Marketplace Tech The old technique that could power future nuclear reactors
Nov 11, 2025
Mark Harris, a technology journalist known for his insights on energy innovation, dives deep into the fascinating world of small modular nuclear reactors. He sheds light on how AI companies are eyeing nuclear power to meet energy demands swiftly. Discover the appeal of molten-salt cooling, its engineering challenges, and how Kairos is making strides toward functional prototypes. Excitingly, hear about Kairos' partnership with Google to deliver carbon-free electricity—this could change the energy landscape dramatically!
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Molten Salt Lowers Pressure Risk
- Molten salt cooling replaces high-pressure water to reduce explosion risk in reactors.
- The technique avoids high-pressure systems but introduces new engineering challenges like corrosiveness.
Old Idea, New Engineering Work
- Molten-salt reactors were conceived decades ago but never scaled commercially.
- The remaining work is engineering: handling salt flow, material compatibility, and operational efficiency.
Kairos Moved From Tests To A Fuelled Reactor
- Kairos progressed from lab tests to building a reactor that will contain nuclear fuel.
- They aim to deliver market-ready prototypes with a faster cadence than traditional nuclear projects.