Awarded projects to examine the performance of promising nuclear fuels and materials.
August 21, 2024
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Awards Grant Greater Access to Nuclear Science User Facilities Resources and Capabilities
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today awarded 13 Super Rapid Turnaround Experiment (RTE) user access projects to examine the performance of promising nuclear fuels and materials that support the nation’s current fleet of reactors and advance next-generation nuclear technologies.
Super RTE awards advance nuclear science and technology by providing researchers timely access to irradiation testing, post-irradiation examination, high-performance computing, and technical expertise.
Awardees will have up to a year to complete experiments using world-class testing capabilities provided through the Department’s Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) program. These capabilities are equal to approximately $1.8 million in support and are provided at no cost to the researchers.
“Our national labs house unmatched nuclear science infrastructure and expertise,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Dr. Michael Goff. “Access to these capabilities helps speed the research and development of materials and fuels needed to achieve the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious plans for the future of nuclear energy.”
The selected project teams include 13 principal investigators from 6 universities, 2 national laboratories, and 1 industry partner who will work with NSUF on the proposed experiments.
The projects will advance the development of nuclear fuels and materials such as silicon carbide composites, TRISO fuel, and advanced stainless steel. Projects will also research manufacturing and welding technologies for potential use in current light-water reactors and future advanced nuclear reactors. A complete list of the awarded projects can be viewed HERE.
The Super RTE solicitation is similar to NSUF’s traditional RTE solicitation, but it encourages larger scopes of work and allows researchers more time to perform tests. Awardees are also provided greater access to NSUF partner institutions, resources, and facilities, allowing for more complicated experiments.
The third and final round of traditional RTE awards for fiscal year 2024 will be announced later this fall. NSUF plans to issue another Super RTE solicitation in 2025.
NSUF advances DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy’s mission through a consortium of state-of-the-art irradiation and post-irradiation testing facilities that can be utilized to support nuclear energy research and development. More information on NSUF and user access opportunities can be found HERE.
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