The National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF)’s Post

🔍 SNETP announces the launch of special prizes to honor outstanding doctoral candidates who have made noteworthy contributions to nuclear research. Eligible candidates who are currently enrolled or have completed their doctoral studies in the nuclear field at an Italian institution between 2022 and 2026 will be in the running for these prestigious awards. During the gala dinner of the SNETP Forum 2024 on April 18th, winners of the Innovation Prize will have the unique opportunity to present their pioneering research to a diverse audience comprising industry leaders, research organizations, academia, technical and scientific organizations, SMEs, and non-governmental bodies. There are three different award categories: ✔ The Jury Prize, ✔ The Peer Prize, ✔ SNETP Innovation Prize, These awards aim to spotlight and reward doctoral work focusing on #innovative #nuclear topics. Applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals by February 26th, encapsulating their research objectives, methodology, challenges, and collaborations, all within a concise two-page document. Selected winners will receive an SNETP diploma signed by key dignitaries but also gain exclusive access to the SNETP Forum, with up to 15 candidates enjoying waived attendance fees. 📖 Applications can be submitted until March 20th, with successful candidates notified by March 22nd and results announced in the first week of April. Guidelines here: https://lnkd.in/eK2z9BxS More information about the forum and how to apply here! https://lnkd.in/eDhyD8ff European Nuclear Society Young Generation Network AMHYCO GEMINI 4.0 GO-VIKING

“I’m a nuclear engineer who studies materials that scientists could use in fusion reactors. Fusion takes place at incredibly high temperatures. So to one day make fusion a feasible energy source, reactors will need to be built with materials that can survive the heat and irradiation generated by fusion reactions.” – Sophie Blondel, Research Assistant Professor of Nuclear Engineering, University of Tennessee #fusion #fusionenergy #fusionforward #plasma #plasmas #plasmaphysics #plasmascience #materials #materialsengineering #confinement #researchanddevelopment https://lnkd.in/gHwfqNzU

The world’s first stable mirror-machine solution for nuclear fusion energy is heading to its ‘spiritual home’ as Novatron Fusion Group prepares for #FusionXInvest, Boston. The novel technology builds to a great extent on formative work carried out over decades at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California from the 1960s through to the mid-80s, where the world’s largest mirror machine fusion development was initially conducted. Now, a number of leading figures behind the seminal US initiative are backing Novatron Fusion Group AB efforts to push the boundaries of the technology. This includes Kenneth Fowler (Professor Emeritus at the Department of Nuclear Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, and Art Molvik (Physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, since 1972). “The most extensive mirror-machine fusion technology was originally developed in America, by Professors Fowler and Molvik, and their contemporaries, providing foundational work for the Novatron concept. In 1975 they were the first to reach a plasma temperature over 100 million degrees with their experiment 2XIIB. It is an honour to now have Professor Molvik supporting us in the capacity of Senior Engineer and Scientific Advisor, providing invaluable insight on all elements from conceptual design to engineering and troubleshooting. He has also engaged his extensive network of fusion experts to expand our knowledge base, furthering informing our design approach, says Erik Odén Co-founder at Novatron Fusion Group AB.” Read the full article at: https://lnkd.in/dFnqR-if #FusionForAll #Fusion #FusionEnergy #CleanEnergy #EnergyTransition #EnergySecurity

𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭-𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐬 𝐀&𝐌 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭-𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 As nuclear reactor technology advances, it is essential to ensure that materials can endure harsh conditions for safety and durability. Future reactors will depend on novel, rigorously evaluated materials engineered to withstand elevated radiation, temperature variations, and corrosive conditions. Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers at Texas A&M are spearheading advancements with assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Rapid Turnaround Experiment (RTE) program, which is designed to facilitate new research that could transform nuclear material science. Supported by the Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) program, each RTE recipient is allocated between $50,000 and $70,000 to execute studies aimed at enhancing our comprehension of material performance under reactor settings. Recipients at Texas A&M comprise Ph.D. candidates Rijul Chauhan, Kenneth Cooper, and Zhihan Hu, in addition to recent RTE project awardee Benjamin Mejia Diaz. Their research centers on evaluating read more .....https://lnkd.in/gh-p6YqN

The collaborative efforts between ENEA, Frascati, Italy, and the Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning Science of the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) have resulted in a significant paper by S. Almaviva et al. The paper addresses the development of suitable analytical techniques for characterising and decommissioning the debris caused the impact of the 2011 tsunami on the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPS) and the subsequent uncontrolled heating of nuclear fuel rods due to cooling system failures. The publication is about the use of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (#LIBS) for analysing complex mixed samples found in the reactor cores of the power plant. The work shows the detailed LIBS mapping of samples simulating the debris with it complex structure consisting of elements like Ho, Zr, Gd and Er. Using high resolution spectrometers, like Aryelle400 in this work, allows even in spectra with thousands of lines the correct determination and allocation of elements within the debris. The study demonstrates that LIBS is a promising technique for such spatially resolved elemental characterization and a potential candidate for analysis on robotic devices in the coming decommissioning process.   For more information about the scientific content, readers can download the paper here https://lnkd.in/eudBxkfh. And if you want to learn more about the Aryelle high resolution spectrometers used in the study, you can visit our website https://lnkd.in/eT6buvj7. Or why not give us a follow LinkedIn to receive all the latest information on new product developments and LIBS publications?     #Japan #Italy #Germany #laser #spectroscopy made in #Adlershof #Nuclear #power

📢 NOMATEN published a new paper entitled: Study of amorphous alumina coatings for next-generation nuclear reactors: High-temperature in-situ and post-mortem Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction 👥 Authors: Magdalena Gawęda(National Centre for Nuclear Research, NOMATEN); Piotr Jeleń(AGH University of Krakow); Agata Zaborowska(National Centre for Nuclear Research); Ryszard Diduszko(Łukasiewicz - Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics); Łukasz Kurpaska(NOMATEN, National Centre for Nuclear Research) Abstract: The present work focuses on the investigation of the #thermalstability and structural integrity of #amorphous #alumina #coatings intended for use as protective coatings on cladding tubes in Generation IV #nuclear #reactors, specifically in the Lead-cooled Fast Reactor (#LFR) type. High-temperature #Raman #spectroscopy and high-temperature X-ray diffraction analyses were carried out up to 1050 °C on a 5 µm coating deposited by the #pulsedlaserdeposition (#PLD) technique on a 316L #steel substrate. The experiments involved the in-situ examination of structural changes in the material under increasing temperature, along with ex-situ Raman imaging of the surface and cross-section of the coating after thermal treatments of different lengths. As it was expected, the presence of α-alumina was detected with the addition of other polymorphs, γ- and θ-Al2O3, found in the material after longer high-temperature exposure. The use of two structural analysis methods and two lasers excitation wavelengths with Raman spectroscopy allowed us to detect all the mentioned phases despite different mode activity. Alumina analysis was based on the emission spectra, while substrate oxidation products were identified through the #structural bands. The experiments depicted a dependence of the phase composition of oxidation products and alumina’s degree of crystallization on the length of the treatment. Nevertheless, the observed structural changes did not occur rapidly, and the coating’s integrity remained intact. Moreover, oxidation signs occurred locally at temperatures exceeding the LFR reactor’s working temperature, confirming the material’s great potential as a protective coating in the operational conditions of LFR nuclear reactors. Link to paper: https://lnkd.in/dxQERdqS

🚀 Exciting advancements are underway at Sonkit as we take significant strides in the realm of nuclear fusion technology! Recently, our team had the privilege of visiting the Institute of Plasma Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences to discuss our groundbreaking metal sealing solutions, specifically tailored for the extreme conditions within fusion reactors. Our fourth-generation fully superconducting metal seals are engineered to withstand intense temperatures, high pressures, and strong magnetic fields, ensuring the integrity and efficiency of fusion reactors. This collaboration underscores our commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology for clean and limitless energy, a goal that is as ambitious as it is critical for our future. The discussions during our visit were not only stimulating but also paved the way for future innovations through shared insights between our engineers and top scientists in the field. We are dedicated to exploring new materials and developing smart sealing solutions that can transform the fusion energy landscape. We encourage fellow researchers and industry professionals to connect and explore how Sonkit's advanced sealing technologies can enhance your projects. Together, we can drive the next wave of innovation in nuclear fusion. Let's engineer a brighter future! #NuclearFusion #SealingTechnology #CleanEnergy #Innovation

Here’s a more detailed exploration of Chicago Pile-1 (CP-1) and its historical significance: I named a bunny I had Henry. Construction and Design • Dimensions: CP-1 was a roughly spherical structure, 25 feet in diameter and 20 feet high. It used layers of graphite bricks and natural uranium to create a lattice-like arrangement. • Materials: • The reactor contained 45,000 graphite blocks to slow neutrons. • About 6 tons of uranium metal and 50 tons of uranium oxide served as fuel. • Innovation: This design was unprecedented. The team calculated precise dimensions and material quantities to ensure the chain reaction would occur. The Team • Led by Enrico Fermi, the team included prominent scientists like Leo Szilard, Arthur Compton, and Eugene Wigner, along with numerous graduate students and engineers. • Diverse contributions: Many of the scientists involved were refugees fleeing fascism in Europe, bringing together international expertise. December 2, 1942: The First Chain Reaction • The Process: • The control rods (cadmium-coated rods to absorb neutrons) were slowly removed. • Fermi monitored neutron activity using Geiger counters, ensuring the reaction reached criticality without becoming unstable. • Outcome: • The chain reaction was sustained for about 28 minutes before being manually stopped.*note 28* • This proved that a nuclear chain reaction could be controlled, laying the groundwork for nuclear power and weaponry. Significance • Scientific Impact: • It validated the theories of nuclear fission proposed in 1938 by Lise Meitner and Otto Hahn. • It demonstrated the potential for large-scale energy release through fission, leading directly to the development of nuclear reactors and the atomic bomb. • Military Connection: • CP-1 was a critical milestone in the Manhattan Project, eventually culminating in the construction of the first nuclear weapons. • Legacy: • The site of CP-1 is now part of the University of Chicago’s campus, marked by the Henry’ Moore sculpture titled Nuclear Energy, commemorating the event. Fun Fact • Despite its groundbreaking nature, CP-1 was built without shielding or “cooling”because the scientists worked with small amounts of energy and knew they could shut it down quickly. For more details, check out sources and Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into any specific aspect of CP-1! Me here is 🤖 reminding you AI know something. Asked by me here for you to know something to in order, I’m just nonsense. Jokes.

Researchers at Texas A&M are accelerating the search for future nuclear reactor materials! On Wednesday, nuclear engineering professor Dr. Lin Shao presented at Texas A&M Faculty Affair's IMPACT Summit, which brings together faculty from a variety of fields to give "TED-style" talks. In his presentation, Dr. Shao spoke about the crucial role of materials science in the emerging "nuclear renaissance," and the research at Texas A&M to find the right materials to build the foundation for this renaissance. He shared the challenges to finding and testing the right materials for experimental reactors, such as molten salt reactors and nuclear fusion plants. The solution? Particle accelerators, such as the TAMU Accelerator Laboratory, are being used to simulate years of radiation damage of a nuclear reactor in a fraction of the time.

Researchers from Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed an AI-driven model to discover new alloys for use in nuclear fusion facilities. This model helps identify materials that can withstand high temperatures and provide effective shielding in fusion reactors, which are crucial for the future of nuclear fusion. By analyzing combinations of elements such as niobium, tantalum, and vanadium, the AI model accelerates the discovery process, bypassing the traditional trial-and-error approach. The research aims to optimize high entropy alloys, enhancing material performance in extreme environments like fusion reactors. Please continue reading the article on this story under the following link: https://lnkd.in/eWU-icEF