Antares has achieved criticality with its small modular nuclear reactor at Idaho National Laboratory, marking the first success under a Trump-era executive order to accelerate nuclear power development. The reactor uses innovative TRISO fuel technology, which encases uranium oxide in multiple protective layers to enhance safety and prevent meltdowns. While this represents a significant milestone for next-generation nuclear technology, the reactor is not yet generating power and safety concerns remain regarding neutron emissions.
Background
Small modular reactors (SMRs) represent a new generation of nuclear power technology designed to be safer, more cost-effective, and easier to deploy than traditional large-scale nuclear plants. The TRISO fuel system mentioned in the article is a key innovation that makes these smaller reactors potentially safer by containing fuel in robust, multi-layered particles.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Jun 6, 2026 at 03:23 AM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10