How 30 years of waiting sparked America’s molten salt reactor breakthrough

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In a milestone for nuclear innovation, Abilene Christian University secured an NRC construction permit for the 1 MWt Natura MSR-1, marking the first liquid-fueled molten salt reactor licensed by the agency and the first U.S. university research reactor approved in over 30 years. By circulating fuel as molten fluoride salt at high temperatures—up to 600 °C—the design boosts thermal efficiency to around 45–48 %, while promising domestic production of critical medical isotopes. Backed by an interdisciplinary collaboration, the project also cleared a thorough environmental impact assessment.

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ACU launches the first licensed molten salt reactor in the U.S.

More than 30 years after the last university reactor approval, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) granted Abilene Christian University the construction permit for the Natura MSR-1 on September 16, 2024—only the second advanced reactor license ever issued by the NRC¹. ACU’s NEXT Lab will host the 1 MW<sub>th</sub> system, designed for research and isotope production rather than power generation.

What sets molten salt reactors apart?

Unlike traditional reactors that rely on solid fuel rods and high-pressure water cooling, the Natura MSR-1 circulates its uranium-bearing fluoride salt at low pressure and temperatures up to 600 °C—conditions that enable passive safety and higher thermal conversion rates. Studies of similar designs show up to a 45–48 % gain in electricity-generating efficiency versus the 32–34 % typical of light-water reactors².

A triple impact on energy, health, and the environment

Beyond power research, MSRs like the Natura MSR-1 can produce isotopes such as molybdenum-99 on site, addressing long-standing global shortages highlighted by the IAEA³. Their high-temperature heat also opens doors to water desalination and industrial process applications, offering new solutions for sustainability and community resilience.

Academic alliance driving progress

The project unites ACU with Texas A&M University, the University of Texas at Austin and Georgia Tech under the Natura Resources Research Alliance. This interdisciplinary collaboration leverages expertise in reactor physics, materials science and ecological assessment to fast-track the MSR’s development.

Rigorous safety and environmental review

ACU completed an environmental assessment in March 2025, finding no significant impact on local ecosystems. Concurrently, the NRC’s detailed safety evaluation confirmed that the Natura MSR-1’s passive safety features meet or exceed federal standards—allowing fuel to drain safely into a secure tank in case of anomalies.

What’s next? Construction and licensing

With construction now approved, ACU and Natura Resources will apply for an operating licence. Groundbreaking is slated for early 2026, with the first criticality test expected by late 2028. As the world seeks low-carbon, resilient technologies, the Natura MSR-1 may well herald a new era in American nuclear innovation.