NEVADA / LONDON (IT BOLTWISE) – In a significant step for nuclear energy, US startup Valar Atomics has become the first company of its kind to reach cold criticality. This achievement could mark the beginning of a new era in American nuclear technology by accelerating the development of advanced reactor designs.
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In the deserts of Nevada, the Californian company Valar Atomics has reached a significant milestone in the development of commercial nuclear reactors. As the first startup backed by venture capitalists, it has achieved so-called cold criticality. This achievement is seen as the start of a new era in U.S. nuclear energy, aimed at sparking a renaissance in nuclear technology.
Cold criticality, also known as zero power criticality, describes a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, but one that does not generate enough heat to actually produce energy. This type of test run allows engineers to verify the operation of the reactor core without the need for active cooling or reaching full operating conditions.
Isaiah Taylor, founder and CEO of Valar Atomics, expressed pride in achieving first criticality by an investor-backed company. He emphasized that this moment marks the beginning of a new era in American nuclear technology, one characterized by speed, scale and a closer partnership with the federal government.
Valar Atomics received technical support from Los Alamos National Laboratory, known for its role in the Manhattan Project during World War II. Additionally, the company secured $130 million in funding from prominent investors in the American tech industry, including Palmer Luckey of Anduril Industries and Shyam Sankar of Palantir.
This achievement is part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program, established by an executive order from President Donald Trump. The goal of the program is to accelerate the development of advanced reactor designs by private companies. Valar Atomics is the first company to achieve the goal of reaching criticality by July 4, 2026.
Max Ukropina, head of projects at Valar Atomics, emphasized that the US should be proud of this success, but also strive for more. He highlighted that the Valar Atomics team has delivered impressive results safely and efficiently to further climb the technical ladder.
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