Microreactors and SMRs Are Reshaping Nuclear Energy but Radiation Shields Remain Critical
06.02.25 | Monday | Jordan Houri, BSc, MSc
The energy world is experiencing a seismic shift. As artificial intelligence drives unprecedented demand for clean and reliable power, a new class of nuclear technology is emerging: compact reactors that can be transported on trucks, installed in months rather than decades, and operated with minimal human oversight.
Welcome to the age of microreactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) – technologies that promise to proliferate nuclear energy but also creating new demands for advanced radiation shield solutions for personal protection.
The Microreactor and SMR Energy Revolution
The Need: AI-driven data centers alone could consume up to 8% of global electricity by 2030 – an incredible increase that’s pushing tech giants and governments to seek clean, scalable power sources that can be deployed rapidly and operate independently of aging electrical grids.
“Green” renewable sources, while crucial, face inherent limitations: solar panels don’t work at night, wind turbines stop when the air is still, and both require massive amounts of land and extensive transmission infrastructure. Nuclear energy, by contrast, provides 24/7 carbon-free power in a potentially compact footprint.
This is where compact nuclear reactors such as microreactors or SMRs enter the picture, offering a solution that’s both revolutionary and practical.
Decoding the Nuclear Alphabet: Microreactors vs. SMRs
While these terms are often used interchangeably in media coverage, understanding their distinctions is crucial for anyone following this rapidly evolving field.
Think of microreactors as the “power banks” of nuclear energy – portable, self-contained units that can provide electricity wherever it’s needed most. SMRs, meanwhile, represent the next generation of power plants: smaller than traditional nuclear facilities but large enough to power entire cities.
The Companies Building Tomorrow’s Nuclear Infrastructure
Several pioneering companies are leading this transformation:
NuScale Power (USA) has achieved a historic milestone as the first company to receive U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval for an SMR design. Their VOYGR system can generate 77 MWe per module, with up to 12 modules per installation – enough to power approximately 960,000 homes.
Oklo (USA) is developing the Aurora Powerhouse, a microreactor designed to operate for two decades without refueling. Their approach targets both military applications and commercial markets, with plans for factory production and rapid deployment.
Seaborg Technologies (Denmark) is pioneering floating nuclear power through molten salt reactor technology, proposing to deploy reactors on ocean barges that can serve coastal cities or remote islands.
Norsk Kjernekraft (Norway) represents the growing European interest in SMRs, advocating for their adoption to reduce dependence on energy imports while meeting ambitious decarbonization targets.
Radiation Protection in the Compact Nuclear Era
Here’s what many discussions about compact nuclear reactors overlook: making nuclear power smaller and more accessible doesn’t eliminate radiation – it often brings it closer to more people in more diverse environments, including civilian populations. This proximity makes effective radiation shield solutions more critical than ever.
Traditional nuclear power plants operate with extensive exclusion zones, highly trained personnel, and decades-refined safety protocols. Compact reactors, by design, will operate in military bases, industrial facilities, remote mining sites, and even urban environments where civilians live and work nearby. This paradigm shift creates unprecedented radiation exposure risks.
Radiation Risks of the Evolving Nuclear Landscape
The scattered nature of compact nuclear deployment introduces vulnerability scenarios that traditional large-scale nuclear facilities were never designed to address:
Natural Disasters: Unlike legacy plants in geologically stable areas, SMRs and microreactors may be deployed in regions prone to earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, or wildfires. When natural disasters strike populated areas with nearby nuclear installations, both immediate radiation exposure and mass evacuation scenarios become critical concerns requiring portable radiation shield solutions.
Security Threats: Smaller, more numerous nuclear installations present different terrorist attack vectors than traditional plants. The proximity to civilian populations means that any security breach could rapidly escalate into a mass casualty event requiring immediate radiation shield deployment for thousands of people.
Infrastructure Failure: Urban and suburban SMR installations operate within existing infrastructure networks that may be vulnerable to cascading failures, potentially exposing civilian populations to radiation risks during extended emergency scenarios where traditional radiation shield barriers may be compromised.
Who Needs Protection in the New Nuclear Landscape?
The expansion of compact nuclear technology creates new categories of people who may encounter radiation exposure:
- Reactor operators and maintenance technicians working on systems deployed in non-traditional environments
- Military and security personnel stationed near microreactor installations
- Transportation crews responsible for moving and positioning mobile reactors
- First responders who might encounter reactor incidents in diverse locations
- Decommissioning specialists handling end-of-life reactor systems
- Civilian populations living and working near SMR installations in urban and suburban areas
- Emergency evacuation personnel coordinating mass casualty responses during natural disasters or security incidents
Advanced Radiation Shield Solutions for Advanced Reactors
At StemRad, we’ve developed the world’s only personal protective equipment specifically designed for gamma radiation shield applications, with solutions for both professional and civilian scenarios. Our radiation shield solutions have already been proven in the field, with adoption by legacy nuclear reactor facilities and the National Guard disaster response teams who recognize the critical importance of comprehensive radiation protection.
360-Degree Radiation Shield Protection: Unlike traditional directional shielding systems, StemRad’s patented radiation shield solutions provide comprehensive protection from all directions – crucial when radiation sources or exposure angles are unpredictable, such as during emergency evacuations or security incidents.
Professional-Grade Radiation Shield PPE: Our flagship radiation shield solutions serve reactor operators, first responders, military personnel, and emergency workers who may face high-dose exposure scenarios during routine operations or crisis response. Traditional nuclear power plants have already integrated our 360 Gamma radiation shield solutions into their safety protocols, demonstrating their effectiveness in real-world nuclear environments.
Emergency Response Integration: Disaster response teams have adopted StemRad radiation shield solutions for radiological emergency scenarios, validating our approach for mass casualty events and natural disaster response where radiation protection is critical for rescue operations.
Civilian Radiation Shield Solutions Recognizing that compact nuclear deployment brings radiation risks closer to everyday life, we’ve developed civilian-accessible versions of our radiation shield solutions for emergency preparedness, evacuation scenarios, and peace of mind for communities near nuclear installations.
Rapid Deployment Capability: Our portable radiation shield solutions can be quickly distributed during mass casualty events, natural disasters, or security incidents, providing life-saving protection when traditional evacuation may not be possible or sufficient.
Integrated Emergency Planning: We work with reactor developers, emergency management agencies, and local governments to incorporate radiation shield solutions into comprehensive emergency response plans that account for both professional personnel and civilian populations.
The Nuclear Revolution: High Risk, High Reward- If done Properly
The promise of compact nuclear reactors is immense: clean energy that can be deployed rapidly, operated safely, and scaled to meet growing demand. But realizing this promise requires acknowledging that smaller reactors don’t necessarily mean smaller risks – they often mean more distributed risks that affect not just trained professionals, but entire communities.
As these installations move closer to where people live and work, the potential for mass casualty events from natural disasters, security threats, or infrastructure failures becomes a critical planning consideration. The difference between a contained incident and a community tragedy may depend on having the right protective equipment available when seconds count.
As we stand on the threshold of a nuclear renaissance, the companies developing these technologies, the personnel who will operate them, and the communities that will host them need partners who understand both the tremendous potential and the comprehensive safety requirements of this new era.
The future of energy is compact, mobile, and accessible. At StemRad, we’re ensuring it’s also safe for everyone – from reactor operators to the families living nearby.
Q: Why do compact reactors still require radiation shielding if they’re smaller?
A: Size doesn’t eliminate radiation. Even low-power reactors emit gamma and neutron radiation that can harm personnel if unshielded. Shielding ensures occupational safety during all phases – operation, inspection, and transport.
Q: How are these technologies connected to AI and data centers?
A: The rapid growth of AI workloads is creating unprecedented demand for reliable, low-carbon electricity. Microreactors and SMRs can power data centers independently of the grid, offering a resilient and sustainable solution.
Q: What companies are leading the development of microreactors and SMRs?
A: NuScale, Oklo, Seaborg Technologies, and Norsk Kjernekraft are among the frontrunners. These firms are deploying diverse designs to meet energy needs globally, ranging from Arctic settlements to cloud infrastructure hubs.
Q: How can StemRad support teams working around these reactors?
A: With specialized wearable and situational shielding solutions like the 360 Gamma system, StemRad protects those operating in high-risk radiation environments – ensuring safety doesn’t lag behind innovation.
Ready to explore how advanced radiation protection can support your nuclear energy initiatives? Discover our comprehensive solutions at www.stemrad.com or contact our team to discuss your specific requirements.
Jordan joined StemRad in 2022 as Lead Scientist, following his work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He supports all products including 360 Gamma, AstroRad, and StemRad MD, specializing in radiation analysis and Geant4-based Monte Carlo simulations. He holds an MS from Duke and a BA from the University of Oxford.
