Nuclear + Advanced Manufacturing at ORNL

What it means 

Nuclear systems are some of the most demanding technologies on Earth. They operate under intense heat, radiation, pressure, and corrosion. To meet these extreme requirements, Oak Ridge National Laboratory is combining the power of advanced manufacturing — such as 3D printing and AI-driven design — with nuclear science to create more efficient and more affordable components, construction methods, and reactor systems.

Why it matters 

Nuclear energy is vital piece of the nation’s energy security, but today’s methods of building and certifying nuclear parts are time-consuming and expensive. Advanced manufacturing lets us design smarter, build faster, and qualify new materials and components more efficiently — lowering costs and supporting U.S. leadership in abundant energy technology.

What we do at ORNL 

At ORNL, we’re innovating across the nuclear manufacturing lifecycle. We develop advanced materials that withstand reactor conditions, use AI and digital tools to optimize performance, and partner with industry and regulators to speed the transition from lab to market. DOE’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility leads national efforts in energy-focused 3D printing as well as the integration of AI and sensors into manufacturing processes to redefine how nuclear energy systems are built.

What’s next 

The future brings digital twins, smart qualification, and AI-driven design to predict how nuclear components perform — before they’re built. ORNL is working toward robust and secure supply chains and a new era of faster and smarter nuclear technologies.