Terrani will advance Ultra Safe Nuclear's fuel-development efforts. The company is replacing the graphite matrix of traditional TRISO fuel with Silicon Carbide (SiC), an exceptionally hard material that is extremely resistant to radiation and thermal damage. The result is a safer nuclear fuel that can withstand much higher temperatures and more radiation than traditional nuclear fuel. The SiC matrix in FCM fuel provides a dense, gas-tight barrier preventing the escape of fission products even if a TRISO particle should rupture during operation. The new matrix improves the structural and containment characteristics of TRISO particles, trapping and sealing radioactive fission products permanently, preventing contamination of the environment.