Valar Atomics Says It's the First Nuclear Startup to Achieve Criticality
5 days ago
- #DOE
- #nuclear-energy
- #startups
- Startup Valar Atomics achieved criticality, a key nuclear milestone, with help from a top US nuclear lab.
- Valar is the first nuclear startup in a DOE pilot program to reach criticality, aiming for three startups by July 4, 2026.
- Criticality means sustaining a nuclear chain reaction, the first step toward power generation.
- Valar's test used cold criticality, which validates reactor design but doesn't produce power.
- The reactor combined Valar's fuel and tech with Los Alamos National Lab components.
- The DOE pilot program accelerates nuclear startups, bypassing lengthy NRC reviews for research reactors.
- Valar, Last Energy, and Deep Fission are suing the NRC, claiming excessive regulation stifles innovation.
- Trump's executive orders enabled DOE's nuclear program, pushing for faster development of advanced reactors.
- Valar aims to launch a functional reactor by July 4, 2026, but critics question aggressive timelines.
- Computer modeling has improved, but real-world testing remains crucial for reactor safety and efficiency.