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US Oak Ridge National Laboratory Advances 3D-Printed Nuclear Components Manufacturing and Certification

The US Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is working with industry partners to advance the application of advanced manufacturing technologies, with a focus on heavy-duty 3D printing, AI-driven automated manufacturing, and digital qualification methods, to address issues such as unstable US industrial supply chains, shortages of skilled workers, and long lead times for large custom components. At an advanced manufacturing facility in Tennessee, ORNL demonstrated two large-scale 3D printing manufacturing cases for the nuclear energy sector. Among them, a three-arm robotic system called MedUSA printed a steel nuclear pressure vessel approximately 3 feet by 5 feet with complex dome geometry by guiding molten steel. Researchers said...

2026-09-10

U.S. Nuclear Power Construction Included as Candidate in South Korea's U.S. Investment Consultations

On September 10, 2026, consultations between South Korea and the United States over a $350 billion U.S. investment plan entered a late stage. In addition to the Encinar gas combined-cycle power project in Texas being regarded as the first investment candidate, the U.S. side is said to have also proposed using a considerable portion of the $200 billion in strategic investment for nuclear power plant construction. According to related information, the U.S. nuclear power construction plan includes up to eight large nuclear reactors, and South Korea's APR1400 reactor design has also been included in discussions for some projects. South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said regarding the nuclear power projects that relevant parties are in consultations, but specific details have not yet been determined. Texas's rapidly growing electricity demand is an important background for the South Korea-U.S. discussions on...

2026-09-10

US Island Roadhouse Discloses Design for Nuclear-Powered AI Data Center Campus in Missouri

On September 9, 2026, Island Roadhouse Data Centers disclosed the design for an integrated, low-water-use, nuclear-powered data center campus it plans to build in Missouri. The campus is planned to operate behind the meter, generating power on-site to meet the electricity demand of artificial intelligence computing loads, and to cool high-density data halls through a closed-loop warm-water liquid cooling and dry heat rejection system, while supplying waste heat to third-party industrial users through a campus thermal network. The design primarily targets the power supply and grid interconnection timeline constraints in AI infrastructure construction. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)...

2026-09-10

Lightbridge Approved to Conduct Advanced Nuclear Fuel Irradiation Testing at Idaho National Laboratory

On September 9, Lightbridge Corporation (Lightbridge, Nasdaq: LTBR), a developer of advanced nuclear fuel technology, announced that it has completed the signing of Project Task Statement No. 2 (PTS No. 2) under the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), the operating contractor of Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Under this task statement, Lightbridge will gain access to the loop test facility of the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at Idaho National Laboratory to conduct irradiation testing of Lightbridge Fuel™ cladded fuel rods. The loop...

2026-09-10

Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan to Reconsider Literature Survey for Final Disposal Site of High-Level Radioactive Waste

The Hitachiota City Council in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, held a closed-door meeting on September 9 to hear council members' opinions on the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's request for the city to conduct a literature survey for selecting a final disposal site for high-level radioactive waste. After the meeting, sources said that two council members expressed support and two expressed opposition, and the city council failed to reach a consensus, deciding to hold another meeting on September 16 for discussion. The closed-door meeting was initiated by Hitachiota Mayor Sadayuki Suzuki, with the aim of providing reference for the city government to judge whether to accept the literature survey. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry made the request to the city on August 31. Suzuki previously said he would "actively consider" conducting the literature survey and hoped...

2026-09-10

NRA Commissioner Inspects Radiation Management at Shimane Nuclear Power Station

Reiko Kanda, a Commissioner of the Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) of Japan, visited Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture, from September 7 to 8 to inspect radiation level management and on-site inspection work at the Shimane Nuclear Power Station. The NRA has a dedicated inspection team stationed at the Shimane Nuclear Power Station and conducts a related inspection once a year to confirm that resident inspectors can properly manage and monitor radiation levels. On September 8, the NRA inspected the emergency response center used by the nuclear power station in the event of a severe accident, focusing on confirming the inspectors' emergency response procedures. Reiko Kanda observed the inspection process on site. Reiko Kanda stated that the inspection work was carried out properly and that this inspection will serve as a reference for the NRA's future work.

2026-09-10

Construction Site Leveling and Excavation Kicks Off for Hualong One Version 2.0 Demonstration Project of Zhejiang Jinqimen Nuclear Power Phase II

On the morning of September 9, Zhejiang Jinqimen Nuclear Power held a mobilization meeting for high-quality construction of the Hualong One Version 2.0 demonstration project of Phase II, marking the full launch of site leveling and excavation work for Phase II. At the event, Yao Zhaohong, General Manager of Jinqimen Nuclear Power, presented the flag to the Party Member Commando Team for High-Quality Commencement of the Demonstration Project. Zhong Hua, Party Secretary and Chairman of Jinqimen Nuclear Power, delivered a mobilization speech and announced the start of site leveling and excavation work. At 11:11, the first blast for the main excavation of Phase II was successfully detonated, marking that the project construction has entered a stage of accelerated advancement. The mobilization meeting stated that Jinqimen Nuclear Power undertakes the task of constructing the Hualong One Version 2.0 demonstration project, and all participating units and builders must fulfill safety and quality responsibilities, adhere to safety first and quality first, steadily advance project construction, and build a high-standard "New Quality Hualong Demonstration Project."

2026-09-10

ITM and SpiroChem Announce Strategic Collaboration to Advance Novel Radiopharmaceutical Development

Garching/Munich, Germany and Basel, Switzerland, September 8, 2026 – Radiopharmaceutical biotechnology company ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE and Swiss collaborative research organization SpiroChem AG today announced a strategic drug discovery partnership focused on a novel radiopharmaceutical candidate within ITM's pipeline. The specific target and financial terms of the collaboration were not disclosed. Under the agreement, the parties will combine their respective capabilities to advance candidate discovery and optimization. SpiroChem will leverage its drug discovery platform, macrocycle library, and screening engine to lead hit identification and optimization, while ITM will provide...

2026-09-09

Toshiba Energy Systems Selected for Next-Generation Innovative Reactor Core Structure R&D and Demonstration Project

On September 9, 2026, Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation (Toshiba ESS) announced that it has been selected for the second round of public solicitation under the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's FY2025 supplementary budget project "Support Program for Technology Development and Supply Chain Construction for Next-Generation Innovative Reactor Development and Construction," undertaking the "Next-Generation Innovative Reactor Core Structure R&D and Manufacturing Demonstration Project (Phase 2)." Figure: Image of iBR internal structure Following this selection, Toshiba Energy Systems will further expand its R&D efforts in reactor internal structures, building on the six projects previously selected in the first round. The company plans to collaborate with suppliers to...

2026-09-09

Indian, Russian Leaders to Meet Ahead of BRICS Summit; Talks on New Nuclear Power Plants on Agenda

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on September 8 that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet this Friday, ahead of the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit scheduled for September 12-13 in New Delhi. Peskov stated that Russia is awaiting negotiations with India on new nuclear power plants. He also noted that the two leaders maintain close contact and are able to discuss sensitive issues in bilateral relations in an open and constructive manner. The Indian side has not yet issued an official statement regarding the bilateral meeting between Modi and Putin. India holds the presidency of the 2026 BRICS Summit. This year's summit will be held at the India Exposition Centre in New Delhi under the theme "Building Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation, and Sustainable Development." During the summit, participants will exchange views on shared priorities and related global and regional issues.

2026-09-09

Planned outage at Sweden's Ringhals Unit 4 extended to November 30

The planned maintenance outage at Unit 4 of Sweden's Ringhals nuclear power plant will be extended to November 30 due to the need for additional cleaning work on site. During the planned maintenance outage at Ringhals Unit 3, inspectors discovered rubber residue in parts of the component cooling system. The rubber residue originated from leaking valves within the system. The cleaning work is a preventive measure aimed at avoiding reduced cooling performance or component damage. Sven-Anders Andersson stated that the valve replacement work had originally been scheduled for the coming years, but the rubber degradation exceeded expectations. He said: "We deeply regret the extended outage, but safety and equipment condition remain our top priorities."

2026-09-09

Europe and Central Asia Strengthen Regional Cooperation on Radioactive Waste Management

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently stated that over the past two years it has trained more than 200 experts in Europe and Central Asia, supporting relevant countries in enhancing their safe radioactive waste management capabilities and developing long-term management strategies tailored to their national circumstances. IAEA representatives visited storage and disposal facilities in Lithuania to observe successful radioactive waste management practices firsthand. (F. Dragolici/IAEA) Radioactive waste originates from the application of nuclear technology in energy, medicine, industry, research, and other fields. Under safety management requirements, countries are responsible for the full lifecycle of radioactive waste, covering generation, characterization, treatment, conditioning, storage, and final disposal in licensed disposal facilities.

2026-09-09

IAEA Hosts Nuclear Energy Financing Capacity-Building Workshop

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently held a capacity-building workshop on nuclear energy for international financial institutions at its headquarters in Vienna, Austria, attended by approximately 50 senior experts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank Group (WBG), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the OPEC Fund for International Development, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Approximately 50 senior experts from the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank Group, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the OPEC Fund, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the African Development Bank attended the IAEA's nuclear energy capacity-building workshop for international financial institutions. (Photo: J. Fri...

2026-09-09

Penza State University in Russia Develops Training Simulator for X-ray Image Defect Recognition

Researchers at Penza State University in Russia have developed an interactive training simulator for identifying defects in X-ray images, aimed at helping medical students and residents more accurately assess abnormalities in medical images and understand the physical causes behind different image defects. X-ray image quality directly affects the efficiency of pathological change detection and clinical diagnostic judgment. Factors such as equipment condition, exposure parameters, radiation dose, and quantum noise levels can all lead to degraded image quality. Therefore, radiologic technologists and radiologists need not only to identify lesions in images, but also to assess image quality and determine whether defects such as low contrast, noise, blur, and artifacts may affect diagnosis...

2026-09-09

Five Korean Local Governments Discuss Improvements to On-Site Storage Facilities at Nuclear Power Plants

On September 8, 2026, Gyeongju City announced that the 36th Administrative Meeting of Local Governments Hosting Nuclear Power Plants was held in Gyeongju that day. Heads of local governments from five regions hosting nuclear power plants—Gyeongju City, Gijang County in Busan, Ulju County in Ulsan, Yeonggwang County in South Jeolla Province, and Uljin County in North Gyeongsang Province—attended the meeting. Photo of the administrative meeting of local governments hosting nuclear power plants held in Gyeongju on the 8th. Photo provided by Gyeongju City Government. The meeting discussed topics including current issues with on-site storage facilities within nuclear power plant premises, improvement of support systems for areas surrounding nuclear power plants, and joint response mechanisms among local governments. Participants noted that some issues faced by nuclear power plant host regions share common characteristics, requiring collaboration among local governments to ensure relevant opinions are reflected in government policies and systems.

2026-09-09