Lightbridge Successfully Co-Extrudes a Demonstration Coupon Sample with Uranium-Zirconium Alloy and Cladding
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) has achieved a significant milestone in its nuclear fuel development by successfully performing a co-extrusion demonstration at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The process involved creating a coupon sample combining depleted uranium-zirconium alloy with nuclear-grade zirconium alloy cladding.
The demonstration produced an 8-foot cylindrical rod through a process of pressing the metallic alloy billet encased in zirconium alloy cladding through a die. This achievement is part of Lightbridge's Strategic Partnership Project Agreement with Battelle Energy Alliance , INL's operating contractor.
The uranium-zirconium alloy used matches the composition planned for future commercial Lightbridge Fuel™. The next steps involve analyzing the co-extruded sample and preparing for future production using enriched uranium, which will undergo testing in INL's Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) to generate critical irradiation performance data and support regulatory licensing efforts.
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) ha raggiunto un traguardo significativo nello sviluppo del suo combustibile nucleare, eseguendo con successo una dimostrazione di co-estrusione presso l'Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Il processo ha coinvolto la creazione di un campione coupon che combina una lega di uranio impoverito e zirconio con un rivestimento in zirconio di grado nucleare.
La dimostrazione ha prodotto un'asta cilindrica di 8 piedi attraverso un processo di pressatura del billette di lega metallica racchiuso in un rivestimento di lega di zirconio attraverso uno stampo. Questo risultato fa parte dell'Accordo di Progetto di Partnership Strategica di Lightbridge con Battelle Energy Alliance, il contraente operativo dell'INL.
La lega di uranio-zirconio utilizzata corrisponde alla composizione pianificata per il futuro Lightbridge Fuel™ commerciale. I prossimi passi prevedono l'analisi del campione co-estruso e la preparazione per la produzione futura utilizzando uranio arricchito, che sarà testato nel Reattore di Test Avanzato (ATR) dell'INL per generare dati critici sulle prestazioni di irradiazione e supportare gli sforzi di licenza regolatoria.
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) ha logrado un hito significativo en el desarrollo de su combustible nuclear al realizar con éxito una demostración de co-extrusión en el Laboratorio Nacional de Idaho (INL). El proceso involucró la creación de una muestra de cupón que combina una aleación de uranio empobrecido y zirconio con un revestimiento de aleación de zirconio de grado nuclear.
La demostración produjo una varilla cilíndrica de 8 pies mediante un proceso de prensado del lingote de aleación metálica encerrado en el revestimiento de aleación de zirconio a través de un dado. Este logro es parte del Acuerdo de Proyecto de Asociación Estratégica de Lightbridge con Battelle Energy Alliance, el contratista operativo del INL.
La aleación de uranio-zirconio utilizada coincide con la composición planificada para el futuro Lightbridge Fuel™ comercial. Los próximos pasos implican analizar la muestra co-extruida y prepararse para la producción futura utilizando uranio enriquecido, que se someterá a pruebas en el Reactor de Prueba Avanzado (ATR) del INL para generar datos críticos de rendimiento de irradiación y apoyar los esfuerzos de licenciamiento regulatorio.
라이트브릿지 (Nasdaq: LTBR)는 아이다호 국립 연구소(INL)에서 성공적으로 공동 압출 시연을 수행하여 핵 연료 개발에서 중요한 이정표를 달성했습니다. 이 과정은 고갈 우라늄-지르코늄 합금과 핵급 지르코늄 합금 피복을 결합한 샘플을 만드는 것을 포함했습니다.
시연을 통해 지르코늄 합금 피복에 싸인 금속 합금 블록을 다이를 통해 압출하여 8피트 길이의 원통형 로드를 생산했습니다. 이 성과는 라이트브릿지와 INL의 운영 계약자인 배텔 에너지 얼라이언스 간의 전략적 파트너십 프로젝트 계약의 일환입니다.
사용된 우라늄-지르코늄 합금은 향후 상업용 Lightbridge Fuel™에 계획된 조성에 부합합니다. 다음 단계는 공동 압출 샘플을 분석하고, 농축 우라늄을 사용한 미래 생산을 준비하는 것이며, 이는 INL의 고급 시험로(ATR)에서 테스트되어 중요한 방사선 성능 데이터를 생성하고 규제 라이센스 노력을 지원할 것입니다.
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) a atteint une étape significative dans le développement de son combustible nucléaire en réalisant avec succès une démonstration de co-extrusion au Laboratoire National de l'Idaho (INL). Le processus a impliqué la création d'un échantillon coupon combinant un alliage d'uranium appauvri et de zirconium avec un revêtement en alliage de zirconium de qualité nucléaire.
La démonstration a produit une tige cylindrique de 8 pieds par un processus de pressage du lingot d'alliage métallique enfermé dans un revêtement en alliage de zirconium à travers un moule. Cette réalisation fait partie de l'Accord de Projet de Partenariat Stratégique de Lightbridge avec Battelle Energy Alliance, le contractant opérateur de l'INL.
L'alliage uranium-zirconium utilisé correspond à la composition prévue pour le futur Lightbridge Fuel™ commercial. Les prochaines étapes consistent à analyser l'échantillon co-extrudé et à se préparer à la production future utilisant de l'uranium enrichi, qui sera testé dans le Réacteur de Test Avancé (ATR) de l'INL pour générer des données critiques sur la performance d'irradiation et soutenir les efforts de licence réglementaire.
Lightbridge (Nasdaq: LTBR) hat einen bedeutenden Meilenstein in der Entwicklung seines Kernbrennstoffs erreicht, indem es erfolgreich eine Co-Extrusionsdemonstration im Idaho National Laboratory (INL) durchgeführt hat. Der Prozess umfasste die Erstellung eines Couponmusters, das eine Legierung aus abgereichertem Uran-Zirkonium mit einer nuklearen Zirkoniumlegierungsbeschichtung kombiniert.
Die Demonstration produzierte einen 8 Fuß langen zylindrischen Stab durch einen Prozess, bei dem der Metalllegierungsblock, der in Zirkoniumlegierungsbeschichtung eingeschlossen war, durch eine Düse gepresst wurde. Dieser Erfolg ist Teil des Strategischen Partnerschaftsprojektvertrags von Lightbridge mit der Battelle Energy Alliance, dem Betriebsauftragnehmer des INL.
Die verwendete Uran-Zirkoniumlegierung entspricht der für zukünftigen kommerziellen Lightbridge Fuel™ geplanten Zusammensetzung. Die nächsten Schritte umfassen die Analyse der co-extrudierten Probe und die Vorbereitung auf die zukünftige Produktion mit angereichertem Uran, das im Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) des INL getestet wird, um wichtige Bestrahlungsleistungsdaten zu generieren und die regulatorischen Lizenzierungsbemühungen zu unterstützen.
- Successfully demonstrated key fabrication milestone for Lightbridge Fuel™ production
- Achieved technical validation of co-extrusion process with planned commercial fuel composition
- Established pathway for future enriched uranium testing in Advanced Test Reactor
- None.
Insights
The successful co-extrusion demonstration marks a important technical validation for Lightbridge's nuclear fuel technology, representing more than just a manufacturing milestone. The achievement proves the feasibility of their unique fabrication process for their proprietary fuel design, which aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of nuclear reactors.
The collaboration with Idaho National Laboratory, a premier U.S. nuclear research facility, carries significant weight. Working directly with INL and the Department of Energy provides three key advantages:
- Access to world-class testing facilities and expertise
- Streamlined pathway for regulatory approval
- Enhanced credibility with potential commercial partners
The successful demonstration using the exact uranium-zirconium composition planned for commercial Lightbridge Fuel™ is particularly noteworthy. This validates the manufacturing process for their actual product, not just a prototype, significantly de-risking the technology development pathway. The next phase involving enriched uranium testing in the Advanced Test Reactor will generate critical performance data needed for regulatory licensing.
From a commercialization perspective, this milestone accelerates Lightbridge's path to market. The nuclear fuel industry, traditionally conservative and change-resistant, requires extensive validation before adopting new technologies. Successfully demonstrating manufacturing capability at a DOE facility substantially strengthens Lightbridge's position with potential customers and partners in the $25+ billion global nuclear fuel market.
The planned irradiation testing program represents the next critical phase. Positive results from these tests would position Lightbridge to begin commercial discussions with nuclear plant operators, who are increasingly seeking advanced fuel solutions to improve reactor performance and safety margins.
Figure 1: Lightbridge and INL teams at Idaho National Laboratory
RESTON, Va., Feb. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lightbridge Corporation (Lightbridge) (Nasdaq: LTBR), an advanced nuclear fuel technology company, today announced a significant milestone in its innovative nuclear fuel development efforts, successfully performing a co-extrusion demonstration of a coupon sample consisting of an alloy of depleted uranium and zirconium with an outer cladding made of nuclear-grade zirconium alloy material at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The co-extrusion process demonstration conducted at INL entailed pressing the metallic alloy billet encased in zirconium alloy cladding through a die to produce a cylindrical rod with a length of approximately 8 feet.
Figure 2: Heated-up billet assembly being loaded into the extrusion press prior to co-extrusion
Figure 3: Co-extruded rod sample after co-extrusion process
A video demonstration of the co-extrusion process can be found on Lightbridge’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@lightbridgecorporation
The video can be found at: https://youtu.be/PnK_FXz1Jqk
The co-extrusion of this demonstration coupon sample represents a key fabrication milestone under Lightbridge’s Strategic Partnership Project Agreement with Battelle Energy Alliance LLC (BEA), the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) operating contractor for INL.
The uranium-zirconium alloy used in the demonstration rodlet is the same composition that Lightbridge plans to use for its future commercial Lightbridge Fuel™ product. INL and Lightbridge will now work together to analyze the co-extruded coupon sample to confirm the extrusion process parameters.
These efforts pave the way for future production of coupon samples using enriched uranium, which will undergo capsule irradiation testing in INL's Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) under an existing Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between Lightbridge and BEA. This planned irradiation testing program, coupled with post irradiation examination activities whose scope is to be released via a future Project Task Statement, aims to generate critical irradiation performance data for Lightbridge’s advanced fuel and support regulatory licensing efforts for its commercial deployment.
“This milestone exemplifies the collaboration and innovation driving the advancement of Lightbridge Fuel,” said Ron Crone, INL Associate Laboratory Director. “The co-extrusion of this coupon sample leverages the capabilities of INL's Materials and Fuels Complex and underscores our commitment to advancing nuclear energy innovation. We are proud to support Lightbridge in this important work.”
Dr. Scott Holcombe, Vice President of Engineering at Lightbridge Corporation, added, “This successful co-extrusion demonstration is a testament to the continuous progress we have made over the past year on demonstration of our fuel fabrication process in our collaborative efforts with INL. By integrating the uranium-zirconium alloy with nuclear-grade cladding material, we’re advancing the safety, efficiency, and performance of nuclear fuel, bringing us closer to commercialization and real-world deployment.”
About Idaho National Laboratory
Battelle Energy Alliance manages INL for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy. INL is the nation’s center for nuclear energy research and development, and also performs research in each of DOE’s strategic goal areas: energy, national security, science and the environment. For more information, visit www.inl.gov. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
About Lightbridge Corporation
Lightbridge Corporation (NASDAQ: LTBR) is focused on developing advanced nuclear fuel technology essential for delivering abundant, zero-emission, clean energy and providing energy security to the world. The Company is developing Lightbridge Fuel™, a proprietary next-generation nuclear fuel technology for existing light water reactors and pressurized heavy water reactors, significantly enhancing reactor safety, economics, and proliferation resistance. The Company is also developing Lightbridge Fuel for new small modular reactors (SMRs) to bring the same benefits plus load-following with renewables on a zero-carbon electric grid.
Lightbridge has entered into two long-term framework agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance LLC, the United States Department of Energy’s operating contractor for Idaho National Laboratory, the United States' lead nuclear energy research and development laboratory. DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear program has twice awarded Lightbridge to support the development of Lightbridge Fuel over the past several years. Lightbridge is participating in two university-led studies through the DOE Nuclear Energy University Program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University. An extensive worldwide patent portfolio backs Lightbridge’s innovative fuel technology. Lightbridge is included in the Russell Microcap® Index. For more information, please visit www.ltbridge.com.
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Forward Looking Statements
With the exception of historical matters, the matters discussed herein are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations on the date of this news release and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly from such estimates. The risks include, but are not limited to: Lightbridge’s ability to commercialize its nuclear fuel technology; the degree of market adoption of Lightbridge’s product and service offerings; Lightbridge’s ability to fund general corporate overhead and outside research and development costs; market competition; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; dependence on strategic partners; demand for fuel for nuclear reactors; Lightbridge’s ability to manage its business effectively in a rapidly evolving market; the availability of nuclear test reactors and the risks associated with unexpected changes in Lightbridge’s fuel development timeline; the increased costs associated with metallization of Lightbridge’s nuclear fuel; public perception of nuclear energy generally; changes in the political environment; risks associated with war in Europe; changes in the laws, rules and regulations governing Lightbridge’s business; development and utilization of, and challenges to, Lightbridge’s intellectual property; risks associated with potential shareholder activism; potential and contingent liabilities; as well as other factors described in Lightbridge's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Lightbridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new developments or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Lightbridge’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and in its other filings with the SEC, including in the sections thereof captioned “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements”, all of which are available at http://www.sec.gov/ and www.ltbridge.com.
Investor Relations Contact:
Matthew Abenante, IRC
Director of Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (347) 947-2093
ir@ltbridge.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
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https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7105f705-20e7-4838-b803-35b27e624835
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fece4e75-07b6-487a-82ba-804ed491f186
A video accompanying this announcement is available at
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This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.
FAQ
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