40 - Nick Smith: The Fuel Behind the Future at Raven-Flint

This episode tackles one of the least understood but most critical links in the nuclear fuel cycle: uranium conversion. As demand for nuclear energy grows, the United States faces significant challenges in securing a reliable domestic fuel supply. Dominique sits down with Nick Smith, founder of Raven-Flint Nuclear, to discuss how his company is working to strengthen America's nuclear fuel infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign sources. Nick explains the uranium conversion process, why it is essential to nuclear power generation, and how supply chain bottlenecks have become a strategic vulnerability for the United States. He shares Raven-Flint's vision for building new conversion capacity, developing a skilled workforce, and leveraging advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to improve efficiency across the nuclear industry. The conversation also explores the future demand for nuclear energy, the rise of innovative nuclear startups, and policy measures that could help secure America's energy future. Whether you're a nuclear industry professional, policymaker, investor, or energy enthusiast, this episode provides valuable insight into one of the most important challenges facing advanced nuclear today. Nick Smith is the Co-Founder and CEO of Raven-Flint Nuclear Corporation, a company focused on modernizing uranium conversion technology to address a critical gap in the nuclear fuel supply chain LinkedIn. With over 15 years of experience in nuclear engineering and energy systems, he has worked in high-profile roles at Radiant, Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and Southern Company, where he directed major projects such as the Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment (MCRE). www.ucanpower.org