AMOS delivers critical precision components for MYRRHA-MINERVA, the particle accelerator at the heart of Belgium’s next-generation nuclear research facility.
Mol, Belgium – 25 June 2026 – AMOS, a leader in the design and manufacturing of advanced optical and mechanical systems for astronomy, space and science, and SCK CEN, Belgium’s leading nuclear research centre on behalf of Myrrha INPO have signed a contract for the manufacturing of key components for the MYRRHA-MINERVA particle accelerator.
The MYRRHA project aims to develop a new type of nuclear reactor facility, one that is intrinsically safe by design. Unlike conventional reactors, MYRRHA reactor doesn’t contain enough fissile material to self-sustain the chain reaction by itself, relying instead on an external neutron primary source to be generated in the centre of the reactor core by the proton particle accelerator. If the protons beam is switched off, the nuclear reactor shuts down within a millionth of a second. Building a particle accelerator capable of continuously and reliably feeding protons to the reactor is therefore the first essential step. This is the scope of MINERVA, the first phase of the MYRRHA project.
Following an open and competitive tender procedure, AMOS was selected to deliver 48 Cold Tuning Systems for the MINERVA. Each Cold Tuning System is a critical precision mechanism that keeps each superconducting cavity locked to its exact resonant frequency throughout operation. This is essential for maintaining the highly reliable, continuous-wave proton beam required to reliably drive MYRRHA’s subcritical reactor. These highly sophisticated systems operate across extreme conditions: one section functions at room temperature, while another operates at just two degrees above absolute zero, all under ultra-high vacuum. They are fundamental to the reliable performance of the accelerator.
AMOS’s proven track-record in high-precision mechanical systems, its deep expertise in cryogenic and vacuum environments, and its renowned craftsmanship were decisive factors in SCK CEN’s selection.
“MYRRHA is a one-of-a-kind research infrastructure, and the reliability of every single component of its accelerator is paramount. The Cold Tuning Systems supplied by AMOS are at the heart of the MINERVA accelerator’s performance. We are delighted to partner with a Belgian company of such caliber, combining world-class precision engineering with direct experience in cryogenic environments. This collaboration is a strong signal that Belgium has the industrial expertise to support the most demanding scientific projects in the world and reinforcing the nuclear supply chain and eco-system needed today in our country.”
Hamid Aït Abderrahim, General Manager of Myrrha INPO.
“We are proud of this contract, which recognizes our expertise in precision manufacturing and cryogenic domains and is more particularly applied in the nuclear technology of the future”, says Arnaud Dartevelle, Managing Director at AMOS. “But the importance of our contribution reflects the scale of the ambition: MYRRHA has the potential to reshape how the world approaches nuclear energy, medical isotope production and radioactive waste management for generations to come”, he further adds.