AIKEN, S.C. – Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) continues to advance next-generation research and technology development, strengthening its role in national defense and accelerating capabilities that support the missions of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Department of Energy (DOE).
“As our NNSA mission demands grow more complex and infrastructure modernization continues, our research and development [R&D] efforts are becoming increasingly critical,” said Greg Cefus, SRNS Director, Office of Innovation. “These investments help deliver innovative solutions to technical challenges, accelerate programs, improve efficiency and reduce risk.”
In FY26, the impact of the Office of Innovation, established in Sept. 2025, was felt across the Savannah River Site (SRS). As the central hub for research and technology development, the office helps direct investments toward mission priorities while fostering collaboration across national laboratories, production plants, universities and industry partners.
A key driver of this progress is the Plant-Directed Research and Development (PDRD) program. Established by Congress in 2001 to support production agencies, the SRS PDRD program underwent a major realignment in 2025 following the Site’s landlord transition. The change expanded the program’s focus beyond the Savannah River Tritium Enterprise (SRTE) to include Plutonium Operations and Programs, ensuring SRNS research investments support the full spectrum of NNSA mission needs.
Reflecting its expanded role, PDRD funding more than doubled to $7 million in FY26 and is projected to increase by at least $5 million in FY27. The investments align with a broader emphasis across the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) on accelerating research and reducing technology development timelines.
“Technology continues to advance rapidly, making it essential that we leverage PDRD to maximize the effectiveness of our plants, personnel and time,” said Nick Miller, Senior Vice President, NNSA Tritium Operations and Programs. “Numerous examples demonstrate how innovative solutions have enabled us to address complex challenges that would not have been possible without the initial investment and ingenuity fostered through PDRD.”
To better identify, evaluate, and advance new ideas across the Site, SRNS established a Technology Management Council and launched the INSPIRE (Identifying Needs for Shaping Projects, Innovation and R&D Efforts) database. Together, these efforts encourage cross-mission collaboration while giving employees a direct channel to propose solutions. To date, INSPIRE has captured 128 ideas spanning process improvements, safety enhancements and technical advancements.
The Office also expanded strategic partnerships with leading universities, allowing SRNS to leverage specialized research expertise while developing technologies that directly support mission execution.
Notable accomplishments in FY26 include:
- Established a five-year Basic Order Agreement with the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), creating a sustainable pipeline for advanced PDRD research. One ongoing project is evaluating alternatives to the Tritium Air Monitor sample valves, helping improve equipment reliability and identify solutions capable of meeting safety-significant requirements.
- Partnered with the University of South Carolina to advance hydrogen measurement technologies. Researchers demonstrated highly accurate mass flow meters capable of measuring hydrogen isotopes, supporting safe, efficient and reliable mission operations.
- Collaborated with Clemson University to improve understanding of tritium getter materials, which are used to capture and contain tritium. The research is expected to inform future vessel designs and material specifications that improve reliability and operational efficiency.
- Worked with Savannah River National Laboratory to advance additive manufacturing technologies that support future pit production missions. The team successfully fabricated a first-of-its-kind test article and generated foundational data that could support the design of future manufacturing systems and components.
Looking ahead, SRNS is investing in the infrastructure needed to accelerate research and technology development. In September, SRNS announced the refurbishment of a former machine shop into the Technology Development and Acceleration Center, scheduled to open in late FY27. The facility will serve as SRNS’ first dedicated R&D space, enabling rapid prototyping and housing projects focused on advanced manufacturing, robotics and automation, on-machine metrology, and nondestructive evaluation methods.
By expanding research capacity, strengthening university partnerships, and advancing technologies that support national security objectives, SRNS is building the capabilities needed to support the NSE for decades to come.
For more information on R&D partnerships at SRS, visit the Technology Transfer Office webpage.
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, a Fluor and HII partnership company, is responsible for the management and operations of the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site, located near Aiken, South Carolina.
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