Skip to main content Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming Tech Radar Pro TechRadar the business technology experts Search TechRadar View Profile België (Nederlands) Deutschland North America US (English) Australasia New Zealand Expert Insights Website builders Web hosting Best web hosting Best office chairs Best website builder Best antivirus Expert Insights Recommended reading 3D printed weapon templates have gone mainstream - and it's as bad as you think Rethinking power: how AI is reshaping energy demands in data centers AI’s energy demands are surging – the grid needs to catch up DNA computing could solve AI's single biggest systemic problem Microsoft's rekindling of Three Mile Island nuclear plant is ahead of schedule Data centers are at the heart of the AI revolution and here's how they are changing AI workloads are reshaping infrastructure - here’s what data centers need to know 3D printing and AI will bring in 'new era of nuclear construction' - but how safe is it? Efosa Udinmwen 10 August 2025 Faster timelines, but at what cost? When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory) 3D printers built complex concrete parts faster, yet long-term durability remains largely untested Oak Ridge finished reactor shielding in days, raising speed-versus-safety debates across the industry Advanced construction methods rely more on software, reducing labor yet increasing system dependence In East Tennessee, a 3D printer arm has been used to build concrete shielding columns for a nuclear reactor. The work is part of the Hermes Low-Power Demonstration Reactor project, supported by the US Department of Energy, and marks a new direction in how nuclear infrastructure is built, with both 3D printing and AI tools playing major roles. And according to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), large parts of the construction were completed in just 14 days, which could have taken several weeks using conventional methods. You may like 3D printed weapon templates have gone mainstream - and it's as bad as you think Rethinking power: how AI is reshaping energy demands in data centers AI’s energy demands are surging – the grid needs to catch up Efficiency gains clash with engineering caution The new method uses 3D printers to create detailed molds for casting concrete, even in complex shapes, with the goal of making construction faster, cheaper, and more flexible while relying more on US-based materials and labor. AI tools also played a role in the project, as ORNL used the technology to guide parts of the design and building process. These tools may help reduce human error and speed up work, especially when creating difficult or unique parts, but depending heavily on AI also raises questions. How can builders be sure these systems won’t make unnoticed mistakes? Who checks the decisions that are automated? The project is also a response to rising energy demands - as AI systems and data centers use more power, nuclear energy is seen as a stable source to support them. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Some experts say that future AI tools may end up running on power from reactors they helped design, a feedback loop that could be both efficient and risky. The use of 3D printing in this project makes it possible to build precise structures faster. Still, it’s not yet clear how well these 3D-printed parts will hold up over time. Nuclear reactors need to last for decades, and failure in any part of the structure could be dangerous. Testing and quality checks must keep up with the speed of new building methods. For now, 3D printing and AI seem to offer powerful tools for the nuclear industry. But while faster construction is a major benefit, safety must remain the top concern - this “new era” may bring improvements, but it will need close attention and caution at every step. Via Toms Hardware You might also like These are the best business laptops available to buy right now And you should take a look at the best office chairs we've tried Google says hackers stole some of its data following Salesforce breach Efosa Udinmwen Freelance Journalist Efosa has been writing about technology for over 7 years, initially driven by curiosity but now fueled by a strong passion for the field. He holds both a Master's and a PhD in sciences, which provided him with a solid foundation in analytical thinking. Efosa developed a keen interest in technology policy, specifically exploring the intersection of privacy, security, and politics. His research delves into how technological advancements influence regulatory frameworks and societal norms, particularly concerning data protection and cybersecurity. Upon joining TechRadar Pro, in addition to privacy and technology policy, he is also focused on B2B security products. Efosa can be contacted at this email: udinmwenefosa@gmail.com You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. 3D printed weapon templates have gone mainstream - and it's as bad as you think Rethinking power: how AI is reshaping energy demands in data centers AI’s energy demands are surging – the grid needs to catch up DNA computing could solve AI's single biggest systemic problem Microsoft's rekindling of Three Mile Island nuclear plant is ahead of schedule Data centers are at the heart of the AI revolution and here's how they are changing Latest in Pro LTX Studio AI video production review “Speed is everything” - how Arm and Aston Martin’s new wind tunnel venture looks to bring in a new era of success The Age of Agency: why Agentic AI will redefine the future of work How enterprises can transition their knowledge and systems for Agentic AI US government says BlackSuit and Royal ransomware gangs hit hundreds of major firms before shutdown Embracing the AI future Latest in News Fresh Google Pixel Watch 4 leaks may give us our best look yet at the upgraded sensors and charging system New Google Pixel 10 rumor suggests it could ditch physical SIMs and go eSIM only The DJI Osmo Nano is the latest DJI action camera to leak ahead of its official release So many ChatGPT users have said they're missing the older GPT-4o model, OpenAI is going to bring it back NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, August 11 (game #792) NYT Strands hints and answers for Monday, August 11 (game #526) LATEST ARTICLES The protagonist of Wednesday season 2 has psychic powers but we don’t – here are 5 big clues about what might be coming next Fresh Google Pixel Watch 4 leaks may give us our best look yet at the upgraded sensors and charging system I've tested 14 coffee makers in the last year, and these are the top 3 automatic machines I recommend for easy brewing Don't wait for the Pixel 10 – get the Pixel 9a right now for a record-low price Quordle hints and answers for Monday, August 11 (game #1295) TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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