Research Areas

Energy generation from fission technology provides 18% of US electricity and makes for about half of the total carbon-free generation. Advanced nuclear reactors promise to extend the reach of fission energy providing better conversion efficiency (more energy per unit fuel), enhanced safety, and reduced cost. Research in this area aims to address the challenges towards the deployment of advanced reactors, small modular reactors, micro reactors and innovative reactor designs. Reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics, heat transfer, reactor dynamics and control, reactor safety, are all topics of interest. Advanced reactors are also considered for future missions such as reducing waste by recycling actinides, process applications like hydrogen or ammonia production, and special purposes like space reactors.