Core Insights - The thorium molten salt reactor has made significant progress, marking a step forward in utilizing thorium resources for nuclear energy, which is crucial given the scarcity of traditional uranium resources [1][2] Group 1: Technological Developments - The Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics has successfully achieved thorium-uranium fuel conversion in a 2 MW thorium molten salt experimental reactor, making it the only operational molten salt reactor utilizing thorium globally [1] - The basic principle of the thorium molten salt reactor involves dissolving thorium-232 in high-temperature liquid fluoride salt, which allows for the conversion to uranium-233 during nuclear reactions, creating a sustainable nuclear fuel supply [2] Group 2: Industry Context - The nuclear power industry is facing a challenge with the diminishing availability of uranium, making the efficient use of thorium, which is more abundant, a pressing issue [1] - The thorium molten salt experimental reactor is currently a small-scale experimental setup, and significant engineering validation is required before commercial deployment can occur [2] Group 3: Historical Background - The United States previously constructed thorium molten salt reactors in the last century, but these projects were eventually shelved for various reasons [3]