Kairos Power Launches Nuclear Manufacturing and Construction Workforce Collaboration Program

Kairos Power announced on August 21 the establishment of the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing and Prefabrication Center (NuCAMP), planning to advance nuclear manufacturing, construction method validation, and technical workforce development in eastern Tennessee to support advanced nuclear reactor deployment.

The NuCAMP program was officially unveiled at Kairos Power's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Image credit: Amy Smotherman Burgess/ORNL, U.S. Department of Energy

The program was announced at Kairos Power's Advanced Reactor Demonstration Site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Under a signed memorandum of understanding, Kairos Power will collaborate with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), Barnard Construction Company, Roane State Community College, Chattanooga State Community College, and Oak Ridge Schools.

Kairos Power also stated that Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction Group and Cambridge Vacuum Engineering are exploring collaboration opportunities to participate in NuCAMP, potentially providing strategic advisory services for advanced manufacturing and construction-related work.

The partner organizations will first conduct a 12-month exploration phase to study how to jointly develop advanced manufacturing and construction methods applicable to the nuclear sector, and to design career development pathways for engineers and skilled technicians. Kairos Power's Chief Technology Officer and co-founder Ed Blandford stated that delivering affordable advanced reactors at scale requires not only mature designs, but also innovative manufacturing processes, a code basis that enables process qualification, and skilled personnel capable of applying these processes to new nuclear construction.

NuCAMP's technical research directions include prefabricated concrete components for nuclear safety-related structures, large-format additively manufactured custom formwork, wire-arc additive manufacturing of large components such as vessel segments and nozzles, and electron beam welding technology for joining large metal components. The collaborative team will also explore ways to develop technical documentation that supports the introduction of these innovative technologies into code, regulatory, and licensing processes.

In terms of workforce development, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville will evaluate two proposed master's programs focused on manufacturing engineering for nuclear factory production and prefabricated concrete structures. Chattanooga State Community College and Roane State Community College will evaluate adding training programs for positions such as nuclear pipe welders, prefabrication production technicians, and skid-mounted equipment manufacturing technicians. Oak Ridge Schools will study expanding advanced manufacturing and trade courses for middle and high school students.

Kairos Power's reactor demonstration site in Oak Ridge will serve as the hosting platform for NuCAMP, providing conditions for manufacturing development, workforce training, and collaboration with surrounding research and educational institutions. The site is planned to include facilities for prefabricated component production, equipment assembly, welding, and additive manufacturing.