NANO Nuclear And University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Receives Nuclear Regulatory Commission Fuel Qualification Methodology Approval For KRONOS MMR Energy System

Safety Evaluation Issued by NRC Confirms Regulatory Acceptance of Fuel Qualification Methodology, Paving the Way for Eventual KRONOS Microreactor Deployment at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

New York, N.Y., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:NNE) ("NANO Nuclear" or "the Company"), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, is pleased to announce that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has issued its final Safety Evaluation (SE) approving the Fuel Qualification Methodology Topical Report (FQM TR) for the advanced fuel design to be used in the NANO Nuclear's stationary KRONOS MMR™ Energy System.

This important regulatory milestone marks the successful culmination of a rigorous review process and represents a major step toward deployment of the KRONOS reactor prototype at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.). The approved Fuel Qualification Methodology defines the regulatory framework and testing approach for the qualification of Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated (FCM®) fuel, which incorporates tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles embedded in a silicon carbide matrix. With this latest regulatory breakthrough, NANO Nuclear is now positioned to submit its Construction Permit Application for the KRONOS reactor, with fuel qualification rapidly progressing. NANO Nuclear is advancing its vision to become a leader in small, clean energy technologies that address global energy security and decarbonization goals.