Week 10 of 2023

Three nuclear energy innovation news!

⚡ Silex Systems Limited (Australia) completes a AUS$120 million equity funding round to further develop its laser enrichment technology. The firm, headquartered at the ANSTO, recently tested its first full-scale module. Global Laser Enrichment (US), a joint venture with Cameco Corporation (Canada), is the exclusive licensee to use the technology for uranium enrichment.

🥖 The CEA (France) presents two advanced modular reactor (AMR) startups that will build upon its IP portfolio. The concept of HEXANA consists out of two 400 MWth sodium fast reactor units. Stellaria is a compact 250 MWth molten salt fast reactor. These two are among five nuclear startups spinning out of the CEA that will be accelerated by Starburst Aerospace.

🚀 Bangor University (UK) receives funding from the UK Space Agency to demonstrate the applicability of additive manufacturing for metallic and ceramic zirconium-containing nuclear fuels, which have the potential to be used for space propulsion. It is one of eight projects, for a total of £1.6 million, to revolutionise our ability to journey deeper into space.