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RESTON, Va. - Lightbridge Corporation (NASDAQ:LTBR) announced today that the European Patent Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for its patent application covering a multi-zone nuclear fuel element design.
The patent, titled Multi-Zone Fuel Element, covers a fuel element design featuring multiple radial zones with variable thicknesses along the axial direction. The design allows for control of neutron flux distribution during the fuel element’s operational lifetime, according to a company press release.
The European allowance extends intellectual property protection across 39 contracting states, including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. The patent covers fuel elements manufactured through additive manufacturing, which enables production of complex multi-material zone architectures.
The allowed claims cover a fuel element comprising three distinct radial zones of different materials: a first zone extending along the central axis, a second surrounding zone, and a third outermost zone. The thickness of the second and third zones varies along the axial direction.
The manufacturing method claims cover the use of additive manufacturing to produce the multi-zone architecture using metallic, ceramic, or cermet fuel systems.
"Receiving this allowance from the European Patent Office is an important validation of the technical depth and novelty of Lightbridge Fuel," said Seth Grae, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lightbridge Corporation.The patent news comes as the company’s stock trades at $11.85, down 56.5% over the past six months despite posting a 59.92% gain over the past year. According to InvestingPro analysis, the stock currently appears overvalued relative to its Fair Value.
Lightbridge is developing advanced nuclear fuel technology for existing light-water and pressurized heavy-water reactors, as well as for small modular reactors. The company has entered into framework agreements with Battelle Energy Alliance, the operating contractor for Idaho National Laboratory.
In other recent news, Lightbridge Corporation reported its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2025, showcasing a significant increase in cash reserves and advancements in its nuclear fuel technology. The company received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a patent application covering its nuclear fuel assembly technology. This patent includes 16 claims related to fuel assemblies and nuclear reactors incorporating the company’s spirally twisted, multi-lobed fuel element technology. Additionally, Lightbridge announced a Notice of Allowance from the Canadian Intellectual Property Office for a similar nuclear fuel assembly design, covering 48 claims involving helically twisted fuel elements.
Lightbridge has also been selected to serve on the Industry Advisory Board for a $6 million nuclear materials research project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy University Program. This four-year initiative is led by The Pennsylvania State University and focuses on the study of nuclear materials at the microscale. These developments reflect Lightbridge’s continued efforts to enhance its technological capabilities and maintain a strong presence in the nuclear energy sector.
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