Clean Energy Breakthrough: Canada’s First Nuclear Irradiation Study

Tiny particles pack a hefty punch.

STARTER STATS

• 15% of Canada's power comes from nuclear power, and 50% in Ontario

• Canada operates 17 commercial reactors

• Nuclear generation is projected to triple between 2025 and 2050

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Canada's first nuclear irradiation study, conducted at McMaster University, has isolated surrogate TRISO fuel compacts — a nuclear fuel designed for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) — to advance clean energy solutions.

Tiny TRISO fuel particles were exposed to intense reactor radiation to test their durability, confirming that their robust layers remain intact, paving the way for safer, cleaner SMRs to power remote communities.

Supported by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, the study marks a significant leap over traditional fuels, offering enhanced safety and heat resistance. The findings lay the necessary groundwork for scaling TRISO production for SMRs, which could replace diesel in Canada’s North, cutting emissions and boosting energy access.

“If we can get it to work, produce it at a reasonable scale, then that just makes SMRs and microreactors more of a reality... Not only is that a scientific innovation — that’s really good for communities that are out of reach of coal, diesel, oil, further reducing Canada’s carbon emissions and giving access to clean energy and helping energy scarcity.”  

— Arianna Santos, McMaster Engineering Student

The team's research is set for presentation at the Canadian Nuclear Society Fuel Conference.

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