NANO Nuclear Energy to Work with Thermal Engineering International to Fabricate Primary and Secondary Heat Exchangers for its Portable ODIN Microreactor

Rhea-AI Summary

NANO Nuclear Energy (NASDAQ: NNE) has contracted with Thermal Engineering International (TEi), a Babcock Power company, to advance the design and fabrication of heat exchangers for its portable ODIN nuclear microreactor. TEi will develop detailed designs for both primary and secondary heat exchangers, leveraging its century-long expertise in heat transfer technology for the power generation industry.

The collaboration marks a significant milestone in ODIN's development roadmap, following last year's external technical audit by the Idaho National Laboratory. TEi will lead a cross-functional initiative to design practical heat transfer systems, working alongside NANO Nuclear's technical team from procurement to fabrication. The heat transfer systems are important components for the portable microreactor's functionality, advancing the project toward demonstration, regulatory licensing, and market introduction.

Positive

• Partnership with established industry leader TEi for critical heat exchanger components
• Progress in ODIN microreactor development following successful Idaho National Laboratory audit
• Advancement toward demonstration and regulatory licensing phase

Negative

• None.

Insights

Nuclear Engineering Expert

The partnership between NANO Nuclear Energy and Thermal Engineering International marks a crucial technical advancement in the development of the ODIN portable microreactor. Heat exchangers are fundamental components that determine a nuclear reactor's efficiency, safety and commercial viability. TEi's involvement, as a Babcock Power subsidiary with over 100 years of experience, significantly de-risks this critical aspect of the project.

Several key technical and market implications emerge from this development:

• The focus on both primary and secondary heat exchangers indicates progression toward a complete system design, essential for eventual regulatory approval
• TEi's expertise in conventional power plant components will be vital in bridging the gap between innovative microreactor design and proven industrial standards
• The recent Idaho National Laboratory technical audit validation, combined with this partnership, suggests NANO Nuclear is methodically addressing key technical challenges
• The emphasis on portability and efficiency in the heat exchanger design could provide competitive advantages in the growing microreactor market

However, investors should note that several challenges remain ahead:

• The timeline from design to fabrication and testing of heat exchangers typically spans multiple years
• Nuclear reactor licensing processes are complex and time-intensive, particularly for novel designs
• The commercial success will depend on achieving cost-effective manufacturing while meeting stringent nuclear safety standards

Industrial Manufacturing Analyst

The manufacturing collaboration with TEi addresses several critical aspects of NANO Nuclear's commercialization strategy:

• Access to established nuclear-grade manufacturing capabilities and quality control systems
• Integration of proven heat transfer technologies with innovative microreactor design requirements
• Potential for optimizing production costs through TEi's existing supply chain relationships
• Ability to leverage TEi's experience in meeting regulatory requirements for nuclear components

The comprehensive scope, covering both design and fabrication, suggests a methodical approach to component development. This strategy typically reduces manufacturing risks and potential delays in the certification process. The partnership also positions NANO Nuclear to benefit from TEi's established relationships with material suppliers and testing facilities, critical for nuclear component manufacturing.

From a manufacturing perspective, this represents a significant milestone in transitioning from design to practical implementation. However, the success will depend on effectively managing the complex interface between innovative design requirements and established manufacturing processes.

New York, N.Y., Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, today announced that it has contracted with Thermal Engineering International (TEi), a Babcock Power Inc.^® company, to advance the design and fabrication of several heat exchangers for use in NANO Nuclear’s proprietary, portable ODIN nuclear microreactor in development.

TEi is a leading supplier of heat transfer technology to the electric power generation industry, designing and fabricating surface condensers, feedwater heaters, power plant heat exchangers and moisture separator reheaters for the world’s power generation industry continuously for over 100 years.

“We are proud to support innovative SMR developers like NANO Nuclear with their heat exchange needs,” said Ken Murakoshi, President and CEO of Thermal Engineering International Inc. “TEi is excited to contribute to the successful deployment of NANO Nuclear’s ODIN transportable reactor and help advance clean, portable energy solutions for the future.”

Under the terms of the contract, TEi will develop detailed designs for key heat exchanger technology integral to the ODIN microreactor. This includes the eventual fabrication of both primary and secondary heat exchangers. TEi will lead a broad, cross-functional initiative, drawing on its expertise to design practical heat transfer systems in collaboration with NANO Nuclear’s world-class technical team, from procurement to the eventual fabrication of the exchangers.

“We are very pleased to take the next step in the development of the ODIN microreactor in tandem with TEi, who we believe have valuable expertise in this sector,” said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Reactor Development of NANO Nuclear Energy. “The design and fabrication of heat exchangers will mark a critical milestone in ODIN’s development roadmap, and TEi is well-equipped to oversee this essential phase. By designing and fabricating these heat transfer technologies, we can advance our testing and demonstration efforts that will support our prototype construction, while equipping our world-class technical teams with data that can be broadly applied to our other reactors in development.”

Figure 1 - NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. to Work with Thermal Engineering International to Design and Fabricate Key Enabling Heat Transfer Technology for Use in its ODIN Microreactor.

“Collaborating with an industry-leading manufacturer on the design of our heat exchangers marks a major stride in advancing the plans for our portable ODIN microreactor,” said Prof. Eugene Shwageraus, Lead of Nuclear Reactor Engineering of NANO Nuclear Energy. “By having such a reputable industry partner for both primary and secondary exchanger designs, we can optimize performance while maintaining the highest safety standards and ensure that the reactor functions at the highest achievable efficiency. We believe this collaboration will help minimize developments risks going forward and ensure we meet performance benchmarks before advancing to full demonstration.”

The heat transfer systems are essential components within NANO Nuclear’s innovative portable ODIN microreactor and their integration marks a significant milestone in advancing NANO Nuclear’s proprietary microreactor toward demonstration, regulatory licensing and eventual market introduction. This agreement builds on the work done by NANO Nuclear’s world-class technical team and follows last year’s external technical audit of the ODIN reactor by the Idaho National Laboratory, during which crucial design solutions and the system components were examined, reassuring the design development strategy.

“Incorporating the heat exchangers into a compact system like ODIN marks a significant milestone in advancing our proprietary microreactor design” said Prof. Ian Farnan, Lead for Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Radiation and Materials at NANO Nuclear Energy. “TEi’s expertise is well known in designing these critical heat transfer solutions. Accelerating this aspect of the compact reactor design is vital for meeting our milestones and ensuring that the microreactor meets our operational requirements.”

About NANO Nuclear Energy, Inc.

NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across five business lines: (i) cutting edge portable and other microreactor technologies, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation, (iv) nuclear applications for space and (v) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear’s reactor products in development include “ZEUS”, a solid core battery reactor, and “ODIN”, a low-pressure coolant reactor, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors. NANO Nuclear is also developing patented stationary KRONOS MMR^™ Energy System and space focused, portable LOKI MMR^™.

Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear’s own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear’s developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as the LOKI MMR^™ system and other power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS’ initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon's surface.

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear’s management in connection with this news release contain or may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “potential”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would” or “may” and other words of similar meaning. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management's current views and assumptions. In this press release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the anticipated benefits to NANO Nuclear of its relationship with Tei as described herein (including the potential for progressing the development, demonstration, regulatory licensing and commercial deployment of the ODIN microreactor). Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) or related state nuclear fuel licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including those associated with the recently enacted ADVANCE Act, and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

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FAQ

What is the significance of NANO Nuclear's (NNE) partnership with TEi for the ODIN microreactor?

The partnership with TEi is important for designing and fabricating primary and secondary heat exchangers, essential components for the ODIN microreactor's operation. TEi's century of experience in heat transfer technology will help optimize performance and maintain safety standards.

How does the TEi contract advance NANO Nuclear's (NNE) ODIN microreactor development?

The contract advances ODIN's development by providing important heat exchanger designs and fabrication, moving the project closer to prototype construction, demonstration, and regulatory licensing phases.

What role will TEi play in NANO Nuclear's (NNE) ODIN microreactor project?

TEi will lead a cross-functional initiative to develop detailed designs for key heat exchanger technology, including both primary and secondary heat exchangers, and oversee their eventual fabrication.

How does the TEi partnership build on NANO Nuclear's (NNE) previous development milestones?

The partnership follows last year's external technical audit by the Idaho National Laboratory, where important design solutions and system components were examined, further validating the design development strategy.