Mechanistic understanding of tri-structural isotropic-coated particle fuel behaviour

Often dubbed as the most robust nuclear fuel form, TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) fuel is designed for high-temperature advanced reactor operation for industrial processes such as hydrogen production and steel smelting, small/microreactors for dispatchable power (AI data centres, remote locations and military operations) and space power reactors. Its multi-layered structure ensures exceptional safety and fission product retention, enabling reliable, dispatchable power in remote and demanding environments. Despite being an enabler for many nuclear technologies, much is still unknown about how these fuels behave real-time in relevant nuclear environments. This project combines the researchers’ expertise in in situ neutron scattering analysis, synchrotron 3D imaging and computational finite-element analysis to study, explain and predict this behaviour mechanistically. By integrating these methods, the researchers aim to address the research gap holistically, using representative material properties and fuel conditions to enhance our understanding of TRISO fuel behaviour.