Supermicro and Nano Nuclear Sign MoU to Explore On-Site Microreactors for Data Centers
May 7, 2026
Supermicro and Nano Nuclear Sign MoU to Explore On-Site Microreactors for Data Centers
Supermicro has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Nano Nuclear Energy to explore integrating the latter’s advanced nuclear technology into data center operations. The partnership signals a growing push within the tech industry toward onsite, grid-independent power sources for energy-intensive AI infrastructure.
The agreement outlines several areas of collaboration, including deploying Nano’s nuclear reactors to provide onsite power for data centers, integrating Supermicro’s AI server racks and cooling systems with nuclear energy, and developing market strategies for hyperscale, enterprise, and edge data center customers. The companies aim to enable a new class of self-powered AI infrastructure that operates independently from the electrical grid.
“This collaboration with Supermicro represents a powerful convergence of two transformative technologies: advanced nuclear energy and artificial intelligence infrastructure,” said Jay Yu, chairman and president of Nano Nuclear. “The AI revolution is fundamentally an energy challenge, and we believe nuclear power is the only scalable solution capable of meeting that demand.”
Nano Nuclear is currently developing the Kronos micro modular reactor, a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled unit designed to produce 15 megawatts of electricity. Each reactor is intended for long-term deployments of up to 20 years without refueling. The company submitted its Construction Permit Application for the Kronos reactor to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in April and is targeting a demonstration project at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Despite these milestones, the company’s commercial timeline has faced skepticism. Critics have described Nano’s target of first deployments in the early 2030s as unrealistic, reflecting broader concerns across the advanced nuclear sector about the lengthy licensing process for new reactor technologies. Nano Nuclear also faced a class action lawsuit in 2024 alleging false or misleading statements regarding its regulatory progress and commercial feasibility, though the suit was dismissed in January.
Nevertheless, data center operators continue to back advanced nuclear energy at scale, drawn by its potential to deliver clean, reliable, and continuous power. Major tech companies including Amazon, Google, Oracle, and Equinix have all signaled interest in nuclear-powered data centers, underscoring the industry’s urgency in finding alternatives to grid-dependent electricity as AI workloads surge.
Source: datacenterdynamics
