• INL Partners with NVIDIA for Nuclear AI Applications
• ORNL, Kairos Power Ink $27M Partnership for Advanced Reactors
• Deep Fission Raises $80 Million in New Financing
• Radiant Adds Lockheed Martin as Strategic Investor
• NuCube Energy Raises $13 Million for HTGR Microreactor
• ASP Isotopes Business Unit Opens Office in Austin, TX
• Romania’s Prime Minister Favors PHWR Upgrades Over NuScale’s SMRs

INL Partners with NVIDIA for Nuclear AI Applications

•  Idaho National Laboratory to accelerate nuclear energy deployment with NVIDIA AI

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and NVIDIA have partnered to support nuclear energy deployment through artificial intelligence. The purpose of the collaboration is to accelerate deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technologies and and reduce the costs of implementing them.

INL and NVIDIA’s collaboration is part of the Genesis Mission, a national initiative to build the world’s most powerful scientific platform to accelerate discovery science, strengthen national security, and drive energy innovation. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced 26 national science and technology challenges for the nation.

The goal of the Genesis Mission is develop an integrated platform that connects the world’s best supercomputers, experimental facilities, AI systems, and unique datasets across multiple major scientific domains.

The INL / NVIDIA partnership will accelerate nuclear energy deployment by using AI to design, license, manufacture, construct, and operate reactors with human-in-the-loop workflows, enabling at least 2X schedule acceleration and greater than 50% operational cost reductions.

Two critical national priorities are (1) harnessing artificial intelligence to drive a new industrial and scientific revolution; and (2) meet surging electricity demand to power the economy. This collaboration is designed to support the use of AI to enable rapid deployment of nuclear energy technologies that provides the baseload power required for next-generation AI infrastructure.

“This partnership represents a transformative approach to one of our nation’s greatest challenges for deploying abundant, reliable nuclear energy at the speed and scale required for our AI-driven future,” said John Wagner, INL director.

“NVIDIA is honored to collaborate with the U.S. government to apply AI and accelerated computing to advance nuclear energy, while reducing energy costs for Americans,” said John Josephakis, global vice president of Sales and Business Development for HPC/Supercomputing at NVIDIA. “

“This is the moment to decisively advance AI-accelerated nuclear energy deployment, increasing America’s energy affordability while also catalyzing the development of Artificial Intelligence in the United States,” said Rian Bahran, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Reactors.

The collaboration will focus on five strategic initiatives:

• AI-Computing Power: Support nuclear design, licensing, manufacturing, construction, and operation: Developing generative AI, digital twins, and agentic workflows to accelerate nuclear energy deployment.
• Industry Advancement: Support broader nuclear industry adoption of accelerated computing and AI tools while providing guidance to regulatory entities on state-of-the-art autonomous and digital nuclear capabilities.
• Supercomputing Infrastructure: Leverage Department of Energy leadership-class supercomputers for large-scale model training and simulation while evaluating on-premises NVIDIA AI systems for real-time operations.
• Data Validation: Use INL’s legacy nuclear data, laboratory data, and on-site reactors — including the Neutron Radiography Reactor, or NRAD, and the Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation, or MARVEL (not yet operational)— to provide real-world data for digital twin validation.
• Code Acceleration: Accelerate nuclear simulation codes including MOOSE, BISON, Griffin, and Pronghorn on NVIDIA GPU architectures to unlock advanced simulation capabilities.

The collaboration may expand to include additional stakeholders including nuclear reactor developers, utilities, investors, and other national laboratories to establish a comprehensive ecosystem for AI-driven nuclear deployment.

The dollar value of the collaboration was not disclosed. The INL has multiple mechanisms for crafting industry partnerships for sharing costs and developing commercial applications of laboratory innovations.

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ORNL, Kairos Power Ink $27M Partnership for Advanced Reactors

Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Kairos Power have entered into a $27 million strategic partnership to accelerate the technology needed to deploy a new generation of advanced nuclear reactors and support U.S. nuclear energy goals. 

Under the partnership, ORNL will provide expertise and access to specialized facilities to review and evaluate various aspects of Kairos Power’s fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor design, which uses molten fluoride salt coolant with Tristructural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel.

ORNL will manufacture components for reactor development and testing, and assess the performance of coated particle fuel elements following irradiation under conditions relevant to their planned reactor operation.

Ultimately, the project outcomes will support the design, construction and eventual operation of Kairos Power’s planned Hermes demonstration reactors currently under construction in Oak Ridge, TN, and subsequent commercialization of its planned fluoride salt-cooled high-temperature reactor which will also be built in Tennessee.

ORNL demonstrated the proof-of-concept and performance of the world’s first molten salt reactor 60 years ago. Since then, ORNL has helped nurture the continued development of molten salt reactor technology, which uses salt rather than water as the primary coolant.

DOE is investing up to $303 million of risk reduction funding in Kairos Power’s Hermes demonstration reactors under the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program to support development of the company’s molten salt reactor design.

Over the next five years, ORNL will provide key results from testing and assessments conducted at its specialized facilities, including the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, Coated Particle Fuel Development Laboratory, and Irradiated Fuels Examination Laboratory. The unique combination of infrastructure capabilities are not available in the private sector.

The scope of work includes:

• Assess fuel manufacturing and synthesis methods to evaluate product quality and production methods for TRISO fuel particles 
• Understand the properties of TRISO fuel pebbles to support a fabrication capability and quality control infrastructure
• Complete a comprehensive spent fuel pebble management plan to include on-site cask storage, transportation and final disposition
• Produce components using advanced manufacturing techniques to better understand how materials that come into contact with the salt, such as ceramics, carbon composites, and metallic materials, perform in extremely high temperatures
• Enable remote maintenance systems capable of operating under high temperatures with simultaneous exposure to radiation and corrosive salts.

The data from these activities will support the next steps necessary toward commercial operation. 

The project marks the fourth partnership between ORNL and Kairos Power since 2020, and continues the significant interest in nuclear energy in the Oak Ridge Corridor and across the state of Tennessee.

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Deep Fission Raises $80 Million in New Financing

•  Deep Fission raised $80 million in new financing to support its plan to put small LWR type reactors in a mile deep borehole.

The financing was completed through the offer and sale of 5,3 million restricted shares of common stock at a fixed price of $15.00 per share. Seaport Global Securities and The Benchmark Company acted as agents for the private placement. Investors included Ed Eisler of EE Holdings and Mark Tompkins of Montrose Capital, who led the Company’s previous financing round in September 2025.

In addition to the financing, Deep Fission has formed a new strategic relationship with Blue Owl Capital’s Real Assets platform. The companies will collaborate to deploy Deep Fission SMR projects for Blue Owl’s digital infrastructure portfolio, A Blue Owl-managed fund participated in the financing.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Deep Fission and will continue to provide strategic financial advisory services to support Deep Fission’s long-term growth and capital planning.

Deep Fission’s proprietary design combines pressurized water reactor technology (PWR) with deep borehole drilling techniques used in the oil and gas industry and heat-transfer methods drawn from geothermal applications.

By leveraging established supply chains and techniques, Deep Fission estimates this approach can reduce construction costs by approximately 70–80% compared to traditional nuclear plants.

Deep Fission was selected for participation in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Reactor Pilot Program in 2025 and recently broke ground on its pilot project located in Parsons, KS. The Company has also announced a development pipeline representing 12.5 GW of future planned deployments.

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Radiant Adds Lockheed Martin as Strategic Investor

• The investment could shift the firm’s customer focus to the defense sector.

Radiant Nuclear, which plants to build mass-produced nuclear microreactors, announced a strategic investment from Lockheed Martin through their investment arm, Lockheed Martin Ventures.

Radiant said in its press statement, “Lockheed Martin’s participation adds generations of defense and advanced technology expertise to Radiant’s growing coalition of investors and partners. In addition, the oversubscribed round demonstrates strong market validation of Radiant’s Kaleidos microreactor and its progress toward first-of-a-kind deployment.”

“As national security becomes even more dependent on advanced DOE technologies, the ability to dispatch significant power quickly to remote locations is critical,” said Chris Moran, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures.

“Advances in portable nuclear power could help make our warfighters more resilient and the battlefield more survivable, and we’re proud to support growth in these innovations for defense and energy security.”

Radiant is developing mass-produced nuclear generators designed to provide power for remote communities, critical infrastructure, and defense applications. The company plans to start testing its first reactor this summer at the Idaho National Laboratory’s DOME facility.

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NuCube Energy Raises $13 Million for HTGR Microreactor

NuCube Energy, Inc. announced that it has secured $13 million in funding as increased demand for electricity by artificial intelligence, manufacturing, and industrial reshoring intensifies the race to deploy next-generation nuclear technology in the United States.

Arizona Nuclear Ventures lead the investment. It includes Rob Walton and Jordan Rose Walton, and Emission Reduction Corporation back HTGR Microreactor designed for industrial heat and power. The firm says its design will deliver 15 MW of power for up to 30 years.

NuCube Energy, co-founded at Idealab Studio in 2023 by entrepreneur Bill Gross and nuclear engineer Dr. Cristian Rabiti. Rabiti is the former Vice President Business Development, U.S. Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation. Two other former executives from Ultra Safe also now work at NuCube.

The firm is developing a high-temperature modular “solid state” microreactor designed to deliver both electricity and industrial heat up to 1,100 degrees Celsius. The company faces significant materials science challenges in handling heat at this level.

The company said in its press statement that the microreactor’s  architecture “is engineered for simplicity, inherent safety, and supply-chain efficiency—with the objective of enabling scalable deployment for industrial campuses, remote operations, and rapidly expanding data infrastructure. “

“Over the past year, we have designed a series of technical validation tests to generate the data required to support regulatory engagement,” said Dr. Rabiti.

“This funding allows us to perform those critical tests, advance toward licensing, and move decisively toward demonstration.”

NuCube is headquartered in Idaho Falls, ID, near Idaho National Laboratory, and is expanding its strategic footprint in Arizona—a state experiencing accelerating grid demand driven by semiconductor expansion, advanced manufacturing, and hyperscale data centers. The financing was led by Arizona Nuclear Ventures, reflecting a broader strategy to position Greater Phoenix as a national hub for advanced nuclear innovation and deployment.

“Arizona’s growth across advanced industries is driving demand for reliable, always-on power,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority.

With this funding secured, NuCube will continue materials testing, refine its final design configuration, and advance regulatory engagement necessary to move toward demonstration and commercial deployment.

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ASP Isotopes Business Unit Quantum Leap Energy Relocates Its HQ to Austin, TX

ASP Isotopes Inc. (NASDAQ: ASPI)  announced its plans for Quantum Leap Energy LLC, (QLE) a wholly-owned subsidiary of ASPI dedicated to advancing innovative technologies and processes across critical segments of the fission and fusion nuclear fuel cycle, to establish QLE’s new global corporate headquarters in Austin, TX, strengthening its presence in Texas and strategically positioning the company to better serve its customer base in the U.S.

In addition to the planned global corporate headquarters, QLE intends to build a significant operational presence in Texas, with QLE’s management focused on working with Fermi America to implement the joint venture outlined in the Joint Venture Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by QLE, ASPI and Fermi America last year.

The collaboration contemplated by the MOU includes a joint venture between QLE and Fermi America focused on the development of a high-assay-low enriched uranium (HALEU) enrichment research and commercial production facility.

ASPI plans to build a commercial facility for the production of stable isotopes and advanced nuclear materials in texas, and both will to be affiliated with Fermi America’s hypergrid campus in Amarillo, TX. FERMI has conceptual plans to build SMRs at the site, but has not chosen a design type or vendor for them. It’s plans also include building up to four Westinghouse AP1000 PWRs at the site.

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Romania’s Prime Minister Favors PHWR Upgrades Over NuScale’s SMRs

When is a final investment decision (FID) not the starting gun for breaking ground and pouring concrete for a new nuclear reactor, or , more importantly, six of them? The answer is that hestitation occurs when you are the Prime Minister of Romania, and you are in charge of writing the checks. Last week he signed off on a $7 billion FID for six NuScale SMRs. It is the single biggest commitment to nuclear power in Romania’s history.

It appears from his candid press statements that he’s having second thoughts about the FID for the six SMRs. While his comments do not appear to be a case of “buyers’ regrets,” it does sound like he’s facing some tough financial choices in terms of fulfilling near term priorities to complete three 700 MW PHWRs.

In an interview with Romanian language news media, as reported in English by the Balkan Green wire service, Romania’s Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan says he does not expect the six SMR project to be completed any time soon, given the high estimated cost and complexity of the effort. He also believes that the ongoing modernization and expansion of the Cernavoda nuclear power plant is more feasible, less costly, and more likely to bring power to the grid sooner than the SMRs.

Bolojan said that an “immediate investment” in the SMR facility in Doicesti is unlikely, given the large amount of money that needs to be secured, the complexity of such projects, and the fact that it is still in initial phases. Referring to the NuScale plan for six 77 MW SMRs, Bolojan said,“Such investments take five to six years.”

The SMR project in Doicesti would cost up to $ 7 billion. For 462 MW, that works out to $15,000/kW which is significantly higher than other new nuclear projects in eastern Europe.

For instance, South Korea’s KHNP is reported to have told the Czech Republic’s state owned nuclear utility CEZ that one or more new 1,400 MW PWRs is under contract to build in the country will come in at $9,000/kw.

Romania’s Nuclearelectrica approved the final investment decision for the SMR facility, which would use NuScale’s VOYGR SMR design. The plan is to build and test one of the six 77 MW units before deciding whether to go ahead with the remaining five. The facility is planned for construction on the site of a former coal-fired power plant.

CANDUs Come First

Bolojan also said his immediate preference is that Romania should focus on the ongoing investment projects at the Cernavoda nuclear power plant, which include the refurbishment of unit 1, estimated at over EUR 3.5 billion, and the construction of units 3 and 4, worth about EUR 7 billion. Each of the CANDU type PHWRs come in at 700 MW. For units 3 and 4 the combined 1,400 MW at a cost of 7 billion works out to about $5,000/kW taking into account currency conversions from euros to dollars.

He added that the project at Cernavoda, Romania’s only nuclear power plant, is based on a technology that Romania has operated for years, adding that he believes it is “more feasible than this new type (SMRs) of investment.”

The overhaul of unit 1 at Cernavodă began in September 2025. The overhaul of Cernavoda’s unit 1 was launched in September 2025 by an international consortium led by South Korean state-owned Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP). The refurbishment will extend the operating life of the 700 MW reactor by 30 years.

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