The Neutron Activation Reactor, Lithium (NARLi)

Background:

Nuclear energy has long been recognized as a powerful means of generating large-scale electricity without the direct emission of greenhouse gases, making it an important tool in the fight against climate change. Traditional nuclear power plants rely on the process of nuclear fission, where heavy atomic nuclei such as uranium-235 or plutonium-239 are split to release energy. While fission reactors are highly efficient and can provide continuous, reliable power, they come with significant challenges, including the risk of catastrophic accidents, the production of long-lived radioactive waste, and concerns over nuclear proliferation. As the world seeks to decarbonize its energy systems, there is a pressing need for alternative nuclear technologies that can deliver the benefits of nuclear power—namely, high energy density and reliability—while minimizing or eliminating the associated risks and public concerns. Current approaches to nuclear power are hampered by several persistent problems. Fission reactors inherently produce long-lived radioactive isotopes that require secure, geologically stable storage for thousands of years, posing a major environmental and political challenge. Additionally, the operation of conventional reactors often results in the formation of tritium, a radioactive form of hydrogen that, while not highly dangerous, is difficult to contain and has become a source of public anxiety and regulatory scrutiny. The complexity and cost of managing nuclear waste, combined with the potential for severe accidents and the association with weapons-grade materials, have limited the expansion of nuclear power and fueled public opposition. Efforts to transition to renewable energy sources, while promising, face their own limitations in terms of intermittency and scalability, leaving a critical gap for clean, dispatchable baseload power that existing nuclear technologies struggle to fill without significant drawbacks.

Technology Overview:

The Neutron Activation Reactor, Lithium (NARLi) is an advanced nuclear energy system that generates electricity by harnessing the unique properties of lithium-7 through neutron activation, rather than traditional nuclear fission. In this system, a low-energy neutron beam is directed at stable lithium-7, causing it to temporarily become radioactive via neutron capture. The subsequent decay processes—comprising alpha, beta, and gamma emissions—release significant kinetic energy, which is then converted into heat and ultimately electricity using conventional power generation methods. This reactor design leverages the abundance of lithium, including the potential to recycle lithium from used batteries, and is engineered to avoid the production of tritium and long-lived radioactive waste. The technology is adaptable for a range of applications, from grid-scale power plants to compact units for submarines, spacecraft, and possibly vehicles. What differentiates this technology is its fundamental departure from nuclear fission, resulting in a "non-nuclear nuclear power" approach that addresses many of the safety, waste, and public perception issues associated with conventional reactors. By utilizing low-energy neutron activation, NARLi achieves energy production with only temporary, rapidly decaying radioactivity, eliminating the risk of long-term waste storage and the creation of tritium—a notable public concern. The use of abundant and recyclable lithium as fuel ensures sustainability and resource security, while the reactor’s flexibility supports diverse deployment scenarios. This combination of safety, environmental responsibility, and versatility positions NARLi as a transformative solution for clean energy generation, setting it apart from both fossil fuel and traditional nuclear technologies.

Advantages:

•    Generates electricity without nuclear fission, reducing long-lived radioactive waste.
•    Eliminates production of tritium, enhancing safety and public acceptance.
•    Uses abundant and recyclable lithium-7, including recycled lithium from batteries, promoting sustainability.
•    Produces carbon-free power, addressing climate change by avoiding CO2 emissions.
•    Operates with low-energy neutron activation, improving safety and efficiency compared to traditional reactors.
•    Versatile design suitable for large-scale power plants and compact applications like submarines, aircraft, and spacecraft.
•    Provides a safe, reliable alternative to fossil fuels and conventional nuclear power.

Applications:

•    Grid-scale carbon-free power generation
•    Submarine and naval propulsion
•    Spacecraft energy systems
•    Battery recycling for reactor fuel
•    Compact mobile power sources

Intellectual Property Summary:

Patent application filed – 63/901,341. Filed 10.17.2025

Stage of Development:

•    TRL 3. 
•    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_readiness_level

Licensing Status:

This technology is available for licensing.