World's First Mass-Produced Microreactor Gets Approval For Scaling

Radiant's microreactor is changing the nuclear energy landscape with faster, portable solutions and DOE safety approvals.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Nuclear energy startup Radiant has cleared two major hurdles that bring its portable 'Kaleidos' microreactor much closer to reality. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has given Radiant's safety analysis the green light, allowing the company to move forward with plans to start up its first microreactor this summer at the Idaho National Laboratory. Radiant has also raised over $300 million in new funding to build a factory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to mass-produce these small, portable nuclear generators.

Why it matters

Radiant's microreactor technology aims to transform the nuclear energy industry by providing faster, more portable, and safer nuclear power solutions compared to traditional large-scale nuclear plants. The DOE approval and new funding will enable Radiant to scale up production and deployment of its microreactors, which could make nuclear power more accessible in remote or disaster-affected areas.

The details

Radiant's 'Kaleidos' microreactor design has received approval from the DOE for its safety analysis, marking the first time a full-power test has been approved under a new, faster authorization process. This clears the way for Radiant to start up its first microreactor this summer at the Idaho National Laboratory's DOME facility. Meanwhile, the company has raised over $300 million in new funding to build a factory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to mass-produce the microreactors, which are designed to be portable and deployable in remote locations like military bases, disaster zones, or mining sites.

  • Radiant plans to start up its first microreactor this summer at the Idaho National Laboratory.
  • Radiant recently announced it raised over $300 million in new funding.

The players

Radiant

A California-based nuclear energy startup developing portable 'Kaleidos' microreactors.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

The government agency that has given Radiant's safety analysis the green light to move forward with its microreactor technology.

Dr. Rita Baranwal

Radiant's Chief Nuclear Officer.

Doug Bernauer

CEO and Founder of Radiant.

Idaho National Laboratory

The facility where Radiant will start up its first microreactor this summer.

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What they’re saying

“The DOE's approval of our DARK submission is a major validation of Radiant's safety-first approach and the strength of our reactor design. Completing the second phase of the Authorization Pathway positions us to move confidently into startup activities and demonstrates that advanced nuclear systems can progress rapidly while meeting rigorous safety requirements.”

— Dr. Rita Baranwal, Chief Nuclear Officer, Radiant (tomorrowsworldtoday.com)

“Micro-scaled nuclear, mass produced for the first time ever, can transform how the public thinks about nuclear energy. This funding enables us to build our factory and keep to our DOME schedule, where we will achieve self-sustained chain reaction on a reactor designed by, built by, fueled by, and operated by Radiant alongside our partners at the Idaho National Lab.”

— Doug Bernauer, CEO and Founder, Radiant (tomorrowsworldtoday.com)

What’s next

Radiant is staying on schedule to start up its first microreactor this summer at the Idaho National Laboratory's DOME facility.

The takeaway

Radiant's microreactor technology represents a significant shift in the nuclear energy industry, providing faster, more portable, and safer nuclear power solutions compared to traditional large-scale nuclear plants. The DOE approval and new funding will enable Radiant to scale up production and deployment of its microreactors, potentially making nuclear power more accessible in remote or disaster-affected areas.