🔬 N-ERGY (US) raises a $1.5M pre-seed round co-led by Boost VC and Bee Ventures. Their objective is to speed up the design and qualification process of new materials for the nuclear sector, from years to months. This includes (1) a microfactory to autonomously synthesize samples of new materials with slight variations in their properties, (2) an access to the MIT Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering's research reactor, and (3) and AI-driven backend to integrate lessons learned and repeat.
♨ Jimmy Energy (FR), a startup developping a 20 MWth high-temperature gas-cooled reactor, studies a project to supply heat to a sugar refinery of Cristal Union in eastern France. The quoted objective of 2026 appears to be overly ambitious. Nonetheless, this is another positive step towards industrial decarbonation with nuclear power.
⚓ Mokpo National Maritime University (South Korea) opens the world's first SMR Ship Research Institute, aiming to develop a global hub for SMR ship research and education. Coincidentally, a report by Lloyd's Register points out that the rise of small modular reactors is a potential disruption for nuclear applications in shipping if regulatory hurdles can be overcome. For context, as of 2050 all ships operating at sea will be required to use only carbon-free fuels, according to a convention established by the International Maritime Organization.
👨🎓 Paper of the week: "One-neutron stripping process in the 209Bi(6Li, 5Li)210Bi* reaction reaction", Nuclear Science & Techniques (2024)
👉 Contrary to previous expectations, one-neutron transfer plays a dominant role at lower energies, exceeding the output of fusion reactions.
👇 Did you spot anything else? Let me me know!