GAIN NE Voucher Archives

Development of Casting Techniques for ẟ-phase Uranium-Zirconium Alloys, Lightbridge Corp

The casting, processing, and shipping of HALEU alloys, like those being developed by Lightbridge, require the ability to experiment with higher temperatures in a facility that can perform these functions. The goal of this project was to identify an appropriate casting method (i.e., crucible and coating combination) that results in an acceptable impurity concentration in the as-cast ingot.

Development of Casting Techniques for ẟ-phase Uranium-Zirconium Alloys, Lightbridge Corp Read More »

GAIN Announces Fourth Round FY 2024 Nuclear Energy Voucher Recipients

September 24, 2024 – The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) announced today that four companies will be provided a GAIN Nuclear Energy (NE) Voucher to accelerate the innovation and application of advanced nuclear technologies. NE vouchers provide advanced nuclear technology innovators with access to the extensive nuclear research capabilities and expertise available across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory complex. This is the fourth award for FY 2024.

GAIN Announces Fourth Round FY 2024 Nuclear Energy Voucher Recipients Read More »

Independent Assessment of a Novel Heat Exchanger Concept for Open-Air Brayton Cycle

Nano will partner with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to perform an independent evaluation of the heat exchanger design. This will include the development of a computational model of the heat exchanger to help analyze the design and confirm certain attributes that are critical to the reactor operations.

Independent Assessment of a Novel Heat Exchanger Concept for Open-Air Brayton Cycle Read More »

Development of Oxygen IR Calibration Standards for High-Purity Chloride Salts

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is only one of two labs that can test the oxygen content in chloride salts. MS will partner with INL to verify alignment of test results between MS and INL regarding oxygen content of very high-purity chloride salts utilizing oxygen analyzers, identify, capture, and document best practices into a preliminary framework for a standardized test method and down-select appropriate materials and certification specifications for chloride salt reference standard(s).

Development of Oxygen IR Calibration Standards for High-Purity Chloride Salts Read More »

Independent Analysis of Antares R1 Core Design

Antares will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to perform an independent, technical audit of Antares R1. ORNL’s Reactor Analysis Group will verify design calculations, including core neutronics and thermal hydraulics. This project will yield high confidence that hardware test campaigns predicated on neutronics data are valid, allowing Antares to move through test stages to a fueled demonstration of the system.

Independent Analysis of Antares R1 Core Design Read More »

Project SparkHub: Nuclear-Powered Data Center Development

To help get ANA’s Project SparkHub off to a quick start, ANA will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to use the OR-SAGE tool to perform site screening and down select a number of sites that could be amenable to siting nuclear facilities. The sites will also be located in regions where there is strong incentive to build data centers. After the project, ANA will continue work and begin licensing activities to obtain an Early Site Permit on a technology-neutral basis to support development of the site.

Project SparkHub: Nuclear-Powered Data Center Development Read More »

Thermogravimetric Analysis of IMSR Fuel Salt Simulants

Terrestrial Energy will partner with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) using their expertise in thermogravimetric analysis to analyze the IMSR fuel salt. This project will help determine what chemical species are present in the fuel salt vapor as a function of temperature and partial pressure, whether the fuel salt decomposes at elevated temperatures, and the kinetics of fuel salt vaporization. The work will support the optimization of the reactor components in the IMSR Core-unit as well as the overall design.

Thermogravimetric Analysis of IMSR Fuel Salt Simulants Read More »

Real-Time Generation Risk Assessment (GRA) Model for Commercial Nuclear Power Plant

Entergy will partner with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to implement real-time Generation Risk Assessment (GRA) modeling to address these issues. ORNL’s unique experience in implementing GRA models combined with the use of their Operational Performance Risk Assessment (OPRA) software will be used to integrate the model with real-time data. Entergy will roll out the model at one of its operating plants an if successful look to expand to other plants in their fleet.

Real-Time Generation Risk Assessment (GRA) Model for Commercial Nuclear Power Plant Read More »

GAIN Announces Third Round FY 2024 Nuclear Energy Voucher Recipient

The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) announced today that two companies will be provided a GAIN Nuclear Energy (NE) Voucher to accelerate the innovation and application of advanced nuclear technologies. NE vouchers provide advanced nuclear technology innovators with access to the extensive nuclear research capabilities and expertise available across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory complex. This is the third award for FY 2024.

GAIN Announces Third Round FY 2024 Nuclear Energy Voucher Recipient Read More »

GAIN Vouchers at INL Support Two Dramatically Different Industry Projects

With assistance from the Department of Energy’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) voucher program, Idaho National Laboratory researchers are lending their expertise to two very different companies.

In one corner is Dow, the giant plastics and chemicals manufacturer, that is exploring using microreactors to reduce carbon emissions. In the other corner, Curio Solutions, a Washington, D.C.-based startup that hopes to close the nuclear fuel cycle with a process that avoids proliferation concerns.

GAIN Vouchers at INL Support Two Dramatically Different Industry Projects Read More »