Nuclear reactors to get a boost from US tech that also reduces waste

Researchers at the University of Mississippi, led by Associate Professor Samrat Choudhury, have developed a novel approach to improve nuclear reactor fuel by embedding metallic fission fuel with uranium nitride nanoparticles. This innovation aims to enhance the lifetime and safety of nuclear fission reactors by trapping fission products within the fuel matrix, thereby preventing damage to the reactor’s cladding—a protective layer that degrades over time due to contact with swollen metallic fuel. By capturing fission gases and byproducts, the nanoparticle-enhanced fuel can remain in the reactor longer, increasing fuel burnup and efficiency while reducing the generation of radioactive waste. Nuclear fission, despite its ability to produce large amounts of carbon-free energy on a small land footprint compared to renewables, faces adoption challenges largely due to concerns about radioactive waste. The new technology could slow the accumulation of spent fuel and extend reactor lifetimes, making nuclear energy more attractive and sustainable. However, the researchers must still validate their nanoparticle-laced fuel under