In a significant step toward advancing civilian nuclear energy, researchers from the United States and the United Kingdom have successfully fabricated test capsules containing advanced metal alloys and graphite designed for use in future advanced reactors.
This collaborative effort underscores the shared commitment of both countries to developing cutting-edge nuclear technologies by leveraging their respective nuclear energy research facilities.
The test capsules, which will undergo irradiation testing later this year at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), are part of a larger bilateral initiative to explore new materials for high-temperature, next-generation advanced reactors.
Composition of the test capsules
Assembled by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) at their Culham Campus, the capsules contain 578 samples of various structural materials, including advanced steel and different forms of graphite.
These materials are critical for the development of advanced reactors, particularly high-temperature gas-cooled reactors currently in development by both nations.
The samples will be tested under extreme conditions, including exposure to neutron irradiation and high temperatures.
The results will help researchers determine how these materials respond to the harsh environments typical of advanced reactors, ensuring that they can withstand the unique stresses associated with this new generation of nuclear power.
Learn more about advanced reactors here.
A collaborative international effort
The project is part of a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy’s Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) and the UK’s National Nuclear User Facility (NNUF).
In addition to these leading institutions, the research involved collaboration from prestigious laboratories and universities, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Purdue University, and several prominent UK institutions such as the University of Manchester and the University of Oxford.
This cross-continental partnership not only emphasises the importance of international cooperation but also ensures the pooling of resources and expertise for the advancement of nuclear technology.
NSUF Director Brenden Heidrich commented: “NSUF facilitated US and UK working groups to select materials important for nuclear energy in both countries.
“The project is an important example of how we can effectively work with and share resources with an international partner to more efficiently answer questions about advanced materials.”
What’s next for advanced reactors?
The capsules have already been shipped to the US, where they will be tested at INL’s Advanced Test Reactor, the world’s most powerful test reactor.
The materials will be subjected to temperatures as high as 750°C, mimicking the operating conditions of advanced reactors.
Once the irradiation tests are completed, the capsules will be disassembled, and the materials will be analysed at INL’s Hot Fuel Examination Facility.
Following this analysis, the irradiated samples will be made available to researchers worldwide through the NSUF’s Material Library, contributing to the global development of safe and efficient advanced reactors.
