Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland
Doi
Abstract
The emergence of an advanced nuclear industry has renewed the pursuit of small modular and
advanced reactor technologies to supply low carbon energy. By the same token, these
developments potentially expose gaps in current safeguards practices, particularly for reactor
designs utilizing novel coolants and fuel forms–underscoring calls for the early application of
Safeguards-by-Design to effectively and efficiently detect diversion and misuse. Other
innovations may necessitate additional measures to credibly assure the absence of undeclared
activities. This paper discusses three types of advanced nuclear and nuclear-related technologies
as illustrations of these challenges: 1) micronuclear reactors, 2) molten salt reactors, and on the
balance-of-plant side, 3) thermal energy storage and dry cooling. It then identifies high-level
safeguards development needs associated with these on-the-horizon technologies so as to elevate
safeguards considerations in the minds of reactor developers and investors.John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundatio
