NPL and CERN collaboration looks to develop next-gen nuclear

The time-of-flight facility (n_TOF) facility for neutron measurements uses high-intensity neutron beams with a wide energy range to precisely measure neutron-related processes including neutron-nucleus interactions. 

At the CERN facility, NPL will perform cross section measurements of neutron induced nuclear reactions relevant to the development of new nuclear technologies including advanced nuclear reactors (Gen-IV) and fuel cycles.

A particular interest of NPL is to study reactions producing hydrogen, tritium, and helium in a range of materials. For commercial fusion reactors, this data will underpin the development of tritium breeding blankets, plasma-facing armour components, and reactor component lifetime against radiation damage.

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In collaboration with other n_TOF members, the NPL team hopes to open the way for a dedicated experimental programme at n_TOF that will lead to more reliable simulation and operational understanding of next-generation fission and fusion reactors. To this end, NPL will work with the Universities of Manchester, Surrey, Birmingham, Lancaster, and York, plus the UKAEA.

Critical to NPL ambitions is the support of the PostGraduate Institute (PGI) at NPL, which has secured two PhD students to enable NPL to provide a leading role in the collaboration.  

According to NPL, the proposed collaboration is likely to have long-term technological and economic benefits, particularly in the development of ‘next generation’ nuclear fusion systems for energy production.

The programme will also help underpin NPL’s neutron research programme, using the recently funded upgrade to the existing on-site neutron facility for key measurements and traceability chains, and also allowing the further dissemination of key NPL-based expertise in nuclear metrology and radiochemistry.

In a statement, Professor Paddy Regan, NPL Fellow in Nuclear and Radiation Science and Metrology, said, “The new formal agreement between CERN and NPL regarding the n_TOF collaboration should be a gamechanger in terms of the UK’s neutron research capabilities and impact. In particular, the proposed future international research programmes of relevance to next generation nuclear fission and fusion research are the cutting edge of this work internationally.”