Solidion Technology Inc. (STI) announced Monday that it's secured another round of federal funding, this time from the U.S. Department of Energy, to push forward materials research that could make next-generation nuclear reactors safer and more efficient.
The Dallas-based battery technology company is getting grant money to scale up production of a carbon nanosphere material that acts as an anti-corrosive additive in the molten salt fluids used to transfer heat in advanced nuclear reactor designs. Think of it as a protective coating that helps the reactor's internal components withstand extreme conditions without breaking down.
The Science Behind Molten Salt Reactors
The DOE-backed project zeroes in on what researchers call nanofluids-based energy materials. These are essentially engineered colloidal suspensions of hollow carbon nanoparticles mixed into conventional molten salts. The goal is to boost heat transfer efficiency while simultaneously cutting down on the corrosion that plagues reactor components over time.
According to Solidion, this technology could be a game-changer for bringing down costs, ramping up safety measures, and getting small modular nuclear reactors to market faster. That includes the advanced molten salt reactor designs that energy experts have been touting as a cleaner, more flexible alternative to traditional nuclear plants.
The research will be conducted alongside Oak Ridge National Laboratory, one of the country's premier energy research facilities.
Building Federal Credibility
This latest award comes on the heels of some serious recognition for Solidion. The company recently snagged the 2025 R&D 100 Award in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory for work on Electrochemical Graphitization in Molten Salts. It's also pulled in funding from ARPA-E to develop electrochemical manufacturing techniques for high-performance graphite made from biomass, part of the agency's competitive OPEN program.
Multiple federal grants in quick succession suggest Solidion is building real credibility in the energy innovation space, not just talking a big game.
What Management Is Saying
Jaymes Winters, Chief Executive Officer of Solidion Technology, said, "Consecutive awards from the Department of Energy is proof positive that Solidion is not only innovative in energy storage, but energy processes, liquids and materials as well."
STI Price Action: Solidion Technology shares climbed 5.39% to $6.65 during premarket trading on Monday.