A nuclear reactor that destroys more waste than it creates — could this redefine the future of energy? How can a single unit power an entire city for decades without refueling? According to Interesting Engineering, France’s Stellarium reactor may be on the edge of making history. But what makes this design so different from anything before it? The answer could change how the world thinks about nuclear power. | The Brain Maze

Engineers are pushing nuclear energy into a new era with the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors—compact nuclear systems designed to deliver reliable electricity for years with minimal refueling. Some advanced designs, roughly the size of a large truck, are being engineered to provide enough continuous power to support an entire small town for up to a decade without needing fresh fuel. Unlike traditional nuclear plants that require massive infrastructure and frequent o