Shah sees significant potential for Clean Core, particularly in its approach to nuclear fuel production. Unlike Holtec, which secured its export license with the endorsement of major industrial firms, Clean Core’s permit was approved by two Indian atomic regulators and the country’s primary state-owned nuclear entity. The company aims to focus on fuel rather than developing new reactors, which could allow it to serve most existing nuclear plants in India.
Clean Core’s technology distinguishes itself from both U.S. nuclear firms and China’s methods. Last year, China launched its first thorium-fueled reactor, which reinvigorated interest in a technology the U.S. had previously developed. However, scaling this technology requires new reactor designs, which can be costly. A study from Johns Hopkins University highlighted that China’s success in nuclear construction is largely due to standardization of light-water reactor designs. Shah suggests that integrating thorium into existing heavy-water reactors may facilitate broader acceptance of this fuel.
The company also plans to extend its technology to light-water reactors, which constitute the majority of the U.S. nuclear fleet. This transition presents challenges, as the fuel rod dimensions differ significantly—heavy-water fuel rods are approximately 50 centimeters long, while light-water rods extend to about four meters. Additionally, there are challenges related to neutron absorption in light-water reactors, which may impact thorium’s fission process.
Former chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Commission, Anil Kakodkar, believes that promoting thorium could help improve India’s nuclear landscape following its controversial 1974 atomic test. Despite the nation’s history with nuclear proliferation concerns, Kakodkar argues that developing thorium reactors could allow countries to harness nuclear energy without raising fears about weapons proliferation, potentially accelerating the growth of nuclear power in emerging markets.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/08/29/1122839/this-american-nuclear-company-could-help-indias-thorium-dream/