Los Angeles-based Antares Nuclear’s advanced microreactor design, Mark-0, has achieved criticality, signifying the resurgence of the United States’ nuclear industry, the Department of Energy (DOE) said in a June 4 statement.
For a nuclear reactor, criticality means it has achieved a perfectly stable state. Under such conditions, nuclear power plants can generate electricity around the clock.
Mark-0 has “successfully completed a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration at DOE’s Idaho National Laboratory,” the department said.
“This test confirms that the reactor can operate safely and establishes a basis that would allow subsequent reactors to produce electricity in 2027 and beyond.”
Energy Secretary Chris Wright thanked President Donald Trump for his leadership and the scientists and entrepreneurs involved in the project for the achievement. …