NX Atomics
Developer of the VELA 5th-generation small modular reactor (SMR) using liquid fuel and liquid lead coolant, targeting baseload power at under $20/MWh for data centers and heavy industry.
- CEO / Founder
- John Warden
- Team Size
- 11-50
- Stage
- Active
Technology & Products
Key Products
VELA 5th-generation SMR platform; factory-produced modular reactor units deployable for baseload power, industrial process heat, and hydrogen production
Technological Advantage
Partnership with Sciaky for Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing (EBAM) to produce nuclear-qualified metal parts faster and at lower cost; interchangeable-part architecture lowers initial manufacturing constraints
Differentiation
Value Proposition
5th-generation liquid fuel / liquid lead-cooled SMR with simplified architecture, modular scaling, and target LCOE of under $20/MWh — competitive with natural gas.
How They Differentiate
Targets <$20/MWh LCOE (vs ~$60/MWh for Gen IV SMRs and ~$90/MWh for Gen III+ nuclear); uses interchangeable/3D-printed components for periodic replacement rather than full-lifecycle parts; liquid fuel + liquid lead coolant architecture for safety and simplicity
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Data centers (AI clusters), heavy industry (steel, cement, chemicals), grid operators, hydrogen producers, remote mining/exploration sites, maritime shipping
Industry Verticals
Nuclear Energy; Data Centers; Heavy Industry; Hydrogen Production; Maritime
Competitors
Aalo Atomics; Deep Fission; Valar Atomics
Growth & Milestones
Major Milestones
Company launched (early 2026); Sciaky EBAM partnership announced (June 2026); Targeting prototype by 2030 and first-of-a-kind commercial reactor thereafter