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Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed the ULIMES fuel concept, which uses uranium dioxide particles suspended in liquid metal to enhance the efficiency of light water reactors (LWRs). This design allows for improved cooling and energy extraction, reducing the need for complex safety systems and maintenance costs.

ORNL has signed a research licence agreement with Out The Back Ventures, which will fund the transition of ULIMES toward commercial viability. The fuel's compatibility with existing materials facilitates its integration into current reactor designs. Initial experiments indicate that candidate liquid metals do not significantly corrode Zircaloy-4 cladding, making ULIMES suitable for both large nuclear power plants and small modular reactors.