The Gates Foundation has funded research into safer nuclear thermal power and the natrium cooled reactor is the result. Natrium melts at just under the boiling point of water and remains in the liquid state up to over 800-deg C. It has to operate in a sealed environment, in the absence of atmospheric air.
The absence of pressure enhances the safety of a natrium cooled reactor, transferring heat from the reactor to a boiler located away from the reactor.
