Shares of Lightbridge Corporation (NASDAQ: LTBR) have seen significant growth following the presentation of critical technical findings. As of the latest update, LTBR stock soared by 20.54%, reaching $8.86 on the US stock market.
The upward momentum can be attributed to the company’s presentation of vital research papers at the TopFuel 2024 Conference in Grenoble, France. These papers, developed in collaboration with prestigious institutions such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Structural Integrity Associates (SIA), and LTBR, provide compelling evidence of the enhanced safety and performance of Lightbridge Fuel under extreme conditions.
Key Insights from the MIT Study
Pioneering research funded by a U.S. Department of Energy Nuclear Energy University Programs or DOE NEUP award was presented by the MIT. The goal of this study was to simulate Lightbridge Fuel’s performance in the NuScale VOYGR, a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) manufactured by NuScale.
The results were highly promising, indicating that Lightbridge Fuel exhibited superior thermal-hydraulic margins and operated at lower temperatures compared to conventional fuel. These advantages contribute to increased reactor efficiency and offer significant economic benefits, including the potential for power uprates without compromising safety.
SIA Study Findings
In a separate study supported by a DOE GAIN Regulatory Research Grant, SIA analyzed the performance of Lightbridge Fuel in a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) under both normal and accident conditions.
The study concluded that the fuel significantly enhances reactor safety over conventional uranium dioxide (UO₂) fuel. Notably, the fuel exhibited lower peak cladding and fuel temperatures during accident scenarios, with minimal cladding stress, thus reducing the risk of damage.
Lightbridge Fuel Development and Resilience
Lightbridge (LTBR) also presented a retrospective overview of its previous fuel development activities, highlighting an experimental test conducted in an overseas reactor. During this test, the fuel withstood extreme conditions, including 24 hours of irradiation in dryout conditions, where conventional fuel would have degraded.
This demonstration of resilience under accident scenarios confirms Lightbridge Fuel’s enhanced structural integrity and durability, offering a safer alternative for future reactor designs.
