Hadron Energy Publishes First U.S. Patent Application for Halo Micro-Modular Reactor Technology
Hadron Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: HDRN), an advanced nuclear technology company focused on developing next-generation nuclear power solutions, announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has published the company’s first patent application, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of its flagship Halo Micro-Modular Reactor (MMR) technology.
The patent application, titled “Micro Integral Nuclear Reactor” and published under Publication No. US 2026/0128185 A1 on May 7, 2026, represents the foundational technical disclosure behind Hadron’s Halo MMR design. The publication marks the first publicly available entry in the company’s expanding intellectual property portfolio as it continues efforts to commercialize compact, transportable nuclear power systems.
The application was initially filed on October 31, 2025, and claims priority to a provisional patent application submitted on November 1, 2024. The filing identifies several key inventors involved in the development of the technology, including Hadron Founder and Chief Executive Officer Samuel Gibson and Chief Nuclear Officer Ross Ridenoure, along with Christopher R. Neal and Andrew M. Ward.
The publication highlights Hadron’s focus on developing an advanced microreactor architecture designed to simplify nuclear deployment, improve safety characteristics, and support scalable manufacturing.
Integral Reactor Design Enables Simplified Deployment
At the center of the patent application is the integral pressurized-water reactor architecture developed for Hadron’s 10 MWe Halo Micro-Modular Reactor. Unlike conventional nuclear power systems that rely on extensive external piping networks connecting major reactor components, the Halo design integrates the reactor core, steam generator, pressurizer, and primary coolant system within a single reactor pressure vessel.
This integrated configuration is intended to reduce system complexity by eliminating large-bore external primary coolant piping. According to the patent disclosure, the approach simplifies transportation, installation, and assembly while reducing potential failure points associated with traditional reactor layouts.
The design is also intended to address safety considerations by removing the possibility of a large-break loss-of-coolant accident from the design basis. By housing essential reactor systems within a single pressure vessel, Hadron aims to create a compact nuclear platform that can provide reliable power while maintaining strong passive safety characteristics.
The patent application describes a reactor platform capable of producing thermal power outputs ranging from approximately 6 megawatts-thermal to 60 megawatts-thermal and electrical outputs between 2 megawatts-electric and 20 megawatts-electric. The company’s lead configuration, the Halo MMR, is designed around a 10 MWe electrical output.
Factory Manufacturing and Transportable Nuclear Power
A key feature outlined in the patent application is the ability to manufacture and assemble the reactor in a factory environment before deployment. The disclosed design includes a transportable pressure vessel constructed from segments joined through circumferential flanges, allowing the completed reactor system to be sealed, tested, and transported using conventional methods such as road or air freight.
This manufacturing approach aligns with the growing industry interest in factory-built nuclear systems that can reduce construction timelines and costs compared with traditional large-scale nuclear plants. By shifting more production activities into controlled manufacturing environments, microreactor developers aim to improve quality assurance, repeatability, and deployment flexibility.
The Halo MMR is also designed with passive safety features intended to maintain core cooling without reliance on alternating-current power for extended periods during design-basis conditions. These safety mechanisms are intended to enhance operational resilience and reduce dependence on active systems.
The reactor is planned to use Low-Enriched Uranium Plus (LEU+) fuel, supporting multi-year operating cycles while relying on an established domestic fuel supply chain. Hadron’s use of LEU+ is intended to support a practical pathway toward commercialization without requiring reliance on experimental fuel technologies.
Strengthening Intellectual Property and Licensing Strategy
Hadron Energy said the publication of its first patent application represents an important step in building a broader intellectual property portfolio around its microreactor technology. The company views its patented reactor architecture as a foundation for future development activities and a key component of its strategy to establish a competitive position in the emerging advanced nuclear market.
“This first publication puts the engineering foundation of the Halo MMR on the public record and opens what we intend to be a deep intellectual property portfolio,” said Samuel Gibson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hadron Energy. “It reflects the work of an exceptional team and reinforces the momentum behind our development and licensing strategy as we work to bring clean, transportable nuclear power to market.”
The announcement comes as Hadron continues advancing regulatory and technical activities associated with the Halo MMR. The company recently received acceptance of its Quality Assurance Program Description from staff at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), representing progress toward meeting regulatory requirements for future reactor licensing.
Hadron has also submitted its Principal Design Criteria white paper to the NRC as part of its broader effort to engage with regulators and establish the technical foundation required for licensing review.
Advancing Toward Commercial Microreactor Deployment
The company’s ongoing work reflects the increasing interest in small-scale nuclear technologies designed to support growing electricity demand, industrial energy needs, remote power applications, and clean energy transition goals.
Hadron’s objective is to develop a licensed light-water microreactor capable of delivering dependable, carbon-free electricity through a simplified and transportable design. The company believes the Halo MMR could play a role in expanding access to nuclear energy by offering a smaller, factory-produced alternative to conventional nuclear facilities.
With the publication of its first patent application, Hadron Energy is strengthening its technology roadmap while continuing development, licensing preparation, and intellectual property expansion efforts. The milestone represents a step forward in the company’s mission to commercialize advanced nuclear solutions and bring flexible, reliable nuclear power systems to market.
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