Two Advanced Materials Research Projects by 1st American Nuclear Co. Supported by U.S. Department of Energy Nuclear Science User Facilities Program

1st American Nuclear Co. (FANCO) announced on August 3 that two research proposals submitted by its scientists have been selected for support under the Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) program of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy. Both selected projects come from the NSUF Fiscal Year 2026 Rapid Turnaround Experiment (RTE) review cycle, with research focused on next-generation reactor materials and fuel-related issues.

The NSUF Rapid Turnaround Experiment program is open to nuclear energy researchers and primarily provides irradiation testing, post-irradiation examination capabilities, and related technical support. Selected proposals undergo review based on feasibility, technical value, and program relevance, and researchers are not required to bear the associated experimental costs.

Both FANCO studies selected this time relate to the performance evolution of advanced alloys under reactor service environments. Among them, the project led by FANCO materials scientist Andrew Caldwell, titled "Effect of Extrusion Temperature on the Mechanical Property Evolution of FeCrAl-ODS Alloys after Neutron Irradiation at Liquid Metal Fast Reactor Operating Temperatures," will receive support from the Low Activation Materials Development and Analysis Laboratory at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The other project, led by FANCO Executive Vice President of Nuclear Fuel Philip Jensen, is titled "Irradiation Temperature Dependence of Mechanical Properties in Low-dpa MA956 Alloys: Shear Punch and Microhardness Testing," and will receive support from the Radiochemical Processing Laboratory at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

FANCO Chief Executive Officer Mike Reinboth stated that the selection of both proposals in the same competitive cycle reflects the capability of the company's technical team in the relevant research areas. He noted that these projects were reviewed alongside proposals from national laboratories, universities, and nuclear energy companies, and the selection results demonstrate that FANCO's research meets rigorous technical standards.

FANCO is developing the EAGL-1 reactor. According to the company, EAGL-1 is a lead-bismuth cooled fast neutron small modular reactor with an electrical output of 240 MWe, with design priorities including factory fabrication, passive safety, extended fuel cycle length, and rapid deployment using conventional systems.

The research supported this time will focus on examining the effects of neutron irradiation and temperature on the mechanical properties of advanced alloys. The resulting data can be used to evaluate material reliability, service life, and engineering applicability in demanding reactor environments, and to provide a basis for subsequent material selection and engineering design for EAGL-1.

FANCO stated that both studies are expected to complete the defined scope of work within nine months, and the results will be incorporated into the company's broader technology development program to support the licensing, commercialization, and deployment pathway of EAGL-1.