On April 22, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued final approval of NANO Nuclear’s Fuel Qualification Methodology for its KRONOS Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). The approval reduces regulatory uncertainty and allows the company to move forward with construction plans at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
The approved fuel design incorporates TRISO particles embedded in a silicon carbide matrix—a fundamental component of NANO’s safety and deployment strategy. With this clearance, the company will now pursue a construction permit and initiate site-specific development.
If successful, KRONOS will become the first advanced microreactor installed on a U.S. university campus.
“This is a major victory for advanced nuclear energy,” said James Walker, CEO of NANO Nuclear. Walker is scheduled to deliver the opening keynote at the upcoming SMR & Advanced Reactor 2025 USA event in Nashville. His address, The Growth of U.S. Advanced Reactors - Wall Street’s Cinderella Story, will examine how capital investment, policy shifts and technology breakthroughs are accelerating SMR commercialization.
The KRONOS reactor is designed for modular construction, rapid deployment, and seamless grid integration. Through its partnership with the University of Illinois, the system is positioned not only as a power solution, but also as a platform for research, training, and stakeholder engagement.
“This is the milestone we’ve been working so diligently towards—transforming design into reality,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear. “With a selected site and a world-class academic partner, we are positioned to be among the first to deliver advanced reactor systems in the U.S. This isn’t just a research reactor; it’s a proving ground for the future of safe, portable, and resilient nuclear energy.”
Environment+Energy Leader will be attending SMR & Advanced Reactor 2025 event next month in Nashville and covering key sessions on deployment strategy, financing, and siting. If you or your team will be there, let us know—we’d welcome the opportunity to meet and hear what your organization is working on.
