Exosens supports next-generation nuclear reactor milestones in the U.S

Exosens has contributed to two successful criticality demonstrations for next-generation nuclear reactors under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Reactor Pilot Program. The program, which initially selected 11 advanced reactor projects in August 2025, aimed to bring at least three designs to criticality by July 4, 2026. The program exceeded this goal, with four projects reaching the milestone by the deadline.

Exosens provided high-performance neutron detectors and technical expertise to Antares Nuclear and Valar Atomics, the developers of the first two reactor designs to achieve criticality. These detectors are integrated into safety-related neutron flux monitoring systems to monitor reactor power and track the approach to criticality during testing and start-up.

The acceleration of next-generation nuclear technologies, particularly Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), is being driven by the demand for carbon-free power to meet the energy needs of AI-enabled data centers.