Advanced Reactor Capabilities

Making the vision of advanced reactor deployment a reality

CNL provides a full spectrum of technical expertise and R&D facilities at our secure and licensed site, where we have designed, licensed, and constructed prototype reactors for over 50 years. We offer on-site capabilities in all areas of reactor design, from fuels and reactor internals through thermodynamics and materials science. Our team will steadily remove technical, regulatory, and economic barriers, allowing you to progress your SMR or advanced reactor from concept to prototype—and beyond.

Test Site for Reactor Developers

Reactor physics modeling and testing

Thermalhydraulic modeling and testing

Fuel fabrication, testing and analysis

Designing, fabricating and assembling a wide range of uranium, plutonium and thorium-bearing fuels, including oxides, carbides, nitrides, and metallic/metal matrix.

Investigating and validating fuel performance and degradation using post-irradiation examination.

CNL is currently developing the capability to measure thermophysical and thermodynamic properties of molten and liquid fuels.

Safety & Licensing

Irradiation program preparation and execution

Post-irradiation examination (PIE)

Fuel and material sample preparation and handling in our dedicated hot cell facilities.

Providing a full suite of measurements, mechanical tests, surface analyses and other examinations on highly irradiated materials. Our analytical services identify where materials are likely to fail and what measures can be taken to predict and prevent such failures.

Past Projects and Current Work

Our research and development capabilities have contributed to two of the most successful reactor technologies in the world: the versatile CANDU® power reactors and the ultra-safe SLOWPOKE research reactors.

Our reactor research and development experience includes open-pool, boiling, pressurized, supercritical water-cooled, and organically-cooled reactor designs. We have manufactured and tested advanced fuels including fast-flux, oxides, carbides, nitrides, and metallic/metal matrix fuels, as well as innovative claddings and geometries to support advanced reactors and improve the performance of conventional designs.

Stay in touch!

Reach out to us. We’re always happy to have a conversation about how our expertise in advanced reactors can help you succeed.

Contact: [email protected]