First Hydrogen Corp. has announced the initiation of a focused technical research programme aimed at identifying non-radioactive surrogate molten-salt fuel mixtures. These mixtures will serve as safe stand-ins for uranium-based salts in early lab-scale experiments, marking a critical first step in the company’s small modular reactor (SMR) development strategy. The project is being led by Professor Muhammad Taha Manzoor at the University of Alberta. Commenting on the research, Manzoor said: “We are excited to officially kick-start this project on molten salt fuels with First Hydrogen. “We intend to bring in world-class researchers and incorporate low-hazard approaches into our lab-scale experimentation while supporting First Hydrogen’s future objectives for molten-salt fuels in SMRs.” Advancing lab-scale reactor development This research phase will guide First Hydrogen’s next R&D activities, including laboratory setup, experimental planning, and collaboration with material suppliers. By developing surrogate molten-salt fuels, the team intends to replicate the thermophysical properties of uranium-bearing salts while avoiding the regulatory and safety complexities associated with radioactive materials. The goal is to identify mixtures that are practical for near-term lab evaluation …