New low-enriched nuclear fuel passes key FRM II reactor test

Germany’s FRM II research reactor has successfully tested new low-enriched uranium fuel plates designed to replace its current highly enriched uranium fuel. Developed through a European collaboration involving Framatome, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and other partners, the fuel plates underwent rigorous irradiation tests at the Belgian BR-2 reactor to simulate the harsh conditions inside FRM II. The plates, made from monolithic uranium molybdenum, demonstrated structural stability and durability under neutron bombardment, overcoming challenges that previous candidate materials could not. This marks a significant technical breakthrough toward converting FRM II to use fuel with less than 20% uranium-235, aligning with international non-proliferation goals and the reactor’s licensing requirements. The successful irradiation tests support FRM II’s plan to submit a license application in 2025 for conversion to the new fuel, which would enable the reactor to continue its scientific mission safely and efficiently. The development process, ongoing since 2019, combined materials science,