World News
Ampera and LLNL Partner on Advanced Nuclear Fuel
Energy technology firm Ampera has partnered with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to develop scalable advanced nuclear fuel for compact and subcritical reactor platforms, with potential applications in maritime.
The collaboration will evaluate liquid-metal-jetting technology to produce highly uniform, spherical thorium-232 kernels for tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel, the firms said in an emailed update on Wednesday.
The work will include computational modelling, materials and nozzle testing, high-temperature process development and particle characterisation.
The project builds on earlier LLNL research that developed a particle-production prototype using droplet-based liquid-metal jetting.
The partners will also work on safe radiological handling and scalable process and design rules to support future commercialisation.
Ampera said the partnership supports its strategy to establish a secure domestic thorium fuel supply chain.
The company said developing in-house fuel production could help reduce costs and supply-chain risks.
Ampera is developing a subcritical micronuclear reactor platform for data centres, defence, industrial and maritime applications.
Its solid-state platform is designed to provide factory-built power systems capable of operating for up to 30 years without refuelling.
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