Nusano Joins DOE Program to Scale HALEU Nuclear Fuel Production

Under the program, Nusano will leverage national laboratory resources and federal technical support to accelerate its HALEU production line toward a planned 2031 launch. Unlike traditional gas centrifuge methods that rely on hazardous uranium hexafluoride gas, Nusano’s technology utilizes metallic uranium feedstock. This approach eliminates the need for complex fluorine chemistry and enables enrichment in a single pass, requiring only 1,200 square feet per unit.

Each production unit is projected to generate 5.9 metric tons of fuel annually. This capacity is vital for the U.S. market, where the Department of Energy estimates demand will hit 50 metric tons per year by 2035—a significant jump from current domestic output, which remains below 1 metric ton. Keith Titus, CEO of Nusano, noted that the selection validates the technical readiness of their platform to support national energy security goals.

Advanced small modular reactors require HALEU to achieve higher power density and extended refueling cycles. By streamlining the conversion process, Nusano aims to reduce costs and allow for modular, incremental scaling of fuel supply. The company’s proprietary system performs separation by mass after converting feedstock to metal, a shift from the industry-standard centrifuge techniques currently dominating the global market.