Nuclear Engineering and Nuclear Fuel Safety
A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "B4: Nuclear Energy".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 295
Special Issue Editor
Interests: nuclear energy science and engineering; nuclear technology and applications; high-performance numerical calculation methods and program development for molten salt reactors; modeling and simulation of molten salt reactors; digital twin of molten salt reactors; thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear energy system
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Advancements in nuclear engineering and nuclear fuel safety are pivotal to the sustainable and secure utilization of nuclear energy. Recent developments focus on enhancing reactor resilience, improving fuel performance, and integrating innovative technologies to ensure environmental sustainability.
Accident-Tolerant Fuels (ATFs): ATFs are designed to withstand extreme conditions, such as loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCAs) or reaction-initiated accidents (RIAs), better than traditional fuels. Research aims to develop fuels that can tolerate loss of active cooling for extended periods, thereby preventing or delaying the release of radionuclides during accidents.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): SMRs offer a promising pathway for safer, more flexible nuclear power generation. These reactors are designed to be cost-effective, safer, and quicker to construct compared to traditional nuclear power plants. Their modular nature allows for factory production and standard transportation, potentially reducing costs and construction timescales.
Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Modeling: Innovations in computational modeling and AI are revolutionizing safety protocols by enabling real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance of nuclear systems. AI models can simulate reactor behavior, improving safety, design, performance, and fuel loading.
Closed Fuel Cycles and Advanced Reprocessing: Research into closed fuel cycles and advanced reprocessing techniques aims to minimize radioactive waste and optimize resource utilization. The Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) focuses on nuclear fuel recycling and waste management to enable the safe, secure, economic, and sustainable expansion of nuclear energy.
Passive Safety Systems and Advanced Cooling Technologies: The integration of passive safety systems and advanced cooling technologies further ensures the reliability of next-generation nuclear reactors. These systems can operate without human intervention, enhancing reactor safety and efficiency.
Generation IV Reactors: Generation IV reactors, including Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs), represent a major leap forward in nuclear technology. MSRs use molten salts as both fuel and coolant, providing enhanced safety features and the potential for efficient fuel recycling. They operate at higher temperatures and lower pressures, which reduces the risk of overheating and catastrophic failure. Furthermore, MSRs can use thorium as a fuel source, which is more abundant and offers additional safety benefits, such as a lower risk of nuclear proliferation and the generation of less long-lived radioactive waste.
As the global demand for clean energy grows, these advancements underscore the importance of nuclear engineering in achieving a low-carbon future while maintaining the highest safety standards.
Prof. Dr. Maosong Cheng
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- nuclear engineering
- nuclear fuel safety
- accident-tolerant fuels (ATFs)
- small modular reactors (SMRs)
- integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and computational modeling
- closed fuel cycles and advanced reprocessing
- passive safety systems and advanced cooling technologies
- generation IV reactors
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