The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute and South Korean electronic component manufacturing firm LG Innotek have agreed to cooperate in the development of thermoelectric technology for nuclear batteries used in the space and defence sectors.

South Korea's Mokpo National University has opened the world's first SMR Ship Research Institute, aiming to develop a global hub for SMR ship research and education. The move comes as Lloyd's Register says the rise of small modular reactors points to a step change for nuclear applications in shipping if regulatory hurdles can be overcome.

Gallium nitride semiconductors can successfully withstand the harsh environment near a nuclear reactor core, researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory have found. The discovery could enable electronic components to be placed closer to sensors in an operating reactor leading to more precise and accurate measurements with safety and operational benefits.

The first iteration of an engineering test system for Kairos Power's Hermes low-power reactor, is now being decommissioned after more than 2,000 hours of pumped salt operations. Construction of the next iteration - which will demonstrate the modular design of the reactor - is already under way.

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power announced it has built an initial version of a simulator at the KHNP Central Research Institute to verify the operational suitability of the Innovative Small Modular Reactor.

Denmark's Copenhagen Atomics has signed a large-scale experimental collaboration agreement with Switzerland's Paul Scherrer Institute to conduct the first critical experiment on thorium molten salt reactors in Europe.

Naarea, the developer of a molten salt fast neutron microreactor, is partnering with the French National Centre for Scientific Research and Université Paris-Saclay to create a laboratory dedicated to molten salt chemistry which aims to be the European leader in research and development for both nuclear molten salt reactors and non-nuclear applications.

The revamped project plan for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor aims for "a scientifically and technically robust initial phase of operations, including deuterium-deuterium fusion operation in 2035 followed by full magnetic energy and plasma current operation".

A call for proposals has been released by South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency for candidate sites to host an underground laboratory for research into high-level radioactive waste disposal.

UK-based Tokamak Energy says that the digital twin computer software means it will be able to maximise the impact of each experiment without needing to test multiple scenarios in the physical machine.

California-based Infinity Power says it has successfully developed a very powerful and long-lasting nuclear battery that uses electrochemical energy conversion.

The US Department of Energy has released a strategy aimed at accelerating the viability of commercial fusion energy in partnership with the private sector. The department also announced USD180 million to support fusion research at an event in Washington, DC.