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2025 MeV Curriculum

The 2025 MeV school curriculum will be composed of lectures organized across eight focused modules, a team project, discussion assignments, tours of experimental facilities, and networking events.

Module 1
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MODULE 1: NUCLEAR FUNDAMENTALS

The foundational principles of nuclear materials, including radiation damage, fuel performance, corrosion, and fundamentals of nuclear reactors.  Additionally, key challenges associated within the nuclear R&D landscape will be discussed.

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MODULE 2: EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

The development of experiments to test nuclear materials will be presented.  This includes ion irradiation, mechanical testing, irradiation engineering, and materials characterization techniques.   Experimental design will also be linked to modeling, with emphasis on bridging modeling and experimentation.

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MODULE 3: MODELING AND SIMULATION

Multiphysics modeling integrates multiple physical phenomena to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions within nuclear systems. Simulation techniques and state-of-art computational codes will be showcased to predict system behavior under various conditions.

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MODULE 4: LIGHT WATER REACTOR SUSTAINABILITY

The sustainability of nuclear energy depends on maintaining not only a robust current fleet of light water reactors, but also on developing advanced options for the next generation of nuclear.  Current LWR fuel designs, including fuel and cladding performance, will be discussed, along with a deep dive into accident tolerant fuels and associated cladding materials.

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MODULE 5: NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE

Understanding the broader scope of nuclear fuel cycle technologies, including the front and back end of the fuel cycle, is an essential basis for nuclear materials research and can also support a sustainable commercial nuclear fuel cycle.  Emphasis will be placed on both open and closed fuel cycle options.

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MODULE 6: ADVANCED REACTORS

Focusing on innovative reactor designs beyond traditional light-water reactors, advanced concepts for various reactor types including fast reactors, molten salt reactors, gas-cooled reactors, and other next-generation technologies that aim to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability in nuclear power will be explored. Specific emphasis will be placed on nuclear fuel development for advanced reactor designs.

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MODULE 7: RADIOISOTOPE PRODUCTION

The arena of nuclear materials extends far beyond commercial nuclear fuels.  Oak Ridge National Laboratory is home to multiple national isotope production processes, which have applications in space nuclear, medical therapies and diagnostics, and nuclear research.  Isotope production relies on robust target fabrication processes and irradiation engineering to ensure safe and continuous production of isotopes in research reactors.  

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MODULE 8: FUSION

Fusion energy is a promising technology for the future of nuclear around the world.  Major research efforts continue to focus on science and engineering development to enable this technology.  Topics including plasma material interactions and blanket fuel cycle will be covered, as well as industry and international facilities committed to advancing fusion energy.  

Module 2
Module 3
Module 4
Module 5
Module 6
Module 7
Module 8

Teams, Tours & Networking

The program includes a team project over the duration of the school, culminating in a presentation from each team on the final day.  
 
Group discussions will occur each day to encourage additional exchange and sharing of ideas.
 
Technical tours will be provided by Oak Ridge National Laboratory personnel who will lead the discussions.
 
Various networking events will be held, providing students with more opportunities to interact with lecturers, staff scientists, and other students and to learn about the rich history of nuclear energy.
 
Participants will receive a student book introducing each student’s research, which enables the students to obtain feedback and input from prominent experts and lecturers, and also will facilitate further student–student interactions and networking.

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