Materials Design is working with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) on enhancing the safety of nuclear power through a deeper understanding of irradiation effects on the materials in power plants.
Experimental tests of new materials can take several years and are very expensive. Materials simulations provide unique value through detailed understanding and predictions of key materials properties. To this end, Materials Design’s scientists, working closely with teams of industrial experts, are developing and applying state-of-the-art simulation technology.
The work is highly appreciated, prompting this recent observation from Lars Halstadius of Westinghouse:
Thus, simulation is becoming an invaluable complement to experiment, elucidating microscopic phenomena that are beyond the reach of experiment. Early work has been performed, for example, in the MUZIC program and the EPRI-led Materials Design (MDI) collaboration (BIG-3, HPU-3, …), generating atomistic understanding of experimental observations, and demonstrating the feasibility of attaining truly new, crucial insights. MDI have proven themselves to represent state-of-art capabilities in this field. EPRI has demonstrated excellent forward-looking leadership in the MDI collaboration, consistent with EPRI being a global focal point of the nuclear industry, and enabling effective cross-communication with other relevant international programs (e.g., MUZIC, NFIR).
- Lars Hallstadius, Westinghouse Sweden Former lead of Fuel Materials Center of Excellence