Deep Atomic

What they do

Deep Atomic’s MK60 is a pressurised light-water small modular reactor designed to generate 60 MWe of electricity and provide 60 MW of cooling capacity.

Its distinguishing feature is the proposed use of nuclear heat to drive absorption chillers instead of conventional electrically powered cooling systems, potentially reducing the electricity required for data-centre cooling.

The MK60 is intended for deployment alongside large data centres, combining electricity generation and cooling in a single energy system. Deep Atomic has also explored integrating other reactor designs with data-centre infrastructure.

Where they are

In March 2025, Deep Atomic formally entered the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) pre-application process for design certification of the MK60.

Deep Atomic has since expanded its activities to include integration of other reactor technologies with data-centre infrastructure. As of October 2026, no MK60 reactor is under construction or in operation.

What’s next

The next significant regulatory milestone for the MK60 would be submission of a design certification application to the NRC, targeted for late 2027.

Deep Atomic also needs to establish whether the MK60 will remain central to its development programme as the company expands its reactor-independent activities.

Why it matters

Deep Atomic’s proposed approach would use nuclear heat to meet part of a data centre’s cooling requirements directly, potentially increasing the electricity available for computing.

The important distinction is that the MK60 is being designed around a customer’s combined electricity and cooling requirements, rather than electricity generation alone.

Technical note

Conventional data-centre chillers use electricity to power compressors. Absorption chillers instead use heat to drive a refrigeration cycle, typically involving water and a lithium bromide solution.

In the MK60 concept, heat from the nuclear plant would power the absorption chillers, producing chilled water for data-centre cooling. This could reduce electricity consumption, although the amount saved would depend on the cooling system’s efficiency and the effect of heat extraction on the reactor’s electrical output.

Company data

What to watch

• NRC application: Submission of the MK60 design certification application, targeted for late 2027.
• First deployment: Announcement of a confirmed MK60 project with a data-centre customer and defined development schedule.
• Reactor strategy: Whether Deep Atomic continues developing the MK60 alongside its reactor-independent integration activities.