As a low carbon energy source, nuclear energy plays a reinforced role in a sustainable electricity mix. However, strengthening the share of nuclear energy implies the guarantee of safe, long-term operation of current systems and potentially the fostering of new constructions. Service life extension – as well as the design of future nuclear power plants – relies on the availability of robust and qualified structural materials, and their manufacturing processes. The science and engineering of materials are key in selecting robust material solutions and predicting aging mechanisms. Materials and Processes for Nuclear Energy Today and in the Future reviews different reactor concepts and fuel management systems. Nuclear equipment has to maintain integrity under extreme conditions, such as high temperature, radiation, loads and/or corrosive environments. This book analyzes the requirements on components, and introduces reference solutions regarding materials and processes. It describes the materials’ main properties, their limits and the current R&D trends. Lastly, innovations are discussed, such as materials with enhanced properties, advanced manufacturing or using AI.

Energy -- Atoms and nuclei -- Radioactivity -- Nuclear processes -- Radiation and materials -- Fission -- Fusion -- Particle accelerators -- Isotope separators -- Radiation detectors -- Neutron chain reactions -- Nuclear heat energy -- Breeder reactors -- Fusion reactors -- The history of nuclear energy -- Biological effects of radiation -- Information from isotopes -- Useful radiation effects -- Reactor safety -- Nuclear propulsion -- Radiation protection -- Radioactive waste disposal -- Laws, regulations, and organizations -- Energy economics -- International nuclear power -- Nuclear explosions -- The future.

Reviews the political and social context for nuclear power generation, the nuclear fuel cycles and their implications for the environment.

High-performance alloys that can withstand operation in hazardous nuclear environments are critical to presentday in-service reactor support and maintenance and are foundational for reactor concepts of the future. With commercial nuclear energy vendors and operators facing the retirement of staff during the coming decades, much of the scholarly knowledge of nuclear materials pursuant to appropriate, impactful, and safe usage is at risk. Led by the multi-award winning editorial team of G. Robert Odette (UCSB) and Steven J. Zinkle (UTK/ORNL) and with contributions from leaders of each alloy discipline, Structural Alloys for Nuclear Energy Applications aids the next generation of researchers and industry staff developing and maintaining steels, nickel-base alloys, zirconium alloys, and other structural alloys in nuclear energy applications. This authoritative reference is a critical acquisition for institutions and individuals seeking state-of-the-art knowledge aided by the editors' unique personal insight from decades of frontline research, engineering and management. - Focuses on in-service irradiation, thermal, mechanical, and chemical performance capabilities. - Covers the use of steels and other structural alloys in current fission technology, leading edge Generation-IV fission reactors, and future fusion power reactors. - Provides a critical and comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art experimental knowledge base of reactor materials, for applications ranging from engineering safety and lifetime assessments to supporting the development of advanced computational models.

Physics and Technology of Nuclear Materials presents basic information regarding the structure, properties, processing methods, and response to irradiation of the key materials that fission and fusion nuclear reactors have to rely upon. Organized into 12 chapters, this book begins with selectively several fundamentals of nuclear physics. Subsequent chapters focus on the nuclear materials science; nuclear fuel; structural materials; moderator materials employed to ""slow down"" fission neutrons; and neutron highly absorbent materials that serve in reactor's power control. Other chapters explore the cooling agents; fluids carrying the energy to its final stage of conversion into electric power; thermal and biological shielding materials; some outstanding reactor components; and irradiated fuel reprocessing. The last two chapters deal with nuclear material quality inspection by destructive and non-destructive methods, and specific materials envisaged for use in future thermonuclear reactors. This monograph will be helpful for a wide range of specialists wishing to gear their research and development, education, and other activities toward the field of nuclear power and nuclear technology.

As energy demand increases in line with the expansion of the world's leading economies and the growth of developing economies, a key challenge remains of how to provide the energy levels required while protecting our environment and conserving natural resources. Nuclear energy is a complex and controversial technology but also has the potential to provide considerable benefits. This publication explores a range of issues involved in the use of nuclear energy, including safety aspects, whether its use is economically competitive, its role in meeting greenhouse gas reduction targets, how to manage the radioactive waste it generates, whether its use increase the risk of proliferation of nuclear weapons, security of resources, and its potential role in the future.

Operating at a high level of fuel efficiency, safety, proliferation-resistance, sustainability and cost, generation IV nuclear reactors promise enhanced features to an energy resource which is already seen as an outstanding source of reliable base load power. The performance and reliability of materials when subjected to the higher neutron doses and extremely corrosive higher temperature environments that will be found in generation IV nuclear reactors are essential areas of study, as key considerations for the successful development of generation IV reactors are suitable structural materials for both in-core and out-of-core applications. Structural Materials for Generation IV Nuclear Reactors explores the current state-of-the art in these areas. Part One reviews the materials, requirements and challenges in generation IV systems. Part Two presents the core materials with chapters on irradiation resistant austenitic steels, ODS/FM steels and refractory metals amongst others. Part Three looks at out-of-core materials. Structural Materials for Generation IV Nuclear Reactors is an essential reference text for professional scientists, engineers and postgraduate researchers involved in the development of generation IV nuclear reactors. - Introduces the higher neutron doses and extremely corrosive higher temperature environments that will be found in generation IV nuclear reactors and implications for structural materials - Contains chapters on the key core and out-of-core materials, from steels to advanced micro-laminates - Written by an expert in that particular area