Key Takeaways
- Kairos Power launched NuCAMP, a 12-month collaboration to advance nuclear manufacturing, construction and workforce development at its Reactor Demonstration Campus in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
- Partners include Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville’s Tickle College of Engineering, the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, Barnard Construction, and two community colleges.
- Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction Group and Cambridge Vacuum Engineering are advising the initiative internationally.
- Research priorities include precast concrete construction, large-format additive manufacturing, wire-arc additive manufacturing, and electron beam welding for reactor components.
- The collaboration includes two proposed master’s degree programs and training pathways for welders, production technicians, and K-12 students.
Kairos Power Launches NuCAMP to Address Nuclear Construction Bottlenecks
Kairos Power announced a new collaboration on Aug. 18 aimed at scaling up nuclear manufacturing methods, construction techniques, and the regional workforce needed to build advanced reactors in East Tennessee. The initiative, called the Nuclear Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Precast (NuCAMP), brings together Kairos Power, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville for an initial 12-month exploration phase centered at Kairos Power’s Reactor Demonstration Campus in Oak Ridge.
Beyond Oak Ridge National Laboratory and UT-Knoxville’s Tickle College of Engineering, the collaboration includes the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, Barnard Construction, Roane State Community College, Chattanooga State Community College, and Oak Ridge Schools. Samsung C&T Engineering & Construction Group and Cambridge Vacuum Engineering are taking part as international advisory partners.
“Delivering affordable advanced reactors at scale requires manufacturing processes, code basis, and skilled people,” said Ed Blandford, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Kairos Power.
Research Priorities Target Construction Bottlenecks
NuCAMP’s research agenda covers four manufacturing methods meant to speed up nuclear construction: precast concrete for safety-related structures, large-format additive manufacturing for precast components, wire-arc additive manufacturing for reactor vessel sections, and electron beam welding for joining large metal components.
“NuCAMP reflects East Tennessee’s innovation ecosystem bringing industry, national lab, and educational institutions together,” said Dr. Stephen Streiffer, Director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Workforce Programs Build a Nuclear Talent Pipeline
The collaboration also covers workforce development. Plans include two proposed master’s degree programs, in manufacturing engineering and precast concrete, along with specialized training for nuclear piping welders and production technicians. Advanced manufacturing pathways are also planned for middle and high school students in the region.
“This comprehensive partnership supports transformational advances in reactor engineering and construction,” said Dr. Matthew Mench, Dean of the Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
Kairos Power Sets 12-Month Timeline for NuCAMP
Kairos Power said the 12-month exploration phase will determine which of NuCAMP’s research and workforce programs move forward at scale in East Tennessee.
