Unity Microreactor by Deployable Energy: status and timeline

Milestones

Next · Power conversion and full-power testing

Radiator efficiencyCompact reactors struggle to reject waste heat within size and weight constraints.

Thermodynamic cycle efficiency limitsThe Brayton cycle efficiency is ~40% at the operating temperatures of helium reactors; achieving higher output requires higher inlet temperatures or larger radiators.
Neutron absorption in compact coreSmall reactor cores have a higher surface-to-volume ratio, so more neutrons escape without causing fissions. This raises the enrichment required and complicates fuel design.

2 parts

Fission

Uranium nuclei split, releasing heat and neutrons that trigger further fissions.

Power generation

Helium circulates through core, turbine, and radiator, converting heat to electricity.

^R reported by the company

1 update

The team behind Unity Microreactor

Deployable Energy

Microreactor, helium-cooled, mobile nuclear power

Deployable Energy builds 1 MWe water-moderated, helium-cooled microreactors for distributed power. Unity reached criticality at INL in June 2026.

Unity achieved criticality at INL June 30, 2026, after ~150 days of construction.
1 MWe water-moderated, helium-cooled microreactor for rapid field deployment and remote power.
One of four US microreactors reaching criticality in early July 2026.

Spec

Unity Microreactor

Electrical power output

1 MWe^R (reported)

Heat transfer medium

Helium gas^R (reported)

Build time to criticality

~150 days^R (reported)