El-Genk patents novel electromagnetic pump

September 8, 2026

Mohamed S. El-Genk, a Distinguished and Regents’ Professor of Nuclear Engineering and Ragai Altamimi, El-Genk’s former Ph.D. student who is currently a member of the technical staff at DOE Oak Ridge National Laboratory, recently patented a design for a novel electromagnetic pump. The pair developed a dual-stage miniature Direct Current (DC) Electromagnetic pump design and demonstrated its high performance and operating characteristics. In August, the invention was granted US Patent No. 2026/0254336 A1.

photo: UNM-ISNPS Dual-Stage Dc Electromagnetic pump
UNM-ISNPS Dual-Stage Dc Electromagnetic pump

This pump design with no moving parts, is for circulating high-temperature fluids such as Alkali Liquid Metals of Na, K and Li and NaK eutectics, and molten lead and Lead-bismuth eutectic. These fluids are used for cooling nuclear reactor power systems for space exploration missions and planetary surface power on the Earth, Moon, and planet Mars, micro nuclear reactors for terrestrial power generation, remote mining operations, research test loops and industrial applications operating at temperatures up to 500oC. El-Genk has 10 U.S. patents for his inventions and more than seven patent applications pending and disclosures. (https://isnps.unm.edu/publications/topic/space_nuclear_power_and_propulsion_systems/).