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Solidion awarded second DOE grant to shield next-gen nuclear reactors

Written by Mahathir BayenaPublished Dec. 29 2025Last Updated Dec. 29 2025

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Solidion Technology (NASDAQ:STI) has been awarded a second grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to scale up the production of advanced carbon materials for the nuclear energy sector.

The announcement, made on Dec. 29, 2025, marks a significant expansion of the company’s portfolio from battery materials into the specialized field of nuclear infrastructure.

The grant funds the synthesis of specialized carbon-nanosphere materials designed to act as anti-corrosive additives for molten salt heat transfer fluids.

These fluids are a critical component of advanced molten salt reactors (MSRs) and small modular reactors (SMRs), which operate at extreme temperatures where conventional coolants often degrade the structural integrity of metal vessels and piping.

The project will be conducted in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

The team aims to develop an engineered "colloidal suspension" of hollow carbon nanoparticles within conventional molten salts.

These "nanofluids" serve two primary functions.

The nanoparticles form a protective barrier on the surface of reactor components, separating metal substrates from the highly corrosive liquid salt environment.

The high surface area of the carbon nanospheres improves the thermal conductivity of the salt, allowing for more efficient power generation and smaller, more cost-effective reactor designs.

The award follows a highly successful 2025 for Solidion, which previously secured an ARPA-E grant for the electrochemical manufacturing of high-performance graphite from biomass.

Earlier this year, the company and ORNL were co-recipients of the prestigious R&D 100 Award for their breakthrough in sustainable graphite production.

As the U.S. government pushes for domestic energy independence, Solidion's ability to produce advanced additives that accelerate the commercialization of safer, carbon-free nuclear power has made it a key recipient of federal research dollars.

The company operates pilot production facilities in Dayton, Ohio, which will likely serve as the testing ground for the new carbon-nanosphere manufacturing processes.