TRISO-X extends nuclear fuel research pact with Oak Ridge National Lab

TRISO-X has extended its nuclear fuel research collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory by two years, the company said on Friday.

The agreement, initially established to develop TRISO-based fuel technology, will now run through at least 2026. Oak Ridge National Lab will continue providing technical expertise, fuel qualification support and performance testing for TRISO-X's advanced reactor fuel designs.

TRISO-X, a subsidiary of X-energy, specializes in TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel, a next-generation nuclear fuel form designed for enhanced safety and efficiency in advanced reactors. The fuel's layered ceramic and graphite coating is intended to contain fission products and withstand extreme conditions, including high temperatures and radiation.

The extended partnership aims to accelerate qualification processes required for regulatory approval and commercial deployment of TRISO fuel. Oak Ridge National Lab's high-temperature test facilities and irradiation capabilities will play a key role in validating fuel performance under realistic operating conditions.

TRISO-X has not disclosed financial terms of the extended agreement. The collaboration aligns with broader U.S. efforts to advance nuclear energy technologies as part of clean energy initiatives.

The extension follows prior joint work between TRISO-X and Oak Ridge, including irradiation testing and fuel performance modeling. Regulatory bodies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are currently reviewing TRISO fuel designs for potential licensing in advanced reactor applications.

TRISO-X has previously indicated plans to deploy its fuel technology in X-energy's planned Xe-100 advanced small modular reactor (SMR), targeting commercial operation in the late 2020s.