United States licenses seawater uranium extraction technology
PUBLISHED Jul 15, 2026, 7:53 PM ET
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United States – The U.S. Department of Energy has granted SuperCritical Materials a license to commercialize a patented process for extracting uranium and other critical materials directly from seawater. Developed by researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the technology demonstrates the feasibility of industrial-scale uranium recovery from the oceans by using selective adsorption chemistry and advanced materials science. With an estimated 4.5 billion metric tons of uranium dissolved in seawater worldwide, the process could unlock a vast, previously inaccessible resource base and provide a long-term, stable fuel source for nuclear power generation. United States – The commercialization effort targets a key bottleneck in the U.S. nuclear fuel supply chain, which is struggling to keep pace with the accelerated deployment of advanced reactors. By tapping an abundant and geographically dispersed uranium resource, SuperCritical Materials aims to strengthen domestic nuclear fuel security and reduce reliance on external supply chains. The initiative aligns with a broader shift in federal energy policy focused on boosting U.S. industrial competitiveness, and it is intended to support the rapid expansion of energy-intensive data infrastructure and what officials describe as the emerging Intelligence Economy.
By Noormahi M. | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Recent years PNNL develops adsorption-based extraction
- Recently Technology proves industrial-scale feasibility
- Recently Oceans estimated hold vast uranium
- Recently DOE evaluates commercialization licensing options
- This week DOE licenses SuperCritical Materials technology
- This week Company targets domestic fuel security
- Near term Deployment planned for advanced reactors
- Future years Expanded role in U.S. nuclear
News Intelligence
- This technology could boost U.S. nuclear fuel security, reducing reliance on foreign supply chains. That means more stability for energy-intensive sectors like data infrastructure. If you work in these fields, or rely on them, it's a positive move.
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