Articles tagged with Nuclear Engineering
A new paper by MIT Professor Areg Danagoulian describes his idea for a satellite-based sensor system that can detect neutrons generated by high-energy protons colliding with radioactive material. The system could detect nuclear weapons with 99% accuracy, even in low-Earth orbit.
A University of Manchester Professor has been appointed as an Expert Reviewer for the NDA 2026 Review, led by Dr Tim Stone CBE. The review assesses the NDA's strategic planning, project delivery, and financial management to ensure value for money and highest safety standards.
Researchers developed a 2.4 GHz wireless receiver chip that can withstand up to 500 kGy of radiation, enabling wireless control of robots in ultra-high-radiation environments. The chip's design reduces charge trapping and increases stability under high radiation exposure.
Swansea University is part of a major £65.6 million UKRI investment to train the next generation of nuclear engineers and scientists. The DRIVERS programme will equip future nuclear professionals with advanced technical, interdisciplinary, and digital skills.
Researchers have developed a new method for qualifying materials for use in advanced nuclear reactors, which uses ion beams to mimic radiation damage. This approach can be done at a fraction of the cost and time required by traditional test reactors.
Dr. Paul Ohodnicki joins as permanent director, succeeding Heng Ban; to expand energy research and education capabilities across multiple disciplines.
A modern code for HTGR thermal-hydraulic design and accident analysis has been developed to improve reactor safety. DAYU3D enables 3D neutron kinetics simulations and advanced radiation heat transfer calculations, significantly enhancing computational capability.
A new bipolar cusp-like pulse-shaping algorithm has been proposed to reduce pile-up events and improve energy spectrum accuracy. The algorithm achieves real-time processing of millions of signals per second and demonstrates high precision in neutron counting.
The US nuclear power renaissance faces a blind spot in uranium fuel supplies, which are tight, vulnerable to geopolitics, and expensive. New fuel forms for advanced reactors offer promise, but scaling them affordably could squeeze conventional fuel markets.
The Tennessee Valley Authority has invested $3 million to establish a nuclear engineering chair at the University of Tennessee, advancing academic excellence and workforce development. The partnership aims to drive innovation and strengthen East Tennessee's role in nuclear energy.
Researchers at EAST have successfully accessed a theorized 'density-free regime' for fusion plasmas, achieving stable operation at densities beyond conventional limits. This breakthrough provides new insights into overcoming one of the most persistent physical obstacles on the path toward nuclear fusion ignition.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received a $450,000 gift from HF Controls to support nuclear research in the Computer Science and Engineering Department. The gift will fund AI-driven safety systems research led by Professor Yonghe Liu.
A new study by MIT researchers and their collaborators at national laboratories quantifies I-129 release under three different scenarios: direct disposal in deep underground repositories, dilution and release, and filters to capture I-129. France's practice of reprocessing releases 90% of I-129 into the biosphere, while U.S. approach l...
Brian Wirth, UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair Professor, was elected Fellow of the American Physical Society for his groundbreaking work on plasma-surface interactions. His research has led to high-fidelity simulation tools predicting fusion plasma surface interactions, resulting in significant advancements.
Researchers found that composite metal foam can withstand repeated heavy loads even at temperatures of 400 and 600 degrees Celsius. The material's high strength-to-weight ratio makes it suitable for applications such as aircraft wings, vehicle armor, and nuclear power technologies.
The sPHENIX detector precisely measured particles from high-speed collisions, revealing properties of quark-gluon plasma. This achievement enables scientists to reconstruct the early universe's conditions.
Researchers developed a technique to monitor corrosion and cracking in nuclear reactors using real-time 3D imaging. By directly imaging material failure processes, scientists can design safer reactors that deliver higher performance.
The study reveals a connection between the size of pores in graphite and its swelling and degradation under radiation. Researchers found that irradiated samples showed a fractal self-similarity in their pore structures, which could lead to more accurate predictions of graphite's lifespan in nuclear reactors.
The book provides a roadmap for sustainable and ethical leadership in engineering management, focusing on ESG reporting, CSR integration, and industry-specific insights. It offers practical tools and strategies for professionals to make informed decisions that reduce ecological impact and improve resource efficiency.
A £13m UK university consortium is developing sustainable technologies for advanced modular reactors, aiming to secure the UK's position in nuclear innovation. The ENLIGHT programme will address key challenges, including sovereign supply of nuclear graphite and managing irradiated waste.
Researchers at MIT develop a new method to directly measure the strength of electron-phonon interaction in semiconductors, a crucial property for next-generation microelectronic devices and quantum computers. This approach leverages an oft-overlooked interference effect in neutron scattering to detect electron-phonon interactions.
Quaise Energy has successfully demonstrated its novel drilling technique on a full-scale oil rig, aiming to prove that clean, renewable geothermal energy can power the world. The company's three-tier approach involves replacing conventional drill bits with millimeter-wave energy to create deeper holes and access supercritical water.
The Armour Research Foundation Reactor, the world's first private nuclear reactor, was designated a Nuclear Historic Landmark for its pioneering work in agriculture, chemistry, and medicine. The reactor employed an innovative safety design using liquid nuclear fuel, enhancing safety in densely populated Chicago.
The University of Missouri is partnering with a consortium to design and license a new research reactor, NextGen MURR, which will produce critical medical isotopes for cancer treatment. The project aims to enhance Missouri's role as a leader in nuclear science and medical research.
Physicists have created a new code, QUADCOIL, to design stellarators, which could lead to simpler and more affordable fusion facilities. The code helps balance physics and engineering by quickly ruling out unstable plasma shapes and predicting magnet complexities.
UTA's expansion of its undergraduate research program has enabled students to present their work at major symposiums, including the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics conference. The program has strengthened students' commitment to pursuing graduate studies in various fields.
The UCF-led PARTNERS consortium aims to train a new generation of nuclear engineers and scientists, providing a talent pipeline for the NNSA. The $5 million grant will support students from underrepresented communities, providing research opportunities and internships at national labs.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed a technology that uses microwaves to produce clean hydrogen in minutes, overcoming limitations of existing methods. By leveraging microwave energy, the team achieved significant breakthroughs in reducing production temperatures and time.
The American Physical Society's joint March Meeting and April Meeting will convene more than 14,000 physicists from around the world to present new research in various fields. The conference will be held in person in Anaheim, California and online everywhere March 16-21.
A new approach could overcome major barriers to practical fusion energy production by adjusting fuel properties using spin polarization. This method could increase tritium burn efficiency, reducing the amount needed and lowering operating costs.
MIT researchers develop 3D transistors using quantum mechanical properties to achieve low-voltage operation and high performance. The devices can deliver comparable performance to state-of-the-art silicon transistors while operating efficiently at much lower voltages.
High-performance manufacturing (HPM) is a solution to meet the challenges of loading, transmission, conduction, energy conversion and stealth requirements in critical sectors. HPM advocates for a design and manufacturing approach based on scientific modeling and precise control.
A new model based on the Langevin equation offers insights into exotic nuclei formation, enhancing the production of rare isotopes for scientific and medical applications. The model simplifies complex nuclear reactions by focusing on key physical processes, reducing adjustable parameters and improving energy dissipation predictions.
Researchers predicted promising reactions for creating double magic nuclei, such as <sup> 298 </sup> Fl and <sup> 304 </sup> 120. These elements could have unique properties and deepen understanding of atomic forces. The study is a step closer to the 'Island of Stability', where long-lasting superheavy nuclei might exist.
Researchers have developed a new imaging method for neutral atomic beam microscopes that can improve image resolution without significantly increasing measurement time. The new method uses magnetic spin precession to encode the position of beam particles, which interact with the sample.
Researchers at Lehigh University use mayonnaise to simulate the phases of Rayleigh-Taylor instability in nuclear fusion, which could inform the design of future inertial confinement fusion processes. The team found that understanding the transition between elastic and stable plastic phases is critical for controlling the instability.
University of Utah researchers have developed a targeted therapy approach using alpha particles to break down harmful amyloid beta plaques, potentially slowing the devastating neurodegenerative disease. The treatment, called Targeted Alpha Therapy, delivers particles directly to the plaques while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
Research by the University of Oklahoma reveals that Americans have broad public support for fusion energy, but limited knowledge and frequent misconceptions. The study's findings emphasize the importance of addressing public confusion and desire for safety to expand fusion energy support.
Researchers at MIT and Commonwealth Fusion Systems confirm their high-temperature superconducting magnet design meets the criteria for a compact fusion power plant. The successful test marks a significant milestone in fusion research, with the potential to usher in an era of virtually limitless power production.
Researchers at Texas A&M's Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering are part of a $42 million program to advance laser-driven fusion energy. The RISE hub will focus on innovative target concepts, excimer gas lasers, and solid-state laser drivers to open up novel IFE regimes.
FRIB is using machine learning to accelerate nuclear physics experiments, simulations, and data analysis. The initiative aims to shorten the timeline for experimental discovery and improve the efficiency of facility processes.
Researchers successfully synthesized isotopic atropisomers based on carbon isotope discrimination, exhibiting high rotational stability and stereochemical purity. The findings hold promise for fundamental understanding of isotopic atropisomers with implications in organic and medicinal chemistry.
The CALorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET) study found that the movement of cosmic rays is affected by the Sun's magnetic field, causing fluctuations in galactic cosmic rays reaching Earth. The research indicates that electrons are more susceptible to solar modulation than protons.
The CALET team, including researchers from Waseda University, found that cosmic ray helium particles follow a Double Broken Power Law, indicating spectral hardening and softening in high-energy ranges. This deviation from expected power-law distribution suggests unique sources or mechanisms accelerating and propagating helium nuclei.
Researchers at MIT have proposed a new approach to making qubits and controlling them using beams of light from two lasers of slightly different colors. This method enables the direct manipulation of nuclear spin, allowing for precise identification and mapping of isotopes, as well as improved coherence times for quantum memory.
Researchers from Waseda University measured the energy spectrum of boron and the B/C flux ratio in high-energy cosmic rays using the CALorimetric Electron Telescope. The results indicate a different spectral index for boron compared to carbon, with implications for our understanding of cosmic ray propagation mechanisms.
The UTSA-led Consortium on Nuclear Security Technologies (CONNECT) has received a five-year, $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. The program aims to educate and train the next generation of scientists and engineers in nuclear security, with a focus on underrepresented students.
The University of Texas at El Paso will provide scholarships, stipends, and research opportunities to underrepresented students as part of a $5M DOE grant. The program aims to develop electronics for extreme environments and increase the electrical engineering workforce.
The University of Manchester's Centre for Robotics and AI will focus on interdisciplinary research, exploring applications of robotics in extreme environments and the intersection of AI and humanity. The centre aims to develop robots that can work safely in hostile zones, such as nuclear decommissioning sites.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to enable quantum sensors to detect any arbitrary frequency without losing nanoscale spatial resolution. The new system, called a quantum mixer, injects a second frequency into the detector using microwaves, enabling detection of signals with desired frequencies.
Scientists have refined the use of magnetic fields to improve tokamak performance by suppressing instabilities called ELMs. The new technique allows plasma to operate in H-mode for longer periods, increasing efficiency and reducing the risk of damage to internal parts.
Researchers at PPPL have discovered that adding tungsten to plasma fuel pellets improves the compression of fuel, increasing fusion yield. The study uses krypton gas to measure X-rays emitted by the pellets, providing new insights into the fusion process.
The Advanced Test Reactor has completed its sixth core overhaul in 11 months, replacing worn-out components to maintain peak performance. The reactor will resume normal operations this spring, supporting vital nuclear energy research and scientific missions.
The John Innes Centre researchers identified the role of the signaling protein CaM2, which regulates calcium channels and shapes calcium signals. This led to accelerated calcium frequency, earlier signaling with bacteria, and enhanced root nodule symbiosis in engineered legume roots.
Researchers from South Korea have demonstrated that applying an electric field during air stripping can significantly improve ammonia removal efficiency from wastewater. The study found that electric fields with alternating current of 50 MHz and power of 15 V/cm increase efficiency from 51% to 94%, even under sub-optimal conditions.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have reported the first-ever observation of long-range ferromagnetic order in icosahedral quasicrystals. The discovery was made using conventional X-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, and specific heat measurements.
The Molten Chloride Reactor Experiment will provide crucial operational data for fast-spectrum salt reactors and unlock this uniquely flexible advanced reactor technology for use in a net-zero future. The project represents a significant inflection point in the technology demonstration roadmap for TerraPower's MCFR.
Researchers have achieved a record yield of over 1.3 megajoules from fusion reactions at the National Ignition Facility, surpassing previous experiments by an 8-fold and 25-fold margin. This milestone puts scientists at the threshold of fusion ignition, a crucial goal for the facility.
A team of researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign used advanced machine learning to model the physico-chemical properties of a molten salt compound called FLiNaK, enabling accurate atomic-scale reproduction and prediction of behavior under specific reactor conditions. This computational framework can help character...
Researchers at Penn State have developed a small-scale laboratory experiment known as a hydrogen test loop to investigate nuclear thermal propulsion. The simulation, which includes a stainless steel pipe and a heating element, successfully models the operation of a reactor in space. The study's findings could lead to more efficient and...