Lightbridge获得3D打印多区核燃料设计欧洲专利许可

Lightbridge Corporation, a U.S.-based nuclear technology company, has received a Notice of Allowance from the European Patent Office for a patent covering its “Multi-Zone Fuel Element” nuclear fuel design. The patent extends intellectual property protection for the company’s advanced fuel technology across 39 European contracting states, including major nuclear energy markets such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

美国核技术公司Lightbridge Corporation已收到欧洲专利局（EPO）对其”多区燃料元件”核燃料设计专利的授权通知。该专利将公司先进燃料技术的知识产权保护范围扩展至39个欧洲缔约国，包括英国、法国和德国等主要核能市场。

The allowed patent application covers a nuclear fuel architecture featuring three distinct radial zones composed of different materials, with zone thickness varying along the axial direction. According to the company, this configuration enables more precise control of neutron flux distribution throughout the operational lifetime of the fuel. Lightbridge stated that the fuel elements can be manufactured using additive manufacturing, enabling the production of complex multi-material geometries that would be difficult to achieve using conventional nuclear fuel fabrication methods.

获准专利涵盖一种核燃料架构，其具有由不同材料构成的三个独立径向区域，且区域厚度沿轴向变化。据该公司称，这种配置可在燃料整个运行寿期内实现更精确的中子通量分布控制。Lightbridge表示，该燃料元件可采用增材制造技术生产，实现传统核燃料制造方法难以完成的复杂多材料几何结构。

The patent claims also cover additive manufacturing processes for metallic, ceramic, and cermet (ceramic-metallic composite) fuel systems. The company said the radial zone structure is intended to support optimization of reactor performance, safety margins, and fissile material efficiency across the fuel cycle. Applications include existing light-water reactors, pressurized heavy-water reactors, and future small modular reactor (SMR) platforms.

该专利权利要求还涵盖金属、陶瓷及金属陶瓷（陶瓷-金属复合材料）燃料系统的增材制造工艺。公司称，径向分区结构旨在支持优化反应堆性能、安全裕度及燃料循环中的易裂变材料效率。应用领域包括现有轻水堆、加压重水堆以及未来小型模块化反应堆（SMR）平台。

“Receiving this allowance from the European Patent Office is an important validation of the technical depth and novelty of Lightbridge Fuel,” said Seth Grae, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lightbridge. “Europe is home to a significant installed base of nuclear generating capacity, and the countries and utilities advancing nuclear energy as part of their clean energy programs represent a natural market for Lightbridge Fuel.” The allowance expands Lightbridge’s existing international patent portfolio as the company continues development and commercialization efforts for its advanced nuclear fuel technology.

Lightbridge总裁兼首席执行官Seth Grae表示：”获得欧洲专利局的授权是对Lightbridge燃料技术深度与新颖性的重要认可。欧洲拥有大量已安装核发电容量，将核能纳入清洁能源计划的国家和公用事业公司是Lightbridge燃料的天然市场。”此次授权扩展了Lightbridge现有的国际专利组合，该公司正持续推进其先进核燃料技术的开发与商业化工作。

Additive manufacturing is gaining traction in the nuclear sector as researchers and manufacturers evaluate its ability to produce complex geometries and advanced material architectures for safety-critical applications. Recent efforts have increasingly focused on qualification pathways and performance validation, particularly for components intended to operate under reactor conditions.

随着研究人员和制造商评估增材制造在安全关键应用中生产复杂几何形状及先进材料架构的能力，该技术在核能领域日益受到重视。近期工作越来越多地聚焦于资质认证路径与性能验证，特别是针对拟在反应堆工况下运行的部件。

Earlier this year, Argonne National Laboratory submitted a proposal to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) aimed at establishing a formal qualification pathway for Laser Powder Bed Fusion in nuclear reactor manufacturing. Separately, Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed 3D printed reactor components designed to reduce construction timelines while enabling geometries difficult to achieve through conventional manufacturing methods. These developments reflect broader industry efforts to validate additive manufacturing processes for nuclear applications where material performance, repeatability, and regulatory acceptance remain key constraints.

今年早些时候，阿贡国家实验室向美国机械工程师协会（ASME）提交了一项提案，旨在为核反应堆制造中的激光粉末床熔融技术建立正式资质认证路径。此外，橡树岭国家实验室开发了3D打印反应堆部件，旨在缩短建造周期的同时实现传统制造方法难以达到的几何结构。这些进展反映了业界为验证核应用增材制造工艺所做的更广泛努力，其中材料性能、可重复性和监管接受度仍是关键制约因素。

For enthusiasts and professionals alike, the nuclear sector’s embrace of 3D printing underscores the technology’s versatility beyond consumer goods. Whether you’re working on industrial prototypes or creative projects, the precision of additive manufacturing can be explored through our collection of premium STL files at 3dmis.

对于爱好者和专业人士而言，核能领域对3D打印的接纳凸显了该技术超越消费品的多功能性。无论您是在开发工业原型还是创意项目，均可通过我们在3dmis的优质STL文件合集探索增材制造的精密性。

This patent allowance marks a significant step for the commercialization of advanced nuclear fuel technologies. As regulatory frameworks evolve and additive manufacturing processes mature, the ability to produce multi-zone fuel elements with tailored material properties could enhance reactor efficiency and safety. Lightbridge’s success in securing European protection positions the company to engage with utilities and reactor operators seeking next-generation fuel solutions.

此次专利授权标志着先进核燃料技术商业化迈出重要一步。随着监管框架的演变和增材制造工艺的成熟，生产多区核燃料元件的能力将成为推进清洁、高效核能的关键推动力。

For those inspired by these industrial breakthroughs, exploring the possibilities of 3D printing starts with the right designs. Discover a wide range of 3D printing models to fuel your next project.

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