On July 2, it was reported that Valar Atomics, a nuclear energy startup in California, utilized an advanced reactor to generate electricity, powering NVIDIA's AI chips. Although the power output was minimal, it marked the first time such power generation was accomplished by a new-generation reactor in the U.S. During a demonstration at its Utah facility on Wednesday, Valar's Ward 250 reactor was connected to NVIDIA's Blackwell chips and temporarily hosted a website. The two companies also announced they would jointly explore the development of nuclear-powered AI systems. This progress came after the reactor reached "criticality" last month, marking the beginning of a self-sustaining fission reaction. Valar is among the companies developing next-generation nuclear technologies that employ new materials and designs to enhance safety and performance. However, the industry is still in its early stages, and no advanced reactors have yet been commercialized in the U.S.