SHINE Selected for Two DOE Genesis Mission Projects Advancing AI in Nuclear Fuel Recycling
SHINE, a fusion energy company based in Janesville, Wisconsin, has been selected for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission, a historic initiative aimed at boosting America’s scientific output through AI with an investment of over $5 billion. The company, which is developing technology for recycling used nuclear fuel, will play two roles in this initiative: it will lead one project and contribute to another.
SHINE will spearhead the project entitled "AI-Guided Fuel Cycle Facility Optimization," in collaboration with Argonne National Laboratory, which will serve as its technical partner. This Phase I project aims to create an AI-enabled workflow that allows engineers to design better recycling processes by evaluating multiple factors—such as performance, product quality, and waste—simultaneously, rather than sequentially.
The United States has approximately 95,000 metric tons of used nuclear fuel, and SHINE’s technology seeks to enhance the recovery of usable material from this stockpile. The project builds upon tools developed by Argonne over decades, incorporating a new AI layer that enables engineers to consider a wider range of design options and identify optimal solutions.
Additionally, SHINE will join the Prometheus national consortium, a Phase II project led by Idaho National Laboratory, which aims to leverage AI across the nuclear energy sector. Through this partnership, SHINE will provide data from its recycling efforts and gain early access to tools developed under the Prometheus initiative.
Greg Piefer, founder and CEO of SHINE, emphasized the interconnectedness of energy and AI, stating, "Advanced technology needs abundant, affordable power, and AI is helping us improve the systems that can provide it, starting with the chemistry behind nuclear fuel recycling." SHINE aims to accelerate progress in its recycling technology by integrating AI with its operational data.
The Genesis Mission seeks to create a powerful integrated science discovery platform by bringing together government, industry, academia, and philanthropy to foster breakthroughs in energy, scientific discovery, and national security. The Phase I RFA awards focus on discovering transformative scientific capabilities while integrating AI into scientific research.