Industry Accomplishment

Antares achieves initial criticality of a privately developed advanced reactor under DOE pilot program

Antares today announced that its Mark-0 microreactor achieved initial criticality at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) under U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) authorization — making Antares the first private company to bring an advanced reactor to criticality under the DOE Reactor Pilot Program. The demonstration was conducted in partnership with DOE, INL, and BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT), with integration and observation support from the U.S. Army.

Department of Energy celebrates first advanced reactor criticality

The rebirth of America’s nuclear industry has officially arrived. Today, as part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Reactor Pilot Program, Antares Nuclear’s advanced reactor design, the Mark-0, successfully completed a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration at DOE's Idaho National Laboratory. This test confirms that the reactor can operate safely and establishes a basis that would allow subsequent reactors to produce electricity in 2027 and beyond. The Mark-0 is the first of multiple advanced reactors anticipated to go critical by the July 4th deadline set by President Trump in his May 2025 executive order.

Approval milestone for U.S. microreactor project

The Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis establishes the preliminary safety basis for a criticality test of the reactor, documenting how the design meets the US Department of Energy's (DOE) requirements for hazard analysis, accident mitigation, and operational controls. Approval of the Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis means Deployable Energy is now positioned to complete final preparations for its upcoming demonstration, including commissioning and startup activities under DOE oversight, the company said.

Deployable Energy secures PDSA approval for Unity Microreactor, advancing toward demonstration

Deployable Energy today announced that it has received approval of its Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis (PDSA) for its Unity microreactor criticality test, marking a critical milestone in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) safety authorization process and enabling the company to proceed toward reactor demonstration.

Historic Idaho EBR-II Dome transformed into nation’s first microreactor test bed

The historic Experimental Breeder Reactor-II dome at Idaho National Laboratory in Arco has been transformed into the nation's newest nuclear testing site. The facility will operate as the world's first purpose-built test bed for fueled microreactors.

Oklo to integrate AI reactor workflows

Oklo has announced a Strategic Partnership Project (SPP) with Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA), the managing contractor for the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), to integrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into the design and engineering workflows of next-generation nuclear infrastructure including advanced reactor and fuel-system design work.

Oklo and Idaho National laboratory to employ AI-enabled reactor design for advanced nuclear systems

Strategic Partnership Project to apply INL’s Prometheus AI platform to accelerate reactor and fuel-system design workflows in support of the federal government’s Genesis Mission, including work related to Oklo’s Pluto reactor

Clean Core’s fuel test complete at INL’s ATR

Clean Core Thorium Energy has announced the completion of its nearly two-year ANEEL fuel irradiation testing and qualification campaign at Idaho National Laboratory.

ISU, NuCube Energy selected for federal nuclear launch pad program

The next generation of nuclear energy technology could be taking shape in Pocatello after Idaho State University and NuCube Energy were selected for the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad USA Program.
CCTE’s ANEEL fuel successfully reached more than 60 GWd/MTU of burnup in the INL’s Advanced Test Reactor, marking the completion of a multiple year irradiation test and validating the potential of the thorium-HALEU fuel cycle.