Texas A&M and Lightbridge Partner to Advance Nuclear Fuel for Small Modular Reactors
Texas A&M University and Lightbridge Corporation, a leading nuclear fuel technology company,
are collaborating on a groundbreaking study to evaluate the performance of
Lightbridge Fuel in NuScale Power’s small modular reactor (SMR).
The study, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), aims to advance
nuclear fuel technology and enhance the efficiency, safety, and commercialization of advanced nuclear reactors.
Texas A&M’s Center for Advanced Small Modular and Micro Nuclear Reactors (CASMR),
led by Professor Yassin A. Hassan, will oversee the three-year project.
With approximately $1 million in DOE funding, the research will bring together
experts from NuScale Power and Structural Integrity Associates to assess
the behavior of Lightbridge Fuel in SMRs under both normal and off-normal conditions.
Advancing Fuel Performance in Small Modular Reactors
The study will use Structural Integrity Associates’ PEGASUS simulation software
to analyze key performance metrics, such as friction factor, flow dynamics, and heat transfer properties.
These insights will contribute to optimizing Lightbridge Fuel for improved efficiency
and reliability in next-generation SMRs.
By validating the performance of advanced nuclear fuel, this research has the potential to enhance
reactor safety, economic viability, and proliferation resistance, paving the way for broader adoption
of nuclear energy as a clean and sustainable power source. The project also supports efforts to achieve
a zero-carbon electric grid, allowing nuclear power to complement renewable energy sources.
This collaboration underscores the critical role of academia, industry, and government partnerships in
driving nuclear innovation, strengthening U.S. leadership in advanced reactor technology, and shaping
the future of low-carbon energy solutions.