SMRTR Science & EngineeringFeb 17, 2026Interesting Engineering

Explained: How this US firm is building a meltdown-proof nuclear reactor

SMRTR summary

Maryland-based X-energy has developed the Xe-100, a meltdown-proof nuclear reactor that uses thousands of graphite spheres filled with specially-coated uranium particles instead of traditional fuel rods. The reactor uses helium gas cooling and can safely shut down without power or water systems, potentially enabling safer nuclear expansion.

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