Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), the joint prime contractor for Savannah River Site, is expanding research and development investments at the Savannah River Site with aims to accelerate technology development supporting the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) missions.
SRNS’ Office of Innovation is directing research investments across the site and coordinating work with national laboratories, universities and industry partners. The effort is intended to address technical challenges, improve efficiency and reduce risks as NNSA infrastructure and mission requirements evolve, according to the Oct. 22 press release.
A key component is the Plant-Directed Research and Development program, which was realigned in 2025 to expand beyond the Savannah River Tritium Enterprise to include Plutonium Operations and Programs. The program’s funding more than doubled to $7 million in fiscal 2026 and is projected to increase by at least $5 million in fiscal 2027.
“Technology continues to advance rapidly,” Nick Miller, senior vice president of NNSA Tritium Operations and Programs, said, adding that the program’s investments have helped address challenges that otherwise would have been difficult to solve.
SRNS also established a Technology Management Council and launched a database to identify and evaluate potential projects. The database has collected 128 ideas covering process improvements, safety enhancements and technical developments.
The company established a five-year Basic Order Agreement with Georgia Tech to support advanced research, including work on alternatives to Tritium Air Monitor sample valves. SRNS also partnered with the University of South Carolina on hydrogen-isotope mass-flow measurement technologies and Clemson University on tritium getter materials.
Separately, SRNS and Savannah River National Laboratory advanced additive manufacturing technologies relevant to future pit production missions, fabricating a test article and generating data for potential manufacturing systems and components.
SRNS is also refurbishing a former machine shop into a Technology Development and Acceleration Center, expected to open in late fiscal 2027. The facility will provide dedicated research and development space for advanced manufacturing, robotics and automation, on-machine metrology and nondestructive evaluation.
