Beryllium: The Essential Element Powering Advanced Nuclear Reactors

Beryllium in Advanced Nuclear Reactors: Essential Element Powering the Clean Energy Future

In the rapidly evolving landscape of clean energy solutions, advanced nuclear reactors are emerging as a crucial technology for delivering reliable, carbon-free electricity. At the heart of many next-generation designs lies beryllium—a lightweight metal with unique properties that make it indispensable for creating more efficient and safer nuclear power systems.

The Nuclear Properties That Make Beryllium Special

Beryllium plays several critical roles in advanced nuclear reactor designs, particularly in molten salt reactors (MSRs). Its exceptional characteristics include:

• Superior neutron moderation capabilities that help maintain efficient nuclear reactions
• Exceptional neutron reflection properties that enhance reactor performance
• Neutron multiplication effect that can improve overall fuel efficiency
• Remarkable thermal stability at high temperatures when used in fluoride salt compounds
• Low atomic mass (atomic number 4) creating favorable neutron interaction profiles

These properties make beryllium particularly valuable in next-generation reactor designs where efficiency, safety, and compact design are paramount considerations.

Meeting the 24/7 Clean Energy Challenge with Advanced Nuclear

As global electricity demands grow—particularly from power-hungry technologies like data centers and artificial intelligence systems—the need for reliable, carbon-free baseload power has never been more pressing. Unlike intermittent renewable sources, advanced nuclear reactors can deliver consistent electricity regardless of weather conditions.

Google-Kairos Power: A Landmark Nuclear Partnership

In August 2025, Google announced a groundbreaking partnership with Kairos Power and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to power its data centers with carbon-free nuclear energy. This collaboration represents the first power purchase agreement between a major tech company and a developer of Generation IV nuclear technology.

The partnership centers around Kairos Power's Hermes 2 demonstration reactor, which consists of two 35 MWₜ (thermal) molten-salt-cooled reactor modules sharing a single turbine-generator system. While initially designed for approximately 28 MWe output, Kairos has uprated Hermes 2 to deliver up to 50 MWe of carbon-free electricity.

Key elements of this pioneering partnership include:

• Construction location: Oak Ridge, Tennessee
• Regulatory milestone: Construction permits approved in November 2024
• Target operational date: 2030
• Future expansion: Broader agreement targeting 500 MW of advanced nuclear capacity by 2035

Why Tech Giants Are Embracing Nuclear Power

The tech industry's pivot toward nuclear power is driven by several factors:

• Reliability requirements: Data centers and AI operations demand 24/7 uninterrupted power
• Carbon reduction commitments: Many tech companies have pledged to operate on 100% carbon-free energy
• Exponential energy demand growth: AI applications consume significantly more electricity than traditional computing
• Energy security considerations: Critical digital infrastructure requires dependable power sources

As Google's head of data center energy stated, there's a growing need to "bring firm carbon-free energy" to digital infrastructure and "grow the availability of smart, firm energy sources" beyond intermittent renewables.

TVA CEO Don Moul highlighted this shift in thinking: "electricity is the strategic commodity that is the building block for AI and our nation's economic prosperity."

FLiBe Coolant: The Technological Heart of Advanced Reactors

The innovative FLiBe coolant—a molten mixture of lithium fluoride (LiF) and beryllium fluoride (BeF₂) salts—forms the technological cornerstone of Kairos Power's reactor design. This specialized cooling medium enables several significant advantages over traditional water-cooled reactors.

Technical Advantages of FLiBe Coolant

FLiBe coolant provides multiple benefits that dramatically improve reactor performance:

• Superior operating temperatures: Functions efficiently at 500-700°C, enabling much greater thermal efficiency
• Atmospheric pressure operation: Eliminates the need for massive pressure vessels required in conventional reactors
• Enhanced passive safety: Physical properties create inherent safety features not possible with water cooling
• Improved neutron economy: Better neutronics for more efficient reactor operation
• Compact design possibilities: Higher energy density allows for smaller reactor footprints

Beryllium Fluoride: The Critical Component

Within the FLiBe mixture, beryllium fluoride (BeF₂) contributes several essential properties:

• Melting point reduction: Lowers the melting point of the salt mixture for practical operation
• Exceptional thermal stability: Maintains performance characteristics at extreme temperatures
• Neutron moderation: Provides favorable neutron interactions for sustained reactions
• Chemical inertness: Remains stable within the reactor environment
• Thermal conductivity: Contributes to the salt's excellent heat transfer efficiency

This specialized salt mixture remains chemically stable at reactor operating temperatures, a crucial factor in both operational efficiency and nuclear waste disposal safety.

Securing the Advanced Nuclear Supply Chain

The specialized materials required for next-generation reactors present unique supply chain challenges. For FLiBe coolant specifically, securing reliable sources of high-purity beryllium has become a strategic priority for reactor developers.

The Molten Salt Purification Plant: A Supply Chain Breakthrough

In July 2022, Kairos Power and Materion Corporation reached a significant milestone with the commissioning of the Molten Salt Purification Plant (MSPP) in Elmore, Ohio. This facility represents the first commercial-scale operation dedicated to producing FLiBe coolant for advanced reactors.

Ed Blandford, Kairos's chief technology officer, called the plant a "cornerstone" of their collaboration with Materion, highlighting its importance in their supply chain strategy.

Key features of this groundbreaking facility include:

• Strategic integration: Located at Materion's Elmore campus for seamless production flow
• Vertical integration: Takes raw beryllium hydroxide from Materion's Utah mine and lithium fluoride to produce high-purity beryllium fluoride
• Nuclear-grade production: Manufactures FLiBe coolant meeting exacting specifications for reactor use
• First of its kind: Represents the first facility capable of manufacturing commercial quantities of FLiBe coolant

This facility has been described as a "critical milestone" in Kairos's drive to vertically integrate and secure their essential coolant supply.

The Strategic Importance of Domestic Beryllium

The United States maintains a unique position in global beryllium supply, with significant strategic implications:

• Domestic resource: Spor Mountain, Utah houses the only active beryllium mine in the United States
• Single domestic producer: Materion Corporation operates as the sole U.S. beryllium producer
• Strategic designation: The Department of Defense designates beryllium as both "critical" and "strategic"—the only material with that dual distinction
• Global position: The U.S. dominates global beryllium production but faces vulnerability due to single-source dependence

Supply Chain Challenges for Beryllium

Despite the U.S. position as a leading beryllium producer, several challenges could impact the availability of this critical material for advanced nuclear applications.

Supply Vulnerabilities and Constraints

The beryllium supply chain faces several potential pressure points:

• Single-source vulnerability: Dependence on one domestic mine and processor creates risk
• Limited market competition: Lack of competitive pressure may slow production expansion or innovation
• Competing applications: Traditional defense and aerospace sectors also require beryllium
• Production capacity questions: Unclear if current capacity can meet growing nuclear sector demand
• Resource development barriers: Challenges in exploring and developing new beryllium deposits

Emerging Solutions to Supply Concerns

Several approaches are being developed to address these supply chain vulnerabilities:

• Expanded exploration: Efforts in Utah and other regions to identify new beryllium resources
• Strategic material planning: Consideration of stockpiling beryllium for critical applications
• Materials research: Investigation of alternative materials that could reduce beryllium dependence
• International partnerships: Exploration of diversified supply sources through global collaboration
• Policy support mechanisms: Government initiatives to strengthen critical minerals energy transition development

Beryllium's Impact on the Future of Clean Energy

The role of beryllium in advanced nuclear technology demonstrates how seemingly niche materials can become critical enablers of major energy transitions. As demand for 24/7 carbon-free electricity grows, particularly from data centers and AI applications, the importance of securing beryllium supply chains will likely increase.

The Broader Implications for Energy Transition

The beryllium case illustrates several important patterns in the clean energy transition:

• Critical mineral elevation: Previously overlooked materials gaining strategic importance
• Policy convergence: Energy, technology, and industrial policies increasingly overlapping
• Supply chain planning: Need for proactive approaches to critical material sourcing
• Materials innovation: Potential for breakthroughs in recycling and material substitution
• Integration importance: Value of vertical integration in emerging clean energy industries

As TVA's CEO emphasized, successfully scaling advanced reactor technology requires developing "a technology, a supply chain, and a delivery model" that can be replicated and expanded. Beryllium represents a perfect case study of this supply chain challenge.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

While advanced nuclear reactors promise significant environmental benefits through carbon-free power generation, the use of beryllium requires careful management of potential health and safety concerns.

Safety Protocols for Beryllium Handling

Beryllium processing involves strict safety measures:

• Industrial hygiene practices: Comprehensive controls in mining and processing operations
• Exposure prevention: Engineered systems to prevent beryllium dust exposure
• Worker protection programs: Regular monitoring and health surveillance protocols
• Environmental controls: Monitoring systems around production facilities
• Specialized waste management: Procedures for handling beryllium-containing materials

Environmental Benefits of Advanced Nuclear Technology

Advanced reactors offer several environmental advantages:

• Zero carbon emissions: No greenhouse gases produced during power generation
• Compact footprint: Smaller physical land use compared to conventional nuclear plants
• Water conservation: Reduced water usage compared to traditional cooling systems
• Waste reduction potential: Advanced fuel cycles may reduce nuclear waste volumes
• Fossil fuel replacement: Ability to replace carbon-intensive baseload power generation

The environmental benefits extend beyond emissions reduction, as raw materials green transition strategies increasingly recognize the importance of nuclear power for comprehensive decarbonization.

Beryllium in Advanced Nuclear Reactors: FAQs

Is beryllium radioactive?

No, beryllium itself is not radioactive. It's a naturally occurring element (atomic number 4) used in nuclear reactors for its neutron-related properties, not because it undergoes radioactive decay. However, it requires careful handling due to other health considerations related to beryllium dust inhalation, as outlined in comprehensive research on beryllium safety.

Could other materials replace beryllium in advanced reactors?

While researchers are exploring alternatives, beryllium's unique combination of low atomic mass, neutron moderation properties, and thermal characteristics makes it difficult to replace entirely in certain reactor designs. Some alternate molten salt formulations exist but may not offer the same performance advantages in terms of neutron economy and thermal efficiency.

How much beryllium is needed for a typical advanced reactor?

A commercial-scale molten salt reactor might require several tons of beryllium (in the form of beryllium fluoride) for its initial coolant charge. The exact amount depends on the specific reactor design, power output, and coolant configuration. One advantage is that once charged, the coolant is not consumed during operation.

Are there recycling possibilities for beryllium from decommissioned reactors?

Yes, beryllium from decommissioned reactors could potentially be recovered, purified, and reused. The development of effective recycling processes could help mitigate supply concerns as the advanced reactor fleet grows. The long half-life of reactor components makes this recycling economically attractive.

How does the cost of beryllium impact the economics of advanced reactors?

While beryllium is relatively expensive compared to conventional materials, it represents only a fraction of the total capital cost of an advanced reactor. The long operational lifetime of the coolant means the initial investment can be amortized over many years of power production, reducing its impact on the levelized cost of electricity. This economic balance is especially important given recent uranium market strategies and the potential for uranium mining halt situations affecting fuel costs.

The Strategic Importance of Beryllium for Clean Energy Innovation

The emergence of beryllium in advanced nuclear reactors illustrates how the clean energy transition often depends on securing reliable supplies of specialized materials. As companies like Google partner with nuclear innovators to meet growing electricity demands with carbon-free sources, the strategic importance of beryllium and similar critical minerals will only increase.

The Kairos Power-Google partnership demonstrates how previously niche technologies can suddenly become central to solving major energy challenges. By building dedicated supply chains for materials like beryllium, the advanced nuclear industry is laying the groundwork for scalable deployment of next-generation clean energy technologies, as detailed in recent nuclear reactor innovation studies.

For policymakers, investors, and energy planners, understanding these material dependencies will be essential for navigating the complex landscape of energy transition. The beryllium story reminds us that sometimes the most transformative technologies rely on securing the most elemental building blocks.

Seeking the Next Major Opportunity in Critical Minerals?

Discover how materials like beryllium are powering tomorrow's clean energy revolution with real-time alerts on significant ASX mineral discoveries through Discovery Alert's proprietary Discovery IQ model, helping you identify actionable investment opportunities before the broader market catches on. Explore why critical mineral discoveries can lead to substantial returns by visiting Discovery Alert's dedicated discoveries page.