Advanced Nuclear, the Official Podcast of UCAN Power

This episode tackles one of the least understood but most critical links in the nuclear fuel cycle: uranium conversion. As demand for nuclear energy grows, the United States faces significant challenges in securing a reliable domestic fuel supply. Dominique sits down with Nick Smith, founder of Raven-Flint Nuclear, to discuss how his company is working to strengthen America's nuclear fuel infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign sources. Nick explains the uranium conversion process, why it is essential to nuclear power generation, and how supply chain bottlenecks have become a strategic vulnerability for the United States. He shares Raven-Flint's vision for building new conversion capacity, developing a skilled workforce, and leveraging advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve efficiency across the nuclear industry. The conversation also explores the future demand for nuclear energy, the rise of innovative nuclear startups, and policy measures that could help secure America's energy future. Whether you're a nuclear industry professional, policymaker, investor, or energy enthusiast, this episode provides valuable insight into one of the most important challenges facing advanced nuclear today. Nick Smith is the Co-Founder and CEO of Raven-Flint Nuclear Corporation, a company focused on modernizing uranium conversion technology to address a critical gap in the nuclear fuel supply chain LinkedIn. With over 15 years of experience in nuclear engineering and energy systems, he has worked in high-profile roles at Radiant, Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and Southern Company, where he directed major projects such as the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE). www.ucanpower.org

In this episode of Advanced Nuclear, Dominique sits down with Amy Roma, one of the nation's leading nuclear regulatory attorneys, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of nuclear energy. Amy shares her path into the nuclear industry and offers expert insight into the evolving regulatory frameworks that will shape the deployment of advanced reactors in the United States and abroad. The discussion explores the complexities of nuclear licensing, including the strengths and challenges of regulatory pathways such as Parts 50, 52, 53, and 57, and why many developers continue to seek certainty in an evolving regulatory environment. Amy also examines the growing role of nuclear energy in powering data centers, enabling space exploration, supporting maritime applications, and competing in an increasingly dynamic global energy market. From workforce development and supply chain challenges to the strategic competition between the United States and China, this conversation highlights the opportunities and obstacles facing the nuclear industry as it works to deliver reliable, scalable, and innovative energy solutions for the decades ahead. Amy Roma, JD, MBA is a partner at Orrick and one of the nation's leading attorneys in nuclear energy, infrastructure, and regulatory law. She advises developers, investors, technology companies, and government stakeholders on advanced nuclear technologies, fusion energy, licensing, and large-scale energy projects. Recognized for her expertise in navigating complex regulatory frameworks, Amy is helping shape the future of nuclear innovation in the United States and around the world. www.ucanpower.org

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear podcast, host Jim Howe speaks with Joe Miller, President of Government Operations at BWX Technologies, about the company's essential role in manufacturing nuclear reactors for the U.S. Navy's submarines and aircraft carriers, as well as BWXT's development of advanced reactors and the fuels that power them. In a wide-ranging discussion they cover Project Pele, the importance and benefits of TRISO fuel, the challenges of workforce development, space nuclear propulsion, BWXT's focus on innovation, and the role of AI in advancing nuclear technology. Joe shares insights from his journey from the Nuclear Navy to industry, and highlights BWXT's commitment to meeting America's growing demand for nuclear energy.

In this episode of the Advanced Nuclear podcast, host Jim Howe speaks with Ed Petit de Mange, Senior Director of Fuel Recycling at Oklo, about the company's plans for recycling used nuclear fuel. They discuss the elements of the recycling process, the different recycling technologies available, and Oklo's recent announcement of America's first-of-its-kind commercial recycling facility, to be built in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Ed shares valuable insights on the many benefits of recycling, the importance of collaboration with national labs, how recycled fuel will power Oklo's fast spectrum reactors, and the regulatory landscape surrounding fuel recycling. The conversation highlights the role of advanced nuclear technologies in shaping the future of America's energy security.

A nuclear-powered rocket? Is that possible? Dr. Fred Kennedy, CEO of Dark Fission Space Systems and one of America's leading experts on the use of nuclear technology in space, explains how nuclear space propulsion is not only possible but an essential capability for the nation. With a distinguished career in the Air Force, at DARPA, and in the private sector, Dr. Kennedy details the significant operational benefits of nuclear-powered spacecraft, the state of the technology, development and testing strategies, and how such nuclear systems enhance our national security and commercial prospects in space. Dr. Kennedy provides an overview of Dark Fission's vision for bringing nuclear thermal propulsion to market, the type of propulsion technology under development by the company, and how advances in AI, additive manufacturing, and analytical modeling will greatly reduce the time and expense of bringing nuclear propulsion to the final frontier.Dr. Fred Kennedy is the founder and CEO of Dark Fission, a company advancing nuclear propulsion for space. A retired U.S. Air Force colonel, he previously led the Department of Defense’s Space Development Agency and DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office. Dr. Kennedy has also held senior roles at Momentus and Astra and served as a space policy advisor at the White House. He contributes to Forbes on space and defense issues and serves on multiple aerospace advisory boards.00:00 Introduction to Y-12 and CNS02:45 Y-12's Current Missions and Workforce05:39 Safety Protocols and Improvements08:27 Future Growth and Challenges11:33 Facility Modernization and Workforce Issues14:18 Planning for Future Warheads17:15 Collaboration with Design Labs19:43 Wishes for the Future

In this Special Episode of the Advanced Nuclear podcast, Lee Robinson, a founding member of America's newest uranium enrichment provider, General Matter, speaks about the company's mission to bring new uranium enrichment capacity to the nation. Lee discusses the importance of domestic uranium enrichment, the use of innovation to dramatically lower General Matter's deployment costs, and announces the location of the company's first enrichment facility, as well as the rationale for selecting that site. Lee also shares a variety of insights about the company's technology development, manufacturing, and supply chain strategies, why General Matter was founded, the company's initial production focus, and his nuclear experiences at DOD's Defense Innovation Unit, where he oversaw DIU's broad energy portfolio, including the stand-up of an innovative microreactor deployment program.Before joining General Matter, Lee was the Deputy Director and Co-Founder of the energy portfolio at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). In that role, he was responsible for launching the majority of DIU's 35 energy projects, including the Advanced Micro-Reactor initiative in 2024.Prior to DIU, Lee worked at Bridgewater Associates, advising some of Europe’s largest institutional investors on strategic asset allocation. He began his investment career in private credit, leading middle-market transactions across the energy and manufacturing sectors.Between his roles in private credit and Bridgewater, Lee joined the U.S. Army as an intelligence officer. His active-duty assignments included the 75th Ranger Regiment, Special Operations Command, and the Intelligence Community.Lee holds a Bachelor's degree from Pace University and an MBA from Fordham University. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter holder.