OAK RIDGE, TN, May 13, 2025 – LIS Technologies Inc. has announced that Ryan Norton has joined the Company as its senior mechanical design engineer.
Ryan Norton is an engineer with experience in mechanical and optomechanical design, focused on both R&D and commercial products. His work includes the design and analysis of downhole drilling tools, laser systems, surface equipment, and electronics packaging for space environments.
At Foro Energy, Ryan focused on developing laser tools for energy applications. He led the design and testing of optomechanical systems, including an optical slip ring and laser drilling platforms capable of operating in hard rock environments using gas or fluid media. His work also covered the development of components such as high-performance nozzles, fiber optic connectors, and high-pressure laser windows. He is listed as an inventor on multiple patents related to laser energy transmission and laser-assisted drilling.
Ryan holds a B.S. in Engineering with a Mechanical concentration and a minor in Mathematics from LeTourneau University.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Ryan to LIS Technologies at this key junction,” said Christo Liebenberg, CEO and co-founder of LIS Technologies Inc. “His expertise will be instrumental as we move into the next phases of CRISLA development, and he will play a key part in facilitating the demonstration activities essential to CRISLA’s growth and expansion.”
Ryan will be responsible for mechanical design work that supports the CRISLA-3G laser isotope separation technology. The system has reached Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4, indicating it has been validated in a lab setting. He will focus on designing mechanical components to support system integration and performance.
“LIS Technologies is broadening its capabilities and assembling a team equipped with the knowledge and expertise to be a leading innovator in the space,” said Jay Yu, executive chairman and president of LIS Technologies Inc. “Engaging key professionals like Ryan is vital to sustaining our growth trajectory and I welcome him to the team.”
About LIS Technologies Inc.
LIS Technologies Inc. is a U.S.-based company specializing in advanced laser isotope separation technologies. Its proprietary CRISLA (Chemical Reaction by Isotope Selective Laser Activation) system offers an energy-efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional uranium enrichment methods like gas diffusion and centrifugation. The company focuses on producing Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) and High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU) for next-generation nuclear reactors, as well as stable isotopes for medical and scientific applications. Headquartered in New York, with a secure facility in Oak Ridge, TN, LIS Technologies serves sectors including nuclear energy, national security, and advanced manufacturing. In 2024, it secured a $3.4 billion contract under the U.S. Department of Energy’s LEU Enrichment Acquisition Program, with task orders starting at $2 million each. The company raised $22 million in a Series A funding round in December 2024, showing investor confidence in its technology and goals.