NuCube Energy

NuCube Energy, established in 2023 with its headquarters in Idaho Falls, ID, is a company focused on developing a new generation of nuclear fission technology. The venture was co-founded by serial entrepreneur Bill Gross, founder of Idealab Studio, and Dr. Cristian Rabiti, a specialist in nuclear innovation who serves as the company's CEO. Dr. Rabiti has a background that includes roles at the Idaho National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory, bringing extensive experience in nuclear design and analysis to the firm.

The company is engineering a solid-state, modular microreactor designed to provide a source of carbon-free energy for both electricity generation and high-temperature industrial heat applications. NuCube's business model targets a diverse client base, including industrial customers seeking to replace natural gas, remote or off-grid locations, and high-energy-demand sites like AI-driven data centers. The firm generates revenue by providing these modular reactors as a cost-competitive alternative to traditional energy sources.

NuCube's primary offering is its DeccaCell™ (also referred to as NuSun™) microreactor, a compact and transportable system. A key feature is its ability to produce heat exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius, a capability that allows it to compete directly with natural gas for industrial processes. The reactor utilizes tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) fuel and heat pipe technology, which minimizes moving parts, enhancing safety and reliability. The design incorporates passive safety systems that rely on natural forces. These reactors are factory-fabricated and can be transported via road, enabling rapid on-site installation and a core life of up to 30 years before refueling or replacement.

NuCube Energy has formed several strategic partnerships to accelerate its path to market. A collaboration with Energy Vault aims to integrate NuCube's reactors with energy storage systems to provide continuous power for data centers. The company has also been selected to receive support from Shell's GameChanger program and has joined the Halliburton Labs ecosystem, which provides investment and expertise in areas like supply chain and modularization. Additionally, NuCube has a memorandum of understanding with the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab to site a test reactor, a step toward bringing its technology to market.

Keywords: nuclear microreactor, small modular reactor, SMR, solid-state fission, high-temperature heat, industrial decarbonization, TRISO fuel, passive safety systems, off-grid energy, data center power, carbon-free energy, energy resilience, modular nuclear, baseload power, Cristian Rabiti, Bill Gross, Idealab, Energy Vault partnership, Shell GameChanger, Halliburton Labs, DeccaCell, NuSun