The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has found a new partner in its mission to bring a nuclear reactor back to campus.
Illinois has signed an agreement to collaborate with NANO Nuclear Energy, a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, to construct the first KRONOS micro modular reactor (MMR) on the university’s campus.
The agreement formally establishes the U. of I. as a partner in the licensing, siting, public engagement, and research operation of the KRONOS MMR, while also identifying the university campus as the permanent site for the reactor as a research and demonstration installation. This milestone marks the beginning of site-specific development for NANO Nuclear’s advanced KRONOS MMR technology and represents a defining moment in NANO Nuclear’s path to commercialization of the KRONOS MMR Energy System.
“The KRONOS MMR project isn’t just a first for this nation, it can be a first for academia by enabling students, researchers, regulators, and the public to learn directly from a real-world microreactor development effort,” said Caleb Brooks, professor with The Grainger College of Engineering’s Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering department.
“This system can be the most advanced nuclear research platform on any U.S. campus, with the potential to enable a new paradigm of nuclear power through education, research, and at-scale demonstration.”
Following initial arrangements, NANO Nuclear will begin the process of geological characterization, including subsurface investigations, to support preparation of a Construction Permit Application (CPA) for submission to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This preparatory work is essential to understanding the environmental parameters of the site, including critical inputs to safety analysis, to ensure the utmost reliability and safety of the facility, and support NANO Nuclear’s Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (PSAR) and Environmental Report (ER).
“This is the milestone we’ve been working so diligently towards, transforming design into reality,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy. “With a site now selected and a world-class university as our partner, we are positioned to be among the first companies to deliver advanced reactor systems within the United States. This isn’t just a research reactor, it’s a proving ground for the future of safe, portable, and resilient nuclear energy. Moreover, this agreement will serve as a foundation for our long-term reactor strategy. Every milestone from this point forward brings us closer to delivering the next generation of nuclear energy to communities, campuses, and industries across the world.”
“The start of geotechnical investigations represents our first physical action toward constructing the KRONOS MMR,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. “This is a powerful signal to the industry, to investors, and to regulators: NANO Nuclear is building. We are not theorizing. We are well beyond conceptualizing. We are moving toward construction, and this is only the first step.”
Through this strategic collaboration, U. of I. and NANO Nuclear will work together throughout the regulatory licensing process, plant design implementation, public and stakeholder engagement, and workforce development. The collaboration builds on the university’s prior experience and engagement with nuclear regulators, while introducing an advanced and simplified reactor system to lead the next generation of clean energy deployment.
As part of the agreement, U. of I. will lead the regulatory engagement with the NRC as well as public engagement, support licensing activities including the PSAR and Environmental Report, and play a key role in site layout, constructability assessment, and future operator training programs. NANO Nuclear will oversee plant design, construction, system integration, and commercial pathway development.
Nuclear research reactors have an extensive history of safe and efficient operation on university campuses across the nation. In Illinois, this began with the first human-made fission chain reaction at the University of Chicago and includes the TRIGA Mark II reactor, which operated for over 38 years on our campus.
Today, 24 U.S. universities provide critical research in the fields of physics, chemistry, medicine, and energy engineering with these reactors. However, while enthusiasm for these carbon-free energy sources and powerful research devices is growing, a new university research reactor has not been built in nearly 30 years.
“We are very excited to announce this partnership and continue our mission to bring a reactor back to campus,” said Rizwan Uddin, professor and department head of Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering at Illinois Grainger Engineering. “This micro reactor project will elevate the level of research and education both in our department and our university.”
The KRONOS MMR Energy System, NANO Nuclear’s flagship micro modular reactor, is designed to redefine what’s possible in nuclear energy and features:
- Truly modular, containerized construction.
- Highest in class safety margins, creating an inherently safe reactor.
- Rapid & flexible deployment capabilities for remote and secure applications.
- Seamless integration with local grids, renewable grids and process heat systems.
The KRONOS MMR Energy System leverages proven, state-of-the-art technology solutions, and combines them into a product that is not reliant on new breakthroughs or lengthy and costly research programs.
“This agreement brings NANO Nuclear to the forefront of advanced reactors deployment in the United States,” said Dr. Florent Heidet, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear. “This construction project is where KRONOS’ engineering meets execution and demand. It will set a precedent for all future university-led nuclear technology reactor projects.”