Heat pipe networks for heat removal, such as heat removal from nuclear reactors, and associated systems and methods

A method of forming a nuclear reactor component, the method comprising:

• positioning a heat pipe in a pressure vessel, wherein the heat pipe includes an evaporator region and a condenser region, and wherein the heat pipe defines a flow path having an increasing cross-sectional flow area in a direction from the evaporator region toward the condenser region, wherein the flow path includes a first portion, a pair of second portions branching from the first portion, a pair of third portions branching from each of the second portions, and a pair of fourth portions branching from each of the third portions;
• providing a powdered nuclear fuel material on a wall the heat pipe along at least a portion of the evaporator region;
• and
• increasing a pressure and a temperature in the pressure vessel to solidify the nuclear fuel material and directly attach the nuclear fuel material to the wall of heat pipe along the portion of the evaporator region.