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2026 Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
August 24–27, 2026
Dallas, TX|Hilton Anatole
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Latest News
Second round of Launch Pad selections includes eight newcomers
The National Reactor Innovation Center at Idaho National Laboratory has announced 13 project selections across 12 companies for the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad, a Department of Energy–led program that integrates reactor and fuel facility authorization, testing, and deployment support for private nuclear developers.
The Launch Pad emerged from the Reactor Pilot Program and Fuel Line Pilot Program.
According to INL, projects selected include reactor development and nuclear fuel cycle advancements, including fabrication, enrichment, and conversion technologies.
Shutaro Takeda, Satoshi Ogawa, Masato Tabuchi, Yoshifumi Kume, Richard Pearson, Colin Baus, Satoshi Konishi, Kyoto Fusioneering UNITY Team
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 79 | Number 8 | November 2023 | Pages 1059-1064
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/15361055.2023.2176689
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
One of the major research and development challenges on the critical path to achieving a fusion pilot plant is demonstrating the viability of power production from fusion. In August 2022, Kyoto Fusioneering launched the construction of the world’s first integrated testing facility for fusion power generation. The primary testing loop of the facility will initially adopt PbLi, with the prospect of adding an additional molten salt loop, with dimensions of around 5 × 5 × 3 m with a coolant inventory of approximately 100 L. To be completed in 2025, this facility will demonstrate (1) heat extraction from a mock-up blanket, (2) high-temperature heat transfer and exchange, (3) electricity generation from blanket heat, and (4) hydrogen isotope extraction under commercially relevant conditions—to be completed in time for the first-generation demonstration fusion plants. This facility is named UNITY, standing for Unique Integrated Testing facilitY to symbolize the integration of all critical components.