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The process of producing TRISO fuel is intricate but efficient. It begins with dissolving uranium feedstock—most sourced from Canada and US uranium mines—into a liquid broth. This broth, upon heating, solidifies into small kernels that form the core of the fuel particles. These kernels are then coated in multiple layers through a series of advanced manufacturing steps, including chemical densification and coating in furnaces.
One of the visualization highlights was the glowing, red-hot particles spinning in a furnace—an almost surreal sight akin to observing miniature suns. These particles are then processed into various shapes, from simple pellets to complex geometries, which are embedded into graphite or silicon carbide matrices, forming the final fuel elements ready for reactor use.