Lab scientists involved in $122 million Nuclear Energy Innovation Hub recognized

Building a “virtual” nuclear reactor

June 29, 2010—Laboratory materials scientists and computer modeling experts are participating in an effort by the Department of Energy to create a “virtual” reactor that could lead to the next generation of safer, longer-lasting, and less-expensive nuclear reactors. Director Michael Anastasio and Principal Associate Director for Science, Technology, and Engineering Terry Wallace helped celebrate this achievement at University House on Monday.

Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman recently announced the selection of a team led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for an award of up to $122 million over five years to establish and operate a new Nuclear Energy Modeling and Simulation Energy Innovation Hub, also known as the Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL). The Hub, which includes partners from universities, industry, and other national labs, will use advanced capabilities of the world’s most powerful computers to make significant leaps forward in nuclear reactor design and engineering.

Los Alamos expertise is key

Los Alamos will provide technical leadership and expertise in the arena of materials science and development of advanced numerical models, or computer codes, that will aid in realistic simulations of reactor core and structural materials. Los Alamos team members, in conjunction with members from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will realistically model the behavior of key materials such as reactor fuel or fuel cladding to provide better estimates of how those materials perform or fail within the extreme environment of a nuclear reactor.

The information gained through this effort will help extend the life and improve the efficiency of the existing U.S. nuclear reactor fleet and could help lead to the design of safer, longer-lasting materials in next-generation reactors.