With a symbolic ceremony and in the presence of authorities and strategic partners, Aalo Atomics presented the Critical Test Reactor, the first new reactor to be built at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in the last 50 years. The company completed the installation in a record time of 6 months, defying the historical trend of extensive and costly nuclear developments.
The reactor is part of Project First Light, an initial phase aimed at validating the core and systems of a new modular approach to nuclear energy. This facility is designed to achieve criticality in weeks, fulfilling ahead of schedule the executive order requiring at least three reactors to become operational before July 4, 2026.
Designed for the AI Era
The Critical Test Reactor is the cornerstone of the strategy designed to meet the energy demand of artificial intelligence data centers, which currently exceed the response capacity of conventional electrical grids.
Aalo proposes high-energy-density, carbon-free, scalable, and transportable reactors, capable of being installed alongside data centers without relying on weather conditions, gas pipelines, or water sources.
The Roadmap: From Testing to Industrial Deployment
Aalo’s vision unfolds in three technical missions:
- Project First Light: core validation using the Critical Test Reactor.
- Project Crucible: construction of the non-nuclear system, solving the challenges of using sodium coolant.
- Project Ascension: deployment of Aalo-X at full power, connecting directly to data centers for hyperscale computing.
The ultimate destination is Aalo-1, a reactor specifically designed to supply energy to this expanding sector.
A joint effort
Officials from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) , representatives from the Idaho National Laboratory, as well as supply chain partners Paragon Energy Solutions and Amsted Graphite, participated in the presentation. All emphasized the importance of close collaboration between the private sector and regulatory entities to achieve safe and rapid advancements.
A National Symbol
The event culminated with the unveiling of the reactor, accompanied by the American flag waving in the background. The scene was not accidental. According to Aalo, this moment symbolizes the return of U.S. leadership in nuclear energy, a strategic industry for addressing the energy challenges of the 21st century.
The company’s co-founder and CTO, Yasir Arafat, highlighted that Aalo’s approach prioritizes manufacturing as a way to master nuclear physics from a practical standpoint. Along with the team, he installed a commemorative plaque inside the building as a reminder of this tangible advancement.
Source: Aalo