ORNL is reducing the financial and technical risks of
fission and fusion demonstration and deployment through innovation.
Thanks in part to ORNL’s rich legacy of nuclear R&D—from early reactor development to the first shipment of a reactor-produced medical isotope nuclear energy and isotopes have become central to America’s security, health, and industrial strength. However, today, the nation’s critical nuclear infrastructure is both unique and aging. Deployment of new reactors is slowed by cost and technical uncertainty, and domestic isotope supplies are strained. ORNL is addressing these challenges by delivering nuclear solutions aligned with national priorities, spanning reactors, fuels, and isotopes.
How ORNL is accelerating nuclear energy deployment
The challenge
Large-scale deployment of fission and the accelerated deployment of fusion are hindered due to financial and technical risks.
Our goal
De-risk demonstration and deployment of fusion and fission energy through scientific and technological innovation.
How we deliver
Drive development of a fission/fusion innovation engine, including public private partnerships, that provides solutions and increased confidence for demonstration and deployment.
Accelerate AI-enabled nuclear deployment
- Leverage AI to accelerate licensing and improve design and operations.
- Establish an HPC/AI facility and datasets for fusion and fission systems.
Advance nuclear materials and technologies
- Accelerate design and qualification of advanced materials.
- Develop and scale up enabling technologies.
Strengthen the nuclear supply chain
- Enable a vibrant supply chain through advanced manufacturing.
- Support regional workforce development across the supply chain.
How ORNL is closing the nuclear fuel cycle
The challenge
The current U.S. capability to produce and extract fission/fusion fuel is insufficient yet essential to the success of fission and fusion energy. The fuel cycle for both fission and fusion must be closed, also enabling the extraction of valuable isotopes.
Our goal
Create end-to-end fuel cycles for next-generation fuels that enable reprocessing and extraction of valuable isotopes.
How we deliver
Establish technical approaches and user facilities for testing and evaluation of integrated fuel/blanket and fuel cycle concepts, with integral consideration for safety, security, and safeguards (S3) by design.
Develop nuclear separation technologies
- Deliver the foundations for separation technologies in nuclear fuel.
- Establish processes for isotope extraction from used fuel and blanket materials.
Advance fuel cycles
- Demonstrate a closed fuel cycle for fusion energy.
- Develop and standardize TRISO fuels and fuel cycles.
Strengthen nuclear safety and reuse
- Establish a center of excellence for safety, security and safeguards by design.
- Evaluate chemistry and neutronics impacts on molten salt and metals for reuse and products.
How ORNL is advancing nuclear energy and isotope production
The challenge
Large-scale deployment of fission and the accelerated deployment of fusion are hindered due to financial and technical risks.
Our goal
Advance isotope science and processing for a healthy, secure, and reliable future.
How we deliver
Solidify ORNL’s status as the national nexus of basic isotope science for separation and enrichment, with a near-term focus on optimizing ORNL’s nuclear infrastructure, delivering new isotope production facilities, and re- establishing critical domestic capabilities.
Sustain nuclear infrastructure
- Protect, maintain, and/or replace unique facilities.
- Pursue enhanced processing capabilities.
Advance isotope production
- Pioneer isotope generation, separation, and enrichment science.
Build domestic capability
- Leverage internal partnerships to advance isotope science and external partnerships to meet market demand and develop the workforce.
Fusion partnerships that drive development
ORNL has partnered with Type One Energy to develop a world-class highheat flux facility that will enable scientists to evaluate how materials react under extreme conditions in a fusion device. The unique collaboration with industry, academia, and the national labs will be critical to the delivery of commercial fusion.
Isotopes for a healthy, secure, reliable future
The U.S. faces rising demand for isotopes in healthcare, energy, national security, and research—needs that exceed current supply capabilities. ORNL plays a vital national role by leveraging its unique facilities to produce priority isotopes, including actinium-225 for cancer trials, iridium-192 for industry, and plutonium-238 for deep space exploration, while advancing technologies that strengthen supply resilience and reduce reliance on foreign sources.
Preparing nuclear energy for deployment
Drawing on nearly two decades in the U.S. and international nuclear industry, Gale Hauck is helping ORNL guide the transition from today’s large light water reactors to the advanced reactor technologies that could define the next era of nuclear energy. Her work connects technical innovation, policy development and industry partnerships to reduce deployment barriers, support microreactor and advanced reactor programs, and help ensure U.S. nuclear technologies can move from research to real-world use.
End-to-end fuel cycles
The new Uranium Science and Technology Center represents a first ofits-kind capability to advance research across the uranium fuel cycle, from mining to final forms. The 7,500-square-foot corridor of 14 modern laboratories helps improve understanding of nonproliferation relevant chemistry and materials science while stewarding the next generation of nonproliferation scientists and engineers.