DOE‑backed molten chloride reactor experiment nears criticality test

The U.S. Department of Energy has approved additional funding for the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE), a fast‑spectrum molten chloride salt reactor that is expected to reach criticality as early as 2027. The experiment will provide the first real‑world operating data for this reactor design, which could inform future commercial deployment and regulatory licensing.

Why it matters. The data will reduce technical uncertainty for developers of next‑generation nuclear reactors, potentially accelerating the commercialization of safer, more efficient nuclear power and related applications such as maritime propulsion.