On August 29, 2026, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Idaho National Laboratory announced a new collaboration to expand the domestic supply chain for industrial pressure vessels using Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) with metal wire deposition. The initiative leverages AI-guided process control to accelerate the qualification and certification of critical nuclear components, addressing supply chain challenges in the nuclear energy sector. Compared to powder-bed processes, WAAM is better suited for large-scale pressure vessel components. If nuclear-grade certification can be achieved, it will unlock institutional demand for high-temperature alloys in nuclear applications, complementing the powder-bed route. Value for powder buyers: ① Nuclear pressure vessels are ultra-large components, making WAAM the primary route, while powder-bed certification and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) post-processing systems for nuclear-grade high-temperature alloys also benefit in tandem; ② AI-guided process qualification accelerates certification, shortening nuclear-grade material approval cycles and creating opportunities for domestic high-temperature alloy powders to enter the market; ③ With the trend toward nuclear supply chain localization, a window is opening for domestic substitution of nuclear-grade nickel-based and high-temperature alloy powders.