As experts across the field gathered for the 10th anniversary of the Molten Salt Reactor Workshop, hosted by the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the focus was clear: What is possible in the next 10 years?
ORNL's annual workshop has become the premier forum for molten salt reactor, or MSR, collaboration and innovation, convening industry, academia and government experts to further advance MSR research and development. This year's event attracted a record-breaking 365 participants from across the country, highlighting the momentum to bring MSRs online.
"As a national laboratory, ORNL plays an essential role in connecting research to real-world applications," said Kevin Robb, leader of the lab's Energy Systems Development group and the workshop's General Conference Chair. "The workshop cultivates partnerships and innovations that are driving MSRs forward, reflecting ORNL's mission to deliver scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs."
Molten salt reactors have gained recognition as one of the most promising advanced nuclear technologies. With the ability to operate at low pressure and high efficiency, MSRs are increasingly considered a leading design next generation of nuclear reactors. This year's workshop harnessed this energy, focusing on the significant progress toward MSR demonstration projects, as well as advancements in reactor design, regulatory frameworks, nonproliferation measures and international deployment strategies.
Throughout the event, held November 5-7 in Knoxville, Tennessee, participants heard from top researchers and engineers on cutting-edge developments, as well as 12 MSR developers who provided updates on their progress in developing and deploying reactor designs. Participants also took part in panel discussions, lightening talks, poster sessions and networking events, along with virtual reality tours of ORNL's Molten Salt Reactor Experiment and in-person tours of the Oak Ridge reservation.
"One of the most valuable aspects of this event is the opportunity to bring together a diverse community with a singular focus," Robb added. "The exchange of ideas during this event helps accelerate progress in the field and ensures we identify and collectively address the challenges ahead."
This sentiment was reflected by conference participant Rusty Towell, director of NEXT Lab at Abilene Christian University.
"The ORNL-hosted Molten Salt Reactor Workshop continues to be the premier conference for learning and networking with the MSR community," Towell said. "Our team always looks forward to the opportunity to provide updates on our Molten Salt Research Reactor that will be the first liquid-fueled MSR in the country."
ORNL's expertise in MSR technology dates back to the 1950s when the lab led the development of the Aircraft Reactor Experiment and then the Molten Salt Reactor Experiment , laying the foundation for MSR innovation. Today, the lab's cutting-edge facilities and expertise continue to shape the field and attract global leaders in MSR development. Notably, in October 2024, MSR developer Kairos Power broke ground near the ORNL site on its Hermes demonstration reactor, which will utilize molten fluoride salt as a coolant.
As molten salt reactors continue to gain attention and maturity as a versatile and efficient option for next-generation nuclear power, the ORNL MSR Workshop remains a vital hub for advancing the technology and driving the conversation forward for decades to come.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the Department of Energy's Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science .
