TerraPower

TerraPower is a leading nuclear innovation company that strives to improve the world through nuclear energy and science. TerraPower acts as an incubator and developer of ideas and technologies that offer energy independence, environmental sustainability, medical advancement and other cutting-edge opportunities. TerraPower actively works to bring together the strengths and experiences of the world’s public and private nuclear research and energy sectors. The company was founded by Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who decided that the private sector needed to take action in developing advanced nuclear answers for pressing global needs.

TerraPower’s main focus is the development of safer, cheaper, more efficient nuclear reactors, with an emphasis on two design concepts known as traveling wave reactors and molten chloride fast reactors. TerraPower also works on next-generation uses for coal. The company is part of a team that includes Ramaco Carbon which received more than $1 million in federal funding, from the US Department of Energy, to develop an emissions-free process to produce carbon fiber from coal.

Ramaco Carbon is looking for higher-technology uses for the carbon from coal, such as advanced products like carbon fibers, to increase its value and lower the environmental footprint from its use. Carbon fiber is used in high-end, high-performance products. TerraPower has conducted research into how the heat generated by nuclear reactions could be used for purposes other than turning steam turbines, one of which could be an emissions-free process to transform biomass and fossil resources into useful products. TerraPower stated that they believe they can create carbon fiber precursor using elements of coal rather than the petrochemical product, poly acrylonitrile.