Solidion Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: STI), an enterprise known for its work in the field of advanced battery materials, announced on Monday that it has obtained a second grant provided by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This award is intended to support the company’s ongoing materials research focused on the development of next-generation nuclear reactors, in particular addressing critical elements for molten salt reactor technologies.
Based in Dallas, Solidion is concentrating efforts on the scale-up production of a novel carbon nanosphere-based substance engineered to function as an anti-corrosive additive. This additive is designed for integration within molten-salt-based heat transfer fluids—a vital component used in advanced molten salt nuclear reactors. The use of these nanospheres aims to mitigate corrosion problems that have historically hindered the durability and operational lifespan of such fluid media within nuclear applications.
Advancing Molten Salt Reactor Technology with Nanofluids
The scope of the DOE grant involves a project that targets the development of nanofluid energy materials. These are colloidal suspensions formulated by dispersing hollow carbon nanoparticles within conventional molten salts. The engineered fluids are intended to enhance heat transfer efficiency while concurrently reducing corrosive interactions inside the reactor’s core systems, a dual benefit that is pivotal for the advancement of molten salt reactors.
Improvements in heat transfer mechanisms and corrosion control are critical to the feasibility and commercial appeal of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). Solidion emphasizes that the technology underpinning their nanospheres plays a vital role in decreasing overall costs, elevating safety profiles, and hastening the timeline for bringing advanced molten salt reactor designs to market.
The research activities funded under this grant are being conducted in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, an institution recognized for its expertise in energy science and nuclear research.
Recent Recognition and Additional Funding Supporting Innovation
This latest grant complements a series of recent acknowledgments for Solidion’s innovative work. Notably, the company was awarded the 2025 R&D 100 Award, which it received jointly with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This accolade was granted for breakthroughs in Electrochemical Graphitization within molten salt environments, a process integral to the company’s approach in developing advanced battery and energy materials.
Further emphasizing Solidion’s trajectory in material sciences, the company has attracted financial support from the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). These funds are directed towards refining the electrochemical manufacturing processes used to create high-performance graphite materials derived from biomass feedstocks. This initiative falls under the agency’s competitive OPEN program, designed to foster innovative energy technologies through stringent selection criteria.
Leadership Perspective
Jaymes Winters, Chief Executive Officer of Solidion Technology, highlighted the significance of back-to-back DOE awards. He remarked that these consecutive grants serve as reaffirmation that Solidion excels not only within the sphere of energy storage but also across energy processes, fluids, and materials science disciplines. According to Winters, this diverse area of innovation strengthens the company’s positioning in the evolving energy landscape.
Market Response
Following the announcement, Solidion’s stock saw a positive response, trading 5.39 percent higher at $6.65 during Monday's premarket session, as reflected in Benzinga Pro data. This upward movement indicates investor approval possibly linked to the company’s expanding federal funding and research portfolio in nuclear reactor materials.
Summary of Key Points
- Solidion Technology received a second grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance research on materials for next-generation nuclear reactors.
- The funding is designated for scaling production of carbon nanosphere additives used in molten salt heat transfer fluids, enhancing corrosion resistance.
- The DOE project focuses on developing nanofluids composed of hollow carbon nanoparticles suspended in molten salts to improve heat transfer and reduce corrosion.
- The company collaborates with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to execute the research.
- Technology aims to reduce costs, improve safety, and accelerate deployment of small modular and molten salt nuclear reactors.
- Solidion recently earned the 2025 R&D 100 Award, recognizing its electrochemical graphitization innovation alongside Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
- Additional funding from ARPA-E supports electrochemical manufacturing of biomass-derived, high-performance graphite materials under its OPEN program.
- CEO Jaymes Winters views the DOE grants as confirmation of Solidion’s role in energy storage and related materials technology sectors.
- Following the funding news, Solidion’s stock increased over 5 percent during premarket trading.
Risks and Uncertainties
- The article does not specify timelines for research completion or commercial deployment, leaving project duration uncertain.
- The effectiveness of carbon nanosphere additives in operational nuclear reactors remains subject to further validation and testing outcomes.
- Dependence on continued federal funding for material research may impact the company’s development trajectory.
- Market acceptance and regulatory approvals for advanced molten salt reactors pose potential hurdles to commercialization.
- Stock price increases following grant announcements can be volatile and influenced by broader market conditions beyond company control.