ASX-listed technology company Silex Systems has completed an eight-month test program for the first module of full-scale laser technology as part of a uranium laser enrichment project.
The project is being conducted in collaboration with US-based Global Laser Enrichment (GLE) and is aimed at developing technology for GLE’s commercial pilot demonstration project conducted in Willmington, North Carolina.
The laser system module underwent an independent evaluation during the latter stages of the test program by a specialist US engineering contractor resulting in a positive assessment, Silex said in a media statement issued Wednesday.
The test program zeroed in on the reliability of the laser system module performance, which is supported by industrial-level automated control systems developed by Silex.
The Australian company is currently developing additional identical laser system modules required for the commercial pilot demonstration project.
All modules are slated to be shipped to North Carolina by the end of 2023.
“This is a pivotal milestone for the SILEX uranium enrichment technology which demonstrates the ability of our laser systems to operate reliably at commercial scale for extended periods,” said Michael Goldsworthy, Silex’s CEO and managing director.
“We congratulate our very talented and hard-working laser engineering team who have succeeded in the design, development and demonstration of this unique, cutting-edge laser technology which will be utilised by GLE under the SILEX uranium enrichment technology license agreement,” he added.
The system is currently being prepared for transport to GLE’s Test Loop facility in the United States and is expected to be installed by the end of 2022.
