University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – KRONOS Micro Modular Reactor (KRONOS MMR™)
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Project Overview
The staff of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is currently engaged in review activities for the construction permit application from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.) for a research reactor. The facility, referred to as the U. of I. KRONOS Micro Modular Reactor (KRONOS MMRTM), would be based on NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. technology and built in Champaign County, Illinois.
| Plant Characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Reactor Type | High-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) |
| Containment Type | Functional containment: uranium oxycarbide (UCO) fuel kernel, tristructural isotropic (TRISO) particle layers, and outer dense surface layer (ODSL) of the fuel pellet (See SECY-18-0096 for a description of functional containment.) |
| Power Level | 45 MWth |
| Fuel | Annular cylindrical fuel pellets consisting of TRISO fuel particles embedded in ceramic matrix |
| Balance of Plant | Thermal Energy Storage System (TESS) containing molten salt. The TESS receives heat from the primary coolant (inert helium gas) and can provide heat to connected energy conversion systems |
Key Milestones
| Milestones | Completion Date Actual - A Target - T |
|---|---|
| Application Tendered | 3/31/2026 - A |
| Acceptance Review | |
| Acceptance Review Start | 4/1/2026 – A |
| Docketing Decision Letter Issued/Acceptance Review Complete | 5/18/2026 – A |
| Review Schedule Established/Schedule Letter Issued to Applicant | 6/17/2026 – T |
| Safety Review | |
| Draft Safety Evaluation — Safety Evaluation sections drafted, and information gaps identified | To Be Determined (TBD) - Pending issuance of schedule letter |
| Final Safety Evaluation — Final Safety Evaluation updated and issued. | TBD - Pending issuance of schedule letter |
| Environmental Review | |
| Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) | TBD - Pending issuance of schedule letter |
| Final EA | TBD - Pending issuance of schedule letter |
Contacts
| Contacts for U. of I. KRONOS MMR™ | |
|---|---|
| Safety Project Manager | Ed Helvenston 301-415-4067 |
| Environmental Project Manager | Bill Burris 301-415-1621 |
| Public Affairs Officer | Public Affairs Officer |
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Tuesday, May 19, 2026
Page Last Reviewed/Updated Tuesday, May 19, 2026