NANO Nuclear Acquires 23,537-square-foot Demonstration and Office Facility on 2.75 Acres of Land in Oak Brook, Illinois to Support the Development of the KRONOS MMR Microreactor Energy System

Rhea-AI Summary

NANO Nuclear Energy (NASDAQ: NNE) has acquired a strategic facility in Oak Brook, Illinois for $3.5 million to support the development of its KRONOS MMR™ Microreactor Energy System. The property includes a 23,537-square-foot building on 2.75 acres of land, featuring a 7,400-square-foot non-nuclear demonstration area.

The facility will accommodate up to 60 nuclear engineers, researchers, and support staff working in collaboration with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). This expansion follows NANO Nuclear's engagement with AECOM for site-specific engineering and regulatory planning at UIUC, marking a significant step toward deploying the first MMR™ at the university.

The Oak Brook facility represents NANO Nuclear's third U.S. facility and second site dedicated to physical test work, strengthening its presence in Illinois, where nuclear power generates 54.89% of electricity and accounts for 13% of national nuclear output.

Positive

• Strategic $3.5M facility acquisition strengthens operational capabilities
• Collaboration with prestigious University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Engagement with AECOM for site-specific engineering and regulatory planning
• Expansion into Illinois, a leading nuclear energy state
• Facility can accommodate up to 60 nuclear engineers and researchers

Negative

• Significant capital investment required for facility acquisition
• Complex regulatory approval process ahead for microreactor deployment
• Extended timeline expected for construction and licensing processes

Insights

Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Analyst

NANO Nuclear's $3.5M facility acquisition advances KRONOS microreactor development, strengthening university collaboration and demonstrating concrete infrastructure investment.

NANO Nuclear Energy has made a $3.5 million strategic acquisition of a facility in Oak Brook, Illinois, purchasing a 23,537-square-foot building on 2.75 acres of land. This facility will serve as a regional demonstration and office center supporting the development of their KRONOS MMR Microreactor Energy System in partnership with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).

The facility includes a dedicated 7,400-square-foot non-nuclear demonstration area and will house up to 60 nuclear engineers, researchers, and support staff. This represents significant infrastructure expansion for NANO Nuclear, becoming their third U.S. facility and second dedicated to physical test work.

This acquisition follows NANO Nuclear's recent engagement with AECOM to support site-specific engineering and regulatory planning at UIUC, laying groundwork for deploying the first MMR at the university. The sequential announcements suggest an accelerating development timeline.

The strategic location in Illinois is particularly noteworthy as the state generates 54.89% of its electricity from nuclear power and represents 13% of U.S. nuclear output. This established nuclear infrastructure provides a supportive environment for advanced reactor technology development.

The facility's proximity to the U.S.-Canada border also positions NANO Nuclear to advance plans for bringing the KRONOS MMR to Canadian markets, indicating cross-border commercialization strategy.

This acquisition represents tangible progress in NANO Nuclear's development roadmap, moving beyond conceptual design into physical infrastructure needed for component testing, construction, and eventual regulatory licensing of their microreactor technology.

The Oak Brook Facility will support up to the initial 60 nuclear engineers, researchers and support staff to work in collaboration with The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on NANO Nuclear's lead microreactor project

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - July 30, 2025) - NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) ("NANO Nuclear" or "the Company"), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, today announced that it has acquired a 2.75-acre land and building package in Oak Brook, Illinois to serve as a regional demonstration and office facility to support the development of NANO Nuclear's lead development project — the KRONOS MMR™ Microreactor Energy System — in collaboration with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) on its campus grounds.

The $3.5 million purchase includes a 23,537-square-foot stand-alone building facility, including a 7,400-square-foot non-nuclear demonstration area. The facility will also initially house up to 60 nuclear engineers, researchers and support staff to engage in component construction and testing for the KRONOS MMR™, a high technology readiness level (TRL), cutting edge, stationary, advanced micro modular reactor. It will also serve as a base of operations to collaborate with UIUC on the construction and regulatory licensing of the KRONOS MMR™.

This announcement comes on the heels of NANO Nuclear announcing the engagement of AECOM, the trusted global infrastructure leader, under a master services agreement to support site-specific engineering, environmental analysis and regulatory planning at UIUC. The agreement lays the groundwork for site-specific engineering in preparation for deploying the first MMR™ at UIUC, a globally recognized hub for nuclear research and innovation. Planned activities include detailed environmental reviews, regulatory pathway planning, and site drilling to obtain the geological data required for submitting a construction permit application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

Figure 1 - NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. Acquires 23,537 sq. ft. Facility on 2.75 acres of land in Oak Brook, Illinois to support the buildout of the KRONOS MMR™ Microreactor Energy System.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11703/260618_2d81024474c66bd8_002full.jpg

The Oak Brook Facility is NANO Nuclear's third U.S facility and second U.S. site dedicated to physical test work, joining the Company's facility in Westchester County, New York.

"This new facility will be the hub for NANO Nuclear's work on our lead microreactor project, the KRONOS MMR™ energy system. It will strengthen our collaboration with the University of Illinois and help us advance the KRONOS MMR towards construction, demonstration, regulatory licensing and ultimate deployment," said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear. "Establishing a local facility was essential to supporting the KRONOS MMR™ program. This expansion, alongside our active recruitment drive for nuclear engineers and researchers to join our efforts at this facility, reflects our growing presence in the advanced nuclear energy sector and broadens our reach across the northern United States and into Canada."

In 2023, Illinois generated 54.89% of its electricity from nuclear power and accounted for 13% of the nation's total nuclear output, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The state's established infrastructure and supportive political and social environments make Illinois an ideal location for advancing next-generation reactor technologies like NANO Nuclear's KRONOS MMR™.

Figure 2 - NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. Newly Acquired 23,536 sq. ft. Demonstration and Office Facility in Oak Brook, Illinois.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11703/260618_2d81024474c66bd8_003full.jpg

NANO Nuclear has already begun site-specific engineering work and contracting with key vendors to support the KRONOS MMR™ project. The new facility's location near the U.S.-Canada border also positions NANO Nuclear to advance its existing plans to bring the KRONOS MMR™ to Canada and prepare for construction, testing, regulatory licensing and ultimately commercialization efforts across North America.

"We are very pleased to finalize the acquisition of this property in Oak Brook," said James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear. "This facility will serve as our central hub for building the KRONOS MMR™ Energy System on the UIUC campus, an effort that would mark the first commercial microreactor developed at a U.S. university and position us as a leader in this sector. Illinois has a proud nuclear history, and UIUC is a major driver of innovation and testing in nuclear energy. We're excited to establish our presence in Illinois as we continue to advance our goals and drive value for our shareholders."

About NANO Nuclear Energy Inc.

NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is an advanced technology-driven nuclear energy company seeking to become a commercially focused, diversified, and vertically integrated company across five business lines: (i) cutting edge portable and other microreactor technologies, (ii) nuclear fuel fabrication, (iii) nuclear fuel transportation, (iv) nuclear applications for space and (v) nuclear industry consulting services. NANO Nuclear believes it is the first portable nuclear microreactor company to be listed publicly in the U.S.

Led by a world-class nuclear engineering team, NANO Nuclear's reactor products in development include the patented KRONOS MMR^™ Energy System, a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled reactor that is in construction permit pre-application engagement U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in collaboration with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U. of I.), "ZEUS", a solid core battery reactor, and "ODIN", a low-pressure coolant reactor, and the space focused, portable LOKI MMR^™, each representing advanced developments in clean energy solutions that are portable, on-demand capable, advanced nuclear microreactors.

Advanced Fuel Transportation Inc. (AFT), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is led by former executives from the largest transportation company in the world aiming to build a North American transportation company that will provide commercial quantities of HALEU fuel to small modular reactors, microreactor companies, national laboratories, military, and DOE programs. Through NANO Nuclear, AFT is the exclusive licensee of a patented high-capacity HALEU fuel transportation basket developed by three major U.S. national nuclear laboratories and funded by the Department of Energy. Assuming development and commercialization, AFT is expected to form part of the only vertically integrated nuclear fuel business of its kind in North America.

HALEU Energy Fuel Inc. (HEF), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is focusing on the future development of a domestic source for a High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel fabrication pipeline for NANO Nuclear's own microreactors as well as the broader advanced nuclear reactor industry.

NANO Nuclear Space Inc. (NNS), a NANO Nuclear subsidiary, is exploring the potential commercial applications of NANO Nuclear's developing micronuclear reactor technology in space. NNS is focusing on applications such as the LOKI MMR^™ system and other power systems for extraterrestrial projects and human sustaining environments, and potentially propulsion technology for long haul space missions. NNS' initial focus will be on cis-lunar applications, referring to uses in the space region extending from Earth to the area surrounding the Moon's surface.

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release and statements of NANO Nuclear's management in connection with this news release contain or may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In this context, forward-looking statements mean statements related to future events, which may impact our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "potential", "will", "seek," "should", "could", "would" or "may" and other words of similar meaning. In this press release, forward-looking statements include those related to the anticipated benefits to NANO Nuclear of its new Oak Brook Facility, the Company's ability to recruit personnel for such facility, and the Company's plans and goals for the KRONOS MMR™ generally. These and other forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date of this news release and represent management's current views and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, events or results and involve significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond our control. For NANO Nuclear, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include but are not limited to the following: (i) risks related to our U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") or related state or non-U.S. nuclear licensing submissions, (ii) risks related the development of new or advanced technology and the acquisition of complimentary technology or businesses, including difficulties with design and testing, cost overruns, regulatory delays, integration issues and the development of competitive technology, (iii) our ability to obtain contracts and funding to be able to continue operations, (iv) risks related to uncertainty regarding our ability to technologically develop and commercially deploy a competitive advanced nuclear reactor or other technology in the timelines we anticipate, if ever, (v) risks related to the impact of U.S. and non-U.S. government regulation, policies and licensing requirements, including by the DOE and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including those associated with the recently enacted ADVANCE Act and the May 23, 2025 Executive Orders seeking to streamline nuclear regulation, and (vi) similar risks and uncertainties associated with the operating an early stage business a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this news release. These factors may not constitute all factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in any forward-looking statement, and NANO Nuclear therefore encourages investors to review other factors that may affect future results in its filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov and at https://ir.nanonuclearenergy.com/financial-information/sec-filings. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a predictor of actual results. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/260618

FAQ

What is the size and cost of NANO Nuclear's new Oak Brook facility?

The facility includes a 23,537-square-foot building on 2.75 acres of land, purchased for $3.5 million. It features a 7,400-square-foot non-nuclear demonstration area.

How many employees will NANO Nuclear's Oak Brook facility support?

The facility will initially support up to 60 nuclear engineers, researchers, and support staff working on the KRONOS MMR™ Microreactor Energy System.

What is the significance of NANO Nuclear (NNE) choosing Illinois for its facility?

Illinois generates 54.89% of its electricity from nuclear power and represents 13% of national nuclear output, offering established infrastructure and a supportive environment for nuclear technology development.

What is the purpose of NANO Nuclear's collaboration with AECOM?

AECOM will support site-specific engineering, environmental analysis, and regulatory planning at UIUC, preparing for the deployment of the first MMR™ microreactor.

How many U.S. facilities does NANO Nuclear (NNE) now operate?

The Oak Brook facility is NANO Nuclear's third U.S. facility and second U.S. site dedicated to physical test work, joining their existing facility in Westchester County, New York.