BNNT Materials is developing BNNT-based gaskets for molten salt reactor systems, where high temperatures and corrosive salts create significant sealing challenges. The company needs specialized testing to demonstrate that its gaskets can withstand molten fluoride and chloride salts while maintaining sealing performance, chemical stability, and durability under reactor-relevant conditions.
Ur-Energy seeks to improve groundwater restoration following ISR uranium mining, a process that can take years and add significant costs to uranium production. The company is developing an apatite-based treatment method to more efficiently sequester heavy metals and radionuclides, potentially reducing restoration time, costs, and environmental impacts.
Raven-Flint will work with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to develop an integrated mass-balance, MC&A, and supporting stream-characterization for the Raven-Flint pilot plant. This will utilize INLs operating-scale UF₆ conversion expertise and advanced radiochemistry and analytical capabilities. INL’s combination of subject-matter expertise, radiological authority, and analytical instrumentation enables the development of NRC-credible MC&A and stream-characterization methodologies essential for commercial licensing.
Srijan will work with Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) to grow thick-film hBN using carbon-free precursors such as boron tribromide and borazine, enabling the material quality needed for neutron detector applications. SNL possesses specialized chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor facilities and expertise in carbon-free hBN epitaxial growth that are unavailable commercially and the laboratory’s advanced characterization capabilities, including XRD, SIMS, and Raman spectroscopy, are also essential for validating impurity levels and semiconductor performance.
Nuclear AI will partner with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to utilize the capabilities for the Nondestructive Evaluation Unit of the Engineering Materials group. PNNL will use high-temperature furnace infrastructure, ultrasonic PZT sensor components, and high precision prototyping equipment to demonstrate the efficacy of a high temperature pipe wall thickness detector. The ability to perform inspections and vet structural integrity at these temperatures would support advanced reactor inspection programs for piping and vessel components.
Orbia Fluor will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to produce and test Orbia produced purified graphite feedstock for use in nuclear applications. ORNL has unique capabilities for TRISO relevant graphite matrix fabrication, machining, and nuclear materials testing under qualified procedures. Under this project, Orbia will produce purified feedstock powders and graphite matrix with the support of ORNL and then ORNL will test the produced graphite to assess the viability of meeting nuclear standards. This work will help build domestic capabilities to purify graphite feedstock for nuclear energy.
Oklo will partner with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), which has demonstrated gram-scale reduction of UF6 to UF4 through an intermediary compound that significantly reduces the traditional method’s hazards. PNNL has also shown the viability of co-reducing fluorides to metal. The possibility of eliminating the intermediate UF4 production step will have the potential of increased throughput and process safety that will help accelerate deployment of a commercial fabrication facility.
AiMiLi will partner with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to access the Accelerated and Real-time Experimental Nodal Assessment (ARENA) Cable Test Bed and High Exposure Facility (HEF) gamma irradiation capabilities. These facilities can simulate adverse power plant environments in a testing environment.
Standard Nuclear is developing alternative methods to assess the carbon and oxygen content in the fuel kernel. They will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to perform LECO testing in the Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis (LAMDA) laboratory to help baseline and calibrate the method. By developing an alternative method for assessing carbon and oxygen content in TRISO fuel kernels, this project will reduce the cost and inefficiencies associated with current destructive testing methods.
Hayward Tyler will partner with Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to perform tribological (wear) testing of several candidate materials that offer superior wear resistance while reducing the radiological hazards of cobalt bearing materials. They also plan to test the bearings to ascertain surface wear mechanisms using the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL) facility. The benefits of this project will be to identify alternative bearing materials to decrease costs and enhance safety.