A safer nuclear fuel is gaining steam — but cost remains a hurdle

[Marlin]

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/nuclear/safer-nuclear-fuel-gaining-steam

[Core Content]

U.S. regulators and developers are advancing the use of tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel for next-generation reactors. While the fuel offers improved safety and heat tolerance compared to conventional rods, its high production cost and limited supply chain have historically restricted its commercial application to experimental or small-scale projects.

The industry is now attempting to scale production through dedicated manufacturing facilities, aiming to reduce costs by 50 percent by 2031. Because TRISO designs can potentially eliminate the need for expensive containment structures, developers believe the fuel will become economically viable as regulatory pathways for small modular reactors continue to evolve.

New U.S. regulations and a wave of startup interest are breathing new life into TRISO-fueled reactors, which have struggled to take off due to high fuel...

New U.S. regulations and a wave of startup interest are breathing new life into TRISO-fueled reactors, which have struggled to take off due to high fuel costs.

Uranium kernels wrapped in three alternating layers of pyrolytic carbon and silicon carbide used for the manufacture of TRISO fuel are seen on June 27, 2025, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

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https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/nuclear/safer-nuclear-fuel-gaining-steam