Westinghouse eVinci Microreactor Achieves Zero-Power Criticality in Nevada Test
Westinghouse's eVinci microreactor has successfully completed zero-power criticality testing at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center within the Nevada National Security Site. This milestone, achieved on August 24, involved a one-fifth-scale core designed to cool itself without pumps or water, utilizing sealed tubes. The test confirmed that the reactor's chain reaction could sustain itself, a crucial step in nuclear reactor development, without generating significant heat or electricity. The purpose of this zero-power test was to validate the physics and engineering models against the actual metal components, ensuring the design behaves as simulated. This method allows for cost-effective verification of reactor designs before proceeding to full-power prototypes, minimizing radioactivity and enabling quick access to the test environment.
