Accelerating Nuclear Energy
A hub for key policy actions and strategic publications shaping the nation’s energy future.
INL’s Role in America’s Nuclear Landscape
As the nation’s nuclear energy laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL) unique nuclear infrastructure and facilities, expertise and capabilities are not just valuable, but essential to America’s energy future. The nuclear energy future we have long envisioned is no longer a distant possibility and we are partnering with institutions across the country to make it a reality. The path to energy dominance runs through Idaho. Together, we will power America’s next chapter.
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Key Developments Driving Nuclear Momentum
INL continues to play a central role in advancing nuclear energy as research, projects, and partnerships move from concept to reality. Recent developments reflect sustained momentum across policy, technology, and deployment efforts shaping the nation’s nuclear landscape. Together, they underscore INL’s position at the forefront of nuclear innovation.
Department of Energy Celebrates First Advanced Reactor Criticality
The U.S. Department of Energy announced that Antares Nuclear’s Mark-0 advanced reactor successfully achieved zero-power criticality at Idaho National Laboratory as part of the Reactor Pilot Program. Reaching criticality confirms the reactor can sustain a controlled nuclear reaction and validates key aspects of its design and safety performance. The milestone marks the first privately developed non-light-water reactor to reach criticality in the United States in more than 40 years. Lessons learned from the Mark-0 demonstration will help support future advanced reactor development, licensing, and potential commercial deployment for reliable energy applications.
DOE approves safety documentation for MARVEL microreactor initial criticality
The U.S. Department of Energy has approved a key safety document for the MARVEL microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory, clearing a major hurdle toward building and operating the small reactor for nuclear research and demonstrations.
INL Partners with NVIDIA to Drive Nuclear Deployment Through Genesis Mission
Through the Prometheus Grand Challenge, the collaboration will apply advanced AI, digital twins and accelerated computing to design, license and operate reactors faster, safer and at lower cost.
DOME, world's first nuclear reactor test bed, ready for privately developed advanced reactors
The National Reactor Innovation Center’s DOME facility at Idaho National Laboratory is now open, marking a major milestone for advanced nuclear energy.
Shaping the National Nuclear Energy Agenda
Federal executive orders, key publications, and foundational reference materials are shaping the trajectory of America’s nuclear energy future. Together, these resources provide policy direction, technical insight, and essential context for understanding how nuclear technologies move from concept to deployment.
Publications
- Reassessing Double-Ended Guillotine Break Requirements
- Fiscal Year 2025: Nuclear Science & Technology Research Impacts Report
- Weighing the Future: Strategic Options for U.S. Space Nuclear Leadership
- Lessons Learned: from MARVEL Initial Fabrication and Testing
- Reevaluation of Radiation: Protection Standards for Workers and the Public Based on Current Scientific Evidence
- Laboratory Director John Wagner: Rising to Our Nuclear Energy Moment
- Opportunities for AP1000 Deployment: at Existing and Planned Nuclear Sites
- Recommendations to Improve The Nuclear Regulatory Commission Reactor Licensing and Approval Process
Executive Orders
Fact Sheets and Resources
Our Work in Nuclear Deployment
Idaho National Laboratory advances nuclear energy by moving technologies from concept to real-world application. Through first-of-a-kind demonstrations and deep collaboration with industry, INL provides the infrastructure, expertise, and national-scale capabilities needed to deploy advanced nuclear systems safely, securely, and efficiently.
Microreactor Demonstrations
INL’s microreactor demonstrations provide critical proof points—validating designs, informing licensing, and accelerating deployment for next-generation nuclear systems.
MARVEL Microreactor
INL is building MARVEL, a first-of-its-kind operational microreactor designed to be online by 2027, providing a real-world testbed for advancing reactor designs and enabling new microreactor applications.
Project Pele
A U.S. Department of War initiative, Project Pele will assemble and test a mobile microreactor at INL to demonstrate resilient, deployable nuclear power for defense and national energy infrastructure.
Collaborations with Leading Nuclear Developers
Through close collaboration with industry, INL supports reactor developers with the facilities, data, and expertise needed to move advanced nuclear technologies toward commercialization.
Aalo
Inspired by INL’s MARVEL microreactor, Aalo is collaborating with INL to advance its reactor design, with plans to build and demonstrate the system on-site near the Materials and Fuels Complex, pending DOE authorization.
Antares
Antares Nuclear is developing the Mark-0 advanced microreactor to provide resilient power for remote environments, military installations, and space applications. The Reactor and Criticality Experiment (RACE) at INL’s Materials and Fuels Complex will support Mark-0 criticality testing.
On June 4, 2026, Mark-0 became the 53 reactor to be built in Idaho.
Clean Core Thorium Energy
Clean Core Thorium Energy is partnering with INL to test its thorium-based fuel in the Advanced Test Reactor, achieving record burnup levels that support next-generation nuclear fuel deployment.
Deployable Energy
Deployable Energy is developing the Unity Nuclear Battery microreactor to deliver reliable, portable power for remote environments, defense applications, and off-grid energy needs. The reactor will be demonstrated at the Neutron Radiography Reactor (NRAD) at INL’s Materials and Fuels Complex.
Lightbridge
Lightbridge is working with Idaho National Laboratory to fabricate and irradiate advanced nuclear fuel materials, generating critical performance data to support qualification and commercialization.
Oklo
Oklo is partnering with INL to deploy its Aurora-INL reactor and associated fuel fabrication capabilities, including access to high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) derived from used material at INL.
Radiant
Radiant Industries is using the National Reactor Innovation Center’s Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) facility at INL to test Kaleidos, a portable microreactor designed to replace diesel generators in remote military bases, hospitals, and disaster relief settings.
TerraPower, Southern Nuclear Company & Core Power
TerraPower, Southern Nuclear Company, and Core Power are conducting the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment at INL’s LOTUS facility, advancing molten salt reactor development through a first-of-its-kind fast-spectrum test.
X-energy
X-energy is working with INL to conduct the first U.S. irradiation tests of its advanced TRISO-X nuclear fuel pebbles, a key milestone toward qualifying the fuel for commercial use in next-generation small modular reactors.
Advanced Nuclear Research at INL
INL’s advanced nuclear research aligns with national priorities to strengthen energy security, enable exploration, and advance nuclear innovation. This work provides the insight and technical rigor needed to move new ideas toward real-world application.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
INL applies artificial intelligence and machine learning to accelerate reactor design, licensing, manufacturing and autonomous operations, with all efforts aligned under the Genesis Mission.
Nuclear Fusion
INL is advancing fusion energy through nationally coordinated research that supports emerging fusion technologies and helps build a U.S. fusion science and technology ecosystem.
Advanced Nuclear Fuels
INL is advancing advanced nuclear fuels, including TRISO and other innovative designs, to improve reactor performance, safety, and readiness for next-generation deployment.
Nuclear Modeling and Simulation
INL develops and applies advanced modeling, simulation, and digital tools to accelerate nuclear design, testing, and operational decision-making.
Space Nuclear
INL leads nuclear research supporting space exploration, advancing reactor and power technologies needed for sustained lunar operations and future deep-space missions.
Molten Salt Research
INL is advancing molten salt research to support new reactor concepts, fuel cycles, and high-temperature systems critical to next-generation nuclear technologies.
Facilities for Advanced Nuclear Technologies
INL has state-of-the-art facilities for testing next-generation nuclear technologies. These facilities enable comprehensive research and development, ensuring that new reactor designs and fuels are rigorously evaluated and optimized. They play a crucial role in supporting our collaborative efforts with leading reactor developers and fuel innovators, driving the future of nuclear energy forward.
Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments
The world’s first fueled microreactor testbed, enabling developers to operate and validate advanced microreactor designs and generate data to support licensing and deployment.
Laboratory for Operations and Testing in the U.S.
An advanced test bed supporting operational experiments for emerging reactor concepts, including molten salt systems, to accelerate technology readiness and demonstration.
Transient Reactor Test Facility
A specialized reactor used to expose fuels and materials to rapid changes in temperature and neutron flux, supporting safety analysis and performance validation under extreme conditions.
Advanced Test Reactor
A high-flux irradiation facility that tests fuels and materials over extended periods, providing critical insight into performance, durability, and behavior in reactor environments.
Hot Fuel Examination Facility
A post-irradiation examination facility that enables detailed analysis of highly radioactive fuels and materials, supporting fuel qualification, materials science, and safety evaluation.
Structural Properties Laboratory
A specialized research facility that safely prepares and examines irradiated nuclear materials, enabling faster development of durable materials needed to extend reactor lifetimes and support next-generation nuclear technologies.
Nuclear Energy in the News
Coverage from government, industry, and national media highlights the momentum behind nuclear energy and INL’s role in advancing new technologies. Together, these perspectives provide context on the policies, technologies, and partnerships driving progress.