Nuclear Fuel

Advanced Fuel Development and Fuel Performance Evaluation

1. Vision and Goals

Our laboratory aims to develop next-generation nuclear fuel materials, a critical technology for realizing a sustainable energy future. Through cutting-edge nuclear fuel research, we strive to enhance both the safety and performance of nuclear energy systems, thereby contributing to the resolution of future energy challenges.

We warmly welcome students who are passionate about nuclear fuel development for next-generation reactors. From computational materials science to neutron irradiation experiments, our research spans a wide spectrum of innovative topics, offering the opportunity to play a pivotal role in solving global energy issues.

Join us and help shape a sustainable energy future!

2. Research Topics and Specialization

Our lab focuses on advanced nuclear fuel technologies for next-generation reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Key research areas include:

Nuclear Fuel Performance Improvement: Developing novel nuclear fuel materials, including burnable absorber fuels, for research reactors, SMRs, fast reactors, and high-temperature gas-cooled reactors.

Computational Modeling and Simulation: Predicting nuclear fuel behavior and performance using multiscale simulations, ranging from first-principles calculations and molecular dynamics (MD) to finite element methods (FEM).

Experimental Research: Investigating material properties and irradiation resistance through neutron and ion irradiation testing.

3. Major Achievements

Development of High-Performance Burnable Absorber Fuels: We developed an innovative burnable absorber fuel with superior neutron absorption properties, patented in the United States.

KAFKA Code for Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF): By creating an FEM-based code to evaluate the flexible operational performance of ATF nuclear fuels, we have advanced both the design process and performance analysis of next-generation fuels.

4. Ongoing Projects and Collaborative Network

Our lab collaborates with a variety of national and international institutions and industry partners to drive cutting-edge research:

SMR and LEU+ High-Burnup Fuels: In partnership with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) and Seoul National University, we are developing advanced burnable absorber fuels.

Global Collaboration: Conducting joint research with international partners to enhance nuclear fuel performance for next-generation reactors.

5. Research Methods and Facilities

Our laboratory leverages state-of-the-art equipment and computational science to study nuclear fuel performance and safety:

Core Facilities: High-temperature sintering equipment, scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEM/TEM), and high-temperature leaching test systems for analyzing material properties and durability.

Computational Tools: Predicting and optimizing nuclear fuel properties using MD and FEM simulation software.

Irradiation Testing: Investigating irradiation damage resistance using heavy-ion irradiation facilities at KAERI.

6. Career Paths and Alumni Success

Our alumni excel in academia and industry globally: Working as researchers at KAERI, KEPCO Nuclear Fuel, EDF in the UK, and KTH in Sweden.

7. Major papers related to Nuclear Fuel Research