Articles tagged with Nuclear Reactors
Researchers at MIT are developing a ceramic compound called silicon carbide (SiC) as an alternative to traditional zircaloy cladding for nuclear fuel rods. SiC shows promise in reducing the risk of hydrogen production by a thousandfold, while also potentially allowing for longer use of fuel rods and reduced spent fuel volume.
Caltech researchers discover that interfaces between metals can absorb radiation damage, maintaining material strength and ductility. Nanopillars with helium bubbles at interfaces show increased strength without embrittlement.
Researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory have devised a method to use cosmic rays to gather detailed information from inside damaged reactor cores. The technique, known as muon scattering, showed superiority over traditional transmission methods for capturing high-resolution image data.
The University of Tennessee will participate in two Department of Energy projects worth over $9 million to enhance nuclear energy safety and efficiency. Researchers aim to develop new materials and designs that can prevent accidents, such as those seen at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011.
A Spanish research study has identified 23 nuclear power plants in Asia and beyond as being at high risk due to tsunamis, including Fukushima I. The study found that 74 reactors are located in the east and southeast of Asia, with some countries like China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Pakistan also facing significant risks.
A University of Alberta team has successfully created technetium-99m in a cyclotron, producing high-quality images comparable to reactor-based isotopes. The breakthrough could provide a reliable alternative to the aging Chalk River facility's medical isotope supply.
Researchers at George Washington University have received over $860,000 in federal funding to study the effects of earthquakes on nuclear reactor cores. The study aims to simulate fuel rod vibrations and assess potential damage during an earthquake, which could lead to radioactive material release.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute found that catastrophic nuclear accidents are more likely to happen than previously assumed. The study reveals that half of the radioactive caesium-137 would be spread over an area of over 1,000 kilometres away from the reactor, contaminating Western Europe once in 50 years.
Researchers highlight the need for better understanding of how water interacts with damaged fuel and radioactive material release in nuclear accidents. A new paper by Peter C. Burns and colleagues from the University of Notre Dame and others emphasizes the importance of increased research to develop predictive models.
Researchers reveal a crucial key to understanding neutrino transformations, shedding light on the universe's matter-antimatter asymmetry. The new discovery enables future experiments to explore why our universe is filled mostly with matter.
Scientists measure the probability of an electron antineutrino transforming into another type over a short distance, revealing a surprisingly high rate of disappearance. The results provide critical insight into neutrino oscillation and its role in explaining the universe's matter-antimatter asymmetry.
The Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment detects a strong signal of a new type of neutrino oscillation, measuring the mixing angle theta one-three with unmatched precision. The results indicate that sin2 θ13 is equal to 0.092 plus or minus 0.017.
A new study suggests that small modular reactors (SMRs) could play a significant role in the future of US nuclear power generation. The report concludes that SMRs would be highly advantageous for various sectors in the US, stimulating high-valued job growth and restoring US leadership in nuclear reactor technology.
The Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment has begun taking data to establish the last known mixing angle, θ13, with unprecedented precision. This breakthrough could explain why there is more matter than antimatter in the universe.
Researchers at MIT have developed tiny robots to inspect underground pipes in nuclear reactors, detecting corrosion and radioactive leaks. The robots can withstand extreme environments and transmit images in real-time, enabling safer operation of aged reactors.
Four Argonne researchers will conduct advanced simulations and analysis using the DOE's INCITE program to advance scientific discovery. They will investigate topics such as battery technology, biomolecular modeling, nanoscale materials, and reactive gases to improve our understanding of clean energy, health, and disease.
A new study proposes a 20-year plan to revive nuclear energy, aiming to replace aging power plants with efficient mini-reactors. The researchers suggest new reactor designs could use uranium more efficiently, reducing waste and ensuring energy security.
The ASCR Leadership Computing Challenge allocates up to 30% of DOE's computational resources to high-risk, high-payoff simulations. Researchers at Argonne will tackle pressing national problems in clean energy, climate change, and more.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have been awarded a US-Israel Energy Independence Partnership Grant to develop self-sustainable fuel cycles for light water reactors. The project aims to improve nuclear energy efficiency, reduce uranium enrichment needs, and extend available energy resources.
Los Alamos researchers report a mechanism allowing nanocrystalline materials to heal radiation-induced damage through 'loading-unloading' effect at grain boundaries. This discovery provides new avenues for designing highly radiation-tolerant materials for next-generation nuclear energy applications.
A new computer algorithm developed by researchers at Argonne National Laboratory allows scientists to view nuclear fission in much finer detail than ever before. The code has already produced new scientific results through highly detailed simulations of the Zero Power Reactor experiments on powerful supercomputers.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory and Brookhaven National Laboratory will develop more accurate reactor simulations using data from experiments performed around the world. The new approach combines information from atomic level to meter scale, covering an unprecedented range of 15 orders of magnitude.
Researchers develop nanocomposite materials that can endure high temperatures, radiation, and extreme mechanical loading. The ultimate goal is to use these materials in energy applications including nuclear power, fuel cells, solar energy, and carbon sequestration.
Queen's University researchers will develop a unique capability to test nuclear materials in simulated reactor conditions using accelerator technology. The Nuclear Materials Testing Facility aims to improve understanding of materials degradation and development of materials for advanced reactors.
Pavel Solin will use advanced computational methods to improve reactor simulations and support the design of next-generation reactors. The project aims to prolong the useful life of old reactors and make nuclear energy more efficient.
Researchers will conduct simulations of advanced nuclear energy systems using powerful IBM Blue Gene/P supercomputer. The work aims to develop precise computer simulations of next-generation nuclear systems, reducing costs and improving safety.
A team of researchers from INL and partner institutions has successfully improved coated-particle nuclear fuel performance by reaching a burnup of 9% without any fuel failure. The breakthrough increases the efficiency of the reactor system, reducing fuel requirements and waste generation.
Twenty research projects have been awarded access to Argonne's 556-teraflops IBM Blue Gene/P supercomputer through the Innovative and Novel Computational Impact on Theory and Experiment (INCITE) program. Researchers will conduct cutting-edge simulations in fields such as nuclear simulation, high-energy physics, and climate modeling.
Researchers aim to develop a safety mechanism for next-generation nuclear power generators by studying carbon fiber composites embedded in a carbon matrix. The project seeks to understand how nanotubes improve the radiation-damage tolerance of ultra-thin carbon fibers.
Argonne is developing advanced simulation tools called SHARP to validate new nuclear technologies and reduce waste, with the goal of closing the nuclear fuel cycle and reducing proliferation risk. The lab's work aims to optimize reactor design and safety using high-speed supercomputers.
The 2008 IOP Awards have recognized significant contributions to physics across various fields. Notably, Professor Rowan-Robinson's research on galactic dust has shed light on the main populations of galaxies in our universe.
Researchers at K-State are working on making sodium-cooled nuclear reactors safer and more efficient by developing technology to measure coolant velocity, pressure, and temperature. The goal is to improve reactor operations and maintenance with minimal investment in new equipment.
A new study by the Institute for Policy Studies reveals significant concerns about GNEP's practicability and potential waste disposal issues. The report concludes that the program is unlikely to succeed due to unprecedented radioactive waste generation and unmanageable risks.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has awarded its first-ever early site permit for a new nuclear power reactor, marking a significant step in the country's nuclear renaissance. PNNL researchers are assisting NRC with environmental and safety reviews, and document preparation.
The Idaho National Laboratory's (INEL) RELAP5-3D training module aims to enhance nuclear reactor safety worldwide. The five-DVD set includes a Russian translation, allowing students in countries like Slovakia and Lithuania to develop independent safety thinking.
The Big Ten university consortium is enhancing its research and training reactors to improve nuclear education and infrastructure. The four universities will share $1.97 million in funding to design the next generation of nuclear research facilities.
Emerging Generation IV machines will provide significant improvements in reactor design, economics, safety, and waste minimization. Advanced designs include high-temperature reactors that can produce hot water for communities or desalination energy.
Researchers at Penn State have developed advanced computer techniques to improve the efficiency of nuclear and fossil fuel power plants. These new techniques can help extend the lifetime of fuel, increase operating efficiency, and save money, potentially leading to lower costs for consumers.
Researchers are using neutron radiography to study the behavior of corn rootworms, analyze artwork, and investigate environmental issues such as oil spills. The technology also enables non-invasive observation of root growth, water distribution, and soil responses.