Lightbridge Secures Landmark Patent for Advanced Nuclear Fuel Design
Lightbridge Corporation has secured a key patent for its next-generation nuclear fuel technology. The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued a Notice of Allowance for the company's 'Fuel Assembly' application, covering a design tailored for pressurized heavy water reactors. This advancement strengthens Lightbridge's position in developing safer, more efficient nuclear fuel solutions. The newly allowed patent, numbered 18383,668, protects 16 specific claims related to fuel assemblies and reactors. These include Lightbridge's signature spirally twisted, multi-lobed fuel elements, which improve reactor performance and safety. The design also features a moderator-to-fuel ratio of 2.4 or less, optimising efficiency in pressurized heavy water systems.
The patent application stems from a broader family of innovations, tracing back to an original 2011 international filing (PCT/US2011/036034). It is a divisional of U.S. Patent Application No. 17/237,683, reflecting ongoing refinement of the technology. Seth Grae, Lightbridge's President and CEO, highlighted that this allowance reinforces the company's intellectual property portfolio, particularly for reactors using heavy water under pressure.
Beyond patents, Lightbridge has partnered with Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, through two long-term framework agreements. These collaborations support the continued development of Lightbridge Fuel™, a proprietary technology designed to enhance safety, economics, and proliferation resistance in existing reactors. The company remains focused on delivering zero-emission, clean energy solutions to bolster global energy security. The patent approval marks a significant step for Lightbridge's advanced fuel technology. With its inclusion in the Russell 2000® and Russell 3000® Indexes, the company continues to gain recognition in the energy sector. The new design is expected to play a role in modernising nuclear reactors for improved performance and sustainability.
