US firm advances mobile nuclear reactors for military power
US-based NANO Nuclear Energy has announced an expansion of its microreactor technology portfolio.
It has acquired a significant portfolio of intellectual property related to its transportable, modular microreactor technologies.
“We are pleased to expand our intellectual property portfolio with these recently acquired patents, further strengthening the protections surrounding our proprietary, portable and modular microreactor technologies in development,” said Jay Yu, founder and chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy.
These reactors are designed to provide clean, reliable, and on-demand power for a variety of applications, including remote communities, industrial sites, and, more importantly, military bases.
NANO has diverse microreactor technologies
“Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors,” said the company in a press release.
The ZEUS reactor is a solid-core battery reactor that has been designed for portability and on-demand power generation. The ODIN reactor utilizes a low-pressure coolant system to enhance safety and efficiency. It prioritizes reliable operation with minimal risk and is suitable for applications where these factors are critical.
The KRONOS MMR reactor is a stationary small modular reactor capable of generating substantial amounts of carbon-free electricity.
“KRONOS MMR will enable NANO Nuclear to serve a broader range of growing markets that have high energy demands, including large-scale data and artificial intelligence centers and other energy-intensive operations in manufacturing and infrastructure,” added the firm.
Meanwhile, the LOKI MMR is a versatile portable reactor designed for remote deployments, from terrestrial and marine environments to the challenges of space exploration.
“Scalable from 10kWe to 3MWe and compatible with lander configurations, the LOKI MMR power system is designed to ensure safe and reliable electricity and thermal energy generation beyond the bounds of Earth,” highlighted NANO Nuclear.
The reactors have been created to operate at high temperatures, which allows them to generate electricity with high efficiency. Additionally, the reactors are passively safe; they will shut down safely in the event of an accident.
Strategic acquisition at opportune moment
Notably, the use of microreactors has increased significantly in recent months, given the rising energy needs across industries.
Recently, Tata Chemicals signed an agreement with BWXT Advanced Technologies to install advanced microreactors in a US soda mine. These microreactors are intended to provide on-demand carbon-free electricity and heat.
Subsequently, research on microreactors has also intensified. A California-based developer of microreactors has completed a critical passive cooldown demonstration. This proprietary technology triggers microreactor shutdown within 300 milliseconds of an emergency.
The latest strategic acquisition comes at a crucial time as the world grapples with the urgent need for energy security and decarbonization.
“By expanding our intellectual property portfolio, we aim to bolster our capacity to develop next-generation nuclear energy solutions that address evolving market needs and drive transformative change in the industry,” concluded Walker.
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