Nuclear Reactor Is 3D Printed In The US
Credit: Ampera
American startup Ampera announced the development of the world’s first 3D-printed nuclear reactor module. The company demonstrated a prototype reactor, which includes a core and a pressure vessel. The reactor’s spherical, monolithic gyroid core is 3D-printed from silicon carbide and is designed to operate for up to 30 years without refueling.
The reactor is designed as a subcritical reactor: it is unable to sustain a chain reaction on its own and requires an external neutron source. According to the developers, this increases system safety and reduces the risk of uncontrolled reaction runaway. The solid-state design also contains no moving parts, which should simplify maintenance and improve reliability.
The thorium used as fuel (instead of uranium) is much more abundant in nature and is considered a promising alternative in a number of nuclear technologies. Ampera also expects to reduce production costs through factory assembly of modules and the widespread use of additive manufacturing.
It is important to note that the prototype is not yet generating electricity—the company demonstrated a completed engineering module without the start-up stage. It is intended to be integrated into a power plant with a capacity of up to 30 MW, including a heat recovery system. This configuration could be used to power AI data centers, as well as industrial, defense, and maritime facilities.
A company representative stated that the power-generating portion of the system will be available as early as 2027, and the completed modules will be available around 2030. The timing depends on regulatory approvals. “Our reactors are designed for the markets that need the most electricity: AI data centers, defense, industrial, and marine applications,” Matthews said. “We expect to be the first company to commission a factory-built nuclear power plant.”
