The Transformational Challenge Reactor (TCR) program, led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, leverages advances in numerous scientific areas—including materials, manufacturing, sensors and control systems, data analytics, and high-fidelity modeling and simulation—to accelerate design, manufacturing, qualification, and deployment of advanced nuclear energy systems.
TCR program goals:
- Reduce deployment costs and timelines for new nuclear technologies
- Integrate digital data for rapid nuclear innovation
- Accelerate the adoption of advances in manufacturing, materials, and computational sciences for nuclear applications
The TCR program will manufacture and operationally test a fueled microreactor fabricated using additive manufacturing techniques. It will also create a digital platform for coupling data analytics with nuclear core design, manufacturing, and testing data to certify component performance.
For more information, visit https://tcr.ornl.gov/.