A test unit small modular reactor (SMR) vessel, developed in partnership with the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and Cambridge Vacuum Engineering (CVE), has been successfully installed by Kairos Power at its Tennessee campus.

The 14-foot-high vessel, a key component of Kairos Power’s Engineering Test Unit 3.0 (ETU 3.0), marks a major milestone in validating advanced, cost-effective manufacturing for future SMR deployment. Supported by the US Department of Energy, the ETU program aims to accelerate the commercialisation of advanced nuclear reactors for clean energy.

The AMRC integrated machining, welding and inspection under one roof, enabling full-vessel fabrication and reducing production challenges. CVE’s electron beam welding technology achieved welds up to 100 times faster than conventional arc welding — cutting a one-week process to around ten minutes.

Leaders from Kairos Power, AMRC and CVE highlighted the collaboration as a breakthrough in manufacturing precision, cost reduction and scalability for the next generation of nuclear power systems. The ETU 3.0 facility will also serve as a testbed for civil construction, quality assurance, and operator training for Kairos Power’s upcoming Hermes Low Power Demonstration Reactor.

Also read: Kairos Power Installs Reactor Vessel for Oak Ridge Engineering Test Unit