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Highlights
- The DOE grant supports scaling production of carbon nanosphere materials for molten salt nuclear reactors.
- Research will be conducted in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
- The project focuses on nanofluid-based materials aimed at improving heat transfer and corrosion management in advanced reactors.
Solidion Technology Inc. (Nasdaq:STI), a provider of advanced battery technology solutions, has received notification from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) confirming the award of a new federal grant. The funding supports the scale-up of a carbon nanosphere material designed for use as an anti-corrosive additive in molten-salts-based heat transfer fluids for advanced nuclear reactors. The initiative expands Solidion’s ongoing work in advanced materials and energy-related technologies.
DOE Grant Targets Advanced Nuclear Applications
The newly awarded DOE grant will enable Solidion to scale the synthesis of carbon nanosphere materials intended for integration into molten salt heat transfer fluids. These materials are designed to function as anti-corrosive additives within molten-salts-based systems used in advanced nuclear reactor designs, including molten salt reactors. The project aligns with broader efforts to develop materials that support next-generation nuclear energy technologies.
Collaboration With Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Research under the grant will be carried out jointly with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory with extensive experience in nuclear science and materials research. The collaboration builds on Solidion’s existing partnerships with ORNL and reinforces joint efforts focused on advanced electrochemical and materials manufacturing processes.
Solidion previously announced receiving the 2025 R&D 100 Award in partnership with ORNL for innovation in Electrochemical Graphitization in Molten Salts (E-GRIMS). That recognition highlighted advancements in graphite production using electrochemical processes in molten salt environments.
Expansion of Carbon-Based Energy Materials
The DOE-funded project introduces a diversification pathway for Solidion’s technology portfolio through the development of nanofluids-based energy materials. These materials consist of engineered colloidal suspensions of hollow carbon nanoparticles dispersed in conventional molten salts. The approach aims to enhance heat transfer performance while mitigating corrosion within reactor systems.
Such materials are considered relevant to efforts to lower operating costs, improve safety parameters, and support deployment timelines for small modular nuclear reactors, including advanced molten salt reactor designs.
Broader Research and Development Background
In addition to the new DOE grant, Solidion has received funding from ARPA-E through its OPEN program to advance research on electrochemical manufacturing of high-performance graphite derived from biomass-based carbon sources. This work focuses on scalable and alternative feedstock pathways for graphite production.
