Lightbridge Announces Start of Irradiation Testing of its Enriched Uranium-Zirconium Alloy Samples in Advanced Test Reactor at Idaho National Laboratory

Core Insights - Lightbridge Corporation has commenced irradiation testing of its enriched uranium-zirconium alloy fuel material samples at the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) in Idaho National Laboratory (INL), marking a significant advancement in its fuel development program [1][9]. Company Developments - The start of irradiation testing is a major achievement for both Lightbridge and INL, providing a world-class platform for evaluating advanced nuclear materials under realistic conditions [7]. - The irradiation testing will help validate key thermo-mechanical properties of Lightbridge Fuel™, moving closer to commercial deployment in existing and new water-cooled reactors [7][9]. - The testing campaign aims to generate critical data on the fuel alloy's microstructural evolution and thermal conductivity properties, essential for the qualification and licensing of Lightbridge Fuel™ for future commercial use [9]. Research and Development - The irradiation testing follows the successful fabrication and loading of enriched uranium-zirconium coupon samples into an experimental assembly earlier this year, demonstrating progress along Lightbridge's fuel development roadmap [9]. - Post-irradiation examinations will be conducted on some samples at various burnup levels to assess the fuel alloy's performance, supporting further design qualification for licensing report submissions [9]. Strategic Partnerships - Lightbridge has entered into long-term framework agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance, the operating contractor for INL, to support the development of its advanced nuclear fuel technology [11].