Nuclear Fuel and Fuel Cycle Technology
A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "B4: Nuclear Energy".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025
Special Issue Editors
Interests: nuclear technology; nuclear fuel; nuclear energy; fuel cycle
Interests: nuclear energy; nuclear technology; innovative nuclear fuel cycles; neutronics; CFD; advanced nuclear systems; energy scenarios; nuclear hydrogen production; HTR; LFR; GFR; ADS; SMR; nuclear space reactors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Nuclear fuel and fuel cycle technology remain pivotal for advancing safe, efficient, and sustainable nuclear energy systems. As the global demand for clean and reliable energy intensifies, the continuous improvement of fuel materials, fuel cycle strategies, and reactor performance becomes increasingly crucial. Recent advancements in nuclear fuel research have focused on enhancing fuel efficiency, minimizing waste generation, and improving the sustainability of nuclear power through innovative closed and open fuel cycle approaches.
This Special Issue aims to gather high-quality original research articles and comprehensive reviews that explore state-of-the-art developments in nuclear fuel materials, advanced fuel cycles, and novel fuel designs. We invite contributions that address key challenges and opportunities in the following areas:
- Innovative nuclear fuel materials: development of accident-tolerant and advanced technology fuels (ATFs), high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU), and other advanced fuel compositions that enhance performance and safety.
- Advanced fuel cycle strategies: optimization of fuel utilization in both open and closed fuel cycles, including new methodologies for spent fuel recycling and reprocessing.
- Innovative fuel designs: research on next-generation fuel geometries and materials to improve thermal performance, longevity, and safety margins in both conventional and advanced reactors.
- Fuel recycling and waste management: novel approaches for reprocessing spent fuel, reducing high-level radioactive waste, and improving the sustainability of nuclear energy.
- Experimental methods and computational models: the use of advanced experimental techniques, simulations, and theoretical frameworks to optimize fuel behavior, neutron economy, and fuel cycle performance.
This Special Issue provides a platform for researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers to exchange ideas and insights that support the safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability of nuclear energy systems. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and highlighting innovative approaches, this collection aims to contribute to the future development of resilient, economically viable, and environmentally responsible nuclear fuel technologies.
We welcome submissions that offer novel perspectives, experimental breakthroughs, and comprehensive analyses that push the boundaries of nuclear fuel research. Both original research articles and in-depth review papers are encouraged.
Dr. Vincenzo Romanello
Prof. Dr. Guglielmo Lomonaco
Dr. Davide Pizzocri
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- Closed and advanced nuclear fuel cycles
- Advanced and innovative nuclear fuels
- Sustainability of nuclear energy
- Nuclear waste minimization
- Sustainable resource exploitation.
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
