TU Delft
Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands)
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognized level. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools. The Faculty of Applied Sciences is the largest faculty of TU Delft, with around 650 scientists, 250 support staff and 2,400 students. The faculty conducts fundamental, application-oriented research and offers scientific education at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The faculty is active in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology and Applied Physics.
The research group Reactor Physics and Nuclear Materials (RPNM) of the Department Radiation Science & Technology (RST) is engaged in research activities in the field of nuclear reactor technology, including the solid state chemistry and thermodynamics of nuclear materials, as well as the analysis and design of innovative nuclear reactor systems to improve the safety, economy and sustainability of nuclear energy. The research focuses on Generation IV systems and beyond, among which the SFR, LFR, MSR, VHTR, GCFR, SCWR and Accelerator Driven Systems. Research is being done as much as possible within European Framework programmes (e.g INSPYRE, SAMOFAR, SAMOSAFER, ARCHER, EVOL, FREYA, and GOFASTR research projects). Furthermore, the research group contributes significantly to the Nuclear Science and Engineering education track at TU Delft with courses on nuclear reactor physics, nuclear kinetics, nuclear thermal hydraulics, materials chemistry of the nuclear fuel cycle, introduction to nuclear science and engineering. Within the department, courses are also offered on nuclear chemistry and radiological health protection.
Our research areas encompass the safety assessment of nuclear fuels (fuel performance and chemical compatibility with coolant), the management of fission products (chemical state and transport behaviour), and the development and analysis of waste materials.
Our activities are focused on the coupling between experimental investigations (using X-ray and Neutron Diffraction, Calorimetry, X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy) and thermodynamic modelling using the CALPHAD method.
Contact persons
Anna Smith