Funding Part of Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Program to Enable Transmutation of U.S. Commercial Nuclear Stockpile
Update September 22, 2025: The ARPA-E NEWTON contract has now been executed, moving from selection to active program execution. This milestone launches the formal development of SHINE’s REDUCE method to transform nuclear waste into valuable materials.
JANESVILLE, Wis., February 12, 2025 – SHINE Technologies, a next-generation fusion company, announced today that it has been selected to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The funding is part of the Nuclear Energy Waste Transmutation Optimized Now (NEWTON) program, which will develop advanced transmutation technologies to significantly reduce the mass, volume, activity, and effective half-life of the existing stockpile of commercial used nuclear fuel (UNF). By addressing these challenges, the NEWTON program, with $40 million in total funding across 11 projects, aims to shift UNF disposal from an intergenerational challenge to one that can be managed within a single generation.
Unlocking the Value of Spent Fuel
As part of this initiative, SHINE Technologies is developing its Recover Elements – Destroy Undesirables – Create Energy (REDUCE) method. This innovative process focuses on reducing the volume, longevity, and hazards of nuclear waste while recovering valuable materials, such as uranium and plutonium, for advanced reactor fuel. Residual waste will be transmuted into less hazardous forms using a molten salt target coupled to an external neutron source. By advancing simulation, laboratory testing, and design, SHINE’s approach demonstrates the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of nuclear energy generation.
“Spent nuclear fuel contains significant untapped energy potential. Our REDUCE method represents a transformative approach to nuclear waste. By recovering valuable elements and transmuting remaining materials, we’re developing a more sustainable cycle for nuclear energy—one that creates value while minimizing environmental impact,” said Ross Radel, CTO of SHINE Technologies.
“Nuclear technology is essential to meeting our nation’s rapidly growing power needs, but UNF is a complicated and expensive part of the equation,” said ARPA-E Director Evelyn N. Wang. “NEWTON technologies aim to use transmutation to shorten UNF disposal timelines and reduce the long-term costs of disposal facilities. This would also help reduce the price of this valuable source of baseload power.”
Market Impact & Strategic Partnerships
Nuclear power provides nearly 20% of U.S. electricity as the country’s largest carbon-free energy source. With 90,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel stored across the country, SHINE’s REDUCE method under the ARPA-E NEWTON program represents a crucial technological advancement for sustainable nuclear energy.
Through strategic partnerships with:
· Zeno Power to recycle Strontium-90 for power systems
· Orano to develop a 100-metric-ton annual recycling facility
· Deep Isolation for disposal solutions
SHINE is building an industry coalition to transform nuclear waste management. The REDUCE method complements these efforts by focusing on volume reduction and transmutation, reinforcing SHINE’s role as a leader in nuclear innovation. These technologies not only reduce nuclear waste but unlock its potential as a resource, representing a significant step forward in creating a sustainable, carbon-free energy future.
These combined initiatives demonstrate how Department of Energy support and commercial partnerships can work together to enable clean nuclear energy growth while addressing key environmental and safety concerns.