East Tennessee: Where the Future of Nuclear Energy is Being Built

Nuclear science didn't just start at Oak Ridge National Laboratory — it was born here. Founded as part of the Manhattan Project, ORNL has spent decades forging the path of nuclear innovation, and that mission is accelerating. East Tennessee is now home to more than 150 nuclear companies, forming one of the most powerful energy ecosystems in the world. Through groundbreaking partnerships with Tennessee Valley Authority, Kairos Power, and the Department of Energy, the region is pioneering everything from 3D-printed reactor components and advanced fuel types to next-generation reactor designs like the Hermes prototype currently under construction. From the fuel cycle to workforce development, ORNL and its partners are proving that East Tennessee isn't just where nuclear energy began — it's where nuclear energy will be reborn. ORNL is using #BigScience to make a big impact. Learn more: https://www.ornl.gov/bigscience