​​​​​​​​​Advanced Reactor Technologies (ART) ​Gas Cooled Reactors (GCR)

​​​Design, Methods and Va​lidation

Fuel Qualification

​​Graphite R&D

High-Temperature Materi​als R&D

GCR Regulatory Interactions​

NDMAS​



3D UCO Fuel Kernel

3D UCO Fuel Kernel 

“Irradiated TRISO Fuel Particle Imaged with X-ray Microscope at Highest 3D Resolution Yet: INL scientists have imaged an irradiated tri-structural isotropic, or TRISO, nuclear fuel particle with a ZEISS Xradia 520 Versa Xray microscope, creating the highest resolution volumetric image of this fuel type to date and enabling the first 3D quantification of fission gas bubble distribution. Previous analyses of TRISO fuel have focused more on the protective coating, rather than the fuel kernel within. This work will be instrumental in assisting nuclear fuel engineers as they work to bring TRISO fuel closer to commercial deployment.“

​Cordes, N.L., Chuirazzi, W.C., Kane, J.J. et al. “Seeing through nuclear fuel: Three-dimensional, nondestructive X-ray microscopy and volumetric analyses of neutron-irradiated TRISO-coated fuel kernels". MRS Advances 6, 1043–1047 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-021-00167-1