SHINE and Zeno enter an MOU to develop
radioisotope supply chain for power systems that enable persistent
operations from the seabed to the lunar surface
JANESVILLE, Wis., June 18,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SHINE Technologies, a
next-generation fusion company, today announced their partnership
with Zeno Power, a leading developer of commercial Radioisotope
Power Systems (RPSs). This partnership is a significant step
forward in SHINE's Phase 3 initiative to recycle and reuse spent
nuclear fuel.
Through this new partnership, SHINE plans to provide Zeno with
Strontium-90 (Sr-90) to power RPSs for national security,
scientific exploration, and commercial applications in frontier
environments. Sr-90 is a byproduct of nuclear fission and a
major contributor of heat and radioactivity in spent nuclear fuel.
It makes it beneficial to remove from the waste and desirable to
reuse as a fuel source for RPSs.
RPSs are compact devices that convert heat from the decay of
radioisotopes into a persistent and reliable supply of clean
energy. Sr-90 has been used and deployed in RPSs before but
historically the systems were heavy, constraining their use to
limited terrestrial applications.
Zeno's key innovation is its novel design that results in a
lightweight and affordable RPS, enabling broad commercial use of
the technology in space and terrestrially. Zeno successfully
demonstrated its first Sr-90 heat source at Pacific Northwest
National Laboratory in late 2023, and has over $60M in contracts with NASA, the U.S. Navy, and
the U.S. Space Force. This new partnership with SHINE could supply
Zeno with Sr-90 fuel for decades into the future to power missions
from the seabed to the lunar surface.
SHINE's partnership with Zeno represents its latest momentum in
building an industry coalition for nuclear recycling, along with
Deep Isolation and Orano, who share the same goal of solving the
world's nuclear waste problem. The collaboration between SHINE and
Zeno highlights the growing market for long-endurance power sources
that are sustainable and reliable in frontier
environments.
"Our partnership with Zeno Power marks a key milestone in our
mission to develop more sustainable power sources," said
Ross Radel, Chief Technology Officer
at SHINE Technologies. "Spent nuclear fuel recycling is an
environmentally sustainable approach that provides critical
isotopes domestically. These isotopes can transition used nuclear
fuel into a clean energy source for the future. We're proud to
pioneer this approach that will help advance scientific missions
and mitigate hurdles to the broader long-term adoption of nuclear
energy."
"We are thrilled to be working with SHINE to expand our fuel
supply chain efforts and help recycle materials considered waste
into sustainable, reliable power sources," said Harsh Desai, Chief
Commercialization Officer at Zeno Power. "Our team is committed to
enabling critical operations from the seabed to the lunar surface,
and SHINE's supply of Sr-90 will help us do just that – on an even
greater scale."
About SHINE:
Headquartered in Janesville,
Wisconsin, SHINE Technologies stands as an industry leader
in next-generation fusion, deploying innovative fusion and
fusion-based technology that seamlessly combines safety,
cost-efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
Distinguished by its proprietary medical isotope production
processes, SHINE is at the forefront of creating non-carrier-added
lutetium-177—a vital component in cutting-edge medical treatments.
Anticipating further advancements, the company's forward-looking
vision includes the creation of molybdenum-99, a diagnostic tool
that plays a pivotal role in medical procedures aimed at detecting
heart disease and cancer.
SHINE's commitment to innovation extends beyond the realms of
industry and healthcare. Drawing on its fusion-technology
expertise, the company has set its sights on addressing one of
energy's most complex challenges—nuclear waste recycling. With a
comprehensive and visionary approach, SHINE is steadfastly driving
advancements across multiple sectors, leaving an indelible mark on
the domains of technology, healthcare, and sustainable energy
solutions.
About Zeno Power, Inc.
Zeno Power is a leading developer of commercial radioisotope
power systems (RPSs). The company, founded in 2018, has offices in
Washington, D.C., and Seattle, WA. Zeno is currently executing on
contracts with NASA and the DOD, and is on track to deliver its
initial RPSs to customers by 2026. Zeno is backed by a world-class
portfolio of investors including Tribe Capital, 1517 Fund, AIN
Ventures, Balerion Space Ventures, and DCVC. Learn more at
zenopower.com.
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SOURCE SHINE Technologies, LLC