The Government of Canada has awarded more than $1.3 million to University of Waterloo researchers to support small modular reactors (SMRs) research using nuclear energy and materials to protect health, safety, security and the environment.
The funding is part of the NSERC-CNSC Small Modular Reactors Research Grant through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).
SMRs offer a promising pathway to support Canada’s low carbon energy transition and are expected to be less complex, easier to operate and more cost effective than current nuclear technology. The research conducted at Waterloo will provide a new generation of nuclear scientists, engineers and policymakers with an enhanced understanding of the safe and efficient operation of SMRs, while further advancing the field of nuclear power generation.
“Congratulations to our researchers on receiving more than $1.3 million in funding through the Small Modular Reactors Research Grant Initiative from NSERC and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission,” said Dr. Charmaine Dean, vice-president Research and International. “This funding will allow researchers at Waterloo to undertake high-impact research, and, importantly, will support the training of highly qualified personnel to fill a critical gap in this area for Canada.”
Conrard Giresse TetsassiFeugmo
Professor, Chemistry
WIN Memeber
$356,949 (3 years)
Multiscale modelling of refractory high-entropy alloys materials for SMRs
Feugmo’s research is dedicated to the design of refractory high entropy alloys (HEA) specifically tailored to meet the requirements of SMRs vessels, and to the development of computational models that predict their behaviour.
During reactor operation, the pressure vessel material experiences severe conditions which can lead to localized embrittlement in the vessel and welds within the reactor core. Given the irreplaceability of the vessel, the development of new materials that can withstand these conditions is required.
HEAs are a promising option due to their composition, however, current knowledge of HEAs properties is less advanced compared with conventional alloys. Feugmo’s research will enhance our knowledge of material responses and guide the development of robust and resilient materials specifically designed for SMR vessels.
Read the full article here: https://uwaterloo.ca/news/more-13-million-awarded-waterloo-researchers