TRISO Fuel
Tri-structural Isotropic Particle Fuel
Tri-structural isotropic particles: UO2 kernel coated in porous carbon, pyrocarbon, SiC, pyrocarbon. Micro-fuel for HTRs; retains fission products to 1600°C.
Particle diameter 1mm; SiC layer strongest. Pebble bed fuel: 15,000 TRISO/m³ pebbles. Burnup >15% FIMA. Used in AVR, THTR; X-energy restarts production.
Why it matters now
TRISO enables microreactors (e.g., Kairos) for remote data centers in 2025-2026. Proliferation-resistant amid HALEU ramp-up.