Key facts
- AMPERA, a U.S. firm, has 3D-printed a nuclear reactor module.
- The module is designed for a thorium-powered nuclear system.
- Thorium reactors are considered safer and more abundant than uranium reactors.
- China claims to have an operational thorium-based molten salt reactor.
- The U.S. seeks to bolster its energy security and global nuclear market position.
A U.S. firm, AMPERA, has taken a significant step towards developing thorium-powered nuclear energy by successfully 3D-printing a nuclear reactor module. This advancement aims to lay the groundwork for the first entirely factory-built, subcritical, and solid-state thorium nuclear power system. The company's CEO, Brian Matthews, highlighted that this technology demonstrates a commercial path for new nuclear technology to enter the market rapidly.
Thorium reactors are increasingly viewed as a potential solution to global energy challenges, offering enhanced safety compared to traditional uranium reactors due to a lower risk of meltdown, reduced weaponizability, and shorter radioactive half-life. AMPERA's design emphasizes passive safety features, negating the need for active safety mechanisms or manual intervention during operational deviations.
Beyond safety, thorium's greater abundance and accessibility compared to uranium could bolster geopolitical security in nuclear energy supply chains, which are currently dominated by Russia for uranium enrichment. This U.S.-based development aligns with national energy security goals and ambitions for global nuclear market dominance.
However, the United States faces stiff competition from China, which claims to have already operationalized a thorium-based molten salt reactor. Experts note China's rapid progress and determination to showcase its nuclear program's capabilities.