Decades of development: A bibliometric analysis of small modular reactor research

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research trends on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), based on 2080 peer-reviewed publications retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science as of February 2025. Through an analysis of keyword co-occurrence, publication sources, and the contributions of institutions and countries, the study identifies major research areas as well as emerging topics. Safety-related issues, including passive safety systems and natural circulation, remain dominant in the literature, while interest in next-generation reactor types, hybrid energy systems, and integration with renewables continues to grow. In contrast, non-technical dimensions such as public acceptance, policy frameworks, and waste management remain relatively underexplored. A country-level analysis shows that research output is concentrated in a few countries such as the United States, China, South Korea, and Canada, with leading institutions demonstrating topic-specific specialization. Network analysis confirms the centrality of safety-focused research while also identifying limited engagement with socio-political aspects. These findings suggest the need for interdisciplinary research and increased academic attention to issues such as economic feasibility, governance, and long-term waste strategies to support the successful commercialization of SMRs.