中科院上海应用物理研究所

What 中科院上海应用物理研究所 does

The Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP), under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is a national comprehensive nuclear science and technology research institution headquartered in Shanghai's Jiading District with an additional experimental reactor site in Wuwei, Gansu Province. Founded in 1959 as the Shanghai Atomic Nuclear Research Institute and renamed in 2003 to reflect its broadened mandate, the institute's principal research direction is the Thorium-based Molten Salt Reactor Nuclear Energy System (TMSR), a fourth-generation advanced nuclear energy design under China's Strategic Priority Science and Technology Program. It also pursues nuclear technology applications in environmental protection, medicine, and materials science, and operates major scientific infrastructure including the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF), a soft X-ray free electron laser, and the 2MWt TMSR-LF1 experimental reactor — the world's only operating liquid-fuel thorium-based molten salt reactor, which in 2025 achieved the first-ever thorium-to-uranium nuclear fuel conversion in a molten salt configuration.

Core products and underlying technology center on the TMSR system stack: proprietary nickel-based GH3535 superalloy and ODS-GH3535 variants developed for molten salt corrosion resistance (with Te-embrittlement mitigation coatings including NiCrAlYSi and Ni-Nb systems), the TMSR-LF1 reactor itself achieving >90% domestic content with 100% localization of core equipment, fluorine ion activity control for thorium fuel dissolution, and complementary platforms in reactor physics, thermohydraulics, molten salt chemistry, tritium science, hydrogen energy, and applied accelerator technology including BNCT boron-neutron capture therapy work with Nanjing Zhongke Liankang. The institute also publishes three nuclear-discipline academic journals, most notably Nuclear Science and Techniques (NST), which rose to JCR Q1 rank #1 in 2025.

SINAP operates as a government research institute under CAS with funding flowing through state budget allocations, the Strategic Priority S&T Program on TMSR, the National Key R&D Plan, NSFC grants, and infrastructure service fees from beamline and testing center users. Revenue is not commercially disclosed and the institute does not sell products commercially; technology transfer and industrial partnerships with domestic nuclear enterprises (e.g., Shanghai Construction Engineering) construct the TMSR supply chain rather than generate licensing royalties at scale. Customer segments are essentially three: the Chinese state as primary strategic research sponsor; national and international academic/industrial users of SSRF and testing center services; and graduate students in nuclear science and technology via joint training programs with six elite Chinese universities.

Name

中科院上海应用物理研究所

Legal name

中国科学院上海应用物理研究所

Website

https://sinap.cas.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics is a Chinese Academy of Sciences national research institute operating the world's only liquid-fuel thorium molten salt experimental reactor (TMSR-LF1) and the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, advancing China's fourth-generation nuclear energy, photon sciences, and nuclear technology applications for state strategic missions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nuclear Energy Research

NAICS

Nuclear Electric Power Generation (221113), Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing (334517)

SIC

X-Ray Apparatus & Tubes & Related Irradiation Apparatus (3844), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Gen IV / Advanced Reactor Systems (SFR, LFR, GFR, MSR, HTGR, Microreactors) (EUAKADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research & Test Reactor Operations (Non-Commercial Power) (EUACADAH), Nuclear Fuel Cycle for Power Generation (Uranium, Conversion, Enrichment, Fuel Fabrication) (EUACADAK), Nuclear Materials Testing, Assay & Characterization Services (NDA/NDE, radiochemistry, materials analysis) (EUAKAIAL), Fuel Cycle Support Services (Engineering, licensing support, conversion/enrichment contracting) (EUAKACAL), Radioisotope Production (Reactor/Cyclotron/Gamma) (HLAIAGAD)

Keywords

• Nuclear energy research
• Thorium molten salt reactor
• Synchrotron radiation facility
• Radiation chemistry research
• Advanced nuclear materials

Headquarters

HQ city

上海嘉定区

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. 政府科研经费: 通过竞争性科研项目获取经费，包括中国科学院战略性先导科技专项、国家重点研发计划、国家自然科学基金等国家级科研项目
2. 大科学装置运行与服务: 依托上海光源、软X射线自由电子激光等大科学装置向国内外用户提供实验束流和技术服务
3. 技术转化与知识产权许可: 通过技术转让、专利许可、联合开发等方式与核能企业开展产业化合作，构建TMSR供应链

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

As a national comprehensive nuclear science and technology research institute, SINAP conducts advanced nuclear energy research centered on the Thorium-based Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR) nuclear energy system, while also applying nuclear technology in environmental, medical, and materials fields. It operates large-scale scientific facilities including the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Light Source and Soft X-ray Free Electron Laser, provides technical services through national-level testing centers, and delivers graduate education. The institute secured 100% domestic production of key TMSR core equipment and achieved the world's first thorium-uranium nuclear fuel conversion based on a molten salt reactor.

Product overview

中科院上海应用物理研究所是国立综合性核技术科学研究机构，以基于先进核能（钍基熔盐堆核能系统）的先进能源科学技术为主要研究方向，同时兼顾核技术在环境、医学、材料等领域的应用研究。主要产品和服务包括：钍基熔盐堆核能系统（TMSR）作为核心产品、上海光源和软X射线自由电子激光装置等大科学设施、三本学术期刊（《核技术》、NST、《辐射研究与辐射工艺学报》）、以及多个国家级检测技术服务平台（国家制氢装备及安全质量检验检测中心、核能科学分析测试中心、辐射安全检测中心等）。

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 2MWt Liquid Fuel Thorium-based Molten Salt Experimental Reactor (TMSR-LF1) The world's only operating fourth-generation molten salt reactor nuclear energy system experimental reactor, located in Wuwei, Gansu. It is the first reactor globally to achieve thorium-uranium nuclear fuel conversion, validating the technical feasibility of using thorium resources in molten salt reactor nuclear energy systems.
• Thorium-based Molten Salt Reactor Nuclear Energy System (TMSR) A fourth-generation advanced nuclear energy system using high-temperature molten salt as coolant, with inherent safety, no water cooling, atmospheric pressure operation, and high-temperature output. It is internationally recognized as the most suitable reactor type for thorium resource utilization.
• Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Light Source (Shanghai Light Source) A third-generation synchrotron radiation light source large-scale scientific facility providing advanced experimental platforms for frontier research in materials science, life sciences, environmental science, and other disciplines.
• Soft X-ray Free Electron Laser Facility An advanced light source facility for frontier scientific research, achieving a key breakthrough in the advanced light source field with successful first lasing.
• National Hydrogen Production Equipment and Safety Quality Inspection Center A national-level platform for hydrogen production equipment and safety quality inspection and testing technology services, aimed at advancing China's hydrogen production equipment quality and safety management system.
• Nuclear Science and Techniques (NST) Journal The English journal of the Chinese Nuclear Society, a SCI journal (Q1), serving as an important international academic journal in the nuclear science and technology field. Ranked first in the Nuclear Science & Technology discipline with impact factor 4.7.
• Nuclear Science and Technology (《核技术》) Journal The Chinese journal of the Chinese Nuclear Society, a core academic journal in the nuclear science and technology field.
• Journal of Radiation Research and Radiation Processing (《辐射研究与辐射工艺学报》) An academic journal hosted by SINAP, serving as the official journal of the Radiation Research and Application Branch of the Chinese Nuclear Society.
• Institute-level Public Technology Center An institute-level public technology service platform providing shared research infrastructure and technical services to researchers.
• Radiation Safety Testing Center A radiation safety testing technology service platform providing radiation safety testing and evaluation services.
• Nuclear Energy Science Analysis and Testing Center A nuclear energy science analysis and testing technology service platform providing scientific analysis and testing services in the nuclear energy field.
• Nuclear Power Station Instrument Irradiation Testing Laboratory A nuclear power station instrument irradiation testing technology platform providing irradiation testing services for nuclear power station instruments.
• Hydrogen Production Materials and Hydrogen Energy Products Inspection and Testing Center A testing and inspection technology service platform for hydrogen production materials and hydrogen energy products.

Quantifiable outcome

• 国际上首次实现基于熔盐堆的钍铀核燃料转换，巩固我国在国际熔盐堆研究领域的引领地位
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered 重要 and 核心.

• 行业协会、科研院所、高校及产业链龙头企业（氢能领域）重要Strategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2026共同参与国家制氢装备及安全质量检验检测中心发展规划研讨会，包括中国气体协会氢气专委会、山东大学、国家电投能研院、中广核苏州热工研究院、科威尔技术股份有限公司等产业链各方专家
• 中国科学技术大学核心Strategic or Co-development Partner签订本研联合培养协议，联合创立赵忠尧应用物理科技英才班，实现优势互补，形成合力，共同培养核科学与技术领域高端人才
• 复旦大学核心Strategic or Co-development Partner签订本研联合培养协议，实现优势互补，共同培养核科学与技术领域人才
• 四川大学核心Strategic or Co-development Partner签订本研联合培养协议，联合创立应用物理菁英班，实现优势互补，共同培养人才
• 兰州大学核心Strategic or Co-development Partner签订本研联合培养协议，在核科学与技术领域开展联合培养合作
• 成都理工大学核心Strategic or Co-development Partner签订本研联合培养协议，在核科学与技术领域开展联合培养合作
• 沈阳化工大学核心Strategic or Co-development Partner签订本研联合培养协议，在核科学与技术领域开展联合培养合作
• 上海科技大学核心Strategic or Co-development Partner签订联合培养协议，联合培养物理学、化学、材料与化工硕士研究生，联合培养研究生学籍为上海科技大学
• 上海大学核心Strategic or Co-development Partner签订联合培养协议，联合培养物理学、化学硕士研究生，联合培养研究生学籍为上海大学
• 国内核能企业（上海建工等）核心Strategic or Co-development Partner与国内核能企业开展紧密合作，共同构建自主可控的钍基熔盐堆供应链，推动钍基熔盐堆工业示范和应用，关键核心设备实现100%国产化
• 近百家国内科研机构、高校和产业集团核心Strategic or Co-development Partner深度参与钍基熔盐实验堆研发与工程建设，攻克设计、关键材料与设备研制、安装与调试及堆安全等方面的技术难题
• 南京中硼联康重要Technology or Integration应用加速器教研组依托南京中硼联康等开展BNCT硼中子俘获治疗等应用型粒子加速器和离子束在生命健康领域的应用研究

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Framatome: France-based global nuclear reactor vendor with growing investment in advanced reactor concepts and fuel cycle services. Broad industry peer to SINAP through nuclear technology development, though focused on light-water commercial reactors rather than molten salt designs.
• China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE): China's primary national nuclear weapons and nuclear energy research institute, also under a government ministry. Operates research reactors and pursues advanced reactor programs; a national-level peer to SINAP within the Chinese nuclear R&D ecosystem with overlapping thorium and fast reactor work.
• TerraPower: Bill Gates-backed U.S. advanced reactor developer pursuing multiple Gen IV designs including the Natrium sodium-cooled fast reactor and molten chloride fast reactor. Broad incumbent peer in advanced reactor R&D with significant private capital and well-funded government partnerships.
• Westinghouse Electric Company: Global nuclear reactor vendor and fuel cycle service provider. A broad incumbent peer operating in nuclear energy technology, materials testing, and advanced reactor R&D — adjacent to SINAP's materials science and fuel cycle work, though focused on commercial light-water reactor deployment.

Direct peers

• Terrestrial Energy: Canadian company developing the Integral Molten Salt Reactor (IMSR), a Generation IV molten salt fission reactor. Direct technical peer to SINAP's TMSR program — both pursue commercial molten salt reactor designs, though Terrestrial targets smaller modular units using uranium fuel rather than thorium.
• Kairos Power: U.S. advanced reactor developer building the Fluoride Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Reactor (KP-FHR), a molten fluoride salt reactor design. Highly comparable to SINAP's molten salt reactor work in reactor type, materials challenges (e.g., FLiBe salt), and tritium/flibe handling expertise.
• Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology (INET), Tsinghua University: Tsinghua University's nuclear energy research institute, also a national-level Chinese R&D organization pursuing high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTR-PM) and advanced reactor concepts. Closest Chinese academic peer to SINAP in advanced reactor R&D scope and national-strategic-project status.
• Moltex Energy: UK/Canada-based developer of the Stable Salt Reactor (SSR-W), a molten salt reactor that can consume spent nuclear fuel. Competes with SINAP in the molten salt reactor category and shares similar fuel-cycle and salt-chemistry research challenges.
• ThorCon: U.S.-based developer of a molten salt reactor designed for shipyard mass-production, targeting a 250 MWe thorium-uranium fuel cycle. The thorium-cycle, molten salt architecture makes it a direct international peer to SINAP's TMSR-LF1 and broader TMSR strategy.

Emerging players

• Flibe Energy: U.S. startup developing the Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor (LFTR), a thorium-fueled molten salt reactor. Closely aligned with SINAP's thorium molten salt reactor approach in fuel cycle and salt chemistry, though at an earlier development stage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/%E4%B8%AD%E7%A7%91%E9%99%A2%E4%B8%8A%E6%B5%B7%E5%BA%94%E7%94%A8%E7%89%A9%E7%90%86%E7%A0%94%E7%A9%B6%E6%89%80

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

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