![]() A substantial focus of the computational modeling also involves improve predictive capability of fission gas bubble evolution and the processes of fission gas release using computational multiscale modeling, in both current uranium dioxide as well as advanced nuclear fuels.Ĭurrent research activities on structural materials for nuclear energy applications cover a broad range of fundamental and applied topics. Research activities also include studies to improve the accident tolerance of fuels and cladding materials to loss of coolant accidents in water-cooled fission reactors by designing new oxidation-resistant high performance cladding (e.g., silicon carbide ceramic composites and Fe-Cr-Al steels) and examining the phase stability of new fuel forms following ion or neutron irradiation. The experimental activities focus on both fuel fabrication as well as fuel performance during normal and transient reactor operation. Due to the proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, we further take advantage of a dense web of collaboration that provides unique opportunities for undergraduate and graduate nuclear engineering students.Ĭurrent research activities on nuclear fuels involve computational thermal-mechanical finite element analysis of the fuel performance of conventional uranium dioxide and zirconium alloy fuel cladding, in addition to next generation accident tolerant fuel concepts for light water reactors, as well as computational modeling and experimental studies to advance TRISO-bearing nuclear fuels for advanced and small modular reactors. ![]() Among Nuclear Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering departments, UT has the highest number of faculty who specialize in the field of nuclear materials nation-wide and offers a wide range of courses dedicated to nuclear materials research. Advanced computational modeling and experimental research activities are being conducted at UT to explore a wide range of nationally and internationally important issues associated with the development of advanced, accident tolerant and high burnup fuels and nuclear materials. ![]() Nuclear fuels and materials that can perform satisfactorily in the harsh operating environment of nuclear reactors (high fission rate densities, high ionizing and neutron displacement damage fluxes, high temperatures, corrosive coolants) are essential for the continued safe and economical operation of current-generation nuclear power plants and are broadly recognized as the key technology to enable the successful development of next-generation nuclear power systems that are being proposed for operation at higher temperatures and radiation damage levels than current reactors.Ĭonsiderable synergy can be achieved between fission and fusion materials research activities on fundamental radiation effects phenomena and development of novel high performance materials and advanced manufacturing processes. ![]() The 20th century development of fission energy was a remarkable technological accomplishment that has enabled nuclear power to provide approximately 20 percent of the US electricity generation. ![]()
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