertial fusion", "status": "Research and development", "capacity": "Targeting commercial fusion", "location": "Oxfordshire, UK", "operator": "First Light Fusion", "technology": "Projectile impact-driven ICF; amplifier target design; electromagnetic launch", "description": "First Light Fusion takes a unique approach to inertial confinement: instead of lasers, they use high-velocity projectiles to compress fusion fuel. Their 'amplifier' target design focuses the impact energy onto the fuel capsule. This approach could be significantly cheaper than laser-driven ICF. First Light has demonstrated fusion-relevant conditions and is scaling toward net energy gain." }, { "id": "REACT-023", "name": "General Fusion (Magnetized Target Fusion)", "type": "Magnetized target fusion (MTF)", "status": "Under development", "capacity": "Targeting commercial fusion", "location": "Vancouver, Canada / UK", "operator": "General Fusion", "technology": "Piston-driven compression of magnetized plasma in liquid metal sphere", "description": "General Fusion uses a unique approach: magnetized plasma is injected into a sphere of liquid metal (lead-lithium), which is then compressed by pneumatic pistons. The liquid metal serves as both the compression medium and the breeder blanket. This approach avoids the expensive magnets of tokamaks and the expensive lasers of ICF. General Fusion is building a demonstration facility in the UK." }, { "id": "REACT-024", "name": "TAE Copernicus", "type": "Field-reversed configuration (FRC)", "status": "Under development", "capacity": "Targeting fusion-relevant temperatures", "location": "Foothill Ranch, California, USA", "operator": "TAE Technologies", "technology": "FRC; hydrogen-boron (p-B11) fuel; AI-optimized plasma control (Google partnership)", "description": "Copernicus is TAE Technologies' next-generation FRC device, designed to reach fusion-relevant temperatures beyond what the Norman device achieved. It continues TAE's pursuit of aneutronic p-B11 fusion with Google's AI optimization for plasma control. If successful, p-B11 fusion would produce no neutrons and enable direct energy conversion with >80% efficiency." }, { "id": "REACT-025", "name": "China's Huanlong Two (HPR1000+) / Linglong One (ACP100)", "type": "PWR (Gen III+ large) / SMR (Gen III+ small)", "status": "Hualong Two: in design; Linglong One: under construction (Changjiang, Hainan)", "capacity": "Hualong Two: ~1,200 MWe; Linglong One: 125 MWe", "location": "Multiple sites, China", "operator": "CNNC", "technology": "PWR; passive safety; modular construction (Linglong One SMR)", "description": "China is developing both larger (Hualong Two) and smaller (Linglong One/ACP100) reactor designs. The Linglong One is China's first domestic SMR, a 125 MWe pressurized water reactor under construction at Changjiang, Hainan since 2021. It features integrated design (steam generators inside pressure vessel) and modular construction. China plans to export both designs as part of its nuclear export strategy." }, { "id": "REACT-026", "name": "Kairos Power Fluoride Salt-Cooled HTGR", "type": "Fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (FHR)", "status": "US DOE Fuel Line Pilot Program; targeting first criticality 2026", "capacity": "140 MWe per module", "location": "Oak Ridge, Tennessee (HERMES demonstration)", "operator": "Kairos Power", "technology": "TRISO fuel; FLiBe molten salt coolant; low-pressure operation; passive safety", "description": "Kairos Power is developing a fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor using TRISO fuel and FLiBe molten salt coolant. The HERMES demonstration reactor is under construction at Oak Ridge. Kairos received NRC construction permit in 2024 and is targeting first criticality in 2026. Google signed a power purchase agreement with Kairos for 500 MW by 2035. The low-pressure coolant eliminates the risk of high-pressure steam releases." }, { "id": "REACT-027", "name": "Abilene Christian University Molten Salt Research Reactor", "type": "Molten salt research reactor", "status": "Under construction; first US molten salt reactor", "capacity": "Research reactor (low power)", "location": "Abilene, Texas", "operator": "Abilene Christian University / Natura Resources", "technology": "Liquid fuel molten salt reactor; thorium-compatible", "description": "Abilene Christian University is building the first molten salt reactor in the United States, a research reactor using liquid fuel technology. This is a landmark project for MSR development in the US, providing operational data and experience for future commercial molten salt reactors. Natura Resources is the commercial partner. The project received NRC licensing in 2024." }, { "id": "REACT-028", "name": "TerraPower Natrium (Demonstration)", "type": "Sodium-cooled fast reactor with molten salt energy storage", "status": "Under construction; targeting 2028 operation", "capacity": "345 MWe (reactor) + 500 MWe (with molten salt storage for 5.5 hours)", "location": "Kemmerer, Wyoming (former coal plant site)", "operator": "TerraPower (Bill Gates)", "technology": "Sodium-cooled fast reactor; metallic fuel; molten salt thermal storage; load-following capability", "description": "TerraPower's Natrium plant is under construction at a former coal plant site in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The sodium-cooled fast reactor produces 345 MWe, with molten salt thermal storage boosting output to 500 MWe for over 5 hours. This load-following capability makes Natrium compatible with renewable-heavy grids. Bill Gates is the primary investor. The project received $80M from ARDP and is the flagship US advanced reactor demonstration." }, { "id": "REACT-029", "name": "Westinghouse eVinci Microreactor", "type": "Microreactor / Heat pipe cooled", "status": "Under development; targeting 2027 demonstration", "capacity": "5 MWe / 13 MWth", "location": "Multiple potential sites", "operator": "Westinghouse Electric", "technology": "Heat pipe cooling; TRISO fuel; solid-state core; transportable; no cooling water required", "description": "Westinghouse's eVinci is a 5 MWe microreactor using heat pipe cooling and TRISO fuel. The solid-state core has no moving parts or cooling water, making it suitable for remote locations, military bases, and disaster relief. The entire reactor can be transported by truck. eVinci represents the emerging microreactor category, targeting applications too small for SMRs." }, { "id": "REACT-030", "name": "Oklo Aurora Powerhouse", "type": "Microreactor / Fast spectrum", "status": "NRC license application under review; first-of-a-kind", "capacity": "1.5-15 MWe (scalable)", "location": "Idaho National Laboratory (first site)", "operator": "Oklo Inc.", "technology": "Metal-fueled fast reactor; compact design; fuel recycling capability; 20-year refueling cycle", "description": "Oklo's Aurora is a compact fast-spectrum microreactor designed for 20-year operation without refueling. The NRC license application is under review, making Oklo one of the first advanced reactor companies to seek a combined license. Oklo's approach includes fuel recycling, reducing waste. The Aurora targets remote communities, data centers, and industrial applications." }, { "id": "REACT-031", "name": "OPG Darlington BWRX-300 SMR", "type": "SMR / BWR (Boiling Water Reactor)", "status": "Construction approved May 2025", "capacity": "300 MWe per unit; 4 units planned", "location": "Darlington, Ontario, Canada", "operator": "Ontario Power Generation (OPG)", "technology": "GE Hitachi BWRX-300; factory-built modules; natural circulation; below-grade containment", "description": "On May 8, 2025, the Provincial Minister of Energy and Mines announced approval for OPG to begin construction on the first of four small modular reactors at the Darlington site. This is the first commercial SMR construction approval in the G7, making it a landmark project for the global SMR industry. The BWRX-300 uses natural circulation cooling and can be factory-built, reducing construction time and cost." }, { "id": "REACT-032", "name": "X-energy Xe-100 (Dow Seadrift)", "type": "SMR / HTGR (High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor)", "status": "Construction planned to start 2026", "capacity": "80 MWe per unit; 4 units planned at Seadrift", "location": "Seadrift, Texas, USA", "operator": "Dow Chemical / X-energy", "technology": "TRISO fuel; helium coolant; pebble bed design; inherent safety; industrial heat applications", "description": "X-energy announced plans to build four Xe-100 SMRs at a Dow industrial site in Seadrift, Texas, with construction due to start in 2026. The Xe-100 uses TRISO fuel particles that cannot melt down, providing inherent safety. The reactor provides both electricity and industrial process heat, making it ideal for chemical manufacturing and other industrial applications." }, { "id": "REACT-033", "name": "China Huaneng HTR-PM600", "type": "HTGR / Commercial scale-up", "status": "Under development", "capacity": "600 MWe (6 x 100 MWe modules)", "location": "China (multiple sites planned)", "operator": "China Huaneng Group / Tsinghua University", "technology": "Pebble bed HTGR; TRISO fuel; modular construction; inherent safety; industrial heat and power", "description": "Following the success of the HTR-PM demonstration plant (Shidao Bay), China is scaling up to the HTR-PM600, a 600 MWe commercial plant consisting of six 100 MWe modules. The HTR-PM600 uses the same pebble bed TRISO fuel technology proven at Shidao Bay but at commercial scale. China is the world leader in HTGR deployment, with this technology offering inherent safety and versatile heat applications." }, { "id": "REACT-034", "name": "US DOE Advanced Reactor Pilot Program", "type": "Government program / Advanced reactor demonstration", "status": "Active; first reactors could achieve criticality in 2026", "capacity": "Multiple reactor types; 3+ SMRs targeted", "location": "US DOE national lab sites", "operator": "US Department of Energy / Multiple vendors", "technology": "Various advanced reactor designs; fast spectrum, HTGR, molten salt", "description": "The US DOE established the Fuel Line Pilot Program in July 2025 to support a new surge of advanced reactor development. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that at least three SMRs would be running by mid-2026. The program accelerates advanced reactor testing at DOE national laboratories, addressing the regulatory and fuel supply bottlenecks that have slowed advanced reactor deployment." }, { "id": "REACT-035", "name": "Proxima Fusion Stellarator (European)", "type": "Stellarator fusion", "status": "Active development; featured at Davos 2026", "capacity": "Fusion power plant targeting mid-2030s commissioning", "location": "Germany / Europe", "operator": "Proxima Fusion", "technology": "Stellarator; optimized magnetic confinement; HTS magnets; twisted plasma chamber", "description": "Proxima Fusion is developing a stellarator fusion reactor that uses the inherent stability of the stellarator design (no plasma disruptions unlike tokamaks). Featured at Davos 2026, the company aims to commission a fusion power plant by the mid-2030s. The stellarators twisted magnetic field design, while more complex to build than a tokamak, offers superior plasma stability and steady-state operation." }, { "id": "REACT-036", "name": "Energy Singularity HH70 (China)", "type": "High-temperature superconducting tokamak", "status": "World record achieved March 2025", "capacity": "Experimental / Proof-of-concept", "location": "Shanghai, China", "operator": "Energy Singularity", "technology": "HTS magnets; compact tokamak; 2.7 tesla magnetic field (record)", "description": "Energy Singularity, a Shanghai-based startup, achieved a world record with its HH70 superconducting magnet generating 2.7 tesla in March 2025. This is a significant milestone for compact tokamak development using high-temperature superconducting magnets, similar to the approach used by CFS/SPARC in the US. China is rapidly emerging as a major player in the global fusion race." }, { "id": "REACT-037", "name": "CFS SPARC Construction Progress (75% Complete)", "type": "Tokamak fusion (compact, under construction)", "status": "75% complete; 106,000 lb vacuum vessel installed", "capacity": "50-100 MW fusion power (Q≥2 target)", "location": "Devens, Massachusetts, USA", "operator": "Commonwealth Fusion Systems (MIT spinoff)", "technology": "REBCO high-temperature superconducting magnets; compact tokamak; 106,000 lb vacuum vessel", "description": "CFS SPARC construction is 75% complete as of early 2026, with the 106,000-pound vacuum vessel successfully installed. SPARC uses revolutionary REBCO magnets that are 40x stronger than ITER's, enabling a much smaller device. CFS plans to demonstrate Q≥2 (net energy gain) by 2027. CNN reported that CFS says nuclear fusion could finally power the grid, with SPARC being the critical stepping stone to the commercial ARC reactor.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/30/climate/nuclear-fusion-real-world-electricity-grid", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "REACT-038", "name": "Helion Polaris D-T Fusion Achievement", "type": "Field-reversed configuration / D-T fusion milestone", "status": "First private company to achieve D-T fusion; plasma temperature 150 million°C", "capacity": "Target: 50 MW electricity generation", "location": "Everett, Washington, USA", "operator": "Helion Energy", "technology": "Pulsed FRC; deuterium-tritium fusion; direct energy conversion; plasma at 150 million°C", "description": "Helion Energy's Polaris achieved a major milestone as the first private company to produce deuterium-tritium fusion, reaching plasma temperatures of 150 million°C. This is a significant step toward Helion's goal of generating 50 MW of electricity using direct energy conversion (no steam cycle). Microsoft signed a PPA with Helion for 2028 delivery — the first commercial fusion power purchase agreement. Helion uses pulsed FRC technology with D-He3 fuel for commercial operations.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://fortune.com/2025/10/02/nuclear-fusion-online-commercial-ai-power", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "REACT-039", "name": "China EAST 'Dual 100 Million Degrees' Milestone", "type": "Tokamak fusion (research milestone)", "status": "Achieved 'dual 100 million degrees' milestone (electron + ion temperatures simultaneously)", "capacity": "Research device", "location": "Hefei, China", "operator": "Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP)", "technology": "Fully superconducting tokamak; simultaneous electron and ion temperature exceeding 100 million°C", "description": "China's EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) achieved the 'dual 100 million degrees' milestone — both electron and ion temperatures simultaneously exceeding 100 million°C. This is a critical achievement for fusion energy, as both plasma components must reach fusion-relevant temperatures simultaneously. China aims to operate the world's first hybrid fusion-fission reactor and is rapidly advancing its fusion program with EAST, CFETR, and Energy Singularity's HH70.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.nucnet.org/news/scientists-announce-major-nuclear-fusion-breakthrough-at-china-s-artificial-sun-1-1-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "REACT-040", "name": "DOE DOME Facility for Advanced Reactor Testing", "type": "Government test facility / Advanced reactor demonstration", "status": "DOME facility expected to receive first experimental reactor Fall 2026; testing begins 2027", "capacity": "Multiple reactor types; test facility", "location": "US DOE national laboratory site", "operator": "US Department of Energy", "technology": "Testing facility for multiple advanced reactor designs", "description": "The DOE announced that the DOME facility will be ready to receive the first experimental reactor in the fall of 2026, with testing likely to begin in 2027. DOME is part of the DOE Reactor Pilot Program announced in June 2025, following President Trump's Executive Order 14301 reforming reactor testing at the DOE. The facility will enable rapid testing and qualification of advanced reactor designs, addressing a critical bottleneck in nuclear innovation.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.ans.org/news/article-7661/2025-the-year-in-nuclear", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "REACT-041", "name": "Westinghouse 10 AP1000 Reactor Plan (US)", "type": "Pressurized water reactor (Generation III+) / Fleet expansion", "status": "Plan announced July 2025; targeting US deployment", "capacity": "1,117 MWe per unit × 10 = 11,170 MWe total", "location": "Multiple US sites (planned)", "operator": "Westinghouse Electric", "technology": "2-loop PWR; passive safety; modular construction; proven AP1000 design", "description": "Westinghouse announced plans in July 2025 to deliver ten AP1000 reactors in the United States. The AP1000 is a proven Gen III+ design with passive safety systems, already operating in China (Sanmen) and the US (Vogtle). The 10-reactor plan represents a major commitment to large-scale nuclear deployment in the US, leveraging the lessons learned from Vogtle construction to reduce costs and timelines for future units.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://nuclearinnovationalliance.org/sites/default/files/2025-11/Primer%20%282025%29%20%281%29.pdf", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "REACT-042", "name": "IEA: Nuclear Generation All-Time High (2025)", "type": "Industry milestone / Global nuclear status", "status": "Nuclear generation hit all-time high in 2025", "capacity": "Nearly 420 reactors operational globally; 75+ under construction; 120+ planned", "location": "Global", "operator": "Multiple utilities worldwide", "technology": "Mix of Gen II, III, III+, and emerging Gen IV designs", "description": "The IEA reported that nuclear generation hit an all-time high in 2025, with the world's fleet of nearly 420 reactors reaching new heights. Over 75 reactors are under construction across the world and about 120 further reactors are planned. The IEA's 'Path to a New Era for Nuclear Energy' report signals a global nuclear renaissance driven by decarbonization targets, energy security concerns, and data center power demand.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.iea.org/reports/the-path-to-a-new-era-for-nuclear-energy/executive-summary", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "REACT-043", "name": "Fast Modular Reactor (General Atomics)", "type": "Helium-cooled fast reactor (Generation IV)", "status": "Under development; NRC pre-application", "capacity": "50 MWe per module", "location": "US (planned)", "operator": "General Atomics", "technology": "Helium-cooled fast reactor; uranium dioxide fuel; modular design; 50 MWe output", "description": "General Atomics' Fast Modular Reactor is a helium-cooled fast reactor design with 50 MWe output using uranium dioxide fuel. The modular design allows for factory fabrication and on-site assembly. As a Generation IV design, it offers improved fuel utilization and waste reduction compared to current light water reactors. The NRC is conducting pre-application review of the design.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/new-nuc-plant-des-bg", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "REACT-044", "name": "ASME 2026 Nuclear Technology Assessment", "type": "Industry assessment / Technology review", "status": "Published 2026; realistic assessment of advancing nuclear technologies", "capacity": "N/A - assessment report", "location": "Global assessment", "operator": "ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)", "technology": "Covers SMRs, fusion milestones, and new reactor projects", "description": "ASME published a realistic assessment of what nuclear energy technologies are actually advancing in 2026, covering SMRs, fusion milestones, and new reactor projects. The assessment provides a grounded perspective on the nuclear renaissance, distinguishing between proven advances and aspirational claims. Key findings include: SMRs are moving from licensing to construction, fusion is making genuine engineering progress but commercial power is still years away, and large reactor new-build is accelerating globally.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/what-nuclear-energy-technologies-are-actually-advancing-in-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "REACT-045", "name": "DOE Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program (8 Companies)", "type": "Government program / Fusion development", "status": "8 companies selected; DOE opens program to new companies June 2025", "capacity": "Multiple fusion pilot plant designs", "location": "United States", "operator": "US Department of Energy", "technology": "Multiple fusion approaches (tokamak, stellarator, FRC, ICF, MTF)", "description": "The DOE's Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program initially selected eight companies to develop fusion pilot plant designs. In June 2025, DOE opened the program to new companies and teams, expanding the competitive landscape. The program provides milestone-based funding to accelerate fusion energy development, with the goal of demonstrating a fusion pilot plant that can show technical viability for commercial fusion power.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.ans.org/news/2025-06-12/article-7107/doe-opens-milestone-fusion-pilot-plant-program-to-new-companies-and-teams", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "REACT-046", "name": "IAEA World Fusion Outlook 2025 ($10B Investment)", "type": "International assessment / Fusion investment", "status": "Published 2025; 33 nations collaborating on tokamak development", "capacity": "N/A - global fusion assessment", "location": "Global", "operator": "IAEA", "technology": "Multiple fusion approaches; $10B total public and private investment", "description": "The IAEA's World Fusion Outlook 2025 reports that 33 nations and thousands of engineers and scientists are collaborating to build and operate magnetic fusion devices (tokamaks). Private and public investment in fusion has hit $10 billion. The IAEA identified six global trends to watch in fusion energy, including the maturation of HTS magnets, growth of private fusion companies, and increasing government support for fusion commercialization.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/fusion-energy-in-2025-six-global-trends-to-watch", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "REACT-047", "name": "Radiant Industries Kaleidos Microreactor", "type": "Helium-cooled microreactor", "status": "Under development; DOE Reactor Pilot Program", "capacity": "1 MWe", "location": "US DOE national laboratory site", "operator": "Radiant Industries", "technology": "Helium-cooled; TRISO fuel; 1 MWe microreactor; scheduled for 60 effective full-power days", "description": "Radiant Industries is pursuing the Kaleidos microreactor, a 1 MWe helium-cooled reactor under the DOE Reactor Pilot Program. The reactor is scheduled to operate for 60 effective full-power days as part of the pilot program. Kaleidos represents the emerging microreactor category targeting remote locations, military bases, and disaster relief where traditional power infrastructure is unavailable.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.ans.org/news/2025-11-14/article-7543/the-progress-so-far-an-update-o", "collected_at": "2026-06-02T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "REACT-048", "name": "NEA Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2025", "type": "Industry roadmap / SMR Dashboard", "status": "Published 2025; third edition of NEA SMR Dashboard", "capacity": "N/A - policy roadmap", "location": "Global (OECD/NEA)", "operator": "Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA)", "technology": "Cross-cutting analysis of SMR financing and deployment progress", "description": "The NEA published the third edition of its Small Modular Reactor Dashboard as part of the Roadmaps to New Nuclear 2025 report. The dashboard reveals significant progress in global SMR financing, with multiple projects advancing from licensing to construction. The report provides a comprehensive assessment of SMR deployment timelines, regulatory progress, and financing mechanisms across NEA member countries.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.oecd-nea.org/upload/docs/application/pdf/2025-11/roadmaps_to_new_nuc", "collected_at": "2026-06-02T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "REACT-049", "name": "74 SMR Designs Under Active Development (Global Tracker)", "type": "Industry status / SMR landscape", "status": "74 SMR designs under active development worldwide (2025-2026)", "capacity": "Various (1 MWe to 470 MWe)", "location": "Global", "operator": "Multiple developers worldwide", "technology": "Diverse: PWR, BWR, HTGR, MSR, fast spectrum, microreactors", "description": "Nuclear experts report that 74 SMR designs are under active development worldwide as of 2025-2026. The World Nuclear Association SMR Global Project Tracker provides an interactive overview of development and deployment status. Proponents see SMR technology as the key to nuclear energy expansion, though questions remain about which designs will reach commercial deployment. The diversity of approaches signals a maturing but still fragmented market.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-power-reactors/small-modul", "collected_at": "2026-06-02T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "REACT-050", "name": "EU €330M Fusion Energy Investment", "type": "Government investment / Fusion funding", "status": "Announced 2025-2026; EU fusion energy advancement", "capacity": "N/A - funding allocation", "location": "European Union", "operator": "European Commission / EUROfusion", "technology": "Multiple fusion approaches; EU-wide collaboration", "description": "The European Union allocated €330 million to advance fusion energy development, as reported by the Fusion Industry Association. This investment supports EU fusion research infrastructure, ITER contributions, and emerging private fusion companies. The EU investment complements the IAEA report that private and public fusion investment has hit $10 billion globally, with the focus shifting from laboratory research to engineering and commercialization.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/news/fusion-in-the-news", "collected_at": "2026-06-02T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "REACT-051", "name": "Wendelstein 7-X 1.8 GJ Energy Record (2025-2026)", "type": "Stellarator fusion / Research milestone", "status": "Energy turnover record achieved 2025-2026", "capacity": "Research device (no net power)", "location": "Greifswald, Germany", "operator": "Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP)", "technology": "Optimized stellarator; 50 non-planar superconducting coils; 1.8 GJ energy turnover", "description": "Wendelstein 7-X achieved a new energy turnover record of 1.8 gigajoules in 2025-2026, extending its previous 1.3 GJ record. This milestone demonstrates that optimized stellarator designs can sustain high-performance plasmas for extended periods, a critical requirement for future stellarator power plants. The W7-X results validate the stellarator approach as a viable alternative to tokamaks for steady-state fusion energy.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/02/nuclear-fusion-science-explained", "collected_at": "2026-06-02T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "R-52", "name": "DOE DOME Test Facility (2026)", "type": "Test reactor facility / Advanced reactor testing", "technology": "Multi-technology test facility for advanced reactor designs", "power": "Flexible; supports multiple reactor designs", "status": "Opening fall 2026; DOE's new flagship test facility", "description": "The Department of Energy announced the DOME facility, opening in fall 2026, as a new flagship test facility for advanced reactor designs. DOME will provide a controlled environment for testing next-generation reactor concepts, including molten salt, high-temperature gas, and fast reactor designs. This facility addresses a critical gap in the US nuclear innovation ecosystem by providing a place to test reactors without the full regulatory burden of a commercial plant.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/doe-dome-facility-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "R-53", "name": "General Atomics Fast Modular Reactor (50 MWe)", "type": "Fast modular reactor / Advanced fission", "technology": "Fast neutron spectrum; modular construction", "power": "50 MWe", "status": "Under development; DOE-supported advanced reactor design", "description": "General Atomics is developing a 50 MWe Fast Modular Reactor (FMR) as part of the DOE advanced reactor program. The FMR uses a fast neutron spectrum for improved fuel utilization and can operate with multiple fuel types including metallic and oxide fuels. Its modular design allows factory fabrication and on-site assembly, reducing construction time and cost.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.ga.com/fast-modular-reactor", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "R-54", "name": "DOE Reactor Pilot Program (8 Companies)", "type": "Government program / Advanced reactor deployment", "technology": "Multiple technologies; 8 companies selected for pilot deployment", "power": "Various; SMR and advanced reactor designs", "status": "Announced June 2025; 8 companies selected for accelerated testing", "description": "The DOE announced the Reactor Pilot Program in June 2025, following President Trump's Executive Order 14301, which reforms nuclear reactor testing. Eight companies were selected for accelerated testing of advanced reactor designs. The program aims to expedite the testing of advanced reactors and open new applications including data centers, microchip manufacturing, and petrochemical production.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/reactor-pilot-program", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "R-55", "name": "Abilene Christian University Molten Salt Research Reactor", "type": "Molten salt reactor / Research", "technology": "Molten salt cooled; first US MSR license application", "power": "Research scale", "status": "First US molten salt reactor license application submitted", "description": "Abilene Christian University submitted the first US license application for a molten salt research reactor, marking a significant milestone for MSR technology in the United States. The reactor will serve as a research and training facility for molten salt reactor technology, which offers inherent safety advantages and the potential for thorium fuel cycle operation.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/abilene-msr", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "R-56", "name": "US 400 GW Nuclear Target by 2050", "type": "National strategy / Capacity target", "technology": "All nuclear technologies; existing + new builds + SMRs", "power": "400 GW target (triple current capacity)", "status": "Policy target; bipartisan support for nuclear expansion", "description": "The United States set a target of 400 GW of nuclear capacity by 2050, approximately tripling the current fleet. This ambitious target is supported by bipartisan legislation and includes new large reactors, SMRs, and advanced reactor deployments. The target reflects growing recognition that nuclear energy is essential for achieving net-zero emissions while meeting growing electricity demand from data centers and electrification.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.nei.org/news/2026/nuclear-target-400gw", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "R-57", "name": "NEI 2026: 8 Reactors Under Construction, 90+ in Development", "type": "Industry status / Construction tracker", "technology": "Mixed; large PWRs + SMRs + advanced reactors", "power": "8 reactors under construction; 90+ in various development stages", "status": "Q1 2026 industry status report", "description": "The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) reported in 2026 that 8 nuclear reactors are currently under construction in the US, with over 90 in various stages of development. This represents the most active nuclear construction pipeline in decades, driven by data center demand, clean energy goals, and supportive federal policies including the Inflation Reduction Act and DOE loan programs.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.nei.org/news/2026/us-nuclear-construction-pipeline", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "R-58", "name": "IEA Nuclear Generation All-Time High (2025)", "type": "Industry milestone / Generation record", "technology": "Global fleet of ~420 reactors", "power": "Record generation from global nuclear fleet", "status": "Nuclear generation hit all-time high in 2025 (IEA report)", "description": "The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that nuclear generation hit an all-time high in 2025, with the world's fleet of nearly 420 reactors producing record electricity. The IEA's \"Path to a New Era for Nuclear Energy\" report projects continued growth, with innovation changing the nuclear technology landscape including many SMR designs under development.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.iea.org/reports/path-new-era-nuclear-energy", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "R-59", "name": "ASME Advanced Nuclear Reactor Design Assessment (2026)", "type": "Engineering standards / Reactor design assessment", "technology": "Cross-technology assessment of advanced reactor designs", "power": "Various; SMRs, AMRs, and fusion systems assessed", "status": "Published 2026; IMechE/ASME joint assessment", "description": "ASME and IMechE published a joint assessment of advanced nuclear reactor designs in 2026, concluding that the advanced nuclear sector is entering a defining period. The assessment covers SMRs, advanced modular reactors (AMRs), and fusion systems, providing engineering standards and design criteria for the next generation of nuclear plants. This assessment is critical for regulatory approval and investor confidence.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.asme.org/advanced-nuclear-reactor-design-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-060", "name": "OPG Darlington BWRX-300 SMR", "type": "Small Modular Reactor (SMR)", "technology": "Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)", "power": "300 MWe per unit; 4 units planned", "status": "Construction approved May 2025; first of 4 units", "country": "Canada", "description": "Ontario Power Generation (OPG) received approval on May 8, 2025, to begin construction on the first of four BWRX-300 SMR units at its Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. This is North America's first commercial SMR construction project. The BWRX-300, developed by GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, uses a simplified boiling water reactor design that can be factory-built and transported to site. Each unit produces 300 MWe, and the four-unit project will provide 1,200 MWe of clean baseload power.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.opg.com/projects-services/projects/nuclear/smr/darlington-smr", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-061", "name": "DOE Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP)", "type": "Advanced reactor program", "technology": "Multiple technologies (SMR, HTGR, fast reactor)", "power": "Multiple reactors; 11 initial projects selected", "status": "DOE announced initial selections 2025", "country": "United States", "description": "The US Department of Energy announced initial selections for its Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program, working with industry on 11 projects with the goal to construct, operate, and achieve criticality of at least one advanced reactor. The program supports multiple reactor technologies including SMRs, high-temperature gas reactors, and fast reactors. This represents the US government's most significant investment in next-generation nuclear technology.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-initial-selections-n", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-062", "name": "UK SMR Program (GBP 2.5B)", "type": "Small Modular Reactor program", "technology": "SMR (technology selection ongoing)", "power": "Targeting mid-2030s deployment", "status": "GBP 2.5 billion package announced 2025", "country": "United Kingdom", "description": "The United Kingdom announced a GBP 2.5 billion package to speed up SMR deployment, targeting the mid-2030s for first reactors. The UK SMR program includes a technology selection competition run by Great British Nuclear, with multiple vendors competing. The program aims to deploy SMRs to support the UK's net-zero targets and create a domestic SMR industry. The investment covers both technology development and supply chain development.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/smrs", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-063", "name": "Global New Reactor Construction (75+ Reactors)", "type": "Global nuclear construction overview", "technology": "Various (PWR, BWR, HTR, fast reactor)", "power": "Over 75 reactors under construction worldwide", "status": "Updated April 2026 by World Nuclear Association", "country": "Global", "description": "According to the World Nuclear Association (updated April 2026), over 75 reactors are under construction across the world. This represents a significant increase in nuclear construction activity, driven by energy security concerns, net-zero commitments, and growing electricity demand from data centers and AI. Major construction programs are underway in China, India, Russia, and the Middle East, with growing interest in Europe and North America.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/plan", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-064", "name": "White House Nuclear Reactor Testing Reform", "type": "Regulatory reform", "technology": "All advanced reactor technologies", "power": "N/A (policy)", "status": "Executive order issued May 2025", "country": "United States", "description": "The White House issued an executive order in May 2025 to reform nuclear reactor testing at the Department of Energy, aiming to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies. The order opens new applications for nuclear energy including data centers, microchip manufacturing, petrochemical production, and hydrogen production. It directs DOE to streamline the regulatory process for testing and demonstrating new reactor designs.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/reforming-nuclear-reacto", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-065", "name": "IMechE Advanced Nuclear Reactor Design 2026", "type": "Industry conference / training", "technology": "SMRs, AMRs, fusion", "power": "Various", "status": "2026 program by Institution of Mechanical Engineers", "country": "United Kingdom", "description": "The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) launched an Advanced Nuclear Reactor Design training program for 2026, reflecting the advanced nuclear sector's defining period. The program covers major progress across SMRs, Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs), and fusion energy. This professional development initiative signals the growing demand for nuclear engineering expertise as the industry expands.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.imeche.org/training-qualifications/training-details/advanced-nuclear", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-066", "name": "ASME 2026 Nuclear Technology Assessment", "type": "Technology assessment", "technology": "SMRs, fusion, advanced reactors", "power": "Various", "status": "Published 2026 by ASME", "country": "United States", "description": "The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) published a realistic assessment of what's advancing in nuclear energy in 2026, including SMRs, fusion milestones, and new reactor projects. The assessment provides a balanced view of progress and challenges, noting that while SMR designs are maturing, regulatory and supply chain hurdles remain. Fusion milestones are encouraging but commercial fusion power is still years away.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/what-nuclear-energy-technologies-a", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-067", "name": "Data Center Nuclear Power", "type": "Application / Market driver", "technology": "SMR and microreactor", "power": "50-300 MWe per unit", "status": "Multiple tech companies exploring nuclear for data centers (2025-2026)", "country": "Global", "description": "The explosive growth of AI and data centers is driving unprecedented demand for clean, reliable baseload power, with nuclear energy emerging as a leading solution. Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta have all announced nuclear energy agreements or explorations in 2025-2026. SMRs and microreactors are particularly attractive for data centers due to their smaller size, faster deployment, and ability to be sited near demand centers. This represents a major new market driver for nuclear energy.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/reforming-nuclear-reacto", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-068", "name": "China HTR-PM600 (High-Temperature Gas Reactor)", "type": "High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR)", "technology": "Pebble bed HTGR", "power": "600 MWe (6 x 100 MWe modules)", "status": "Under development; following HTR-PM demonstration", "country": "China", "description": "China is developing the HTR-PM600, a 600 MWe high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that scales up the successful HTR-PM (Shidaowan) demonstration plant. The HTR-PM600 uses six 100 MWe modules, each with its own steam generator. The pebble bed design provides inherent safety through negative temperature coefficients and the ability to passively remove decay heat. High outlet temperatures (750°C) enable efficient power generation and industrial heat applications.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/plan", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-069", "name": "Fast Neutron Reactor (BN-1200M)", "type": "Fast breeder reactor", "technology": "Sodium-cooled fast reactor", "power": "1,200 MWe", "status": "Under construction in Russia", "country": "Russia", "description": "Russia's BN-1200M is a 1,200 MWe sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor under construction, representing the next generation of fast neutron reactor technology. Fast breeder reactors can utilize uranium much more efficiently than thermal reactors and can burn long-lived radioactive waste. The BN-1200M builds on the experience of the BN-600 and BN-800 reactors and is designed for commercial deployment. Russia leads the world in fast reactor operating experience.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/plan", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-070", "name": "Microreactor (Project Pele)", "type": "Microreactor", "technology": "High-temperature gas reactor / TRISO fuel", "power": "1-5 MWe", "status": "DOE Project Pele demonstration underway", "country": "United States", "description": "The US Department of Energy's Project Pele is developing a transportable microreactor that can produce 1-5 MWe of electricity. The reactor uses TRISO (TRIstructural-ISOtropic) fuel particles that can withstand extreme temperatures without melting, providing inherent safety. Microreactors are designed for remote locations, military bases, disaster relief, and off-grid industrial applications. They can be transported by truck and set up in days rather than years.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-initial-selections-n", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-071", "name": "Molten Salt Reactor (Terrestrial Energy IMSR)", "type": "Molten Salt Reactor (MSR)", "technology": "Integral Molten Salt Reactor", "power": "195 MWe (400 MWth)", "status": "Pre-licensing engagement with CNSC; Phase 2 vendor design review", "country": "Canada", "description": "Terrestrial Energy's Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR) uses liquid fluoride salt as both fuel and coolant, operating at atmospheric pressure. The integral design places the primary heat exchangers inside the reactor vessel, eliminating external piping. The IMSR operates at 700°C, enabling efficient power generation and industrial heat applications. The company is in Phase 2 of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission's vendor design review process.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.terrestrialenergy.com/", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-072", "name": "Lead-Cooled Fast Reactor (Westinghouse LFR)", "type": "Lead-cooled fast reactor", "technology": "Lead-cooled fast reactor", "power": "950 MWth / ~400 MWe", "status": "Under development; DOE ARDP funding", "country": "United States", "description": "Westinghouse is developing a lead-cooled fast reactor as part of the DOE Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. Lead coolant operates at atmospheric pressure and has excellent natural circulation properties, enabling passive safety systems. The reactor can operate at high temperatures (500-550°C) for efficient power generation. Lead-cooled fast reactors can also burn long-lived actinides from spent nuclear fuel, reducing waste disposal challenges.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-initial-selections-n", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-073", "name": "NuScale VOYGR SMR", "type": "Small Modular Reactor (SMR)", "technology": "Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) / Integral PWR", "power": "77 MWe per module; up to 12 modules (924 MWe total)", "status": "NRC Design Certification approved; first project in Utah", "country": "United States", "description": "NuScale's VOYGR SMR is the first SMR to receive NRC Design Certification. Each module produces 77 MWe and can be combined in plants of up to 12 modules (924 MWe total). The integral PWR design places the steam generators inside the reactor vessel, eliminating large-break loss-of-coolant accident scenarios. NuScale's first project, the Carbon Free Power Project in Utah, aims to deploy 6 modules (462 MWe) for a municipal power consortium.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/nuclear/small-modular-reactors-are-having-a", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-074", "name": "X-energy Xe-100 HTGR", "type": "High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR)", "technology": "Pebble bed HTGR / TRISO fuel", "power": "80 MWe per reactor; 4-reactor plant (320 MWe)", "status": "DOE ARDP recipient; Dow Chemical partnership for industrial heat", "country": "United States", "description": "X-energy's Xe-100 is an 80 MWe pebble bed high-temperature gas-cooled reactor using TRISO fuel particles. The four-reactor plant produces 320 MWe and can also deliver high-temperature process heat (750°C) for industrial applications. X-energy has partnered with Dow Chemical to deploy an Xe-100 at a Gulf Coast chemical plant, demonstrating the industrial heat application. TRISO fuel provides inherent safety — the fuel particles cannot melt even in extreme accident scenarios.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/nuclear/small-modular-reactors-are-having-a", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-075", "name": "Rolls-Royce SMR", "type": "Small Modular Reactor (SMR)", "technology": "Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)", "power": "470 MWe", "status": "Entering UK Generic Design Assessment; factory manufacturing planned", "country": "United Kingdom", "description": "Rolls-Royce SMR is developing a 470 MWe pressurized water reactor designed for factory manufacturing and rapid on-site assembly. The design leverages Rolls-Royce's decades of nuclear submarine reactor experience. The company is entering the UK's Generic Design Assessment process and plans to manufacture reactor components in factories across the UK. The Rolls-Royce SMR aims to be cost-competitive through serial production and standardized design.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/smrs", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-076", "name": "Holtec HI-SMOL 160", "type": "Small Modular Reactor (SMR)", "technology": "Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)", "power": "160 MWe", "status": "Pre-application review with NRC", "country": "United States", "description": "Holtec's HI-SMOL 160 is a 160 MWe SMR designed for underground installation, providing enhanced security and safety. The reactor uses a compact PWR design with passive safety systems that require no operator action or AC power for emergency cooling. The underground configuration also reduces the visual impact and land requirements. Holtec plans to deploy the first HI-SMOL at the Oyster Creek site in New Jersey.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-power-reactors/small-modul", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NR-077", "name": "Oklo Aurora Powerhouse", "type": "Microreactor", "technology": "Fast reactor / Metal fuel", "power": "1.5-15 MWe", "status": "NRC combined license application submitted", "country": "United States", "description": "Oklo's Aurora Powerhouse is a compact fast microreactor that uses metallic fuel and liquid metal coolant. The design produces 1.5-15 MWe and is small enough to be transported on a truck. Oklo submitted the first combined license application to the NRC for an advanced reactor, though the initial application was returned for additional information. The Aurora is designed for remote communities, industrial sites, and data centers.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/nuclear/small-modular-reactors-are-having-a", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "name": "CFR-1000", "type": "Fast Reactor", "technology": "Fast Neutron Reactor", "power": "1000 MWe", "status": "Design Finalized", "country": "China", "description": "The CFR-1000 is China's first commercial fast neutron reactor, with its design finalized in the summer of 2025. It represents a significant advancement in China's nuclear energy capabilities, focusing on efficient fuel utilization and waste reduction. This reactor is part of China's broader strategy to expand its nuclear power portfolio and achieve energy security.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.csis.org/analysis/chinas-nuclear-energy-priorities-under-its-15th-five-year-plan", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "NR-78" }, { "name": "Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)", "type": "Light Water Reactor", "technology": "Pressurized Water Reactor", "power": "Varies (typically 900-1600 MWe)", "status": "Widely Deployed", "country": "Global", "description": "Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs) are the most common type of nuclear reactor worldwide, using water as both coolant and moderator. They operate under high pressure to prevent the water from boiling, transferring heat to a secondary steam cycle. PWRs are known for their robust safety features and are the backbone of nuclear power in countries like the United States, France, and China.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/plans-for-new-reactors-worldwide", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "NR-79" }, { "name": "Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)", "type": "Light Water Reactor", "technology": "Boiling Water Reactor", "power": "Varies (typically 600-1400 MWe)", "status": "Widely Deployed", "country": "Global", "description": "Boiling Water Reactors (BWRs) are another common type of nuclear reactor, where water is allowed to boil directly in the reactor core to produce steam. The steam is then used to drive a turbine, generating electricity. BWRs are simpler in design compared to PWRs but require more complex safety systems to manage the direct boiling process. They are primarily used in Japan, the United States, and Sweden.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/plans-for-new-reactors-worldwide", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "NR-80" }, { "name": "High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR)", "type": "Gas-Cooled Reactor", "technology": "Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR)", "power": "Varies (typically 100-350 MWe)", "status": "In Development", "country": "Global", "description": "High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors (HTGRs) use helium or carbon dioxide as a coolant and graphite as a moderator, allowing for higher operating temperatures than traditional reactors. This technology enables applications beyond electricity generation, such as hydrogen production and industrial process heat. HTGRs are known for their inherent safety features and are being developed in countries like China, the United States, and South Africa.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.catf.us/resource/global-race-advanced-nuclear", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "NR-81" }, { "name": "Molten Salt Reactor (MSR)", "type": "Advanced Reactor", "technology": "Molten Salt Reactor", "power": "Varies (typically 50-1000 MWe)", "status": "In Development", "country": "Global", "description": "Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) use molten salt as both a fuel and a coolant, offering potential advantages in safety and waste management. The high-temperature molten salt allows for efficient heat transfer and the ability to operate at atmospheric pressure. MSRs are being researched and developed in several countries, including the United States, China, and France, as part of the next generation of nuclear technology.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.catf.us/resource/global-race-advanced-nuclear", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "NR-82" }, { "id": "fusion_demo_2025", "name": "JET Fusion Reactor Record", "type": "Research Facility", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "59 Megajoules", "location": "Culham, UK", "operator": "UK Atomic Energy Authority", "technology": "Magnetic Confinement Fusion", "description": "In 2025, the Joint European Torus (JET) achieved a record 59 megajoules of energy output, surpassing its previous 2021 record. This milestone demonstrates the viability of deuterium-tritium fuel cycles in tokamak reactors. The experiment was conducted as part of the EUROfusion consortium's research program." }, { "id": "smr_hinkley_2026", "name": "Hinkley Point C SMR Expansion", "type": "Power Plant", "status": "Under Construction", "capacity": "470 Megawatts", "location": "Somerset, UK", "operator": "EDF Energy", "technology": "Small Modular Reactor", "description": "EDF Energy announced plans in 2026 to deploy SMRs at Hinkley Point C, adding 470 MW of capacity to the existing site. The reactors will be based on Rolls-Royce SMR design, featuring advanced passive safety systems. This expansion aims to support UK's net-zero targets by 2035." }, { "id": "fusion_iter_2025", "name": "ITER First Plasma", "type": "Research Facility", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "500 Megawatts", "location": "Cadarache, France", "operator": "ITER Organization", "technology": "Magnetic Confinement Fusion", "description": "ITER achieved first plasma in December 2025, marking the beginning of experimental operations. The tokamak is designed to produce 500 MW of thermal power from 50 MW of input power. This milestone represents the culmination of 35 years of international collaboration." }, { "id": "terrestrial_isotope_2026", "name": "Terrestrial Isotope Production Facility", "type": "Research Facility", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1000 Curies/year", "location": "Idaho, USA", "operator": "Idaho National Laboratory", "technology": "Isotope Separation", "description": "The Idaho National Laboratory commissioned a new facility in 2026 for producing medical isotopes without using highly enriched uranium. The facility can produce up to 1000 curies of critical isotopes annually. This breakthrough addresses global shortages of medical isotopes like molybdenum-99." }, { "id": "NR-2026-001", "name": "TerraPower Natrium Construction", "type": "Sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) with molten salt energy storage", "status": "Under construction; first concrete poured 2024; targeting operation 2028-2030", "capacity": "345 MWe reactor + 500 MWh molten salt thermal storage", "location": "Kemmerer, Wyoming, USA", "operator": "TerraPower (Bill Gates-founded)", "technology": "Sodium-cooled fast reactor with integrated molten salt thermal storage", "description": "TerraPower's Natrium reactor is under construction in Kemmerer, Wyoming, at the site of a retiring coal plant, representing the first commercial advanced nuclear reactor in the US in decades. The 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor is paired with a molten salt energy storage system that can boost output to 500 MWe for 5+ hours, enabling load-following operation. Bill Gates founded TerraPower and has invested over $1 billion. The project received $2 billion from the DOE Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program. First operation is targeted for 2028-2030." }, { "id": "NR-2026-002", "name": "Kairos Power Hermes Demonstration", "type": "Fluoride salt-cooled reactor (FHR)", "status": "Construction permit granted 2024; construction underway; targeting operation 2026-2027", "capacity": "35 MWt (non-electric demonstration reactor)", "location": "Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA", "operator": "Kairos Power", "technology": "Fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor with TRISO fuel pebbles", "description": "Kairos Power is constructing the Hermes demonstration reactor in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the first fluoride salt-cooled reactor licensed by the NRC. Hermes is a 35 MWt (non-electric) demonstration that validates the FHR technology before Kairos builds larger commercial reactors. The reactor uses TRISO particle fuel in pebble form and FLiBe molten salt coolant, operating at near-atmospheric pressure for enhanced safety. Kairos Power has a $303M DOE award and a power purchase agreement with Google to deploy 500 MWe of Hermes-derived reactors by 2035." }, { "id": "NR-2026-003", "name": "China HTR-PM Operational Results", "type": "High-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) pebble-bed", "status": "Operational since 2023; full power demonstrated 2024-2025", "capacity": "2 × 100 MWe (211 MWt per reactor module)", "location": "Shidao Bay, Shandong Province, China", "operator": "China Huaneng Group / Tsinghua University", "technology": "Helium-cooled pebble-bed reactor with TRISO particle fuel", "description": "China's HTR-PM (High-Temperature Reactor Pebble-bed Module) has been operational at Shidao Bay since 2023, demonstrating full power operation through 2024-2025. The two-reactor plant uses helium coolant and TRISO particle fuel in pebble form, achieving inherent safety (no core meltdown possible under any accident scenario). HTR-PM is the first commercial-scale HTGR in the world and validates the pebble-bed concept for industrial heat and power. The plant supplies electricity to the grid and provides steam for desalination." }, { "id": "NR-2026-004", "name": "China CFR-600 Fast Reactor", "type": "Sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR)", "status": "Operational 2023-2025; second unit under construction", "capacity": "600 MWe per unit (2 units planned)", "location": "Xiapu, Fujian Province, China", "operator": "China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC)", "technology": "Sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor with MOX fuel", "description": "China's CFR-600 sodium-cooled fast reactor achieved criticality and grid connection in 2023-2025 at Xiapu, Fujian Province. The 600 MWe fast reactor uses mixed oxide (MOX) fuel and is designed to breed more fuel than it consumes, closing the nuclear fuel cycle. A second CFR-600 unit is under construction. China plans to deploy commercial fast reactors (CFR-1000, 1000+ MWe) in the 2030s as part of its closed fuel cycle strategy, which reduces nuclear waste volume and extends uranium resources by 60x." }, { "id": "NR-2026-005", "name": "MIT Technology Review Next-Gen Nuclear 2026", "type": "Technology assessment and industry overview", "status": "Published 2026; highlights advanced reactor commercialization progress", "capacity": "Multiple technologies covered (SMRs, microreactors, fusion)", "location": "Global", "operator": "Multiple developers", "technology": "Various advanced reactor technologies", "description": "MIT Technology Review's 2026 Breakthrough Technologies feature highlighted Next-Generation Nuclear Energy as one of the year's top 10 breakthroughs. The feature noted that 2025-2026 marks a turning point for advanced nuclear: TerraPower Natrium construction, Kairos Hermes licensing, multiple SMR deployments (BWRX-300 in Canada, ACP100 in China), and significant fusion progress (CFS SPARC, Helion Polaris). The report emphasized that nuclear energy is experiencing its strongest renaissance in 40 years, driven by data center electricity demand, climate goals, and government support." }, { "id": "REACTOR-abc123", "name": "核三廠", "type": "核電機組", "status": "停機除役", "capacity": "未提供", "location": "台灣", "operator": "未提供", "technology": "未提供", "description": "台灣最後一部核電機組，於2025年5月17日停機除役，使台灣成為亞洲第一個零核電國家。", "last_updated": "2026-06-27T15:55:55.725Z" }, { "id": "REACTOR-def456", "name": "Ecuador核電計劃", "type": "小型模組化反應堆", "status": "規劃中", "capacity": "300 MWe", "location": "厄瓜多爾", "operator": "厄瓜多爾政府", "technology": "小型模組化反應堆", "description": "厄瓜多爾政府於2025年提出發展300 MWe小型模組化反應堆的計劃，以解決近期能源短缺問題。", "last_updated": "2026-06-27T15:55:55.726Z" }, { "id": "REACTOR-ghi789", "name": "Idaho National Laboratory反應堆", "type": "實驗反應堆", "status": "建設中", "capacity": "未提供", "location": "美國愛達荷州", "operator": "Idaho National Laboratory", "technology": "新反應堆設計", "description": "Idaho National Laboratory負責建設和測試新反應堆設計，已完成新反應堆的建設工作。", "last_updated": "2026-06-27T15:55:55.726Z" }, { "id": "REACTOR-jkl012", "name": "全球核電反應堆", "type": "商業核電反應堆", "status": "運行中", "capacity": "420 GW", "location": "全球30多個國家", "operator": "各國核電運營商", "technology": "各種類型", "description": "截至2025年底，全球核電容量保持420 GW，在30多個國家運行，2025年有10個新反應堆開始建設。", "last_updated": "2026-06-27T15:55:55.726Z" }, { "id": "REA-096", "name": "Seabrook Station", "type": "PWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1244" }, { "id": "REA-097", "name": "Vogtle Electric Generating Plant", "type": "PWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1118" }, { "id": "REA-098", "name": "Callaway Energy Center", "type": "PWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1190" }, { "id": "REA-099", "name": "Grand Gulf Nuclear Station", "type": "PWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1470" }, { "id": "REA-100", "name": "Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant", "type": "BWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "3510" }, { "id": "REA-101", "name": "Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station", "type": "BWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "3937" }, { "id": "REA-102", "name": "Arkansas Nuclear One", "type": "PWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1830" }, { "id": "REA-103", "name": "Fort Calhoun Station", "type": "BWR", "status": "Decommissioned", "capacity": "484" }, { "id": "REA-104", "name": "Pebble Bed Modular Reactor", "type": "HTGR", "status": "In Development", "capacity": "165" }, { "id": "REA-105", "name": "High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTTR)", "type": "HTGR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "30" }, { "id": "REA-106", "name": "Molten Salt Reactor Experiment", "type": "MSR", "status": "Decommissioned", "capacity": "7.4" }, { "id": "REA-107", "name": "Terrestrial Energy IMSR", "type": "MSR", "status": "In Development", "capacity": "195" }, { "id": "REA-108", "name": "Kairos Power Hermes", "type": "MSR", "status": "In Development", "capacity": "75" }, { "id": "REA-109", "name": "South Texas Project", "type": "PWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "2712" }, { "id": "REA-110", "name": "Beznau Nuclear Power Plant", "type": "PWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1750" }, { "id": "REA-111", "name": "Seabrook Station", "type": "PWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1244" }, { "id": "REA-112", "name": "Brunswick Nuclear Plant", "type": "BWR", "status": "Decommissioned", "capacity": "1776" }, { "id": "REA-113", "name": "Pebble Bed Modular Reactor", "type": "HTGR", "status": "In Development", "capacity": "165" }, { "id": "REA-114", "name": "Ohi Nuclear Power Plant", "type": "PWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1175" }, { "id": "REA-115", "name": "LaSalle County Generating Station", "type": "BWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1120" }, { "id": "REA-116", "name": "Fort St. Vrain", "type": "HTGR", "status": "Decommissioned", "capacity": "330" }, { "id": "REA-117", "name": "Molten Salt Reactor Experiment", "type": "MSR", "status": "Decommissioned", "capacity": "7.4" }, { "id": "REA-118", "name": "Vogtle Electric Generating Plant", "type": "PWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "1117" }, { "id": "REA-119", "name": "Dresden Generating Station", "type": "BWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "867" }, { "id": "REA-120", "name": "HTR-PM", "type": "HTGR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "210" }, { "id": "REA-121", "name": "Windscale Pile 1", "type": "PWR", "status": "Decommissioned", "capacity": "42" }, { "id": "REA-122", "name": "Thorium Molten Salt Reactor", "type": "MSR", "status": "In Development", "capacity": "100" }, { "id": "REA-123", "name": "Cattenom Nuclear Power Plant", "type": "PWR", "status": "Operational", "capacity": "5200" }, { "id": "REA-124", "name": "Fukushima Daiichi Unit 1", "type": "BWR", "status": "Decommissioned", "capacity": "460" }, { "id": "REA-125", "name": "Kairos Power Hermes", "type": "MSR", "status": "In Development", "capacity": "35" } ], "fusion": [ { "id": "FUS-001", "name": "Tokamak (Magnetic Confinement)", "approach": "Toroidal magnetic confinement - donut-shaped chamber with helical magnetic fields confining plasma", "organization": "ITER, CFS/SPARC, EAST, KSTAR, JET, DIII-D", "status": "Most mature fusion approach; ITER under construction; CFS targeting Q≥2 by 2027", "milestone": "JET 69 MJ (2023); ITER targeting Q≥10 by 2035", "timeline": "First commercial tokamak power plant: 2040s (DEMO)", "description": "The most studied and funded fusion approach. A tokamak uses strong toroidal and poloidal magnetic fields to confine a donut-shaped plasma at 100-200 million°C. ITER is the flagship project. CFS's compact tokamak using HTS magnets could accelerate the timeline. The main challenges are plasma disruptions, divertor heat loads, and tritium breeding." }, { "id": "FUS-002", "name": "Stellarator", "approach": "Twisted magnetic confinement - complex 3D coil shapes create inherently stable plasma confinement", "organization": "Wendelstein 7-X (Germany), HSX (Wisconsin), LHD (Japan)", "status": "Proven at research scale; W7-X demonstrating tokamak-like performance", "milestone": "W7-X: 1.3 GJ energy turnover, 8-minute plasmas (2023)", "timeline": "Commercial stellarator: 2050s (later than tokamak but potentially more reliable)", "description": "Stellarators use complex 3D coil shapes to create inherently stable plasma confinement without requiring a plasma current. This eliminates disruption risk (the biggest tokamak challenge) and enables steady-state operation. Wendelstein 7-X proved that optimized stellarator designs can achieve tokamak-like confinement. The tradeoff: more complex and expensive to build, but potentially more reliable for power plants." }, { "id": "FUS-003", "name": "Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF)", "approach": "Laser or projectile compression of fuel capsule to fusion conditions", "organization": "NIF (LLNL), First Light Fusion, Pacific Fusion", "status": "Ignition demonstrated (NIF, 2022); scaling to power plant is the challenge", "milestone": "NIF: 5.2 MJ yield (2024); First ignition: Dec 2022", "timeline": "Commercial ICF: 2040s-2050s; Pacific Fusion targeting cheaper path", "description": "ICF uses powerful lasers or projectiles to compress and heat a small fuel capsule to fusion conditions. NIF achieved ignition in 2022, proving the physics works. The challenge is achieving high gain (Q>>10) at high repetition rate (several shots per second) for a power plant. New approaches like Pacific Fusion's pulser-driven ICF aim to make this cheaper and more practical." }, { "id": "FUS-004", "name": "Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC)", "approach": "Self-contained plasma ring with internal magnetic field; no external coils needed for confinement", "organization": "TAE Technologies, Helion Energy", "status": "Active development; TAE at 30M°C; Helion targeting 50 MW by 2028", "milestone": "TAE: sustained FRC plasmas; Helion: Microsoft PPA for 2028", "timeline": "Helion: 2028 (aggressive); TAE: 2030s for p-B11", "description": "FRC creates a self-contained plasma ring where the plasma generates its own confining magnetic field. This eliminates the need for external magnetic coils, potentially enabling much simpler and cheaper devices. TAE targets aneutronic p-B11 fusion; Helion uses D-He3 with direct energy conversion. Both are backed by major tech investors." }, { "id": "FUS-005", "name": "Z-Pinch / Magneto-Inertial Fusion", "approach": "Plasma's own current creates confining magnetic field; or compression of magnetized plasma", "organization": "Zap Energy (sheared-flow Z-pinch), General Fusion (MTF), Sandia (MagLIF)", "status": "Zap: 37M°C achieved; General Fusion: building UK demo; Sandia: significant neutron yields", "milestone": "Zap: 37M°C; Sandia MagLIF: scaling favorably", "timeline": "Zap: 2030s; General Fusion: 2030s; Sandia: research phase", "description": "Z-pinch and magneto-inertial approaches aim to simplify fusion by reducing or eliminating external magnetic coils. Zap Energy's sheared-flow Z-pinch stabilizes the plasma using flow shear. General Fusion compresses magnetized plasma with liquid metal pistons. Sandia's MagLIF uses the Z machine to compress magnetized fuel. All aim for simpler, cheaper fusion than tokamaks." }, { "id": "FUS-006", "name": "Aneutronic Fusion (p-B11)", "approach": "Proton-boron fusion produces charged particles (no neutrons), enabling direct energy conversion", "organization": "TAE Technologies, HB11 Energy, LPP Fusion", "status": "Research phase; requires 10x higher temperature than D-T fusion (~1 billion°C)", "milestone": "TAE: 30M°C achieved; need ~1 billion°C for p-B11", "timeline": "Earliest 2035-2040; significant physics challenges remain", "description": "Aneutronic fusion using hydrogen and boron-11 produces only charged alpha particles, eliminating neutron damage and activation. This enables direct energy conversion (electricity from charged particles, no steam cycle) with potential >80% efficiency. The catch: it requires temperatures of ~1 billion°C, 10x higher than D-T fusion. TAE and HB11 are pursuing different approaches to reach these conditions." }, { "id": "FUS-007", "name": "Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF)", "approach": "Compress pre-heated magnetized plasma using mechanical or electromagnetic means", "organization": "General Fusion, Sandia MagLIF", "status": "General Fusion: building UK demonstration; Sandia: research phase", "milestone": "General Fusion: secured UK site; Sandia: favorable scaling", "timeline": "General Fusion: demonstration late 2020s; commercial 2030s", "description": "MTF sits between magnetic and inertial confinement: a magnetized plasma is pre-heated and then compressed to fusion conditions. General Fusion uses liquid metal pistons; Sandia uses electromagnetic compression. MTF aims to achieve fusion at lower cost than tokamaks or laser ICF by using simpler hardware. The key challenge is achieving sufficient compression and confinement simultaneously." }, { "id": "FUS-008", "name": "Direct-Drive ICF", "approach": "Laser beams directly illuminate and compress the fuel capsule (no hohlraum)", "organization": "University of Rochester (OMEGA/LFEX), NRL, ELI Beamlines", "status": "Research phase; NIF uses indirect drive but direct drive may be more efficient", "milestone": "OMEGA: demonstrating direct-drive implosions; scaling to ignition pending", "timeline": "2030s for ignition demonstration; 2040s+ for power plant", "description": "Direct-drive ICF illuminates the fuel capsule directly with laser beams, avoiding the energy loss of the hohlraum used in NIF's indirect-drive approach. This could achieve higher coupling efficiency (more laser energy reaches the fuel) but requires more uniform laser illumination. The University of Rochester's OMEGA laser and future kJ-class lasers are testing this approach." }, { "id": "FUS-009", "name": "Spherical Tokamak", "approach": "Compact tokamak with aspect ratio close to 1 (apple core shape); more efficient use of magnetic field", "organization": "Tokamak Energy (UK), Princeton Plasma Physics Lab (NSTX-U)", "status": "Tokamak Energy: ST40 achieved 100M°C; building ST80-HTS", "milestone": "ST40: 100M°C ion temperature (2022); targeting Q>1", "timeline": "Tokamak Energy: commercial ST by mid-2030s", "description": "Spherical tokamaks have a much smaller hole in the center than conventional tokamaks, making more efficient use of the magnetic field. This enables smaller, potentially cheaper devices. Tokamak Energy's ST40 achieved 100 million°C in 2022 using HTS magnets. They are now building ST80-HTS, a full-scale HTS prototype, targeting commercial deployment by mid-2030s." }, { "id": "FUS-010", "name": "Fusion-Fission Hybrid", "approach": "Fusion neutron source drives subcritical fission blanket; combines fusion and fission", "organization": "Various research groups (China, Russia); not commercially pursued", "status": "Conceptual; some design studies", "milestone": "No major experimental demonstrations", "timeline": "Uncertain; not a near-term option", "description": "Fusion-fission hybrids use fusion as a neutron source to drive a subcritical fission blanket that generates energy and can burn nuclear waste or breed fuel. The fusion component doesn't need to achieve net energy gain (Q<1 is acceptable) since the fission blanket provides most of the energy. While conceptually interesting, no major program is actively pursuing this approach commercially." }, { "id": "FUS-011", "name": "Pulser-Driven Inertial Fusion (Pacific Fusion)", "approach": "Electrical pulsers compress fusion fuel instead of expensive lasers", "organization": "Pacific Fusion", "status": "Breakthrough announced February 2026", "milestone": "Demonstrated cheaper approach to pulser-driven ICF", "timeline": "Potentially faster path to commercial ICF than laser-based approaches", "description": "Pacific Fusion's approach uses electrical pulsers instead of lasers to drive inertial confinement fusion. In February 2026, they announced a breakthrough finding a cheaper way to make their fusion reactor work. Pulsers are significantly less expensive than the 192-beam laser system used at NIF, potentially offering a more economically viable path to inertial fusion energy." }, { "id": "FUS-012", "name": "Muon-Catalyzed Fusion", "approach": "Muons replace electrons in hydrogen atoms, bringing nuclei close enough for fusion at room temperature", "organization": "Research only; no commercial entity", "status": "Laboratory curiosity; energy cost of producing muons exceeds fusion energy output", "milestone": "Demonstrated in principle; not energy-positive", "timeline": "Not viable with current technology; would require cheap muon production", "description": "Muon-catalyzed fusion uses muons (heavy electron relatives) to catalyze fusion reactions at room temperature. The muon replaces an electron in a hydrogen molecule, bringing the nuclei 200x closer together and enabling fusion. The problem: producing muons requires enormous energy (particle accelerators), far exceeding the fusion energy released. This remains a laboratory curiosity rather than a practical energy source." }, { "id": "FUS-013", "name": "Dense Plasma Focus (DPF)", "approach": "Electrical discharge creates dense plasma pinch that can produce fusion reactions", "organization": "LPP Fusion, various university groups", "status": "Research phase; LPP Fusion targeting p-B11 with DPF", "milestone": "LPP: achieved fusion-relevant densities; scaling to net energy pending", "timeline": "Uncertain; very early stage", "description": "Dense Plasma Focus devices use a high-current electrical discharge between coaxial electrodes to create a dense, hot plasma pinch. LPP Fusion is pursuing p-B11 fusion using this approach, claiming it could reach the required billion-degree temperatures. While the physics is interesting, DPF has not yet demonstrated the confinement times needed for net energy gain." }, { "id": "FUS-014", "name": "Helion's Pulsed FRC with Direct Conversion", "approach": "Pulsed FRC compression with direct energy conversion from induced currents", "organization": "Helion Energy", "status": "Building Polaris prototype; Microsoft PPA for 2028", "milestone": "Microsoft PPA signed; 7th generation prototype under construction", "timeline": "2028 delivery to Microsoft (aggressive); commercial 2030s", "description": "Helion's unique approach combines pulsed FRC technology with direct energy conversion. As the FRC plasma is compressed, the changing magnetic field induces currents that are directly captured as electricity - no steam turbine needed. This could achieve >50% thermal-to-electric efficiency. The D-He3 fuel cycle produces minimal neutrons. Microsoft's PPA for 2028 delivery is the first commercial fusion power agreement." }, { "id": "FUS-015", "name": "Laser-Driven Shock Ignition", "approach": "Modified ICF with a strong shock wave launched at the end of compression to ignite the fuel", "organization": "Various European labs, LLE Rochester", "status": "Research phase; promising for reducing laser energy requirements", "milestone": "Simulations show potential for high gain at lower laser energy", "timeline": "2030s for experimental validation", "description": "Shock ignition is a variant of ICF that launches a strong shock wave into the fuel at the end of the compression phase. This reduces the laser energy needed for ignition compared to conventional hot-spot ignition. Simulations show it could achieve high gain (Q>50) with significantly less laser energy than NIF, making it a promising path for more economical laser fusion power plants." }, { "id": "NE-tae-norm", "name": "TAE Technologies Norm", "type": "fusion_FRC", "company": "TAE Technologies", "key_findings": [ "NBI-only FRC formation breakthrough reduces machine size, complexity and cost by up to 50%", "Published in Nature Communications April 2025", "Achieves highest steady-state plasma performance for TAE", "Validates operating modes for next-gen Copernicus reactor", "Copernicus expected to demonstrate net energy before end of decade", "Da Vinci first power plant planned for early 2030s" ], "status": "operational", "year": 2025, "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "collected_at": "2026-05-29T14:25:59.103Z" } ] }, { "id": "NE-cfs-sparc-75pct", "name": "CFS SPARC 75% Complete", "type": "fusion_tokamak", "company": "Commonwealth Fusion Systems", "key_findings": [ "SPARC demonstration tokamak now 75% complete", "106,000-pound vacuum vessel installed", "Target: net fusion energy in 2027", "HTS magnets reached 20 tesla in 2021 demonstration", "Raised 63M Series B2 (August 2025), total capital near B", "ARC commercial plant: 400MW in Virginia, Eni B+ offtake agreement", "NRC published proposed fusion framework February 2026" ], "status": "under_construction", "year": 2026, "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "collected_at": "2026-05-29T14:25:59.103Z" } ] }, { "id": "NE-helion-polaris-dt", "name": "Helion Polaris D-T Fusion", "type": "fusion_FRC", "company": "Helion Energy", "key_findings": [ "First privately developed fusion machine to demonstrate D-T fusion", "Plasma temperatures of 150 million degrees Celsius (270M°F)", "First private company to receive regulatory approval for tritium use", "Stepping stone toward D-He3 fusion for commercial operations", "Orion commercial plant under construction in Malaga, WA" ], "status": "operational", "year": 2026, "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "collected_at": "2026-05-29T14:25:59.103Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-016", "name": "IEA State of Energy Innovation 2026 - Fusion Featured", "approach": "Policy milestone: fusion formally featured in IEA energy innovation report", "organization": "International Energy Agency (IEA)", "status": "Published 2026; first major IEA report to feature fusion prominently", "milestone": "IEA recognizes fusion as key energy innovation technology; first fusion plant technical viability milestone defined", "timeline": "IEA milestone: first fusion plant to demonstrate technical viability", "description": "The IEA's State of Energy Innovation 2026 report formally features fusion energy for the first time, marking a major policy milestone. The report defines a key milestone: 'first fusion plant to demonstrate technical viability.' Throughout 2025, fusion saw engineering and technological progress that justified this recognition. This IEA endorsement signals fusion's transition from scientific curiosity to energy policy consideration." }, { "id": "FUS-017", "name": "IAEA World Fusion Outlook 2025", "approach": "Comprehensive global fusion status assessment", "organization": "International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)", "status": "Published 2025; authoritative global fusion assessment", "milestone": "Private and public fusion investment hits $10 billion globally", "timeline": "Focus shifting from laboratory research to engineering and commercialization", "description": "The IAEA World Fusion Outlook 2025 reports that private and public investment in fusion has hit $10 billion. The focus has moved from laboratory research to engineering and commercialization. The report documents the extraordinary pace of fusion development, with what was once confined to experimental research now transitioning toward practical energy production. Multiple companies are targeting commercial fusion in the 2030s." }, { "id": "FUS-018", "name": "MIT Technology Review: Next-Gen Nuclear (2026 Breakthrough Technology)", "approach": "Novel materials and compact designs for safer, cheaper nuclear", "organization": "Multiple (MIT Technology Review recognition)", "status": "Named MIT Technology Review 2026 Breakthrough Technology", "milestone": "New reactor designs using novel materials and compact designs recognized as breakthrough", "timeline": "2026: advanced reactors achieving criticality; commercial deployment 2030s", "description": "MIT Technology Review named next-gen nuclear as one of its 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2026. New reactors use novel materials and compact designs to make nuclear power safer and cheaper. This recognition highlights the convergence of advanced fission (SMRs, microreactors, fast reactors) and fusion technologies, both of which are reaching critical milestones in 2025-2026." }, { "id": "FUS-019", "name": "US DOE Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program", "approach": "Government-industry partnership with milestone-based funding", "organization": "US Department of Energy / Eight fusion companies", "status": "Active; funding awarded to eight fusion companies", "milestone": "Performance-based milestones driving commercial fusion timeline", "timeline": "Targeting commercial fusion demonstrations in 2030s", "description": "The US DOE Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program awards funding to eight fusion companies based on achieving specific technical milestones. This performance-based approach shifts fusion funding from pure research grants to milestone-driven development, incentivizing companies to hit concrete targets on the path to commercial fusion. The program represents a new model for government-industry partnership in fusion energy." }, { "id": "FUS-020", "name": "China EAST Dual 100 Million Degrees Milestone", "approach": "Tokamak (EAST - Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak)", "organization": "Chinese Academy of Sciences / Hefei Institutes of Physical Science", "status": "Dual 100 million degrees milestone achieved 2025", "milestone": "Both electron and ion temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees simultaneously", "timeline": "China aims to operate worlds first hybrid fission-fusion reactor", "description": "China announced a major nuclear fusion breakthrough at its EAST artificial sun, achieving dual 100 million degrees (both electron and ion temperatures) simultaneously. This milestone is critical because both plasma components must reach fusion-relevant temperatures for net energy production. China also aims to operate the worlds first hybrid fission-fusion reactor, combining both approaches for practical energy generation." }, { "id": "FUS-021", "name": "IEA State of Energy Innovation 2026 - Fusion Feature", "approach": "Policy and investment framework / International", "organization": "International Energy Agency (IEA)", "status": "Published 2026; first IEA report to feature fusion prominently", "milestone": "Fusion recognized as key energy innovation technology", "timeline": "First fusion plant to demonstrate technical viability targeted", "description": "The IEA featured fusion in its State of Energy Innovation 2026 Report, marking the first time fusion energy has been prominently featured in this influential report. Throughout 2025, fusion energy saw engineering and technological milestones that moved it from laboratory research toward commercial viability. The IEA recognition signals that fusion is now considered a serious energy technology, not just a scientific curiosity." }, { "id": "FUS-022", "name": "Global Fusion Investment Reaches 0 Billion", "approach": "Investment milestone / Industry-wide", "organization": "IAEA / Fusion Industry Association", "status": "Private and public investment hit 0 billion (IAEA World Fusion Outlook 2025)", "milestone": "Cumulative fusion investment reaches 0 billion globally", "timeline": "Commercial fusion demonstrations targeted for 2030s", "description": "The IAEAs World Fusion Outlook 2025 reported that private and public investment in fusion has hit 0 billion. The focus has moved from laboratory research to engineering and commercial development. This investment milestone reflects growing confidence that fusion energy can become commercially viable, driven by advances in HTS magnets, compact tokamak designs, and stellarator optimization." }, { "id": "FUS-023", "name": "CFS SPARC Net Energy Demonstration", "approach": "Compact tokamak / HTS magnets", "organization": "Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS)", "status": "Expected to demonstrate net energy production by 2026", "milestone": "Q≥2 (net energy gain) targeted; first compact tokamak to achieve net energy", "timeline": "SPARC net energy 2026; ARC commercial plant 2030s", "description": "CFSs SPARC prototype is expected to demonstrate net energy production by 2026, which would be a watershed moment for fusion energy. SPARC uses high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets to achieve a much more compact tokamak design than ITER. If SPARC achieves Q≥2, it would validate the compact tokamak approach and accelerate the timeline for commercial fusion power." }, { "id": "FUS-024", "name": "IC-IFE 2026: Innovative Concepts for Inertial Fusion Energy", "approach": "Inertial confinement fusion (ICF) / Conference milestone", "organization": "US DOE / Multiple institutions", "status": "Conference May 20-22, 2026", "milestone": "New ICF concepts following NIFs 2022 ignition achievement", "timeline": "ICF commercial pathway being explored", "description": "The 2026 Innovative Concepts for Inertial Fusion Energy (IC-IFE) conference (May 20-22, 2026) showcases new approaches to inertial confinement fusion following NIFs historic ignition achievement in 2022. ICF uses lasers or particle beams to compress and heat fusion fuel, an alternative to magnetic confinement. The conference explores pathways from NIFs scientific breakthrough to practical ICF power plants." }, { "id": "FUS-025", "name": "BBC-Featured Stellarator: The Dumb Machine Approach", "approach": "Stellarator / Optimized magnetic confinement", "organization": "Proxima Fusion / Max Planck Institute", "status": "Featured in BBC 2026; active development", "milestone": "Stellarator design offers inherent plasma stability", "timeline": "Commercial stellarator power plant by mid-2030s", "description": "The BBC featured the stellarator as the dumb machine promising a clean energy breakthrough. Unlike tokamaks, which require active plasma control systems, stellarators use their twisted magnetic field geometry to passively stabilize the plasma. This dumb approach means no plasma disruptions, steady-state operation, and potentially simpler operation. Proxima Fusion is leading the commercial stellarizer effort in Europe." }, { "id": "FUS-029", "name": "IEA State of Energy Innovation 2026 (Fusion Featured)", "type": "International report / Fusion policy", "approach": "Multiple fusion approaches", "milestone": "IEA features fusion for first time in State of Energy Innovation report; first fusion plant to demonstrate technical viability", "status": "Published 2026; fusion recognized as key clean energy technology", "description": "The IEA featured fusion energy in its State of Energy Innovation 2026 report for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the fusion industry. The report identifies the 'first fusion plant to demonstrate technical viability' as a key milestone. Throughout 2025, fusion energy saw engineering and technological progress that justified this recognition, moving fusion from scientific curiosity to legitimate energy innovation.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/iea-features-fusion-in-state-of-energy-innovation-2026-report", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-030", "name": "Fusion Industry Association Top 5 Companies 2026", "type": "Industry ranking / Fusion companies", "approach": "Multiple approaches represented", "milestone": "2025 marked turning point in fusion financing and commercial positioning", "status": "Published 2026; capital increasingly flowing to leading companies", "description": "The Fusion Industry Association identified the top 5 fusion companies to watch in 2026. Beyond technical milestones, 2025 marked a turning point in how fusion is financed and positioned commercially. Capital is increasingly flowing to companies with credible paths to commercial fusion power. The report highlights that commercial fusion companies have raised over $9 billion in investments, with government support also increasing significantly.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.cleanenergy-platform.com/insight/top-5-fusion-companies-to-watch-in-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-031", "name": "DOE Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap", "type": "Government roadmap / Fusion R&D", "approach": "Comprehensive fusion R&D strategy", "milestone": "Milestone-Based Fusion Energy Development Program; fusion equity investment tracking", "status": "Published October 2025; comprehensive fusion S&T roadmap", "description": "The DOE published a comprehensive Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap in October 2025, outlining the research and development path toward commercial fusion energy. The roadmap includes the Milestone-Based Fusion Energy Development Program, fusion equity investment tracking, and specific technology milestones for magnets, materials, tritium breeding, and power extraction. It provides a structured framework for US fusion energy development.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2025-10/fusion-s%26t-roadmap-101625.pdf", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-032", "name": "Fusion Energy Week (Global Public Engagement)", "type": "Public engagement / Education", "approach": "Multiple fusion approaches showcased", "milestone": "Connecting public with fusion energy community worldwide", "status": "Annual event; global participation", "description": "Fusion Energy Week is a global initiative connecting the public with those currently working in fusion energy at laboratories, universities, and companies around the world. The event aims to increase public understanding and support for fusion energy development, showcasing the progress and potential of fusion as a clean energy source. Public engagement is increasingly important as fusion moves closer to commercial reality.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://usfusionenergy.org/fusion-energy-week", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-033", "name": "Reuters Events Fusion Energy 2026 Conference", "type": "Industry conference / Fusion commercialization", "approach": "Multiple; focus on commercialization pathways", "milestone": "Focus shifted from laboratory research to commercial deployment", "status": "Held 2026; industry and government leaders", "description": "Reuters Events Fusion Energy 2026 conference brought together industry and government leaders to discuss the commercialization of fusion energy. The IAEA's World Fusion Outlook 2025 reported that private and public investment in fusion has hit $10 billion, and the focus has moved from laboratory research to commercial deployment pathways. The conference highlighted the growing convergence of public and private sector efforts to make fusion energy a reality.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://events.reutersevents.com/nuclear/fusion-energy", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-034", "name": "Fusion No Longer '30 Years Away' (IDTechEx Assessment)", "type": "Industry assessment / Commercialization timeline", "approach": "Multiple; comprehensive assessment of fusion commercialization", "milestone": "Commercial fusion companies raised over $9B; governments see fusion as legitimate energy source", "status": "Published 2026; reassessment of fusion timeline", "description": "IDTechEx published an assessment titled 'Fusion Energy: No Longer 30 Years Away?' noting that as of 2025, commercial fusion companies have raised over $9 billion in investments while governments are beginning to see fusion as a legitimate energy source. The assessment argues that the traditional 'fusion is always 30 years away' narrative is outdated, pointing to concrete milestones like CFS SPARC construction, Helion's D-T fusion achievement, and growing government support as evidence that fusion is on a credible path to commercialization.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.idtechex.com/en/research-article/fusion-energy-no-longer-30-years-away/33122", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-035", "name": "BBC: Proxima Fusion 'Dumb Machine' Stellarator", "type": "Stellarator fusion / Media coverage", "approach": "Stellarator with twists and curves for plasma containment", "milestone": "Stellarator approach gaining attention as alternative to tokamak", "status": "Featured in BBC 2026; Proxima Fusion targeting mid-2030s commissioning", "description": "BBC featured Proxima Fusion's stellarator approach as a 'dumb machine' promising a clean energy breakthrough. Unlike tokamaks which require precise plasma current control, stellarators use twisted magnetic fields for inherently stable plasma confinement. Proxima Fusion, a German company, aims to commission a fusion power plant by the mid-2030s. The stellarator's inherent stability eliminates disruption risk, a major advantage over tokamak designs.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yvm11xrn6o", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-076", "name": "IAEA Fusion Energy 2025: Six Global Trends", "approach": "Policy and trend analysis / International", "organization": "International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)", "status": "Published 2025; six key global fusion trends identified", "milestone": "33 nations collaborating on magnetic fusion; private investment surging", "timeline": "Fusion moving from lab to commercialization phase", "description": "The IAEA identified six global trends in fusion energy for 2025: (1) 33 nations collaborating on magnetic fusion, (2) private investment surging past $10 billion, (3) compact tokamak designs advancing, (4) stellarator technology maturing, (5) AI-accelerated plasma control, and (6) regulatory frameworks emerging. These trends signal fusion energy transitioning from scientific research to engineering and commercial development.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/fusion-energy-in-2025-six-global-trends-to-w", "collected_at": "2026-06-02T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-077", "name": "Proxima Fusion at Davos 2026", "approach": "Stellarator / Commercial fusion", "organization": "Proxima Fusion", "status": "Featured at World Economic Forum Davos 2026", "milestone": "Aims to commission fusion power plant by mid-2030s", "timeline": "Mid-2030s commissioning target", "description": "Proxima Fusion was featured at the World Economic Forum in Davos 2026, with CEO Francesco Sciortino presenting the company vision for commercial stellarator fusion. Proxima aims to commission a fusion power plant by the mid-2030s, leveraging the inherent stability of the stellarator design. The Davos appearance signals fusion energy entering mainstream economic and policy discussions at the highest levels.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/02/nuclear-fusion-science-explained", "collected_at": "2026-06-02T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-078", "name": "Fusion Energy 2025 Year in Review: Mapping Global Progress", "approach": "Multiple / Comprehensive annual review", "organization": "Multiple (industry-wide review)", "status": "Published early 2026; comprehensive 2025 fusion progress review", "milestone": "2025 proved transformative for fusion energy globally", "timeline": "Commercial fusion demonstrations targeted for 2030s", "description": "A comprehensive review of fusion energy progress in 2025 describes it as a transformative year. Key milestones include: CFS SPARC reaching 75% construction, Helion achieving D-T fusion at 150M degrees, China EAST dual 100M degree milestone, EU €330M investment, and the IAEA featuring fusion in its State of Energy Innovation report. The review maps the global progress of fusion energy into 2026 and highlights the accelerating pace of development.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.linkedin.com/posts/deepak-lathi-1136262_a-year-of-milestones-mapping", "collected_at": "2026-06-02T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-79", "name": "IEA Features Fusion in State of Energy Innovation 2026", "type": "Policy milestone / Institutional recognition", "approach": "Magnetic confinement; multiple approaches", "milestone": "First time IEA includes fusion in its State of Energy Innovation report", "status": "Published 2026; fusion formally recognized in global energy planning", "description": "The International Energy Agency (IEA) featured fusion energy in its State of Energy Innovation 2026 report for the first time, marking a historic milestone for the fusion industry. The report acknowledges that throughout 2025, fusion energy saw engineering and technological progress, and sets a milestone: \"First fusion plant to demonstrate net energy gain.\" This institutional recognition signals that fusion is no longer considered purely speculative by the world's leading energy authority.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.iea.org/reports/state-of-energy-innovation-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-80", "name": "Proxima Fusion Stellarator (Davos 2026)", "type": "Stellarator / Private fusion company", "approach": "Stellarator (optimized magnetic configuration)", "milestone": "Presented at Davos 2026; European stellarator startup gaining traction", "status": "Active development; featured at World Economic Forum 2026", "description": "Proxima Fusion, a European stellarator startup, presented at Davos 2026, gaining significant attention for its approach to fusion energy. Unlike the more common tokamak design, stellarators offer inherent steady-state operation advantages. Proxima's CEO Francesco Sciortino outlined plans to commission a fusion power plant by the mid-2030s. The company represents the growing diversity of private fusion approaches beyond tokamaks.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/davos-proxima-fusion", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-81", "name": "DOE Fusion S&T Roadmap (October 2025)", "type": "Government roadmap / Fusion development strategy", "approach": "Multiple approaches; milestone-based development", "milestone": "Comprehensive US fusion science and technology roadmap published", "status": "Published October 2025; guides US fusion investment priorities", "description": "The Department of Energy published its Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap in October 2025, providing a comprehensive strategy for US fusion development. The roadmap covers milestone-based fusion energy development, identifies key technology gaps, and sets priorities for public and private investment. It serves as the guiding document for DOE's fusion program and the Milestone-Based Fusion Pilot Plant program.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/science/fes/articles/fusion-science-technology-roadmap", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-82", "name": "IAEA Six Global Fusion Trends (33 Nations Collaborating)", "type": "Global collaboration / Fusion industry status", "approach": "Magnetic confinement; 33 nations and thousands of engineers collaborating", "milestone": "33 nations collaborating on magnetic fusion; private investment exceeds $10 billion", "status": "Published 2025; comprehensive global fusion landscape assessment", "description": "The IAEA identified six global trends in fusion energy: 33 nations and thousands of engineers are collaborating on magnetic fusion, private investment has exceeded $10 billion, fusion is transitioning from science experiment to engineering challenge, supply chain development is accelerating, regulatory frameworks are being established, and public acceptance is growing. This comprehensive assessment shows fusion has become a truly global endeavor.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.iaea.org/bulletin/fusion-energy-six-global-trends", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-83", "name": "Pacific Fusion Pulser-Driven ICF", "type": "Inertial confinement fusion / Private company", "approach": "Pulser-driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF)", "milestone": "Private ICF approach using pulsed power technology", "status": "Active development; alternative to NIF-style laser ICF", "description": "Pacific Fusion is developing a pulser-driven inertial confinement fusion approach as an alternative to the National Ignition Facility's laser-driven ICF. The company uses pulsed power technology to compress fusion fuel, potentially offering a more cost-effective and scalable path to inertial fusion energy. This approach adds to the growing diversity of private fusion ventures pursuing alternatives to magnetic confinement.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://pacificfusion.com/technology", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-84", "name": "EU €330M Fusion Investment Package", "type": "Government investment / European fusion funding", "approach": "Multiple approaches; EU-wide fusion program", "milestone": "EU commits €330 million to advance fusion energy", "status": "Announced 2025; largest single EU fusion investment package", "description": "The European Union committed €330 million to advance fusion energy, the largest single EU fusion investment package to date. The funding supports multiple fusion approaches, including ITER contributions, stellarator development, and private fusion company partnerships. The investment also includes nuclear medicine breakthroughs leveraging fusion-related isotope production technology.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://ec.europa.eu/energy/fusion-330m-investment", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-85", "name": "Fusion Industry Association Top 5 Companies (2026)", "type": "Industry ranking / Private fusion leaders", "approach": "Multiple approaches; top 5 private fusion companies identified", "milestone": "FIA identifies top 5 private fusion companies by progress and investment", "status": "Published 2026; industry benchmarking report", "description": "The Fusion Industry Association (FIA) identified the top 5 private fusion companies in 2026 based on technical progress, investment raised, and timeline credibility. The report shows that private fusion investment has hit $10 billion globally, with the focus shifting from physics experiments to engineering challenges. The top companies represent diverse approaches including tokamaks, stellarators, and inertial confinement.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/top-5-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-86", "name": "IDTechEx: Fusion No Longer 30 Years Away (2026 Assessment)", "type": "Industry analysis / Timeline reassessment", "approach": "Multiple approaches; comprehensive timeline analysis", "milestone": "IDTechEx assessment concludes fusion is \"no longer 30 years away\"", "status": "Published 2026; major market research firm revises fusion timeline", "description": "IDTechEx published a 2026 assessment concluding that nuclear fusion is \"no longer 30 years away,\" marking a significant shift in how market analysts view fusion timelines. The assessment cites concrete progress in magnet technology, plasma confinement, and private investment as evidence that fusion could deliver commercial power within 10-15 years. This revision from a major market research firm signals growing mainstream acceptance of fusion's near-term potential.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.idtechex.com/en/research-report/fusion-energy-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-087", "name": "IEA State of Energy Innovation 2026 (Fusion Feature)", "type": "Policy / International assessment", "approach": "All fusion approaches", "status": "IEA features fusion on equal footing with other emerging technologies (2026)", "description": "The International Energy Agency (IEA) featured fusion energy in its State of Energy Innovation 2026 Report, putting fusion on equal footing with other emerging technologies. The report highlights fusion's status, key milestones, and challenges. This represents a significant recognition of fusion as a credible energy technology by the world's leading energy policy organization. The IEA notes that private and public investment in fusion has reached $10 billion.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/iea-features-fusion-in-state-of-energy", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-088", "name": "ITER Magnet Milestone", "type": "Tokamak component milestone", "approach": "Magnetic confinement (tokamak)", "status": "Magnet system testing milestone achieved 2026", "description": "ITER achieved a major milestone in 2026 with the testing of its superconducting magnet system, one of the most complex and critical components of the tokamak. The magnet system, which includes toroidal field coils, central solenoid, and correction coils, must generate magnetic fields strong enough to confine plasma at 150 million°C. The successful testing validates the design and manufacturing processes for these massive superconducting components.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtr4x10w2Tw", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-089", "name": "Advanced Plasma Sensors for Commercial Fusion", "type": "Enabling technology", "approach": "All magnetic confinement approaches", "status": "Breakthrough in plasma sensor technology (March 2026)", "description": "Smarter, tougher plasma sensors could be the key to bringing fusion power from the lab to the grid, as reported by ScienceDaily in March 2026. Advanced plasma diagnostics enable real-time monitoring and control of fusion plasmas, which is essential for maintaining stable plasma conditions in a commercial fusion reactor. The new sensors can withstand the extreme conditions inside a fusion reactor while providing the high-fidelity measurements needed for plasma control.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260303050622.htm", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-090", "name": "IAEA World Fusion Outlook 2025", "type": "International assessment / Report", "approach": "All fusion approaches", "status": "Published 2025; $10.6 billion investment milestone", "description": "The IAEA World Fusion Outlook 2025 publication highlights six key global trends in fusion energy. Private and public investment in fusion has grown to $10.6 billion, with significant acceleration in 2024-2025. The report identifies six trends: (1) private sector leadership, (2) tokamak scaling, (3) alternative concepts gaining traction, (4) supply chain development, (5) regulatory framework development, and (6) international collaboration expansion.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "http://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/fusion-energy-in-2025-six-global-trends-to-w", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-091", "name": "Fusion Industry Association Strategy for Energy Security", "type": "Industry strategy / Policy", "approach": "All fusion approaches", "status": "Published 2026", "description": "The Fusion Industry Association published a comprehensive strategy for ensuring energy security through fusion development in 2026. The strategy outlines the steps needed to accelerate commercial fusion deployment, including regulatory streamlining, workforce development, supply chain investment, and international cooperation. The report argues that fusion energy is transitioning from 'always 30 years away' to 'a matter of when, not if'.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.fusionindustryassociation.org/", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-092", "name": "Reuters Fusion Energy 2026 Conference", "type": "Industry conference", "approach": "All fusion approaches", "status": "Held 2026; major industry gathering", "description": "The Reuters Fusion Energy 2026 conference brought together major players in the fusion industry, with the IAEA's World Fusion Outlook noting that private and public investment has hit $10 billion. The conference highlighted the shift from scientific demonstration to commercial deployment planning. Key topics included regulatory frameworks, supply chain development, and the role of fusion in AI-driven energy demand growth.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://events.reutersevents.com/nuclear/fusion-energy", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-093", "name": "Commonwealth Fusion Systems SPARC", "type": "Tokamak (high-temperature superconductor)", "approach": "Magnetic confinement (HTS tokamak)", "status": "Under construction; targeting first plasma 2026-2027", "description": "Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) is building SPARC, a compact tokamak using high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets made from REBCO tape. SPARC is designed to demonstrate net energy gain (Q>1) from fusion, a critical milestone toward commercial fusion power. The compact design is enabled by the much stronger magnetic fields achievable with HTS magnets compared to conventional low-temperature superconductors. CFS has raised over $2 billion in funding.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://cfs.energy/", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-094", "name": "TAE Technologies Norman (Field-Reversed Configuration)", "type": "Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC)", "approach": "Magnetic confinement (FRC)", "status": "Operational; demonstrating improved plasma confinement", "description": "TAE Technologies' Norman device uses a field-reversed configuration (FRC) approach to fusion, which creates a self-contained plasma ring without a central solenoid. The FRC approach potentially offers a more compact and simpler reactor design than tokamaks. TAE has demonstrated improved plasma confinement and stability in the Norman device. The company's ultimate goal is the Copernicus device, which would demonstrate net energy gain using hydrogen-boron (p-B11) fuel, which produces no neutrons.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://tae.com/", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-095", "name": "Helion Energy Polaris", "type": "Pulsed magnetic fusion", "approach": "Magneto-inertial fusion (FRC compression)", "status": "Under construction; Microsoft PPA signed for 2028 delivery", "description": "Helion Energy is building Polaris, a pulsed fusion device that compresses field-reversed configuration plasmas to fusion conditions. Helion has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Microsoft to deliver fusion electricity by 2028 — the first commercial fusion PPA ever signed. The company's approach uses deuterium-helium-3 fuel, which produces primarily charged particles (not neutrons), enabling direct energy conversion. If successful, this could dramatically simplify fusion power plant design.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.helionenergy.com/", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-096", "name": "Zap Energy FuZE-Q", "type": "Z-pinch fusion", "approach": "Magneto-inertial (sheared-flow Z-pinch)", "status": "Operational; demonstrating fusion-relevant conditions", "description": "Zap Energy's FuZE-Q uses a sheared-flow Z-pinch approach to fusion, which eliminates the need for external magnetic coils by using the plasma's own magnetic field for confinement. The device sends a powerful current through a plasma, creating a magnetic field that both confines and compresses the plasma to fusion conditions. Zap Energy's approach is potentially the simplest and lowest-cost path to fusion energy, as it requires no complex superconducting magnets or laser systems.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.zapenergy.com/", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-097", "name": "Germany Wendelstein 7-X Stellarator Advances", "type": "Stellarator", "approach": "Magnetic confinement (stellarator)", "status": "Operational; demonstrating improved confinement (2025-2026)", "description": "Germany's Wendelstein 7-X stellarator at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics has demonstrated improved plasma confinement in 2025-2026, validating the optimized stellarator design. Stellarators have the advantage of steady-state operation (no plasma disruptions) compared to tokamaks, but are more complex to design and build. The W7-X results show that optimized stellarator designs can achieve confinement quality comparable to tokamaks, making stellarators a viable alternative for commercial fusion reactors.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/fusion-energy-in-2025-six-global-trends-to-w", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-098", "name": "China EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak)", "type": "Tokamak", "approach": "Magnetic confinement (superconducting tokamak)", "status": "Operational; record-long plasma duration achieved", "description": "China's EAST tokamak at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science has achieved record-long high-confinement plasma durations, demonstrating steady-state operation capabilities. EAST is a fully superconducting tokamak that serves as a testbed for ITER and future Chinese fusion reactors. Recent achievements include maintaining H-mode plasma for over 400 seconds and demonstrating advanced divertor configurations. China is also developing the CFETR (China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor) as the next step toward commercial fusion.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/fusion-energy-in-2025-six-global-trends-to-w", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "FUS-099", "name": "First Light Fusion (Projectile Fusion)", "type": "Inertial confinement (projectile-driven)", "approach": "Inertial confinement (projectile impact)", "status": "Demonstrated fusion-relevant conditions; Machine 3 operational", "description": "First Light Fusion uses a unique approach that compresses fusion fuel using high-velocity projectile impact rather than lasers or magnetic fields. The company's Machine 3 electromagnetic launcher can accelerate projectiles to extreme velocities, creating the pressure and temperature conditions needed for fusion. This approach is potentially simpler and more scalable than laser-driven inertial confinement, as the energy source (kinetic impact) is inherently efficient.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://firstlightfusion.com/", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "name": "ITER", "type": "Research Facility", "technology": "Tokamak", "power": "500 MW", "status": "Under Construction", "country": "International (France)", "description": "ITER is an international nuclear fusion research project designed to demonstrate the feasibility of fusion power as a large-scale and sustainable energy source. It is the world's largest tokamak, a magnetic confinement device, being built in southern France with collaboration from 34 nations. The project aims to achieve 500 megawatts of fusion power, demonstrating the scientific and technological viability of fusion energy.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.iter.org/few-lines", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" }, { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/02/nuclear-fusion-science-explained", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "FUS-100" }, { "name": "SPARC", "type": "Private Company Project", "technology": "Tokamak", "power": "Breakeven", "status": "In Development", "country": "United States", "description": "SPARC is a private fusion project developed by Commonwealth Fusion Systems, aiming to demonstrate a net energy gain fusion reactor. It is a compact tokamak design that uses high-temperature superconducting magnets to achieve the necessary magnetic confinement. The project is targeting breakeven conditions, where the energy output equals or exceeds the energy input, representing a critical milestone for commercial fusion power.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/fusion/comments/1i95ixz/private-companies-aim-to-demonstrate-working", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "FUS-101" }, { "name": "Helion Energy", "type": "Private Company", "technology": "Magnetic Inertial Fusion", "power": "Not specified", "status": "Construction Phase", "country": "United States", "description": "Helion Energy is a private company focused on developing a unique approach to fusion energy that combines magnetic and inertial confinement. The company is currently constructing its sixth-generation prototype, Polaris, with the goal of achieving net energy gain. Helion's technology aims to create a compact and potentially low-cost fusion power source for commercial applications.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rgKmnwt9pk", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "FUS-102" }, { "name": "Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program", "type": "Government Program", "technology": "Multiple", "power": "Pilot Plant Scale", "status": "Active", "country": "United States", "description": "The U.S. Department of Energy's Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program is an initiative to accelerate the development of fusion energy by funding private companies. It selects teams to design and build fusion pilot plants, aiming to demonstrate the commercial viability of fusion power. This program represents a significant government commitment to fostering innovation in the private fusion sector.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.ans.org/news/2025-06-12/article-7107/doe-opens-milestone-fusion-pilot-plant-program-to-new-companies-and-teams", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "FUS-103" }, { "id": "fusion_breakthrough_2025_01", "name": "SPARC Fusion Reactor", "approach": "Magnetic confinement fusion using high-temperature superconductors", "organization": "Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS)", "status": "Operational", "milestone": "Achieved plasma temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius in 2025", "timeline": "2025", "description": "SPARC reached a critical milestone by sustaining plasma temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius, a key step toward net energy gain. The reactor uses novel high-temperature superconducting magnets to confine plasma efficiently." }, { "id": "smr_modular_2025_02", "name": "NuScale VOYGR-6", "approach": "Modular small modular reactor (SMR) design", "organization": "NuScale Power", "status": "Under construction", "milestone": "First module deployment scheduled for 2026", "timeline": "2026", "description": "NuScale's VOYGR-6, a 468 MWe SMR design, received final design approval in 2025. The first unit is planned for operation at the Idaho National Laboratory by 2026, marking a major step in commercial SMR deployment." }, { "id": "thorium_reactor_2025_03", "name": "TMSR-LF1 Molten Salt Reactor", "approach": "Liquid-fueled molten salt reactor using thorium", "organization": "Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP)", "status": "Operational", "milestone": "First criticality achieved in 2025", "timeline": "2025", "description": "China's TMSR-LF1 became the first molten salt reactor to achieve criticality in 2025, using thorium-based fuel. The reactor operates at high temperatures and offers improved safety and waste reduction compared to traditional designs." }, { "id": "fusion_breakthrough_2025_04", "name": "JET tokamak record", "approach": "Magnetic confinement fusion", "organization": "UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)", "status": "Completed", "milestone": "Set new world energy record in 2025", "timeline": "2025", "description": "JET produced 59 megajoules of energy in a single pulse in 2025, surpassing its previous 2021 record. This achievement demonstrates the viability of tokamak designs for future fusion power plants." }, { "id": "advanced_fuel_2025_05", "name": "TRISO-X fuel", "approach": "Advanced nuclear fuel with accident tolerance", "organization": "Idaho National Laboratory (INL)", "status": "In testing", "milestone": "Successful irradiation testing completed in 2025", "timeline": "2025", "description": "INL's TRISO-X fuel demonstrated exceptional performance during irradiation testing in 2025, with no fuel failure under extreme conditions. This fuel enhances reactor safety and longevity for next-generation reactors." }, { "id": "FUS-2026-001", "name": "CFS SPARC Vacuum Vessel Installation", "approach": "Compact tokamak with HTS magnets (magnetic confinement)", "organization": "Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS)", "status": "75% complete; vacuum vessel installed 2026; targeting first plasma 2026-2027", "milestone": "106,000-lb vacuum vessel successfully installed; targeting Q≥2 (net energy gain) by 2027", "timeline": "First plasma 2026-2027; Q≥2 by 2027; ARC commercial plant 2030s", "description": "Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) achieved a major milestone in early 2026 with the successful installation of the 106,000-pound vacuum vessel for the SPARC tokamak, marking 75% construction completion. SPARC uses high-temperature superconductor (HTS) magnets to achieve a much stronger magnetic field in a compact device, potentially reaching Q≥2 (fusion energy gain factor) by 2027. CFS has secured over $2 billion in funding and has a power purchase agreement with Microsoft for fusion power delivery starting in 2028." }, { "id": "FUS-2026-002", "name": "Helion Polaris First Private D-T Fusion", "approach": "Pulsed magnetic confinement (field-reversed configuration with D-T fuel)", "organization": "Helion Energy", "status": "Operational 2025; first private D-T fusion achieved; Microsoft PPA for 2028", "milestone": "150 million°C plasma temperature; first private company to achieve D-T fusion reactions", "timeline": "Electricity generation target 2028; commercial deployment 2030s", "description": "Helion Energy's Polaris device achieved 150 million°C plasma temperature and became the first private company to demonstrate deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion reactions in 2025. Polaris uses a pulsed field-reversed configuration (FRC) that compresses plasma to fusion conditions. Helion has a power purchase agreement with Microsoft to deliver fusion electricity starting in 2028, the first commercial fusion energy contract. The company has raised over $1 billion and is building a larger follow-up device targeting net electricity generation." }, { "id": "FUS-2026-003", "name": "Pacific Fusion Pulsed ICF Breakthrough", "approach": "Pulser-driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF)", "organization": "Pacific Fusion", "status": "Breakthrough demonstrated February 2026; scaling to net gain", "milestone": "Pulsed power-driven ICF achieving fusion conditions with industrial scalability", "timeline": "Net gain target 2027-2028; commercial pilot plant 2030s", "description": "Pacific Fusion achieved a pulsed-driven inertial confinement fusion (ICF) breakthrough in February 2026, demonstrating fusion conditions using pulsed power compression technology. Unlike laser-based ICF at NIF, Pacific Fusion uses pulsed power drivers that are inherently more efficient and scalable. The company's approach compresses fuel capsules using high-current pulsed power, achieving the temperatures and pressures needed for fusion. Pacific Fusion has raised $900 million and aims to demonstrate net energy gain by 2027-2028." }, { "id": "FUS-2026-004", "name": "China EAST Dual 100 Million Degrees", "approach": "Superconducting tokamak (magnetic confinement)", "organization": "Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP)", "status": "Operational; achieved both electron and ion temperatures at 100 million°C simultaneously", "milestone": "First tokamak to achieve simultaneous electron and ion temperatures above 100 million°C", "timeline": "Supporting ITER and Chinese Fusion Engineering Testing Reactor (CFETR) by 2030s", "description": "China's Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) achieved a world-first in 2025-2026 by simultaneously maintaining both electron and ion temperatures above 100 million degrees Celsius for over 10 minutes. This dual-temperature milestone is critical because fusion requires both electron and ion populations to be hot enough for D-T reactions. EAST uses fully superconducting magnets enabling long-pulse operation. The results directly inform ITER operation and China's CFETR project, a next-generation burning plasma tokamak planned for the 2030s." }, { "id": "FUS-2026-005", "name": "Proxima Fusion Stellarator at Davos 2026", "approach": "High-temperature superconductor stellarator (magnetic confinement)", "organization": "Proxima Fusion", "status": "Design completed; construction planning 2026; featured at World Economic Forum Davos 2026", "milestone": "First stellarator designed with HTS magnets for improved plasma confinement", "timeline": "Construction start 2026-2027; first plasma 2029; net gain 2030s", "description": "Proxima Fusion, a German startup, presented its HTS stellarator design at the World Economic Forum in Davos 2026, marking fusion energy's prominence in global energy discussions. The stellarator design uses high-temperature superconductor magnets to create optimized 3D magnetic fields that confine plasma without the disruptions that plague tokamaks. Stellarators are inherently steady-state and easier to operate than tokamaks. Proxima Fusion's design builds on the Wendelstein 7-X results and aims to demonstrate net fusion gain in the 2030s." }, { "id": "FUS-2026-006", "name": "NRC Fusion Energy Regulatory Framework", "approach": "Regulatory framework for commercial fusion (not a fusion approach)", "organization": "US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)", "status": "Proposed framework published February 2026; separate from nuclear fission regulation", "milestone": "First comprehensive regulatory framework for commercial fusion energy in the US", "timeline": "Final rule expected 2027; commercial fusion plants regulated under this framework from 2030s", "description": "The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) published its proposed regulatory framework for commercial fusion energy in February 2026, establishing the first comprehensive rules for licensing and operating fusion power plants in the United States. The framework treats fusion separately from nuclear fission, reflecting fusion's fundamentally different safety profile (no chain reactions, no long-lived nuclear waste, no risk of meltdown). This regulatory clarity is critical for private fusion companies like CFS, Helion, and Pacific Fusion to secure financing and build commercial plants." }, { "id": "FUS-75", "name": "ITER", "approach": "Tokamak", "organization": "ITER Organization", "status": "Construction" }, { "id": "FUS-76", "name": "JET", "approach": "Tokamak", "organization": "UK Atomic Energy Authority", "status": "Decommissioned" }, { "id": "FUS-77", "name": "JT-60SA", "approach": "Tokamak", "organization": "Japan Atomic Energy Agency", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "FUS-78", "name": "SPARC", "approach": "Tokamak", "organization": "Commonwealth Fusion Systems", "status": "Construction" }, { "id": "FUS-79", "name": "ARC", "approach": "Tokamak", "organization": "Commonwealth Fusion Systems", "status": "Design" }, { "id": "FUS-80", "name": "Wendelstein 7-X", "approach": "Stellarator", "organization": "Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "FUS-81", "name": "HSX", "approach": "Stellarator", "organization": "University of Wisconsin-Madison", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "FUS-82", "name": "NCSX", "approach": "Stellarator", "organization": "Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory", "status": "Cancelled" }, { "id": "FUS-83", "name": "CFETR", "approach": "Tokamak", "organization": "Chinese Academy of Sciences", "status": "Design" }, { "id": "FUS-84", "name": "National Ignition Facility", "approach": "ICF (Laser)", "organization": "Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "FUS-85", "name": "Z Machine", "approach": "ICF (Z-Pinch)", "organization": "Sandia National Laboratories", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "FUS-86", "name": "HiPER", "approach": "ICF (Laser)", "organization": "European Consortium", "status": "Cancelled" }, { "id": "FUS-87", "name": "Helios", "approach": "ICF (Z-Pinch)", "organization": "General Fusion", "status": "Construction" }, { "id": "FUS-88", "name": "Demo", "approach": "Tokamak", "organization": "Eurofusion Consortium", "status": "Design" }, { "id": "FUS-89", "name": "TAE Technologies", "approach": "Field-Reversed Configuration", "organization": "TAE Technologies", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "FUS-901", "name": "ITER", "approach": "Magnetic Confinement", "organization": "ITER Organization", "status": "Construction" }, { "id": "FUS-902", "name": "SPARC", "approach": "Magnetic Confinement", "organization": "Commonwealth Fusion Systems", "status": "Construction" }, { "id": "FUS-903", "name": "JT-60SA", "approach": "Magnetic Confinement", "organization": "QST (Japan)", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "FUS-904", "name": "Wendelstein 7-X", "approach": "Stellarator", "organization": "Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "FUS-905", "name": "JET", "approach": "Magnetic Confinement", "organization": "UK Atomic Energy Authority", "status": "Decommissioned" }, { "id": "FUS-906", "name": "National Ignition Facility", "approach": "Inertial Confinement", "organization": "Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "FUS-907", "name": "Demo", "approach": "Magnetic Confinement", "organization": "EUROfusion Consortium", "status": "Design" }, { "id": "FUS-908", "name": "ARC", "approach": "Magnetic Confinement", "organization": "MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center", "status": "Research" }, { "id": "FUS-909", "name": "Helios", "approach": "Magnetic Confinement", "organization": "Helios Fusion", "status": "Research" }, { "id": "FUS-910", "name": "DIII-D", "approach": "Magnetic Confinement", "organization": "General Atomics", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "FUS-911", "name": "HL-2M", "approach": "Magnetic Confinement", "organization": "Southwestern Institute of Physics", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "FUS-912", "name": "TAE Technologies Copernicus", "approach": "Magnetic Confinement", "organization": "TAE Technologies", "status": "Construction" }, { "id": "FUS-913", "name": "LHD", "approach": "Stellarator", "organization": "National Institute for Fusion Science (Japan)", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "FUS-914", "name": "Z Machine", "approach": "Inertial Confinement", "organization": "Sandia National Laboratories", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "FUS-915", "name": "ST40", "approach": "Magnetic Confinement", "organization": "Tokamak Energy", "status": "Operational" } ], "smr": [ { "id": "SMR-001", "name": "NuScale Power Module", "type": "Integral PWR SMR", "capacity": "50 MWe per module; up to 12 modules = 600 MWe", "status": "NRC Design Certified (first SMR to receive certification); first project (UAMPS) cancelled due to cost", "location": "Planned: Utah/Idaho (cancelled); Romania (new target)", "operator": "NuScale Power", "technology": "Integral PWR; natural circulation cooling; steel containment; underground installation; factory-built", "description": "NuScale is the first SMR to receive NRC design certification (2022). Each 50 MWe module is factory-built and transported to site. However, the flagship UAMPS project in Utah/Idaho was cancelled in 2023 due to rising costs and insufficient subscriber commitments. NuScale is now targeting projects in Romania and elsewhere. The UAMPS cancellation highlighted the economic challenges facing first-of-a-kind SMR deployments." }, { "id": "SMR-002", "name": "GE Hitachi BWRX-300", "type": "Boiling water reactor SMR", "capacity": "300 MWe per unit", "status": "Under construction (Darlington, Ontario, Canada); NRC pre-application review", "location": "Darlington, Ontario (Canada); potential US sites", "operator": "GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy / OPG", "technology": "BWR; natural circulation; simplified systems; 10th generation BWR design; below-ground containment", "description": "The BWRX-300 is currently the most advanced SMR project in the Western world. OPG (Ontario Power Generation) is building the first unit at Darlington, with grid connection targeted for 2028. It leverages 60+ years of BWR operating experience and uses natural circulation (no recirculation pumps). The BWRX-300 has strong commercial momentum with interest from multiple countries." }, { "id": "SMR-003", "name": "Linglong One (ACP100)", "type": "Integral PWR SMR", "capacity": "125 MWe per unit", "status": "Under construction (Changjiang, Hainan, China)", "location": "Changjiang, Hainan, China", "operator": "CNNC", "technology": "Integral PWR; passive safety; modular construction; integrated steam generators", "description": "Linglong One is China's first domestic SMR and the world's first land-based commercial SMR under construction. It features an integrated design with steam generators inside the pressure vessel, reducing piping and potential leak points. Construction began in 2021 at Changjiang, Hainan. China plans to export the Linglong One as part of its nuclear export strategy." }, { "id": "SMR-004", "name": "Rolls-Royce SMR", "type": "PWR SMR", "capacity": "470 MWe per unit", "status": "Entering UK Generic Design Assessment; factory approach", "location": "Planned UK sites", "operator": "Rolls-Royce SMR", "technology": "3-loop PWR; factory-built modules; road-transportable; 60-year design life", "description": "Rolls-Royce's SMR is a 470 MWe pressurized water reactor designed for factory construction and on-site assembly. Unlike smaller SMRs, it aims for economies of scale while maintaining modular construction benefits. The UK government has invested significantly in the project. Rolls-Royce brings decades of nuclear submarine reactor experience. The design is entering the UK's Generic Design Assessment process." }, { "id": "SMR-005", "name": "Holtec SMR-160", "type": "PWR SMR", "capacity": "160 MWe per unit", "status": "NRC pre-application review; DOE award recipient", "location": "Planned: Palisades, Michigan (repowering coal site)", "operator": "Holtec International", "technology": "PWR; passive safety; external steam generators; 160 MWe; compact design", "description": "Holtec's SMR-160 is a 160 MWe pressurized water reactor with passive safety systems. Holtec received a DOE award and plans to deploy the SMR-160 at the site of the retired Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan. The design uses external steam generators (unlike integral designs) and can be factory-built in modules." }, { "id": "SMR-006", "name": "Oklo Aurora", "type": "Fast neutron microreactor/SMR", "capacity": "15 MWe per unit (scalable to 50 MWe)", "status": "NRC design review; first license application submitted", "location": "Planned: Idaho National Laboratory; Alaska", "operator": "Oklo", "technology": "Metal-fueled fast reactor; passive safety; 20-year refueling cycle; HALEU fuel", "description": "Oklo's Aurora is a compact fast neutron reactor using metal fuel (HALEU) with passive safety. It's designed for remote locations and can operate for 20 years without refueling. Oklo was the first company to submit a combined license application to the NRC (initially denied, resubmitted). Sam Altman is a major investor. The Aurora targets off-grid communities, data centers, and industrial sites." }, { "id": "SMR-007", "name": "TerraPower Natrium (SMR variant)", "type": "Sodium-cooled fast reactor with storage", "capacity": "345 MWe base / 500 MWe peak", "status": "Under construction (Kemmerer, Wyoming)", "location": "Kemmerer, Wyoming, USA", "operator": "TerraPower", "technology": "Sodium-cooled fast reactor; molten salt thermal storage; HALEU fuel; load-following capable", "description": "While larger than typical SMRs, Natrium's modular design and load-following capability (345-500 MWe via thermal storage) make it relevant to the SMR market. The molten salt storage allows it to store energy and boost output during peak demand, making it ideal for grids with high renewable penetration. Under construction at a retiring coal plant site in Wyoming." }, { "id": "SMR-008", "name": "Rosatom RITM-200 / ASMM", "type": "Integral PWR SMR", "capacity": "50 MWe (RITM-200); 100 MWe (ASMM-100)", "status": "RITM-200 operational on icebreakers; land-based version planned; ASMM-100 in development", "location": "Arctic icebreakers (operational); Yakutia (planned land-based)", "operator": "Rosatom", "technology": "Integral PWR; compact design; proven in Arctic icebreaker fleet", "description": "Rosatom's RITM-200 is one of the few SMRs with operational experience, powering Russia's Arctic icebreaker fleet since 2020. A land-based version is planned for Yakutia (remote Siberia). The ASMM-100 is a larger variant. Russia's operational SMR experience gives it a significant advantage in SMR deployment, particularly for remote and Arctic applications." }, { "id": "SMR-009", "name": "X-energy Xe-100 (SMR)", "type": "HTGR SMR", "capacity": "80 MWe per module; 4-module plant = 320 MWe", "status": "Under development; DOE ARDP recipient; NRC pre-application", "location": "Planned: Dow chemical facility, Texas", "operator": "X-energy", "technology": "TRISO pebble bed; helium coolant; 750°C outlet; modular; process heat capable", "description": "The Xe-100 is a modular HTGR using TRISO fuel in a pebble bed design. Each 80 MWe module can be combined into multi-module plants. The high outlet temperature (750°C) enables industrial process heat applications beyond electricity generation. Dow Chemical plans to install Xe-100 at their Texas facility for industrial heat and power." }, { "id": "SMR-010", "name": "Westinghouse eVinci", "type": "Heat pipe microreactor", "capacity": "5 MWe per unit (scalable to 25 MWe)", "status": "Under development; NRC pre-application", "location": "Planned: remote sites, military bases", "operator": "Westinghouse", "technology": "Heat pipe cooling; TRISO fuel; solid core; no moving parts; 8+ year refueling cycle", "description": "The eVinci is a microreactor using heat pipes (no pumps or coolant) for heat removal from a solid TRISO fuel core. With no moving parts, it's designed for extreme reliability and minimal maintenance. Target applications include remote communities, military bases, mining operations, and data centers. The 8+ year refueling cycle and transportability make it ideal for off-grid deployment." }, { "id": "SMR-011", "name": "Ultra Safe Nuclear MMR (Micro Modular Reactor)", "type": "HTGR microreactor", "capacity": "5 MWe / 15 MWth per unit", "status": "Under development; Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission review", "location": "Planned: Chalk River, Ontario (Global First Power project)", "operator": "Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC)", "technology": "FCM™ (Fully Ceramic Micro-encapsulated) fuel; helium coolant; passive safety; 20-year core life", "description": "USNC's MMR uses their proprietary FCM™ fuel (Fully Ceramic Micro-encapsulated), which encases TRISO particles in a silicon carbide matrix for additional safety. The MMR is designed for remote communities and industrial applications with a 20-year core life and passive safety. The Global First Power project at Chalk River is targeting the first MMR deployment in Canada." }, { "id": "SMR-012", "name": "Copenhagen Atomics Molten Salt Reactor", "type": "Molten salt reactor (MSR)", "capacity": "100 MWth per unit (modular and mass-producible)", "status": "Active development; testing in Copenhagen; targeting 2028 first deployment", "location": "Copenhagen, Denmark (development); targeting deployment in multiple countries", "operator": "Copenhagen Atomics", "technology": "Thorium molten salt reactor; liquid fuel; 700°C outlet; factory mass production; thorium breeding", "description": "Copenhagen Atomics is developing a thorium-fueled molten salt reactor designed for factory mass production. The liquid fuel eliminates fuel fabrication costs and allows online refueling. Thorium is more abundant than uranium and produces less long-lived waste. Copenhagen Atomics is building and testing prototypes in Copenhagen and aims for first deployment by 2028." }, { "id": "SMR-013", "name": "OPG Darlington BWRX-300", "type": "SMR (BWR)", "capacity": "300 MWe per unit; 4 units planned", "status": "Construction approved May 2025; first SMR construction in North America", "location": "Darlington, Ontario, Canada", "operator": "Ontario Power Generation (OPG)", "technology": "BWRX-300 (GE Hitachi); boiling water SMR; simplified design; underground containment", "description": "OPG received approval in May 2025 to begin construction on the first of four BWRX-300 SMRs at Darlington, Ontario. This is the first SMR construction project in North America and a landmark for the global SMR industry. The BWRX-300 uses simplified boiling water reactor technology with underground containment for enhanced safety. OPG targets first unit operation by 2028-2029." }, { "id": "SMR-014", "name": "UK SMR Program (£2.5B Investment)", "type": "SMR (multiple designs under consideration)", "capacity": "Various (targeting mid-2030s deployment)", "status": "£2.5 billion government package announced; targeting mid-2030s for first SMR", "location": "Multiple sites, United Kingdom", "operator": "Great British Nuclear (GBN)", "technology": "Competitive selection process; multiple SMR designs under evaluation", "description": "The UK announced a £2.5 billion package to accelerate SMR deployment, targeting the mid-2030s for the first operational SMR. Great British Nuclear (GBN) is running a competitive selection process evaluating multiple SMR designs. The UK program is one of the most ambitious government-backed SMR initiatives globally, aiming to revitalize the UK's nuclear supply chain while decarbonizing the grid." }, { "id": "SMR-015", "name": "SMR Market Growth (2024-2035 Forecast)", "type": "Market analysis", "capacity": "N/A - market projection", "status": "Market expected to surge from $159.4M (2024) to $5.17B by 2035 (42.31% CAGR)", "location": "Global", "operator": "Multiple developers", "technology": "Various SMR technologies; market entering 'Golden Age of Nuclear'", "description": "The global SMR market is projected to surge from $159.4 million in 2024 to $5.17 billion by 2035, driven by a 42.31% CAGR. Industry analysts call 2025-2026 the 'Golden Age of Nuclear,' with SMRs at the forefront. Key growth drivers include data center power demand, decarbonization targets, and government support. NuScale, GE Hitachi, and Rolls-Royce are leading market contenders." }, { "id": "SMR-016", "name": "UK GBP 2.5 Billion SMR Package", "type": "Government investment / Policy", "capacity": "N/A - funding package for SMR deployment", "status": "Announced 2025; targeting mid-2030s for first SMRs", "location": "United Kingdom", "operator": "UK Government / Multiple vendors (GE Hitachi BWRX-300, Rolls-Royce SMR)", "technology": "Various SMR designs; government backing for rapid deployment", "description": "The United Kingdom announced a GBP 2.5 billion package to speed up SMR deployment, targeting the mid-2030s for the first SMRs. The UK is positioning itself as a leader in SMR technology, with both GE Hitachi BWRX-300 and Rolls-Royce SMR competing for deployment. This investment represents one of the largest government commitments to SMR technology globally." }, { "id": "SMR-017", "name": "US 400 GW Nuclear Target by 2050", "type": "National policy / Strategic target", "capacity": "400 GW nuclear capacity target by 2050", "status": "US policy target; backed by 0 billion in committed projects", "location": "United States", "operator": "Multiple utilities and developers", "technology": "Mix of large reactors, SMRs, and microreactors", "description": "The US has set a 400 GW nuclear capacity target by 2050, backed by the landmark 0 billion in committed projects. The global SMR pipeline now exceeds 22 GW and 76 billion in committed projects. This ambitious target requires tripling current US nuclear capacity and depends heavily on successful SMR deployment. The target was announced at the 4th World Nuclear SMR and Advanced Reactor Congress 2026." }, { "id": "SMR-018", "name": "Canada SMR Roadmap Progress", "type": "National SMR program / Policy", "capacity": "Multiple SMR deployments planned", "status": "First G7 nation to approve commercial SMR construction (Darlington)", "location": "Canada (Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, New Brunswick)", "operator": "OPG, SaskPower, NB Power, Alberta utilities", "technology": "BWRX-300, microreactors, and other SMR designs", "description": "Canada is the first G7 nation to approve commercial SMR construction with the Darlington BWRX-300 project. The Canadian SMR Roadmap encompasses deployments across multiple provinces, with Ontario leading. A CEDAR Project assessment published in March 2026 evaluates SMR progress in Canada, noting both the pioneering Darlington project and challenges in Western Canada deployment." }, { "id": "SMR-019", "name": "NEI 2026: 8 Reactors Building, 90 in Development", "type": "Industry status report", "capacity": "8 reactors under construction; 90 in development pipeline", "status": "State of the Nuclear Industry 2026 report", "location": "United States", "operator": "Multiple utilities", "technology": "Mix of large reactors and SMRs", "description": "NEI CEO Maria Korsnick reported that US nuclear is strong, with 8 reactors building and 90 in development, but scaling up is the real test. The 2026 State of the Nuclear Industry report highlights that while the pipeline is robust, the challenge is executing projects on time and on budget. SMRs are a key part of the strategy to scale nuclear deployment efficiently." }, { "id": "SMR-020", "name": "MIT Technology Review: Next-Gen Nuclear (10 Breakthrough Technologies 2026)", "type": "Technology recognition / Industry milestone", "capacity": "Various next-gen designs", "status": "Featured in MIT Technology Review 10 Breakthrough Technologies 2026", "location": "Global", "operator": "Multiple developers", "technology": "Novel materials and compact designs for safer, cheaper nuclear power", "description": "MIT Technology Review named next-gen nuclear as one of 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2026. New reactors use novel materials and compact designs to make nuclear power safer and cheaper. This recognition from a leading technology publication signals that advanced nuclear energy, particularly SMRs, has entered the mainstream technology conversation as a viable climate solution." }, { "id": "SMR-021", "name": "4th World Nuclear SMR & Advanced Reactor Congress 2026", "type": "Industry conference / SMR commercialization", "capacity": "N/A - conference", "status": "Held 2026; industry transitions from licensing to construction", "location": "Global", "operator": "Multiple vendors and utilities", "technology": "Full SMR and advanced reactor value chain", "description": "The 4th World Nuclear SMR & Advanced Reactor Congress 2026 is the only global event uniting the entire SMR and advanced reactor value chain at the moment the industry transitions from licensing to construction. The congress highlights that the global SMR pipeline now exceeds 22 GW and $76 billion in committed projects, with the US setting a 400 GW nuclear capacity target by 2050.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.szwgroup.com/america-nuclear-industry-congress-smr-ar", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-022", "name": "NuScale VOYGR SMR (80+ SMR Designs Landscape)", "type": "Integral PWR SMR", "capacity": "77 MWe per module (VOYGR); up to 12 modules", "status": "NRC Design Certified; leading 80+ diverse SMR designs globally", "location": "Romania (new target after Utah cancellation)", "operator": "NuScale Power", "technology": "Integral PWR; natural circulation; steel containment; factory-built; 77 MW per module", "description": "The SMR landscape in 2025-2026 showcases over 80 diverse designs, with NuScale's VOYGR leading the pack at 77 MW per module. Despite the cancellation of the UAMPS project in Utah, NuScale is targeting projects in Romania and elsewhere. The 80+ SMR designs represent an unprecedented diversity of approaches including PWR, BWR, HTGR, MSR, fast spectrum, and microreactor designs, signaling a maturing but still fragmented market.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.nuclearbusiness-platform.com/media/insights/10-major-nuclear-energy-developments-to-watch-in-2025", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-023", "name": "IDTechEx SMR Market Report 2026-2046", "type": "Market analysis / SMR forecasting", "capacity": "N/A - market report", "status": "Published 2026; granular forecasting for 5 regions", "location": "Global (5 regions)", "operator": "Multiple developers", "technology": "Various SMR technologies; volume, capacity, and construction revenue forecasts", "description": "IDTechEx published a comprehensive Nuclear Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) Market report for 2026-2046, breaking down trends for SMRs deployed across 5 different regions with granular forecasting for volume, capacity, and construction revenues. The report provides the most detailed SMR market analysis available, covering technology readiness, regulatory progress, and commercial deployment timelines for each major SMR design.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.idtechex.com/en/research-report/nuclear-small-modular-reactors-smrs-market/1153", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-024", "name": "GIS Reports: What Is Holding Up SMR Progress?", "type": "Industry analysis / SMR challenges", "capacity": "N/A - analysis report", "status": "Published 2026; identifies key barriers to SMR deployment", "location": "Global", "operator": "Multiple stakeholders", "technology": "Cross-cutting analysis of SMR deployment challenges", "description": "GIS Reports published an analysis of what is holding up progress on small modular reactors, identifying key barriers including: regulatory uncertainty, first-of-a-kind cost premiums, supply chain immaturity, and competition from cheap natural gas and renewables. The UK announced a GBP 2.5 billion package to speed up SMR deployment, targeting the mid-2030s for the first SMRs. The report provides a realistic assessment of the challenges facing the SMR industry despite growing enthusiasm.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/smrs", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-025", "name": "CEDAR Project: SMRs in Canada Assessment (March 2026)", "type": "National assessment / SMR progress in Canada", "capacity": "Multiple SMR deployments across provinces", "status": "Published March 2026; evaluates SMR progress in Western Canada", "location": "Canada (Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, New Brunswick)", "operator": "OPG, SaskPower, NB Power, Alberta utilities", "technology": "BWRX-300, microreactors, and other SMR designs", "description": "The CEDAR Project published an assessment of SMRs in Canada in March 2026, evaluating progress across Western Canada. Canada is the first G7 nation to approve commercial SMR construction with the Darlington BWRX-300 project. The assessment notes both the pioneering Darlington project and challenges in Western Canada deployment, including regulatory frameworks, First Nations engagement, and economic viability in regions with abundant natural gas.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://cedar-project.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SMRs-in-Canada-March-2026.pdf", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-026", "name": "Reuters Events SMR & Advanced Reactor 2027", "type": "Industry conference / SMR commercialization", "capacity": "N/A - conference", "status": "Scheduled May 11-12, 2027 in Austin, TX", "location": "Austin, Texas, USA", "operator": "Reuters Events", "technology": "Full SMR and advanced reactor value chain", "description": "Reuters Events: SMR & Advanced Reactor 2027 (May 11-12, Austin) will serve as the worldwide hub for new nuclear, uniting the entire SMR and advanced reactor value chain. The conference reflects the industrys transition from licensing to construction, with the global SMR pipeline exceeding 22 GW and $76 billion in committed projects.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://events.reutersevents.com/nuclear/smr-usa", "collected_at": "2026-06-02T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-027", "name": "Siemens Energy SMR Partnership", "type": "Corporate partnership / SMR development", "capacity": "Various SMR designs", "status": "Active partnership 2026; nuclear as critical energy pillar", "location": "Global", "operator": "Siemens Energy", "technology": "Small Modular and Advanced Reactors; 24/7 clean energy", "description": "Siemens Energy has positioned nuclear, including Small Modular and Advanced Reactors, as a critical pillar in its energy strategy for 2026. The company is partnering with SMR developers to provide conventional island equipment, instrumentation and control systems, and balance of plant solutions. Siemens Energy involvement signals major industrial support for SMR commercialization.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.siemens-energy.com/us/en/home/events/smr-advanced-reactor.html", "collected_at": "2026-06-02T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-028", "name": "GE Vernova BWRX-300 Construction Update (2026)", "type": "SMR / BWR construction progress", "capacity": "300 MWe per unit; 4 units planned at Darlington", "status": "Construction began May 2025; first BWRX-300 unit scheduled for operation", "location": "Darlington, Ontario, Canada", "operator": "Ontario Power Generation (OPG)", "technology": "BWRX-300; factory-built modules; natural circulation; below-grade containment", "description": "GE Vernova reports that construction began in May 2025 at Ontarios Darlington New Nuclear Project site for the first BWRX-300 SMR. The first unit is scheduled for operation, making it the first commercial SMR in the G7. GE Vernova emphasizes that SMRs are no longer just a concept but are entering construction reality. The BWRX-300 uses natural circulation cooling and can be factory-built, reducing construction time and cost.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1sdClieTh8", "collected_at": "2026-06-02T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-29", "name": "Siemens Energy SMR Partnership", "type": "Corporate partnership / SMR development", "design": "Collaboration for SMR deployment in European markets", "power": "Various SMR designs", "status": "Announced 2026; Siemens entering SMR market through partnerships", "description": "Siemens Energy announced a strategic partnership to enter the SMR market, leveraging its expertise in power plant engineering and turbine manufacturing. The partnership aims to deploy SMRs in European markets where Siemens has established relationships with utilities and grid operators. This entry by a major conventional power company signals the mainstreaming of SMR technology.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.siemens-energy.com/smr-partnership", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-30", "name": "GE Vernova BWRX-300 Construction Update (May 2026)", "type": "BWR SMR / Construction milestone", "design": "Boiling water reactor; 300 MWe", "power": "300 MWe", "status": "Construction to begin May 2026 at OPG Darlington site", "description": "GE Vernova's BWRX-300 reached a major milestone with construction scheduled to begin in May 2026 at Ontario Power Generation's Darlington site. The BWRX-300 is the first grid-scale SMR to begin construction in the G7 nations. OPG received provincial approval on May 8, 2025, and the project is on track for first power in the late 2020s. This is the most advanced grid-scale SMR project in the Western world.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.opg.com/darlington-smr", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-31", "name": "CEDAR Project: Canada SMR Assessment (March 2026)", "type": "National assessment / SMR deployment study", "design": "Multi-design assessment for Canadian SMR deployment", "power": "Various; assessment covers multiple SMR designs", "status": "Published March 2026; comprehensive Canadian SMR readiness assessment", "description": "The CEDAR Project published a comprehensive assessment of Canada's SMR readiness in March 2026, evaluating regulatory frameworks, supply chain capabilities, and market conditions for SMR deployment. The assessment identifies key barriers and enablers for SMR commercialization in Canada and provides recommendations for accelerating deployment. Canada is positioning itself as a global leader in SMR technology and deployment.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.cedar-project.ca/smr-assessment-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-32", "name": "GIS Reports: SMR Deployment Barriers Analysis", "type": "Industry analysis / SMR deployment challenges", "design": "Cross-design analysis of SMR deployment barriers", "power": "Various; focuses on regulatory and economic barriers", "status": "Published 2026; identifies key obstacles to SMR commercialization", "description": "GIS Reports published an analysis of barriers holding up progress on small modular reactors. Key obstacles include regulatory uncertainty, first-of-a-kind construction costs, supply chain immaturity, and workforce shortages. The report notes that the UK announced a GBP 2.5 billion package to speed up SMR deployment, and the US DOE announced the Energy Reactor Pilot Program to expedite advanced reactor testing.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.gisreports.co/smr-barriers-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-33", "name": "IDTechEx SMR Market Report 2026-2046", "type": "Market forecast / SMR industry analysis", "design": "Comprehensive market analysis covering 80+ SMR designs", "power": "Various; market sizing for all SMR segments", "status": "Published 2026; 20-year market forecast for SMR technology", "description": "IDTechEx published a comprehensive SMR market report covering 2026-2046, analyzing over 80 SMR designs worldwide. The report provides market sizing, technology comparisons, and deployment timelines for the SMR industry. It identifies NuScale's VOYGR as the leading design in terms of regulatory progress, while noting that the SMR landscape in 2025 showcases over 80 diverse designs at various stages of development.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.idtechex.com/en/research-report/smr-market-2026-2046", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-034", "name": "74 SMR Designs Under Development", "type": "Industry overview", "technology": "Various SMR technologies", "power": "Various (1-300 MWe)", "status": "74 SMR designs under active development worldwide (2025-2026)", "description": "Nuclear experts report that 74 SMR designs are under active development worldwide, reflecting the global interest in small modular reactors as a key technology for nuclear energy expansion. The designs span multiple technologies including water-cooled, gas-cooled, liquid metal-cooled, and molten salt reactors. While the number of designs is impressive, the key challenge is moving from design to deployment — only a handful of SMRs are currently under construction.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/nuclear/small-modular-reactors-are-having-a", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-035", "name": "SMR Global Project Tracker (World Nuclear Association)", "type": "Database / Tracker", "technology": "All SMR technologies", "power": "Various", "status": "Interactive tracker maintained by World Nuclear Association", "description": "The World Nuclear Association maintains an interactive Small Modular Reactor Global Project Tracker that provides an overview of the development and deployment of SMRs worldwide. The tracker includes information on design status, licensing progress, construction timelines, and deployment locations. It is the most comprehensive publicly available resource for tracking SMR development globally.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-power-reactors/small-modul", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-036", "name": "GE Hitachi BWRX-300", "type": "Boiling Water SMR", "technology": "Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)", "power": "300 MWe", "status": "NRC pre-application review; OPG Darlington construction approved", "description": "The GE Hitachi BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe boiling water SMR that uses natural circulation and passive safety systems. It is the first SMR to receive construction approval in North America (OPG Darlington, May 2025). The design leverages the proven BWR technology while incorporating innovative features like natural circulation cooling (no recirculation pumps) and passive containment cooling. The BWRX-300 is designed for 60-year operation and can be factory-built in modules.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.opg.com/projects-services/projects/nuclear/smr/darlington-smr", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-037", "name": "Floating SMR (ACPR50S / China)", "type": "Marine SMR", "technology": "Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) / Offshore", "power": "60 MWe per unit", "status": "Under development by CGN; offshore platform design", "description": "China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN) is developing the ACPR50S, a 60 MWe floating SMR designed for deployment on offshore platforms. The reactor would provide power and desalination for island communities and offshore oil/gas platforms. The marine environment provides an infinite heat sink for passive safety systems. This represents a unique application of SMR technology for maritime and remote coastal applications.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-power-reactors/small-modul", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "SMR-038", "name": "SMR Supply Chain Challenges", "type": "Industry challenge / Analysis", "technology": "All SMR technologies", "power": "N/A", "status": "Ongoing challenge; identified as key bottleneck (2025-2026)", "description": "While 74 SMR designs are under development, supply chain challenges remain a key bottleneck for deployment. Issues include: limited manufacturing capacity for nuclear-grade components, shortage of skilled nuclear workers, regulatory frameworks not yet adapted for SMR licensing, and the need for first-of-a-kind cost overruns to be absorbed. The GIS Reports analysis notes that progress on SMRs is real but slower than proponents hope, with the question being 'will any actually get built?'", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.gisreportsonline.com/r/smrs", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "name": "eVinci™ Microreactor", "type": "Microreactor", "technology": "Not specified", "power": "Not specified", "status": "In Development", "country": "United States", "description": "The eVinci™ Microreactor is a next-generation, very small modular reactor being developed by Westinghouse Nuclear. It is designed for decentralized remote applications, offering a compact and portable solution for energy needs. The reactor aims to provide reliable power in off-grid or isolated locations.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://westinghousenuclear.com/innovation/evinci-microreactor", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "SMR-39" }, { "name": "Portable Micro Reactor", "type": "Microreactor", "technology": "Not specified", "power": "10 MWe", "status": "In Development", "country": "United States", "description": "The Portable Micro Reactor is designed to provide heat and electricity for remote military bases and AI data centers. It aims to replace diesel generators with a simple, portable design capable of up to 10 MWe electrical output. The reactor is targeted for deployment in challenging and isolated environments.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.researchgate.net/publication/397427636_The_Portable_Micro_Reactor_for_Heat_and_Electricity_of_Remote_Military_Bases_and_Artificial_Intelligence_AI_Data_Centers", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "SMR-40" }, { "name": "TVA NuScale SMR Deployment", "type": "Small Modular Reactor", "technology": "Light Water Reactor", "power": "6 GW total", "status": "Planned", "country": "United States", "description": "The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Entra1 plan to deploy 6 GW of NuScale SMRs, likely across six plants. This deployment leverages NuScale's design approval for its uprated 77 MWe modules. The project represents a significant step in scaling up SMR technology for commercial energy production.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.ans.org/news/2025-09-03/article-7342/tva-and-entra1-to-deploy-6-gw-of-nuscale-smrs", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "SMR-41" }, { "name": "Army Microreactor Program", "type": "Microreactor", "technology": "Not specified", "power": "Not specified", "status": "Planned for 2028", "country": "United States", "description": "The U.S. Army is planning to deploy microreactors at its bases by 2028 to enhance energy resilience. The program aims to replace traditional power sources with nuclear microreactors. Specific contractors and reactor designs are still being finalized for this initiative.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://neutronbytes.com/2025/10/19/army-goes-nuclear-microreactors-set-for-us-bases-by-2028", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "SMR-42" }, { "id": "fusion_ignition_2025", "name": "National Ignition Facility Fusion Breakthrough", "type": "Scientific Achievement", "capacity": "1.5 Megajoules", "developer": "Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory", "status": "Achieved", "location": "Livermore, California, USA", "description": "In 2025, the National Ignition Facility achieved a sustained fusion reaction producing 1.5 megajoules of energy, marking a milestone in net energy gain. This breakthrough, confirmed by peer-reviewed studies, demonstrated the feasibility of fusion power. The experiment used 192 high-powered lasers to compress and heat a hydrogen fuel pellet." }, { "id": "terrapower_natrium_2025", "name": "TerraPower Natrium Reactor", "type": "Reactor Design", "capacity": "345 Megawatts", "developer": "TerraPower", "status": "Under Construction", "location": "Kemmerer, Wyoming, USA", "description": "TerraPower's Natrium reactor, a sodium-cooled fast reactor, began construction in 2025 with a capacity of 345 megawatts. The design incorporates molten salt storage for enhanced grid stability. This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and aims to demonstrate advanced nuclear technology by 2030." }, { "id": "tokamak_energy_2026", "name": "Tokamak Energy ST40 Fusion Reactor", "type": "Fusion Reactor", "capacity": "100 Megawatts", "developer": "Tokamak Energy", "status": "In Development", "location": "Oxfordshire, UK", "description": "Tokamak Energy announced plans for its ST40 fusion reactor in 2026, targeting 100 megawatts of output using high-temperature superconducting magnets. The company aims to achieve first plasma by 2028. This design focuses on compact, commercially viable fusion power based on spherical tokamak technology." }, { "id": "microreactor_deployment_2025", "name": "Oklo Aurora Microreactor", "type": "Microreactor", "capacity": "1.5 Megawatts", "developer": "Oklo Inc.", "status": "Operational", "location": "Idaho National Laboratory, USA", "description": "Oklo's Aurora microreactor became operational in 2025, providing 1.5 megawatts of power using high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel. The reactor is designed for remote and off-grid applications, with a 20-year lifespan without refueling. This deployment marks the first U.S. regulatory approval for a commercial microreactor." }, { "id": "thorium_molten_salt_2026", "name": "Kairos Power Hermes Molten Salt Reactor", "type": "Molten Salt Reactor", "capacity": "35 Megawatts", "developer": "Kairos Power", "status": "Under Construction", "location": "Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA", "description": "Kairos Power's Hermes reactor, a fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor, began construction in 2026 with a capacity of 35 megawatts. The design uses molten fluoride salt as both coolant and fuel carrier, enhancing safety and efficiency. This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program." }, { "id": "SMR-2026-001", "name": "GE Hitachi BWRX-300 Canada Deployment", "type": "Small modular reactor (BWR, boiling water reactor)", "capacity": "300 MWe", "developer": "GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy", "status": "Under construction at Darlington, Ontario; first SMR in Canada", "location": "Darlington New Nuclear Site, Ontario, Canada", "description": "GE Hitachi's BWRX-300 is under construction at Ontario Power Generation's Darlington site, marking Canada's first SMR deployment. The 300 MWe boiling water reactor uses natural circulation and passive safety systems, eliminating the need for emergency diesel generators and pumps. Construction began in 2024 with target operation in 2028-2029. OPG has ordered four BWRX-300 units, and the project is closely watched globally as one of the first grid-scale SMR deployments in a Western country." }, { "id": "SMR-2026-002", "name": "Oklo Aurora Powerhouse", "type": "Microreactor (fast neutron, metal fuel)", "capacity": "15 MWe (expandable to 50-75 MWe)", "developer": "Oklo Inc.", "status": "NRC licensing in progress; combined license application under review", "location": "Idaho National Laboratory site, Idaho, USA", "description": "Oklo's Aurora Powerhouse is a 15 MWe fast-neutron microreactor using metallic fuel and natural circulation cooling. Oklo submitted a combined license application to the NRC and is one of the first advanced reactor designs to use the NRC's new 10 CFR Part 53 licensing framework. The Aurora design can operate for 20+ years without refueling and uses recycled fuel from experimental reactors. Oklo went public in 2024 and has signed power purchase agreements with data center operators seeking carbon-free baseload power." }, { "id": "SMR-2026-003", "name": "X-energy Xe-100", "type": "Small modular reactor (HTGR, high-temperature gas reactor)", "capacity": "80 MWe per module (4-module plant: 320 MWe)", "developer": "X-energy", "status": "DOE Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program; construction planned at Dow Chemical site", "location": "Seadrift, Texas (Dow Chemical Gulf Coast facility)", "description": "X-energy's Xe-100 is an 80 MWe high-temperature gas reactor (HTGR) using TRISO particle fuel and helium coolant. The reactor can reach 750°C outlet temperature, enabling industrial heat applications beyond electricity generation. In 2025, X-energy announced a partnership with Dow Chemical to deploy a 4-module Xe-100 plant at Dow's Seadrift, Texas facility, providing both power and process heat for chemical manufacturing. This represents the first commercial advanced reactor project with an industrial off-taker." }, { "id": "SMR-2026-004", "name": "China Linglong One (ACP100)", "type": "Small modular reactor (PWR, pressurized water reactor)", "capacity": "125 MWe (dual-purpose: power + desalination)", "developer": "China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC)", "status": "Operational 2025-2026; first land-based SMR in the world", "location": "Changjiang, Hainan Province, China", "description": "China's Linglong One (ACP100) became the world's first operational land-based SMR, achieving criticality in 2025-2026 at Changjiang, Hainan. The 125 MWe pressurized water reactor is a multi-purpose plant designed for electricity generation, desalination, and industrial heat. Linglong One uses integral reactor design with internal steam generators and passive safety systems. CNNC is actively marketing the ACP100 for export, targeting island nations and remote regions that need compact, flexible nuclear power." }, { "id": "SMR-2026-005", "name": "Rolls-Royce SMR UK Deployment", "type": "Small modular reactor (PWR, pressurized water reactor)", "capacity": "470 MWe per unit", "developer": "Rolls-Royce SMR", "status": "UK Generic Design Assessment completing; sites selected", "location": "Wylfa, Wales and Oldbury, England (proposed sites)", "description": "Rolls-Royce SMR is developing a 470 MWe pressurized water reactor for the UK market, with the design undergoing Generic Design Assessment by UK regulators. In 2025, Great British Nuclear selected Rolls-Royce SMR for government support, with proposed sites at Wylfa (Wales) and Oldbury (England). The design uses proven PWR technology in a compact, factory-built format, enabling 80% of construction to occur in factories. Rolls-Royce targets first operational unit by 2029-2030, with potential for 20+ units across the UK." }, { "id": "SMR-53", "name": "NuScale Power Module", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "77 MWe", "status": "Certified" }, { "id": "SMR-54", "name": "NuScale VOYGR Plant", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "462 MWe", "status": "Under Construction" }, { "id": "SMR-55", "name": "Terrapower TEP-2", "type": "SFR", "capacity": "345 MWe", "status": "In Development" }, { "id": "SMR-56", "name": "Rolls-Royce SMR", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "470 MWe", "status": "Under Construction" }, { "id": "SMR-57", "name": "GE-Hitachi PRISM", "type": "SFR", "capacity": "311 MWe", "status": "In Development" }, { "id": "SMR-58", "name": "Holtec SMR-160", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "160 MWe", "status": "In Development" }, { "id": "SMR-59", "name": "Kairos Power Hermes", "type": "FLiBe", "capacity": "140 MWe", "status": "In Development" }, { "id": "SMR-60", "name": "X-energy Xe-100", "type": "HTGR", "capacity": "80 MWe", "status": "Under Construction" }, { "id": "SMR-61", "name": "Westinghouse eVinci", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "5 MWe", "status": "In Development" }, { "id": "SMR-62", "name": "General Atomics Energy Source", "type": "HTGR", "capacity": "100 MWe", "status": "In Development" }, { "id": "SMR-63", "name": "BWX mPower", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "300 MWe", "status": "In Development" }, { "id": "SMR-64", "name": "Seaborg CMS-300", "type": "MSR", "capacity": "300 MWe", "status": "In Development" }, { "id": "SMR-65", "name": "U-Battery", "type": "HTGR", "capacity": "10 MWe", "status": "In Development" }, { "id": "SMR-66", "name": "NuScale-DOE-1", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "77 MWe", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "SMR-67", "name": "Thorcon Power Module", "type": "MSR", "capacity": "500 MWe", "status": "In Development" }, { "id": "SMR-68", "name": "NuScale Power Module", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "77 MWe", "status": "Certified" }, { "id": "SMR-69", "name": "Nuscale VOYGR Plant", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "462 MWe (6x modules)", "status": "Deployed" }, { "id": "SMR-70", "name": "TerraPower Natrium", "type": "SFR", "capacity": "345 MWe", "status": "Under Construction" }, { "id": "SMR-71", "name": "Rolls-Royce SMR", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "470 MWe (470 modules)", "status": "Regulatory Design" }, { "id": "SMR-72", "name": "GE-Hitachi PRISM", "type": "SFR", "capacity": "311 MWe", "status": "Conceptual" }, { "id": "SMR-73", "name": "Korea HPR-1000", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "100 MWe", "status": "Regulatory Design" }, { "id": "SMR-74", "name": "X-energy Xe-100", "type": "HTGR", "capacity": "80 MWe", "status": "Construction Permit" }, { "id": "SMR-75", "name": "KLT-40S", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "35 MWe", "status": "Operational" }, { "id": "SMR-76", "name": "BWX mPower", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "300 MWe (3x modules)", "status": "Regulatory Design" }, { "id": "SMR-77", "name": "Westinghouse eVinci", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "5 MWe", "status": "Prototype Testing" }, { "id": "SMR-78", "name": "Holtec SMR-160", "type": "PWR", "capacity": "160 MWe", "status": "Construction Permit" }, { "id": "SMR-79", "name": "Seaborg CMSR", "type": "MSR", "capacity": "200 MWe", "status": "Regulatory Design" }, { "id": "SMR-80", "name": "General Atomics Energy Source", "type": "HTGR", "capacity": "100 MWe", "status": "Conceptual" }, { "id": "SMR-81", "name": "ThorCon Molten Salt", "type": "MSR", "capacity": "250 MWe", "status": "Conceptual" }, { "id": "SMR-82", "name": "Kaly-Cell", "type": "LMR", "capacity": "10 MWe", "status": "Conceptual" } ], "nuclear_fuel": [ { "id": "NFUEL-001", "name": "HALEU (High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium)", "type": "Nuclear fuel (enriched uranium)", "enrichment": "5-20% U-235 (vs 3-5% for standard LEU)", "status": "Critical supply gap; US DOE funding domestic production; Centrus Energy producing", "applications": "Advanced reactors, SMRs, fast reactors, microreactors", "description": "HALEU is uranium enriched to 5-20% U-235, higher than standard reactor fuel (3-5%) but below weapons-grade (>90%). Most advanced reactor designs require HALEU, but the global supply chain is severely limited. Russia currently dominates HALEU production. The US DOE is investing billions to establish domestic HALEU production, with Centrus Energy beginning production at their Ohio facility. The HALEU supply gap is a major bottleneck for advanced reactor deployment." }, { "id": "NFUEL-002", "name": "TRISO (Tri-structural Isotropic) Fuel", "type": "Accident-tolerant fuel particle", "structure": "Uranium kernel + 3 coating layers (pyrolytic carbon + SiC) = ~1mm particle", "status": "Qualified and tested; production scaling up", "applications": "HTGRs, microreactors, FHRs (Xe-100, eVinci, Hermes)", "description": "TRISO fuel particles are the most robust nuclear fuel ever created. Each ~1mm particle contains a uranium oxide/oxycarbide kernel coated with three layers: porous carbon (absorbs fission products), inner pyrolytic carbon, silicon carbide (pressure vessel), and outer pyrolytic carbon. TRISO retains fission products at temperatures above 1,600°C, making it essentially meltdown-proof. It's the fuel of choice for HTGRs and microreactors." }, { "id": "NFUEL-003", "name": "Molten Salt Fuel", "type": "Liquid nuclear fuel", "composition": "Uranium or thorium dissolved in fluoride or chloride salt (e.g., FLiBe, LiF-BeF₂)", "status": "Demonstrated in MSRE (1960s); modern development by multiple companies", "applications": "Molten salt reactors (MSRs), thorium reactors", "description": "Molten salt fuel dissolves fissile material (uranium or thorium) directly in a molten salt that serves as both fuel and coolant. Advantages: no fuel fabrication, online refueling and reprocessing, negative temperature coefficient (inherent safety), and high operating temperatures (700°C+). The MSRE at Oak Ridge demonstrated the concept in the 1960s. Modern MSR developers include Copenhagen Atomics, Terrestrial Energy, and Flibe Energy." }, { "id": "NFUEL-004", "name": "Metal Fuel (Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor)", "type": "Metallic nuclear fuel", "composition": "U-Zr or U-Pu-Zr alloy in steel cladding", "status": "Demonstrated in EBR-II and FFTF; used in TerraPower Natrium", "applications": "Sodium-cooled fast reactors, breeder reactors", "description": "Metal fuel (U-Zr or U-Pu-Zr alloy) is used in sodium-cooled fast reactors. It has excellent thermal conductivity (better than oxide fuel), which combined with sodium coolant's high thermal conductivity provides passive safety. EBR-II demonstrated inherent safety of metal-fueled fast reactors in the 1980s. TerraPower's Natrium reactor uses metal fuel. Metal fuel also enables breeding (producing more fuel than consumed)." }, { "id": "NFUEL-005", "name": "Thorium Fuel Cycle", "type": "Alternative nuclear fuel cycle", "composition": "Th-232 → Pa-233 → U-233 (breeding process)", "status": "Demonstrated in multiple reactors; not commercially deployed", "applications": "MSRs, CANDU reactors, advanced reactors", "description": "Thorium is 3-4x more abundant than uranium and can be bred into U-233, an excellent fissile material. The thorium cycle produces less long-lived transuranic waste and has inherent proliferation resistance (U-232 contaminant makes U-232 hard to weaponize). India has the largest thorium reserves and an active thorium program. Copenhagen Atomics and Flibe Energy are developing thorium-fueled MSRs." }, { "id": "NFUEL-006", "name": "Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF)", "type": "Enhanced safety fuel for existing reactors", "composition": "Various: Cr-coated Zr cladding, FeCrAl cladding, U₃Si₂ fuel, SiC cladding", "status": "Lead test assemblies in commercial reactors; NRC review ongoing", "applications": "Existing LWR fleet (retrofit)", "description": "ATF is designed to improve the safety of existing light water reactors by providing more time for operator action during accidents. Approaches include chromium-coated zirconium cladding (reduces oxidation), FeCrAl cladding (withstands higher temperatures), and silicon carbide cladding (no hydrogen generation). Several ATF designs are in lead test assembly programs at commercial reactors. ATF was a key recommendation after Fukushima." }, { "id": "NFUEL-007", "name": "FCM™ Fuel (Fully Ceramic Micro-encapsulated)", "type": "Advanced accident-tolerant fuel", "composition": "TRISO particles embedded in SiC matrix (replaces traditional fuel pellets and cladding)", "status": "Under development by USNC; testing phase", "applications": "Microreactors, LWR retrofit, advanced reactors", "description": "USNC's FCM™ fuel combines TRISO fuel particles with a silicon carbide matrix to create fuel that is essentially indestructible under accident conditions. Unlike traditional fuel rods with zirconium cladding, FCM™ has no metallic components that can oxidize or generate hydrogen. It can be fabricated into traditional fuel pellet geometry for LWR retrofit or custom shapes for advanced reactors." }, { "id": "NFUEL-008", "name": "Tritium Breeding", "type": "Fusion fuel production", "composition": "Li-6 + n → T + He-4 (in lithium-containing blanket)", "status": "Not yet demonstrated at scale; critical for D-T fusion reactors", "applications": "Fusion power plants (ITER, DEMO, commercial fusion)", "description": "Tritium breeding is essential for D-T fusion power plants, as tritium is not naturally available in sufficient quantities. The breeding blanket contains lithium (Li-6) which produces tritium when bombarded by fusion neutrons. The tritium breeding ratio (TBR) must exceed 1.0 for a self-sufficient fusion power plant. ITER will test breeding blanket modules, but full-scale tritium breeding has never been demonstrated." }, { "id": "NFUEL-009", "name": "DOE HALEU Distribution Program (2025-2026)", "type": "Nuclear fuel supply chain / Government program", "enrichment": "5-20% U-235 HALEU", "status": "DOE made conditional commitments to supply HALEU to five US nuclear developers", "applications": "Advanced reactors, SMRs, fast reactors, microreactors", "description": "The US DOE announced conditional commitments to supply high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) to five domestic nuclear developers, addressing the critical HALEU supply gap. This program is essential for the US advanced reactor industry, which has been dependent on Russian HALEU. The DOE is also funding domestic HALEU production through Centrus Energy and other suppliers." }, { "id": "NFUEL-010", "name": "TRISO-X First HALEU Allocation", "type": "TRISO fuel fabrication / HALEU supply", "enrichment": "HALEU-based TRISO particles", "status": "TRISO-X allocated first tranche of HALEU for pioneering fuel fabrication", "applications": "X-energy Xe-100, Kairos Power FHR, other TRISO-fueled reactors", "description": "TRISO-X (X-energy subsidiary) received the first allocation of HALEU for commercial TRISO fuel fabrication. TRISO particle fuel is considered 'the most robust nuclear fuel on the planet' because it can withstand very high temperatures without melting. This allocation marks a critical step in establishing a domestic TRISO fuel supply chain, enabling deployment of TRISO-fueled advanced reactors." }, { "id": "NFUEL-011", "name": "Standard Nuclear TRISO Fuel Production Line", "type": "Reactor-agnostic TRISO fuel production", "enrichment": "HALEU TRISO fuel", "status": "Production line announced December 2025; reactor-agnostic fuel supplier", "applications": "Any TRISO-fueled reactor design", "description": "Standard Nuclear announced a TRISO fuel production line in December 2025, positioning itself as a reactor-agnostic producer of TRISO nuclear fuel. Unlike TRISO-X (tied to X-energy), Standard Nuclear aims to supply TRISO fuel to any advanced reactor developer. This diversification of the TRISO fuel supply chain is critical for the broader advanced reactor industry." }, { "id": "NFUEL-012", "name": "US DOE Fuel Line Pilot Program", "type": "Government program / Fuel supply chain", "enrichment": "Multiple fuel types (HALEU, TRISO, metallic fuel)", "status": "Established July 2025; enabling advanced reactor fuel supply", "applications": "All advanced reactor designs requiring non-standard fuel", "description": "The US DOE established the Fuel Line Pilot Program in July 2025 to enable domestic advanced nuclear fuel production. This program addresses the critical fuel supply bottleneck that has slowed advanced reactor deployment. The Fuel Line Pilot Program works alongside HALEU production initiatives to create a complete domestic fuel supply chain for next-generation reactors." }, { "id": "NFUEL-013", "name": "Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) Commercial Deployment", "type": "Enhanced safety nuclear fuel", "enrichment": "Standard LEU (3-5% U-235) with ATF coatings", "status": "Commercial deployment beginning 2025-2026", "applications": "Existing LWR fleet safety enhancement; accident tolerance", "description": "Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) is transitioning from testing to commercial deployment in 2025-2026. ATF uses advanced coatings and cladding materials (silicon carbide, chromium coatings, FeCrAl alloys) that resist oxidation and hydrogen generation during loss-of-coolant accidents. ATF could have prevented the hydrogen explosions at Fukushima. Commercial deployment in existing reactors enhances safety without requiring new reactor designs." }, { "id": "NFUEL-014", "name": "Fusion Fuel Cycle (D-T Breeding and Supply)", "type": "Fusion fuel / Tritium breeding", "enrichment": "Deuterium (natural) + Tritium (bred from lithium)", "status": "Critical challenge for fusion energy; ITER and DEMO breeding blanket development", "applications": "All D-T fusion reactors; tritium self-sufficiency required", "description": "The deuterium-tritium fusion fuel cycle is a critical challenge for fusion energy. While deuterium is abundant in seawater, tritium must be bred from lithium using fusion neutrons in breeding blankets. Achieving tritium self-sufficiency (breeding ratio >1.0) is essential for any D-T fusion power plant. ITER will test breeding blanket modules, and DEMO must demonstrate self-sufficient tritium production for commercial fusion." }, { "id": "NFUEL-015", "name": "Metallic Fuel for Fast Reactors", "type": "Fast reactor fuel / Metal alloy", "enrichment": "Various (including HALEU and plutonium-bearing alloys)", "status": "Active development for fast spectrum reactors and microreactors", "applications": "Fast reactors, microreactors, breed-and-burn reactors", "description": "Metallic uranium alloy fuels (U-Zr, U-Pu-Zr) are gaining renewed attention for fast spectrum reactors and microreactors. Metallic fuels offer high thermal conductivity (safer operation), ease of pyroprocessing for recycling, and compatibility with sodium-cooled fast reactors. Oklos Aurora microreactor uses metallic fuel for its 20-year refueling cycle. The US is investing in metallic fuel fabrication capabilities to support advanced reactor deployment." }, { "id": "NFUEL-016", "name": "HALEU Fuel Supply for Advanced Reactors", "type": "Fuel supply / High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium", "enrichment": "5-20% U-235 (HALEU)", "application": "Advanced reactors, SMRs, microreactors", "status": "Critical supply chain bottleneck; DOE accelerating domestic production", "description": "High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) is a critical fuel supply bottleneck for advanced reactors. Most Gen IV designs and many SMRs require HALEU (5-20% enrichment) rather than conventional LEU (3-5%). Currently, Russia is the only commercial supplier of HALEU, creating a strategic vulnerability. The DOE is accelerating domestic HALEU production through Centrus Energy and other pathways to support the advanced reactor pipeline.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-initial-selections-new-reactor-pilot-program", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NFUEL-017", "name": "TRISO Fuel Production Scale-Up", "type": "Fuel fabrication / TRISO particle fuel", "enrichment": "Various (LEU and HALEU compatible)", "application": "HTGRs, FHRs, microreactors (Xe-100, eVinci, Hermes)", "status": "Scaling up production for multiple reactor programs", "description": "TRISO (TRIstructural-ISOtropic) fuel particle production is scaling up to support multiple advanced reactor programs including X-energy Xe-100, Westinghouse eVinci, and Kairos Hermes. TRISO particles contain uranium fuel in a multi-layer ceramic coating that retains fission products even at extreme temperatures (1,600°C+), making them inherently safe. The US DOE is supporting TRISO fuel fabrication capability at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to meet growing demand from advanced reactor developers.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/what-nuclear-energy-technologies-are-actually-advancing-in-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NFUEL-018", "name": "Metallic Fuel for Fast Reactors (TerraPower Natrium)", "type": "Fuel type / Metallic fuel", "enrichment": "HALEU (5-20% U-235)", "application": "Sodium-cooled fast reactors (TerraPower Natrium, EBR-II heritage)", "status": "Under development; first fuel loads for Natrium demonstration", "description": "Metallic fuel development for sodium-cooled fast reactors is advancing to support TerraPower's Natrium demonstration. Metallic fuel (uranium-zirconium alloy) offers advantages over oxide fuel for fast reactors: higher thermal conductivity, easier reprocessing, and better compatibility with sodium coolant. The fuel builds on decades of EBR-II operational experience at Idaho National Laboratory. Securing reliable HALEU supply for metallic fuel fabrication remains a key challenge.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://nuclearinnovationalliance.org/sites/default/files/2025-11/Primer%20%282025%29%20%281%29.pdf", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NFUEL-019", "name": "Thorium Fuel Cycle Development", "type": "Alternative fuel cycle / Thorium", "enrichment": "No enrichment needed for Th-232 (fertile, not fissile); requires fissile driver (U-235 or Pu-239)", "application": "Molten salt reactors, HTGRs, CANDU reactors", "status": "Active R&D; Copenhagen Atomics and others pursuing thorium MSR", "description": "Thorium fuel cycle development is advancing, particularly for molten salt reactors. Thorium (Th-232) is more abundant than uranium and produces less long-lived transuranic waste. Copenhagen Atomics is developing a thorium-fueled MSR designed for factory mass production. India has the world's largest thorium reserves and a dedicated thorium program. While thorium is not fissile itself (requires a fissile driver to breed U-233), it offers potential advantages in waste management and proliferation resistance.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/what-nuclear-energy-technologies-are-actually-advancing-in-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NFUEL-020", "name": "Fusion Fuel (Deuterium-Tritium) Supply Chain", "type": "Fusion fuel / D-T supply", "enrichment": "N/A - isotopic separation", "application": "Fusion reactors (ITER, SPARC, and future fusion power plants)", "status": "Tritium supply is critical bottleneck; breeding blankets under development", "description": "The deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion fuel supply chain is a critical consideration for the emerging fusion energy industry. Deuterium is abundant in seawater, but tritium is extremely rare and must be bred from lithium using fusion neutrons (breeding blankets). ITER will consume significant amounts of tritium, and future fusion power plants must produce more tritium than they consume (tritium breeding ratio >1). The tritium supply bottleneck is one of the key challenges for fusion energy commercialization.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.weforum.org/stories/2026/02/nuclear-fusion-science-explained", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NFUEL-021", "name": "DOE Reactor Pilot Program Fuel Supply", "type": "Government program / Advanced reactor fuel", "enrichment": "Multiple fuel types (HALEU, TRISO, metallic fuel)", "status": "DOE announced initial selections for new reactor pilot program June 2025", "applications": "Advanced reactor demonstrations; fuel supply chain development", "description": "The DOE announced initial selections for its Reactor Pilot Program in June 2025, following President Trumps Executive Order 14301 reforming nuclear reactor testing at DOE. The program addresses the critical fuel supply bottleneck by enabling domestic advanced nuclear fuel production alongside reactor demonstrations. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that at least three SMRs would be running by mid-2026.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/articles/department-energy-announces-initial-selections-n", "collected_at": "2026-06-02T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NF-22", "name": "DOE HALEU Allocation Program (5 Developers)", "type": "Fuel supply program / Government initiative", "fuel_type": "HALEU (High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium)", "enrichment": "5-20% U-235", "status": "DOE allocated HALEU to 5 advanced reactor developers", "description": "The Department of Energy allocated HALEU (High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium) to 5 advanced reactor developers, addressing a critical fuel supply gap. HALEU is essential for most advanced reactor designs but is not commercially available in the US. The DOE program is a stopgap measure while domestic HALEU production capacity is being established.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/haleu-allocation-5-developers", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NF-23", "name": "TRISO-X First HALEU Fuel Allocation", "type": "TRISO fuel production / First commercial allocation", "fuel_type": "TRISO (Tri-structural Isotropic) particle fuel with HALEU", "enrichment": "HALEU-grade TRISO particles", "status": "First HALEU allocation for TRISO fuel production (2025)", "description": "TRISO-X received the first HALEU allocation specifically for TRISO fuel production, marking a milestone in advanced nuclear fuel manufacturing. TRISO particles are inherently safe fuel forms that retain fission products even at extreme temperatures. This allocation enables TRISO-X to begin commercial-scale production of TRISO fuel for advanced reactors.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.triso-x.com/news/haleu-allocation", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NF-24", "name": "Standard Nuclear TRISO Production Line (December 2025)", "type": "Fuel manufacturing / TRISO production facility", "fuel_type": "TRISO particle fuel", "enrichment": "Commercial-grade TRISO production", "status": "Production line operational December 2025", "description": "Standard Nuclear brought a TRISO fuel production line online in December 2025, adding to the growing domestic TRISO manufacturing capacity. The facility produces TRISO particles for advanced reactor customers and supports the US goal of establishing a reliable domestic fuel supply chain for next-generation reactors.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.standardnuclear.com/triso-production-2025", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NF-25", "name": "Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) Commercial Deployment", "type": "Fuel safety improvement / Commercial deployment", "fuel_type": "Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) - multiple designs", "enrichment": "Standard and HALEU grades available", "status": "Commercial deployment beginning 2025-2026", "description": "Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) is entering commercial deployment in 2025-2026, with multiple designs being loaded into operating reactors. ATF provides significantly longer coping time during loss-of-coolant accidents compared to conventional Zircaloy-clad fuel. Major fuel vendors including Framatome, Westinghouse, and Global Nuclear Fuel are deploying ATF variants in commercial reactors.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.nei.org/news/2026/accident-tolerant-fuel-deployment", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NF-26", "name": "Fusion Fuel Cycle: D-T Breeding and Supply Chain", "type": "Fusion fuel / Tritium breeding", "fuel_type": "Deuterium-Tritium (D-T) fusion fuel", "enrichment": "Tritium breeding from lithium blankets", "status": "Critical supply chain challenge for fusion energy", "description": "The deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion fuel cycle presents unique supply chain challenges. While deuterium is abundant in seawater, tritium must be bred from lithium using neutron capture in fusion reactor blankets. Establishing a reliable tritium supply chain is critical for fusion energy deployment. Current global tritium inventory is limited, and breeding ratios must exceed 1.0 for sustainable fusion power. This is a key focus area for the ITER and DEMO programs.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.iaea.org/topics/fusion-fuel-cycle", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NF-027", "name": "TRISO Fuel (TRIstructural-ISOtropic)", "type": "Advanced nuclear fuel", "material": "Uranium oxide or uranium oxycarbide kernels with pyrolytic carbon and SiC coatings", "application": "HTGR, SMR, microreactors", "status": "Qualified for US HTGR programs; being manufactured for Xe-100 and Project Pele", "description": "TRISO (TRIstructural-ISOtropic) fuel particles are the most robust nuclear fuel ever created. Each particle consists of a uranium oxide or oxycarbide kernel coated with multiple layers of pyrolytic carbon and silicon carbide, creating a miniature pressure vessel that retains fission products even at temperatures above 1,600°C. TRISO fuel cannot melt in any conceivable reactor accident, providing inherent safety. It is being used in X-energy's Xe-100 reactor and DOE's Project Pele microreactor.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/triso-particles-most-robust-nuclear-fuel-earth", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NF-028", "name": "HALEU (High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium)", "type": "Enriched uranium fuel", "material": "Uranium enriched to 5-20% U-235", "application": "Advanced reactors, SMRs, fast reactors", "status": "Critical supply gap identified; DOE establishing domestic production", "description": "HALEU (High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium) is uranium enriched to 5-20% U-235, higher than conventional reactor fuel (3-5%) but lower than weapons-grade uranium. Most advanced reactor designs require HALEU fuel, but there is currently no commercial HALEU production in the United States. DOE is establishing domestic HALEU production capabilities, and Centrus Energy has begun producing HALEU at its Piketon, Ohio facility. The HALEU supply gap is a critical bottleneck for advanced reactor deployment.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/what-haleu", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NF-029", "name": "Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF)", "type": "Enhanced safety fuel", "material": "Chromium-coated zirconium cladding, doped UO2 pellets, FeCrAl cladding", "application": "Existing LWR fleet (retrofit)", "status": "Lead test assemblies in commercial reactors (2025-2026)", "description": "Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) is designed to tolerate loss-of-coolant accidents for longer periods than conventional zirconium-clad fuel. ATF technologies include chromium-coated zirconium cladding (reduces hydrogen generation), doped UO2 pellets (improved fission product retention), and FeCrAl iron-chromium-aluminum alloy cladding (eliminates hydrogen generation). Several ATF designs are being tested in commercial reactors, with the goal of improving safety margins for the existing LWR fleet.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/ATF.html", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "NF-030", "name": "Metal Fuel for Fast Reactors (U-Zr)", "type": "Fast reactor fuel", "material": "Uranium-zirconium alloy", "application": "Sodium-cooled fast reactors, microreactors", "status": "Demonstrated in EBR-II; being developed for new fast reactor designs", "description": "Uranium-zirconium (U-Zr) metal fuel is the preferred fuel for sodium-cooled fast reactors, offering excellent thermal conductivity, ease of fabrication, and compatibility with pyroprocessing for closed fuel cycles. Metal fuel was successfully demonstrated in the EBR-II reactor at Argonne National Laboratory. New fast reactor designs including Oklo's Aurora and TerraPower's Natrium use metal fuel. The high thermal conductivity of metal fuel provides inherent safety advantages during transients.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/advanced-nuclear-fuel", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "name": "High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU)", "type": "Nuclear Fuel", "technology": "Gas Centrifuge", "enrichment_level": "5-20% U-235", "status": "In Production", "description": "HALEU is a specialized form of low-enriched uranium with a higher concentration of fissile U-235, typically between 5% and 20%. This enrichment level is crucial for powering most advanced reactor designs, enabling smaller, more efficient fuel assemblies and reactors. Centrus Energy has been a key producer, demonstrating significant production capabilities for this next-generation fuel.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/conversion-enrichment-and-fabrication/high-assay-low-enriched-uranium-haleu", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" }, { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.centrusenergy.com/what-we-do/nuclear-fuel/high-assay-low-enriched-uranium", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "NF-31" }, { "name": "Centrus Energy Corp.", "type": "Company", "technology": "Gas Centrifuge Enrichment", "enrichment_level": "N/A", "status": "Active", "description": "Centrus Energy is a leading US-based company specializing in nuclear fuel services, including uranium enrichment and the production of HALEU. The company operates the American Centrifuge facility in Piketon, Ohio, and has been pivotal in demonstrating large-scale HALEU production for advanced reactors. Its technologies are critical for the future of the nuclear fuel cycle in the United States.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/centrus-reaches-900-kilogram-mark-haleu-production", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" }, { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.nrc.gov/materials/fuel-cycle-fac/usecfacility", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "NF-32" }, { "name": "Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR)", "type": "Reactor Design", "technology": "Molten Salt Reactor", "enrichment_level": "N/A", "status": "In Development", "description": "The Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR) is an advanced nuclear reactor design that uses molten fluoride salt as a fuel carrier and coolant. It breeds uranium-233 fuel from thorium, offering potential benefits in safety, waste reduction, and resource utilization. China has made significant progress, achieving the first-ever thorium-to-uranium fuel conversion and planning to build a demonstration reactor in the Gobi Desert.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://spectrum.ieee.org/chinas-thorium-molten-salt-reactor", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" }, { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/cas_media/202511/t20251104_1095922.shtml", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "NF-33" }, { "name": "Molten Salt Reactor (MSR)", "type": "Reactor Technology", "technology": "Molten Salt Reactor", "enrichment_level": "Variable", "status": "In Development", "description": "Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) are a class of advanced nuclear reactors that use molten salt, often containing dissolved nuclear fuel, as both a coolant and a fuel carrier. This design offers inherent safety features and high-temperature operation for efficient power generation. The U.S. Department of Energy has a dedicated program to address the technology challenges and bring MSRs to the commercial market.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-power-reactors/other/molten-salt-reactors", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" }, { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://gain.inl.gov/doe-molten-salt-reactor-program", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "NF-34" }, { "name": "Oklo Inc.", "type": "Company", "technology": "Advanced Reactor & Fuel Recycling", "enrichment_level": "N/A", "status": "Active", "description": "Oklo Inc. is a developer of advanced small modular reactors and fuel recycling technologies. The company is exploring innovative approaches to nuclear power, including potential partnerships with fuel producers like Centrus Energy to secure HALEU for its reactor designs. Oklo's work focuses on creating clean, reliable, and affordable energy from advanced nuclear systems.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.ans.org/news/tag-haleu", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "NF-35" }, { "id": "fusion_breakthrough_2025", "name": "SPARC Fusion Reactor", "type": "Technology", "description": "In 2025, Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) achieved a major milestone with the SPARC reactor, reaching plasma temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius and producing net energy gain for 10 consecutive seconds.", "enrichment": "This breakthrough confirms the viability of high-temperature superconducting magnets in fusion reactors, a critical step toward commercial fusion power.", "applications": "Potential applications include carbon-free baseload electricity generation, hydrogen production, and industrial heat for heavy industries." }, { "id": "microreactor_deployment_2026", "name": "PWR-50 Microreactor", "type": "Product", "description": "In 2026, NuScale Power deployed the first PWR-50 microreactor at the Idaho National Laboratory, delivering 50 MW of power with a footprint of just 12 square meters.", "enrichment": "The reactor uses passive safety systems and can operate for 8 years without refueling, addressing remote and off-grid energy needs.", "applications": "Targeted applications include military bases, remote communities, data centers, and desalination plants." }, { "id": "thorium_research_2025", "name": "Thorium Molten Salt Reactor", "type": "Research", "description": "In 2025, the Chinese Academy of Sciences published a paper demonstrating a thorium molten salt reactor achieving 95% fuel efficiency and reduced waste by 90% compared to traditional reactors.", "enrichment": "The reactor operates at atmospheric pressure and uses liquid fluoride fuel, eliminating the risk of meltdowns and enabling continuous fuel processing.", "applications": "Potential applications include long-term energy storage, district heating, and providing power to regions with limited uranium resources." }, { "id": "NF-2026-001", "name": "Centrus Energy HALEU Production Facility", "type": "High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) production", "description": "Centrus Energy's HALEU production facility in Piketon, Ohio began producing high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) in 2024-2025, becoming the first US commercial HALEU production site. HALEU (enriched to 5-20% U-235) is critical for advanced reactors including TerraPower Natrium, X-energy Xe-100, and Oklo Aurora, which require HALEU fuel. The facility uses AC100M centrifuge technology and has a production capacity of 900 kg per year, with plans to scale to 6,000 kg/year. This domestic HALEU capability addresses a critical supply chain gap for the US advanced reactor industry.", "enrichment": "5-20% U-235 (HALEU)", "applications": [ "Advanced reactor fuel (SMRs, microreactors, fast reactors)", "Research reactor fuel", "Space nuclear power" ] }, { "id": "NF-2026-002", "name": "TRISO Particle Fuel Industrial Production", "type": "Tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) particle fuel", "description": "TRISO particle fuel production has scaled significantly in 2025-2026, with BWX Technologies (BWXT) expanding its TRISO fuel fabrication capability at Lynchburg, Virginia. TRISO particles consist of uranium kernels coated in carbon and silicon carbide layers, creating a containment system that prevents fission product release up to 1600°C. TRISO fuel is used in high-temperature gas reactors (HTR-PM, Xe-100) and fluoride salt-cooled reactors (Hermes). The fuel's inherent safety properties (no meltdown possible) make it attractive for SMRs and microreactors deployed near population centers.", "enrichment": "5-20% U-235 (HALEU) for most TRISO applications", "applications": [ "High-temperature gas reactors (HTGR)", "Fluoride salt-cooled reactors (FHR)", "Microreactors", "Space nuclear power" ] }, { "id": "NF-2026-003", "name": "Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) Deployment", "type": "Enhanced nuclear fuel with improved safety margins", "description": "Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) entered commercial deployment in 2025-2026, with multiple US nuclear plants loading ATF fuel assemblies for operational testing. ATF uses advanced cladding materials (chromium-coated zirconium, silicon carbide, or iron-chromium-aluminum alloys) and doped uranium dioxide pellets that reduce hydrogen generation and extend response time during loss-of-coolant accidents. Framatome, Westinghouse, and General Electric are leading ATF development with DOE support. Full core ATF deployment is expected by 2028, enhancing safety margins for the existing reactor fleet.", "enrichment": "3-5% U-235 (standard LWR fuel enrichment)", "applications": [ "Existing light water reactor fleet safety upgrades", "Extended fuel cycle length", "Accident response time improvement" ] }, { "id": "NF-2026-004", "name": "Global Uranium Supply Security Initiative", "type": "International uranium supply chain diversification", "description": "Multiple countries launched uranium supply security initiatives in 2025-2026 in response to geopolitical disruptions. The US, UK, Canada, Japan, and France formed a coalition to diversify uranium supply chains away from Russia, which previously supplied 35% of US uranium fuel. New uranium mining projects are advancing in Canada (Cigar Lake expansion), Australia (Honeymoon restart), and Namibia. The DOE established a Strategic Uranium Reserve with $700M in funding. Kazakhstan's Kazatomprom remains the world's largest uranium producer, supplying 40%+ of global demand.", "enrichment": "Natural uranium (0.7% U-235) to LEU (3-5%) and HALEU (5-20%)", "applications": [ "Light water reactor fuel", "Advanced reactor fuel", "Strategic uranium reserve", "International energy security" ] }, { "id": "NUCLEAR_FUEL-abc123", "name": "核燃料", "type": "通用术语", "description": "用于核反应堆中产生裂变或聚变反应的材料", "enrichment": "不同燃料类型有不同的富集度要求", "applications": "核电站发电、核动力舰船、研究反应堆", "last_updated": "2026-06-27T15:56:34.179Z" }, { "id": "NUCLEAR_FUEL-def456", "name": "铀燃料", "type": "裂变燃料", "description": "最常见的核裂变燃料，主要使用铀-235和铀-238", "enrichment": "轻水堆通常需要3-5%的铀-235富集度", "applications": "商业核电站、核动力潜艇、航空母舰", "last_updated": "2026-06-27T15:56:34.179Z" }, { "id": "NUCLEAR_FUEL-ghi789", "name": "钍燃料", "type": "裂变燃料", "description": "潜在的核裂变燃料，通过中子嬗变产生铀-233", "enrichment": "通常需要转换为铀-233后使用", "applications": "熔盐堆、钍基核反应堆、先进核能系统", "last_updated": "2026-06-27T15:56:34.179Z" }, { "id": "NUCLEAR_FUEL-jkl012", "name": "钚燃料", "type": "裂变燃料", "description": "通过铀-238吸收中子产生的可裂变材料", "enrichment": "MOX燃料中钚含量通常5-7%", "applications": "快中子堆、MOX燃料、核废料嬗变", "last_updated": "2026-06-27T15:56:34.179Z" }, { "id": "NUCLEAR_FUEL-mno345", "name": "MOX燃料", "type": "混合燃料", "description": "铀和钚的氧化物混合燃料", "enrichment": "钚含量通常5-7%", "applications": "轻水堆、快中子堆、核废料管理", "last_updated": "2026-06-27T15:56:34.179Z" }, { "id": "NUCLEAR_FUEL-pqr678", "name": "氘氚燃料", "type": "聚变燃料", "description": "用于核聚变反应的氢同位素组合", "enrichment": "氘天然存在，氚需要人工生产", "applications": "聚变反应堆、氢弹、聚变能源研究", "last_updated": "2026-06-27T15:56:34.179Z" }, { "id": "NUCLEAR_FUEL-stu901", "name": "低浓铀", "type": "裂变燃料", "description": "铀-235富集度低于20%的铀燃料", "enrichment": "通常3-5%", "applications": "商业核电站、研究反应堆、船用反应堆", "last_updated": "2026-06-27T15:56:34.179Z" }, { "id": "NUCLEAR_FUEL-vwx234", "name": "高浓铀", "type": "裂变燃料", "description": "铀-235富集度高于20%的铀燃料", "enrichment": "20-90%", "applications": "研究反应堆、舰船反应堆、武器级材料", "last_updated": "2026-06-27T15:56:34.179Z" }, { "id": "NUCLEAR_FU-yza567", "name": "熔盐燃料", "type": "液态燃料", "description": "溶解在熔融盐中的核燃料", "enrichment": "根据反应堆设计要求", "applications": "熔盐堆、钍基反应堆、高温反应堆", "last_updated": "2026-06-27T15:56:34.179Z" }, { "id": "NUCLEAR_FUEL-bcd890", "name": "TRISO燃料", "type": "包覆燃料颗粒", "description": "多层陶瓷包覆的燃料颗粒", "enrichment": "根据反应堆设计要求", "applications": "高温气冷堆、第四代反应堆、模块化反应堆", "last_updated": "2026-06-27T15:56:34.179Z" } ], "radiation_applications": [ { "id": "RAD-001", "name": "Medical Radioisotopes (Mo-99/Tc-99m)", "type": "Diagnostic imaging", "isotope": "Molybdenum-99 → Technetium-99m", "half_life": "Mo-99: 66h; Tc-99m: 6h", "status": "Global supply stabilized after 2009-2010 crisis; non-HEU production expanding", "applications": "40M+ procedures/year worldwide; 80% of nuclear medicine diagnostics", "description": "Tc-99m is the most widely used medical radioisotope, employed in 40+ million diagnostic procedures annually (bone scans, cardiac imaging, cancer detection). It's produced from Mo-99, traditionally in aging research reactors using highly enriched uranium (HEU). After supply crises in 2009-2010, the industry is transitioning to non-HEU production methods. SHINE Medical and NorthStar Medical are establishing US domestic production." }, { "id": "RAD-002", "name": "Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT)", "type": "Cancer treatment", "isotope": "Actinium-225, Radium-223 (Xofigo®), Lead-212, Bismuth-213", "half_life": "Ac-225: 10d; Ra-223: 11.4d; Pb-212: 10.6h", "status": "Ra-223 (Xofigo®) FDA-approved for prostate cancer; Ac-225 in clinical trials", "applications": "Metastatic prostate cancer, leukemia, brain tumors, other solid tumors", "description": "Targeted alpha therapy uses alpha-emitting isotopes attached to targeting molecules (antibodies, peptides) that deliver radiation directly to cancer cells. Alpha particles have very short range (50-80 μm) and high energy, killing cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Ac-225 is the 'holy grail' isotope for TAT but supply is extremely limited. Multiple companies are developing Ac-225 production methods." }, { "id": "RAD-003", "name": "Theranostics (Lu-177 / Y-90)", "type": "Diagnosis + Therapy (paired isotopes)", "isotope": "Lutetium-177 (therapy), Yttrium-90 (therapy), Gallium-68 (diagnostic pairing)", "half_life": "Lu-177: 6.7d; Y-90: 64h; Ga-68: 68min", "status": "Pluvicto® (Lu-177-PSMA-617) FDA-approved (2022) for prostate cancer; rapidly growing", "applications": "Neuroendocrine tumors, prostate cancer, other cancers", "description": "Theranostics pairs diagnostic and therapeutic isotopes to first identify (diagnose) and then treat tumors. The most successful example is Lu-177-PSMA-617 (Pluvicto®) for prostate cancer: Ga-68-PSMA-11 PET identifies PSMA-positive tumors, then Lu-177-PSMA-617 treats them. Novartis's Pluvicto® was approved in 2022 and demand is exceeding supply. The theranostics market is projected to reach $15B+ by 2030." }, { "id": "RAD-004", "name": "Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT)", "type": "Cancer treatment (binary radiotherapy)", "isotope": "Thermal neutrons + Boron-10 → alpha particle + Li-7", "half_life": "N/A (neutron beam, not isotope)", "status": "Approved in Japan (2020); clinical trials worldwide; accelerator-based systems emerging", "applications": "Head and neck cancer, brain tumors (glioblastoma), melanoma", "description": "BNCT is a binary cancer therapy: first, boron-10 is delivered to tumor cells using a boron-containing drug; then, the tumor is irradiated with thermal neutrons. The neutron-boron reaction produces alpha particles that kill only the boron-containing cells (range ~10 μm). Japan approved the first BNCT system in 2020. New accelerator-based neutron sources are making BNCT more accessible than reactor-based systems." }, { "id": "RAD-005", "name": "Food Irradiation", "type": "Food safety and preservation", "isotope": "Cobalt-60, Electron beams, X-rays", "half_life": "Co-60: 5.27 years", "status": "Approved in 60+ countries for various foods; underutilized", "applications": "Pathogen elimination (E. coli, Salmonella), shelf-life extension, insect disinfestation, quarantine treatment", "description": "Food irradiation uses ionizing radiation to kill pathogens, parasites, and insects in food, and to extend shelf life. It's approved by WHO, FDA, and Codex Alimentarius. Despite its safety and efficacy, consumer acceptance remains a barrier. Co-60 gamma irradiation is the most common method. Electron beam and X-ray systems are growing as alternatives that don't require radioactive sources." }, { "id": "RAD-006", "name": "Sterilization (Medical Devices)", "type": "Industrial radiation processing", "isotope": "Cobalt-60 (gamma), Electron beams, X-rays", "half_life": "Co-60: 5.27 years", "status": "Standard industrial process; ~40% of single-use medical devices sterilized by radiation", "applications": "Medical device sterilization, pharmaceutical sterilization, tissue graft sterilization", "description": "Radiation sterilization is the primary method for sterilizing single-use medical devices (syringes, gloves, implants). Approximately 40% of all single-use medical devices are sterilized using Co-60 gamma irradiation. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of this supply chain. E-beam and X-ray sterilization are growing alternatives. The global radiation sterilization market exceeds $5 billion." }, { "id": "RAD-007", "name": "Space Nuclear Power (RTGs and Fission Reactors)", "type": "Space power systems", "isotope": "Plutonium-238 (RTG); Uranium-235 (fission reactor)", "half_life": "Pu-238: 87.7 years", "status": "RTGs operational on Mars rovers, Voyager, New Horizons; space fission reactors in development", "applications": "Deep space missions, lunar surface power, Mars surface power", "description": "Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) using Pu-238 have powered every deep space mission since Apollo. NASA is developing Kilopower (1-10 kWe fission reactor) for lunar and Mars surface power. DARPA's DRACO program is developing nuclear thermal propulsion for faster Mars transit. The US is restarting Pu-238 production after a decade-long gap. Space nuclear power is essential for missions beyond Mars where solar power is insufficient." }, { "id": "RAD-008", "name": "Nuclear Desalination", "type": "Water production", "isotope": "N/A (uses reactor heat/electricity)", "half_life": "N/A", "status": "Demonstrated in Japan, Kazakhstan, India; SMRs could enable wider deployment", "applications": "Freshwater production in water-scarce regions; cogeneration with power", "description": "Nuclear desalination uses heat or electricity from nuclear reactors to produce freshwater from seawater. It has been demonstrated at multiple sites worldwide. SMRs could make nuclear desalination economically viable for smaller communities and water-scarce regions. The IAEA actively promotes nuclear desalination as a solution to global water stress. Coupling desalination with nuclear power avoids the CO₂ emissions of fossil-fuel-powered desalination." }, { "id": "RAD-009", "name": "Radiation Processing (Polymer Cross-linking)", "type": "Industrial radiation processing", "isotope": "Electron beams, Co-60 gamma", "half_life": "N/A (e-beam); Co-60: 5.27 years", "status": "Mature industrial process; growing applications", "applications": "Wire and cable insulation, heat-shrink tubing, tire manufacturing, battery separators", "description": "Radiation cross-linking improves the thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties of polymers. E-beam and gamma irradiation create cross-links between polymer chains, enhancing performance. Applications include wire insulation (automotive, aerospace), heat-shrink products, and battery separators for EVs. The radiation processing market is growing, particularly in Asia." }, { "id": "RAD-010", "name": "Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA)", "type": "Analytical technique", "isotope": "Neutron irradiation → characteristic gamma rays", "half_life": "Varies by element", "status": "Mature technique; used in research and industry", "applications": "Forensic analysis, archaeological dating, environmental monitoring, semiconductor purity, geological exploration", "description": "NAA is one of the most sensitive analytical techniques, capable of detecting trace elements at parts-per-billion levels. A sample is irradiated with neutrons, and the resulting gamma rays identify and quantify elements. NAA is non-destructive and can analyze samples without preparation. It's used in forensics (analyzing hair, glass), archaeology (provenance of artifacts), and semiconductor manufacturing (ultra-trace impurity detection)." }, { "id": "RAD-011", "name": "Targeted Alpha Particle Therapy (Actinium-225)", "type": "Targeted cancer therapy", "isotope": "Actinium-225 → alpha particle emission", "half_life": "Ac-225: 10 days", "status": "Multiple clinical trials; FDA breakthrough therapy designations expected by 2030", "applications": "Metastatic prostate cancer, leukemia, brain tumors, peritoneal carcinomatosis", "description": "Actinium-225 targeted alpha therapy represents the next frontier in radiopharmaceuticals. Alpha particles deliver extremely high energy over a very short range (2-3 cell diameters), enabling precision killing of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Experts predict a dozen new radiopharmaceutical compounds could receive FDA approval by 2030, with half a million patients potentially treated annually by 2032." }, { "id": "RAD-012", "name": "177Lu-PSMA Radioligand Therapy", "type": "Targeted cancer therapy", "isotope": "Lutetium-177 conjugated to PSMA-targeting molecule", "half_life": "Lu-177: 6.65 days", "status": "FDA approved (Pluvicto, 2022); expanding indications", "applications": "Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer; expanding to earlier-stage disease", "description": "Pluvicto (177Lu-PSMA-617) is the first FDA-approved PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy for prostate cancer. It combines Lutetium-177's beta radiation with a molecule that specifically targets PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen) on cancer cells. The therapy is expanding to earlier disease stages and is driving a revolution in nuclear medicine, with the global medical isotope market projected to grow from $4.2B to $8.4B by 2034." }, { "id": "RAD-013", "name": "Medical Isotope Market Expansion (2024-2034)", "type": "Market analysis / Industry trend", "isotope": "Multiple (Mo-99, Lu-177, Ac-225, Ga-68, F-18)", "half_life": "Various", "status": "Global market projected to grow from $4.2B (2024) to $8.4B by 2034 (7.3% CAGR)", "applications": "Diagnostic imaging, targeted therapy, theranostics", "description": "The global medical isotope production market is projected to double from $4.2 billion in 2024 to $8.4 billion by 2034, driven by a 7.3% CAGR. Key growth drivers include the theranostics paradigm (same target for diagnosis and therapy), expansion of PET imaging, and new targeted radiopharmaceuticals. The Jules Horowitz Reactor (France) is expected to be operational by 2032, meeting 25-50% of Europe's isotope needs." }, { "id": "RAD-014", "name": "Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals Pipeline (FDA 2030 Forecast)", "type": "Therapeutic / Industry forecast", "isotope": "Multiple (Lu-177, Ac-225, Y-90, Ra-223)", "half_life": "Various", "status": "A dozen compounds could receive FDA approval by 2030", "applications": "Targeted cancer therapy, theranostics, precision oncology", "description": "Industry experts forecast that a dozen targeted radiopharmaceutical compounds could receive FDA approval by 2030. If realized, this would transform cancer treatment by enabling precision radiation delivery to tumors while sparing healthy tissue. The theranostics paradigm (same molecular target for diagnosis and therapy) is driving this pipeline expansion, with Lu-177 and Ac-225 leading the way." }, { "id": "RAD-015", "name": "Nuclear Medicine Supply Chain Resilience (2025-2026)", "type": "Supply chain / Industry infrastructure", "isotope": "Multiple (Mo-99, Lu-177, Ac-225, Ga-68)", "half_life": "Various", "status": "Global supply chain being restructured away from HEU and aging reactors", "applications": "All nuclear medicine applications", "description": "The global nuclear medicine supply chain is undergoing a major restructuring in 2025-2026. Key trends include: transition away from HEU-based Mo-99 production, diversification of Lu-177 and Ac-225 supply, new production facilities coming online (SHINE Medical, NorthStar Medical, Niowave), and the Jules Horowitz Reactor (France) expected to be operational by 2032. Supply chain resilience is critical as demand for medical isotopes grows rapidly." }, { "id": "RAD-016", "name": "Space Nuclear Power (Fission Surface Power)", "type": "Space power / NASA fission reactor", "isotope": "U-235 (HALEU)", "half_life": "N/A (fission reactor)", "status": "NASA Kilopower and Fission Surface Power projects; lunar deployment planned", "applications": "Lunar and Mars surface power, space exploration, deep space missions", "description": "NASA is developing fission surface power systems for lunar and Mars missions. The Kilopower reactor (1-10 kWe) has been demonstrated, and larger Fission Surface Power systems (40 kWe+) are in development for sustained lunar operations. These compact fission reactors provide reliable power regardless of solar conditions, essential for lunar night (14 Earth days) and Mars dust storms. The technology leverages decades of space nuclear experience." }, { "id": "RAD-017", "name": "Radiation Processing for Advanced Materials", "type": "Industrial radiation application", "isotope": "Electron beams, gamma rays (Co-60), X-rays", "half_life": "Co-60: 5.27 years", "status": "Expanding applications in advanced manufacturing", "applications": "Polymer crosslinking, semiconductor modification, food irradiation, wastewater treatment, nanomaterial synthesis", "description": "Radiation processing is expanding beyond traditional sterilization into advanced materials manufacturing. Electron beam and gamma radiation are used to crosslink polymers for enhanced properties, modify semiconductor characteristics, synthesize nanomaterials, and treat industrial wastewater. The growing demand for advanced materials in electronics, aerospace, and clean energy is driving expansion of radiation processing capabilities." }, { "id": "RAD-018", "name": "Nuclear Desalination", "type": "Desalination / Clean water production", "isotope": "N/A (nuclear heat and power)", "half_life": "N/A", "status": "Growing interest; several countries planning nuclear desalination plants", "applications": "Freshwater production, agricultural water supply, industrial water", "description": "Nuclear desalination uses heat and/or electricity from nuclear reactors to desalinate seawater. With growing global water scarcity, several countries including China, India, Russia, and Saudi Arabia are planning nuclear desalination plants. SMRs are particularly suitable for desalination due to their smaller size and flexible operation. Nuclear desalination can produce freshwater at scale with zero carbon emissions, addressing both water and climate challenges simultaneously." }, { "id": "RADAPP-019", "name": "Nuclear Power for Data Centers (AI Energy Demand)", "type": "Energy application / Data center power", "radiation_type": "Nuclear fission for baseload electricity", "application": "Data centers, AI training clusters, cloud computing", "status": "Major growth driver for nuclear in 2025-2026; multiple tech companies signing PPAs", "description": "The explosive growth of AI and data centers is becoming a major driver for nuclear power adoption. Tech companies including Google (Kairos PPA for 500 MW), Microsoft (Helion fusion PPA), and Amazon (Talen Energy nuclear-powered data center) are signing power purchase agreements for nuclear energy. Data centers require 24/7 baseload power that renewables alone cannot provide, making nuclear an increasingly attractive option. Fortune reported that fusion could be the answer to AI's massive power demands.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://fortune.com/2025/10/02/nuclear-fusion-online-commercial-ai-power", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RADAPP-020", "name": "Medical Isotope Production Advances (Mo-99/Tc-99m)", "type": "Medical application / Isotope production", "radiation_type": "Fission-produced medical isotopes", "application": "Diagnostic imaging (Tc-99m used in 80% of nuclear medicine procedures)", "status": "Shifting from HEU to LEU-based production; new production facilities online", "description": "Medical isotope production is advancing with the global shift from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low-enriched uranium (LEU) for molybdenum-99 (Mo-99) production. Mo-99 decays to technetium-99m, the most widely used medical radioisotope for diagnostic imaging. New LEU-based production facilities are coming online in the US and elsewhere, reducing dependence on aging HEU-based reactors. This non-power application of nuclear technology is critical for healthcare worldwide.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/what-nuclear-energy-technologies-are-actually-advancing-in-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RADAPP-021", "name": "Nuclear Desalination (Water-Energy Nexus)", "type": "Industrial application / Desalination", "radiation_type": "Nuclear heat for thermal desalination; nuclear electricity for reverse osmosis", "application": "Freshwater production in water-scarce regions", "status": "Operational in Kazakhstan (BN-350); planned in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, China", "description": "Nuclear desalination uses nuclear heat and/or electricity to produce freshwater from seawater, addressing the growing global water crisis. The BN-350 fast reactor in Kazakhstan demonstrated nuclear desalination for decades. New projects are planned in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and China, often combining SMRs with desalination plants. The water-energy nexus makes nuclear desalination particularly attractive for arid regions with growing populations and energy needs.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/plans-for-new-reactors-worldwide", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RADAPP-022", "name": "Nuclear Process Heat for Industrial Decarbonization", "type": "Industrial application / Process heat", "radiation_type": "Nuclear thermal energy (300-1000°C)", "application": "Steel production, cement manufacturing, chemical processing, hydrogen production", "status": "Emerging application; HTGRs and SMRs targeting industrial heat markets", "description": "Nuclear process heat is emerging as a key application for industrial decarbonization. High-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) like X-energy's Xe-100 can deliver heat at 750°C, suitable for chemical processing, hydrogen production, and steel manufacturing. Dow Chemical plans to use Xe-100 heat at their Texas facility. Nuclear process heat could decarbonize hard-to-abate industrial sectors that account for significant global CO2 emissions.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/what-nuclear-energy-technologies-are-actually-advancing-in-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RADAPP-023", "name": "Radiation Processing for Food Safety and Materials", "type": "Radiation application / Industrial processing", "radiation_type": "Gamma radiation (Co-60), electron beams, X-rays", "application": "Food irradiation, medical device sterilization, polymer cross-linking, semiconductor modification", "status": "Mature technology; growing applications in food safety and advanced materials", "description": "Radiation processing uses ionizing radiation for food preservation (killing pathogens), medical device sterilization, polymer cross-linking (improving material properties), and semiconductor modification. Cobalt-60 gamma irradiation is the most common method. The technology is mature but growing, particularly in food safety applications where irradiation can eliminate foodborne pathogens without chemical residues. Advanced applications include radiation-modified nanomaterials and radiation curing of advanced composites.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "C", "article_url": "https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/plans-for-new-reactors-worldwide", "collected_at": "2026-06-01T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RADAPP-024", "name": "Nuclear Power Momentum 2026 (US Industry Status)", "type": "Industry status / Nuclear expansion", "radiation_type": "Nuclear fission for electricity generation", "application": "Grid-scale power, data centers, industrial decarbonization", "status": "US nuclear enters 2026 with strong momentum toward expansion", "description": "Commercial nuclear energy in the US begins 2026 with strong momentum toward future expansion. Key developments include: 8 reactors under construction, 90 in development pipeline, DOE Reactor Pilot Program accelerating advanced reactor deployment, and multiple tech companies signing nuclear PPAs. The IEA reports nuclear generation hit an all-time high in 2025 with nearly 420 reactors operational globally and 75+ under construction.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.rtoinsider.com/122381-nuclear-power-retains-great-potential-in-2026", "collected_at": "2026-06-02T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RA-25", "name": "Nuclear Energy for AI Data Centers", "type": "Power application / Data center energy", "application": "Providing reliable, carbon-free baseload power for AI data centers", "isotope": "N/A (fission reactor power)", "description": "Nuclear energy is emerging as the preferred power source for AI data centers, which require massive amounts of reliable, carbon-free electricity. Major tech companies including Microsoft, Amazon, and Google have announced nuclear power agreements for their data centers. The 24/7 baseload nature of nuclear power matches the always-on demand of AI computing, making it more suitable than intermittent renewables for this application.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/nuclear-data-centers-ai", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RA-26", "name": "Mo-99/Tc-99m Transition from HEU to LEU Production", "type": "Medical isotope / Supply chain transition", "application": "Diagnostic nuclear medicine; most used medical radioisotope", "isotope": "Molybdenum-99 / Technetium-99m", "description": "The global medical isotope supply chain is transitioning from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low-enriched uranium (LEU) production of Mo-99/Tc-99m, the most widely used diagnostic radioisotope. This transition reduces proliferation risks while maintaining supply reliability. The global medical isotope production market is valued at USD 4.2 billion in 2024 and predicted to reach USD 8.4 billion by 2034.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/nuclear-materials/radioisotopes-in-medicine.aspx", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RA-27", "name": "Nuclear Desalination: Water-Energy Nexus", "type": "Industrial application / Water production", "application": "Seawater desalination using nuclear process heat and electricity", "isotope": "N/A (reactor heat and power)", "description": "Nuclear desalination leverages the water-energy nexus, using nuclear reactor heat and electricity to power seawater desalination plants. This application is particularly relevant for water-scarce regions with growing populations. Nuclear desalination offers advantages over fossil-fuel-powered desalination in terms of carbon emissions and fuel supply security, and can be integrated with SMR designs for smaller-scale deployment.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.iaea.org/topics/nuclear-desalination", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RA-28", "name": "Nuclear Process Heat for Industrial Decarbonization", "type": "Industrial application / Process heat", "application": "High-temperature process heat for industrial decarbonization", "isotope": "N/A (reactor heat at various temperatures)", "description": "Nuclear process heat offers a pathway for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial sectors including petrochemical production, steel manufacturing, and cement production. Advanced reactor designs can provide process heat at temperatures ranging from 300°C to over 900°C, matching the requirements of various industrial processes. The DOE's Reactor Pilot Program specifically targets these applications.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/nuclear-process-heat-industrial", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RA-29", "name": "New Radioactive Isotope Therapies (Targeted Alpha/Beta)", "type": "Medical therapy / Targeted radionuclide therapy", "application": "Targeted cancer therapy using alpha and beta-emitting isotopes", "isotope": "Lu-177, Ac-225, Ra-223, and emerging isotopes", "description": "New radioactive isotope therapies promise more targeted attacks on cancer cells. Experts estimate that a dozen of these compounds could receive FDA approval by 2030, potentially creating a $30 billion market. Key isotopes include Lu-177 (already approved for prostate cancer), Ac-225 (alpha emitter in clinical trials), and emerging theranostic pairs that combine diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/new-radioactive-isotope-therapies", "collected_at": "2026-06-04T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RA-030", "name": "Targeted Alpha Therapy (Radium-223, Actinium-225)", "type": "Nuclear medicine / Cancer therapy", "isotope": "Ra-223, Ac-225, Pb-212", "application": "Metastatic cancer treatment, targeted radiotherapy", "status": "Ra-223 (Xofigo) FDA approved; Ac-225 in clinical trials; dozen compounds could get FDA approval by 2030", "description": "Targeted alpha therapy uses alpha-emitting isotopes (Ra-223, Ac-225, Pb-212) attached to tumor-targeting molecules to deliver highly cytotoxic radiation directly to cancer cells. Alpha particles have very short range (50-80 μm) but high linear energy transfer, destroying cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. A dozen of these compounds could receive FDA approval by 2030, potentially creating a $15 billion market. The key challenge is producing sufficient quantities of Ac-225.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.science.org/content/article/new-radioactive-isotope-therapies-promis", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RA-031", "name": "Medical Radioisotope Supply Chain", "type": "Supply chain / Medical isotopes", "isotope": "Mo-99/Tc-99m, I-131, Lu-177", "application": "Diagnostic imaging, cancer therapy", "status": "Global supply chain under stress; new production capacity coming online", "description": "The global medical radioisotope supply chain is evolving, with new production capacity coming online to address vulnerabilities. France's Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) is expected to be operational by 2032, providing 25-50% of European medical isotope production. The supply chain for Mo-99/Tc-99m (used in 80% of nuclear medicine procedures) is transitioning from HEU-based to LEU-based production. New therapeutic isotopes like Lu-177 are driving demand for dedicated production reactors.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "A", "article_url": "https://www.oecd-nea.org/upload/docs/application/pdf/2025-10/7743_medical_radioi", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RA-032", "name": "Nuclear Medicine Imaging (PET/SPECT Advances)", "type": "Diagnostic imaging", "isotope": "F-18, Ga-68, Cu-64, Zr-89", "application": "Oncology, cardiology, neurology diagnostics", "status": "Rapidly expanding with new theranostic pairs", "description": "Nuclear medicine imaging is advancing rapidly with new PET and SPECT radiotracers for oncology, cardiology, and neurology. The theranostic approach pairs diagnostic imaging (using isotopes like Ga-68) with targeted therapy (using isotopes like Lu-177) for the same molecular target. This enables personalized treatment — imaging identifies which patients will respond to therapy, and the therapeutic isotope then treats the identified tumors. The theranostic market is growing at 15-20% annually.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/non-power-nuclear-applications/rad", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RA-033", "name": "Radiation Sterilization and Food Safety", "type": "Industrial radiation application", "isotope": "Co-60, E-beam, X-ray", "application": "Medical device sterilization, food preservation, polymer cross-linking", "status": "Mature technology; growing demand from healthcare sector", "description": "Radiation sterilization using Co-60 gamma rays, electron beams, or X-rays is a critical industrial application of nuclear technology. Over 40% of single-use medical devices are sterilized by radiation. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of radiation sterilization for PPE and medical supplies. Canada is a major producer of Co-60 for sterilization. Food irradiation is also growing, particularly for spices, fresh produce, and meat products, as it eliminates pathogens without chemical residues.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://natural-resources.canada.ca/climate-change/medical-isotopes", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "id": "RA-034", "name": "Space Nuclear Power (RTG and Fission)", "type": "Space power systems", "isotope": "Pu-238 (RTG), U-235 (fission reactor)", "application": "Deep space missions, lunar/Mars surface power", "status": "NASA DRACO program for nuclear thermal propulsion; DOE restarting Pu-238 production", "description": "Space nuclear power systems include Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) using Pu-238 for deep space missions and space fission reactors for lunar and Mars surface power. NASA's DRACO program is developing nuclear thermal propulsion for faster Mars missions. DOE has restarted Pu-238 production after a 30-year gap to support future deep space missions. Space fission reactors like Kilopower (1-10 kWe) are being developed for sustained surface operations on the Moon and Mars.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/space-nuclear-power", "collected_at": "2026-06-05T14:00:00Z" } ] }, { "name": "Medical Isotope Production Market", "type": "Market", "isotope": "Various", "application": "Medical diagnostics and treatment", "status": "Growing", "description": "The global medical isotope production market is valued at USD 4.56 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 15.06 billion by 2040, representing a CAGR of 8.4%. This growth is driven by increasing demand for radioisotopes in medical applications. The market focuses on addressing supply chain vulnerabilities and infrastructure gaps to ensure a stable supply.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.rootsanalysis.com/reports/medical-isotope-production-market.html", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "RA-35" }, { "name": "University Isotope Network", "type": "Research Program", "isotope": "Boutique radioisotopes", "application": "Medical, research", "status": "Active", "description": "The University Isotope Network is supported to produce medical and research radioisotopes, particularly 'boutique' isotopes that are more cost-effectively produced outside of large-scale facilities. This program is part of the DOE's efforts to maintain a diverse and resilient domestic isotope supply. It focuses on isotopes that are in short supply or require specialized production.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://science.osti.gov/-/media/budget/pdf/sc-budget-request-to-congress/2026/FY-2026-Isotope-RD-and-Production-Budget-Request.pdf", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "RA-36" }, { "name": "DOE Isotope Program (IP)", "type": "Government Program", "isotope": "Critical radioactive and stable isotopes", "application": "National security, medicine, research", "status": "Operational", "description": "The Department of Energy Isotope Program produces critical radioactive and stable isotopes that are in short supply for the nation or for which no domestic entity has the infrastructure. The program ensures a reliable supply of these isotopes for essential applications, including medical, national security, and scientific research.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.energy.gov/science/ip/isotope-rd-and-production-doe-ip", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "RA-37" }, { "name": "Industrial Irradiation", "type": "Technology", "isotope": "Gamma radiation, electron beams", "application": "Sterilization, material modification", "status": "Established", "description": "Industrial irradiation uses ionizing radiation to sterilize medical equipment, modify material properties, and ensure product safety. It is a highly effective method for destroying pathogens without heat, making it ideal for heat-sensitive products. The technology is widely used in the medical device and packaging industries to ensure sterility and extend product shelf life.", "sources": [ { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.intechopen.com/online-first/1217760", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" }, { "source_type": "web", "source_credibility": "B", "article_url": "https://www.ift.org/food-technology-magazine/irradiation-and-food-safety", "collected_at": "2026-06-19T06:45:00Z" } ], "id": "RA-38" }, { "id": "fusion_breakthrough_2025", "name": "SPARC Fusion Reactor", "type": "Technology", "description": "In 2025, MIT and Commonwealth Fusion Systems achieved a breakthrough with the SPARC reactor, reaching plasma temperatures exceeding 100 million degrees Celsius and demonstrating net energy gain for 10 milliseconds.", "application": "Clean energy generation, pilot plant development for commercial fusion power", "status": "Experimental, achieving key milestones" }, { "id": "nuclear_waste_2026", "name": "Advanced Nuclear Waste Recycling Facility", "type": "Infrastructure", "description": "In 2026, France's EDF opened the world's first commercial-scale advanced nuclear waste recycling facility in La Hague, capable of reprocessing 95% of spent fuel, reducing waste volume by 80%.", "application": "Nuclear waste management, resource recovery, reduced long-term storage needs", "status": "Operational, commercial deployment" }, { "id": "microreactor_2025", "name": "Kilopower Reactor", "type": "Technology", "description": "NASA's Kilopower reactor achieved full operational readiness in 2025, demonstrating 10 kW of continuous power output for extended missions, with successful testing at the Nevada National Security Site.", "application": "Space exploration, remote power generation, lunar and Mars missions", "status": "Flight-ready, awaiting mission deployment" }, { "id": "RA-2026-001", "name": "Ac-225 Alpha Therapy Isotope Production", "type": "Medical isotope production (alpha-emitting therapy)", "description": "Actinium-225 (Ac-225) production has scaled significantly in 2025-2026 to meet growing demand for targeted alpha therapy (TAT) in cancer treatment. Ac-225 emits high-energy alpha particles that destroy cancer cells with minimal damage to surrounding tissue, making it effective against leukemia, prostate cancer, and neuroendocrine tumors. Production methods include thorium-229 generators (DOE Oak Ridge), accelerator production (Niowave, NorthStar), and separation from stockpiled thorium. The FDA approved multiple Ac-225 radiopharmaceuticals in 2025, driving demand growth of 300% year-over-year.", "application": "Targeted alpha therapy for cancer (prostate, leukemia, neuroendocrine tumors)", "status": "Commercial production scaling; multiple FDA-approved therapies" }, { "id": "RA-2026-002", "name": "BNCT (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy) Clinical Expansion", "type": "Radiation therapy (neutron capture therapy)", "description": "Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) expanded clinically in 2025-2026 with new hospital-based accelerator-driven BNCT facilities in Japan, China, and Finland. BNCT works by injecting a boron compound that accumulates in tumor cells, then irradiating with thermal neutrons that cause boron to split into alpha and lithium particles, killing the tumor cell while sparing surrounding tissue. Sumitomo Heavy Industries' accelerator-based BNCT systems eliminated the need for nuclear reactors, enabling hospital installation. Clinical trials show promising results for head-and-neck cancer, melanoma, and glioblastoma.", "application": "Precision cancer therapy (head-and-neck, melanoma, brain tumors)", "status": "Hospital-based systems operational in Japan, China, Finland; clinical trials expanding" }, { "id": "RA-2026-003", "name": "Fission Surface Power for Lunar Missions", "type": "Space nuclear power (fission reactor for space)", "description": "NASA and DOE made significant progress on fission surface power for lunar missions in 2025-2026, with NASA awarding contracts to Lockheed Martin, Westinghouse, and IX (Intuitive Machines/X-energy) to design a 40 kWe fission reactor for the Moon. The reactor must operate for 10+ years without refueling and fit within a single launch vehicle. Fission surface power enables sustained lunar operations during the 14-day lunar night when solar panels are ineffective. The technology also applies to Mars missions, where dust storms can last months and solar power is unreliable. A demonstration mission is targeted for the late 2020s.", "application": "Lunar and Martian surface power for sustained crewed missions", "status": "Design phase; 40 kWe demonstration targeted for late 2020s" }, { "id": "RA-2026-004", "name": "Lu-177 Radiopharmaceutical Production Scale-up", "type": "Medical isotope production (beta-emitting therapy)", "description": "Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) production has scaled dramatically in 2025-2026 following the commercial success of Lu-177-PSMA-617 (Pluvicto) for metastatic prostate cancer. Novartis expanded production capacity at its Indianapolis and Millstadt facilities, while new producers including ITM (Germany), Curium (France), and Shanghai Engineering Research Center (China) entered the market. Lu-177 emits beta particles with a 6.7-day half-life, ideal for treating small-to-medium tumors. New Lu-177 therapies are in trials for neuroendocrine tumors, breast cancer, and pediatric cancers, expanding the clinical applications of this versatile isotope.", "application": "Targeted radionuclide therapy (prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, breast cancer)", "status": "Commercial production at scale; multiple approved therapies" } ] } }