## Introduction
Nuclear energy has long been a topic of debate due to concerns about safety and waste management. However, a Swiss startup called Transmutex is aiming to revolutionize the industry with its innovative use of an often-overlooked element called thorium. In this article, we will explore how thorium can be the key to safe and sustainable nuclear energy.
The Rise of Thorium
Nuclear energy is experiencing a resurgence, with governments and startups investing heavily in new power plants. Traditionally, these plants have relied on uranium as the primary fuel. However, Transmutex believes that thorium, a lesser-known element, holds the potential for a safer and more efficient nuclear energy solution.
Unlike uranium, thorium is four times more abundant and safer to handle. While thorium itself is not a fissile material and cannot undergo nuclear fission, Transmutex has developed a groundbreaking approach to harness its power.
Harnessing the Power of Thorium
In a conventional nuclear power plant, heat is produced through a chain reaction that occurs when neutrons collide with a fissionable material like uranium. This process not only generates energy but also produces plutonium waste, which is dangerous and difficult to store securely.
Transmutex’s solution involves combining thorium with a particle accelerator, which continuously feeds neutrons into the thorium atoms, triggering a controlled fission reaction. Unlike traditional reactors, this design prevents a self-sustaining chain reaction, minimizing the risk of accidents like the Chernobyl disaster.
The radioactive decay time of thorium is significantly shorter than that of uranium, reducing the long-term waste management challenge. Transmutex’s system also has the potential to reuse existing radioactive waste, further enhancing its sustainability.
The History of Transmutex
Transmutex may be a young startup, founded in 2019, but its origins date back to the 1990s. The concept of a thorium reactor combined with a particle accelerator was initially proposed by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Carlo Rubbia, then the director at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).
However, the idea was shelved due to a lack of interest from the nuclear industry and less pressing concerns about waste management. With the current nuclear renaissance and growing awareness of the need for safer and more sustainable energy solutions, Transmutex’s co-founder, Federico Carminati, teamed up with entrepreneur Franklin Servan-Schreiber to revive the concept.
The Vision for a Safer Future
Transmutex’s innovative approach to nuclear energy has garnered significant attention and support. Albert Wenger, a managing partner at Union Square Ventures, expressed enthusiasm for the startup’s reactor design, which addresses safety, cost, and long-lived waste issues.
The recent $23 million Series A investment in Transmutex will enable the company to expand its team and move forward with its plans to build the first facility within the next few years. Additionally, Transmutex is exploring collaborations with governmental institutions worldwide to accelerate the development of its thorium reactor.
Global Interest in Thorium Reactors
While thorium reactors are still in their early stages of development, they have piqued the interest of countries around the world. China has already constructed an experimental thorium reactor, and other nations such as the US, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK have also explored the use of thorium as fuel in different types of nuclear reactions.
In France, researchers at the CNRSA are conducting studies to develop a Molten Salt Fast Reactor powered by thorium. This growing global interest underscores the potential of thorium as a game-changing element in the future of nuclear energy.