October 14, 2025: California-based nuclear startup, Radiant Industries Inc., which aims to bring one of the world’s first factory-constructed microreactors to market. has announced plans to construct a cutting-edge facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to mass-produce small nuclear reactors.
This is set to take place on land once used in the U.S. government’s Manhattan Project during World War II. Radiant aims to break ground on the new plant early next year, with plans to start reactor production by 2028.
The Oak Ridge site, historically vital in uranium enrichment for the atomic bombs, will be repurposed to support the next generation of portable nuclear generators. According to Radiant’s founder and CEO, Doug Bernauer, this development is a pivotal moment in nuclear history. “What was once the birthplace of the atomic bomb will now become the birthplace of the first factory-built portable nuclear generator,” Bernauer said in a company statement.
The company’s 1-megawatt Kaleidos reactor system is designed to be modular, compact, and highly efficient, addressing growing concerns over sustainable energy solutions. Radiant’s factory in Oak Ridge is poised to become the first of its kind in the U.S., producing small-scale reactors in a factory environment, a method that could drastically reduce costs and improve the speed of nuclear deployment.
Radiant Industries to Build Nuclear Factory at Manhattan Project Site
However, Radiant Industries plans still face significant hurdles according to a news agency. The startup has yet to gain regulatory approval for its Kaleidos reactor design. Despite the growing interest in advanced nuclear technology, this new manufacturing approach has yet to be proven on a large scale in the U.S. Radiant remains confident, though, that by 2028, it will begin rolling out its first reactor units and ramp up production in the following years.
Radiant’s move comes as part of a wider wave of innovation within the nuclear industry, which is increasingly focused on small modular reactors (SMRs) as a solution to the world’s energy needs. These reactors are seen as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels and offer enhanced safety features compared to traditional nuclear reactors.
Oak Ridge, often referred to as the “Secret City” during the Manhattan Project, has long been associated with groundbreaking nuclear research. The new factory’s location underscores Radiant’s commitment to blending past technological milestones with future energy advancements. “We are honored to bring this technology to the very site that helped change the world,” said Bernauer.
The facility is expected to produce at least a dozen small reactors annually once it reaches full capacity, marking a major leap for the nuclear industry as it moves toward more decentralized and reliable energy solutions.
With global interest in nuclear energy reaching new heights, Radiant Industries’ Oak Ridge plant could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of nuclear energy production.
