Chicago Construction News staff writer
NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. has taken a major step toward building a small nuclear reactor on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) campus.
The company announced it has hired global engineering firm AECOM to help with early planning and site work for its KRONOS MMR™, a compact nuclear reactor designed to deliver clean energy in remote or specialized settings.
Initial work at the UIUC site will include environmental studies, technical assessments, and preparation for a permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
“This milestone marks a pivotal step in our development roadmap,” said James Walker, CEO of NANO Nuclear. “We’re not just talking about future energy — we’re actively building it.”
NANO Nuclear is aiming to make UIUC one of the first U.S. university campuses to host a licensed microreactor. If approved and built, the project would support research, education, and demonstration of small-scale nuclear energy in a real-world setting.
The KRONOS reactor is one of several designs NANO Nuclear is working on. It’s intended to be modular, low-emission, and transportable — part of a broader effort to make nuclear energy more flexible and accessible.
The company said the university site would serve as a model for other potential locations in government, industry, and education.
Barry Baker of AECOM said the firm will use its global experience with environmental and infrastructure projects to support the plan. “This project supports a cleaner, more diverse energy future,” he said.
Founded to develop new nuclear technologies, NANO Nuclear is also working on space-based power systems, fuel transportation, and related ventures through several subsidiaries. The company recently became the first publicly listed microreactor developer in the U.S.
Company officials say the UIUC project shows their commitment to moving beyond the design phase into real-world deployment. “This is a signal to the market that we are building, not just planning,” said Jay Yu, NANO Nuclear’s founder and executive chairman.
The company has not announced a construction timeline, but securing the construction permit from federal regulators will be a key next step.
