Valar Atomics, a California-based nuclear startup, claims to have achieved criticality—the first step in nuclear power generation—thanks to collaboration with the Los Alamos National Laboratory. This milestone marks the first success in a Trump-era Department of Energy pilot program aiming to fast-track nuclear innovation by bypassing traditional regulatory hurdles. The startup’s achievement highlights a shift in U.S. nuclear policy, allowing private companies to test reactor designs with federal support. While cold criticality doesn’t yet generate power, it validates the reactor’s physics and design, paving the way for future commercialization. The breakthrough underscores growing competition in advanced nuclear energy, with Valar aiming to operationalize its reactor by July 4, 2026.
Key facts
- Valar Atomics achieved criticality using a hybrid reactor design combining its fuel with components from the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
- The milestone is part of a Trump administration pilot program to accelerate nuclear innovation by streamlining regulatory processes.
- Cold criticality tests ensure reactor physics work without generating power, differing from full-scale energy production.
- Valar’s success contrasts with previous U.S. nuclear startups, which faced lengthy NRC licensing delays before testing.
- The company’s $130 million funding round and Utah construction site signal aggressive timelines for commercial reactor deployment.
