Tam Fortis needs to validate its computational reactor design before finalizing a configuration for its planned zero-power criticality test. The company requires independent analysis to confirm criticality, shutdown margins, temperature feedback, power distribution, neutron leakage, and the interaction of the reactor’s neutronics, heat pipes, and hydride moderator.
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.
September 30, 2026 DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) program provides the nuclear community with the technical, regulatory, and financial support needed to move innovative nuclear technologies toward commercialization while ensuring the continued, safe, and economic operation of the existing fleet. The businesses selected to receive a GAIN nuclear energy voucher for Round 4 FY 2026 are: BNNT Materials LLC, Newport News, VA; Tam Fortis Solutions, Inc., Marina Del Ray, CA;, and Ur-Energy USA Inc., Casper, WY
Aalo will work with INL to expand EMRALD’s modeling and simulation capabilities so Aalo can optimize reactor design, economics, and operational reliability. INL developed the EMRALD dynamic risk assessment software and has extensive expertise in advanced reactor modeling, reliability analysis, and microreactor development.
OrganiCore will partner with ORNL to leverage its Spallation Neutron Source (SNS), machine-learning-enabled molecular dynamics capabilities, and prior successful TSL validation work for reactor materials to generate and validate the required nuclear data. The project will create critical-path nuclear data needed to support the design, safety analysis, and licensing of organic-cooled small modular reactors (SMRs).
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.
June 24, 2026 – DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) program provides the nuclear community with the technical, regulatory, and financial support needed to move innovative nuclear technologies toward commercialization while ensuring the continued, safe, and economic operation of the existing fleet. The businesses selected to receive a GAIN nuclear energy voucher for Round 3 FY 2026 are: Aalo Atomics, Austin TX; OrganiCore Nuclear, LLC, New York, NY; Raven-Flint Nuclear Corp., Idaho Falls, ID; and Srijan LLC, College Station, TX
Industry toured Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) to understand ongoing nuclear research and capabilities at the laboratory. Industry met with ANL technical points of contact to discuss capabilities and identify potential future collaboration opportunities.