#United States #New York #Nuclear Waste #Viam #Transmutex

Viam and Transmutex: A Strategic Alliance for Nuclear Waste Management

In a significant development for the nuclear industry, Viam, a pioneering engineering platform specializing in data, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation, has entered into a partnership with Transmutex, a Swiss nuclear engineering firm. This collaboration aims to redefine the management of nuclear waste through advanced technology solutions.

Set in motion on July 22, 2025, this strategic alliance is designed to harness Viam's sophisticated AI capabilities to address some of the most pressing challenges surrounding the handling of nuclear waste. As global energy demands continue to rise, the safe and efficient management of radioactive materials becomes increasingly urgent. Transmutex is already making headway in this field with its unique accelerator-driven subcritical transmutation technology, which transforms long-lived radioactive waste into shorter-lived isotopes. This innovation is crucial for mitigating the environmental and safety risks associated with nuclear waste.

The partnership primarily focuses on building robust ion source systems. Generally, these systems play a critical role in the transmutation processes; however, they are often optimized for performance rather than long-term durability. A significant concern is the unexpected shutoff of ion sources, which can delay operations for up to five days, complicating waste management. To combat this issue, Viam will implement an infrastructure that captures important data from an intricate sensor network. By leveraging AI and machine learning techniques, the platform will facilitate the rapid identification of root causes behind issues, allowing Transmutex to maintain the reliability of its ion sources.

The Significance of AI in Nuclear Waste Management

Eliot Horowitz, the CEO and founder of Viam, expressed the importance of this partnership, stating, "Transmutex is working to combat one of the most complex challenges in the nuclear energy sector. Our collaboration illustrates Viam's ability to derive actionable insights from even the most complicated systems."

The project has received considerable support from the U.S. Department of Energy's ARPA-E initiative, securing a grant of $4.2 million as part of the NEWTON program. This backing underscores the project's significance as it strives to improve nuclear waste management methodologies and technologies.

A Vision for the Future

Founded in 2019 by former CERN physicists, Transmutex aims to advance technologies for nuclear waste transmutation, including accelerator-driven systems (ADS) and fast neutron reactors. Their technology not only addresses the longevity problem of nuclear waste but also promises to reduce the storage volume by more than five times and cut down its lifetime from potentially one million years to about 500 years. Moreover, the transmutation process can generate essential rare industrial metals and life-saving medical isotopes, potentially leading to greener and more sustainable energy options.

Franklin Servan-Schreiber, Co-Founder and CEO of Transmutex, remarked on the necessity for advanced technological integration, saying, "To solve major challenges around nuclear waste, we need advanced technology that can help build enduring ion sources. Viam exists at the intersection of data and AI, allowing us to access a level of real-time visibility that is essential for our operations."

This collaboration serves as a testament to how engineering and technology can converge to tackle some of the most daunting issues facing energy industries today. Viam's platform allows rapid implementation of cutting-edge capabilities, thereby facilitating both the optimization of existing systems and the development of newly innovative solutions.

With its headquarters in New York City, Viam is on a mission to leverage AI, data, and automation across various sectors, including robotics, climate technology, food and beverage, and industrial manufacturing. As this partnership unfolds, the combined efforts of Viam and Transmutex exemplify what is possible when leading-edge technology is devoted to creating a sustainable and safe future for nuclear energy management.

In conclusion, the partnership between Viam and Transmutex stands to revolutionize nuclear waste management, showing that through collaboration and innovation, even the most complex challenges can be addressed effectively. The future of nuclear energy may very well depend on such strategic partnerships, making this alliance a crucial step forward in transforming the industry for the better.