Apollo Atomics wants to make nuclear power cheaper by shrinking an overlooked part

[Marlin]

Apollo Atomics wants to make nuclear power cheaper by shrinking an overlooked part

https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/apollo-atomics-wants-to-make-nuclear-power-cheaper-by-shrinking-an-overlooked-part/

[Core Content]

Apollo Atomics has secured $26 million in seed funding to develop a compact steam generator for nuclear reactors. The startup aims to replace large, hand-built components with mass-manufactured units that utilize needle-thin channels for heat transfer. This design shift intends to reduce reactor size by 40 times and lower electricity costs.

The company plans to utilize factory assembly to shorten construction timelines to under 24 months for 300-megawatt plants. By focusing on the steam generator, Apollo seeks to improve thermal conversion efficiency and compete directly with natural gas pricing. A demonstration reactor is currently operating at MIT, with commercial deployment targeted for 2028.

Y Combinator alumnus Apollo Atomics is shrinking a key nuclear reactor part, which promises to slash the cost of electricity below natural gas.

The nuclear power industry is undergoing something of a renaissance, with startups raking in funding to develop advanced reactors in a quest to lower costs. But based on recent projections, it's unlikely those reactors will be cost-competitive anytime soon.

Assil Halimi and Drew Walker, the founders of Apollo Atomics, think that's because companies have been chasing the wrong problem. So instead of designing a new reactor, Apollo is rethinking the way thermal energy is converted into electricity.

Read the full article at TechCrunch:
https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/20/apollo-atomics-wants-to-make-nuclear-power-cheaper-by-shrinking-an-overlooked-part/