Research and development of nuclear fuels have been ongoing in
the fields described below;
- the study of fast reactor and TRU burner reactor fuels, concentrating
upon advanced materials like U-Pu mixed nitrides and alloys,
- the study of ultrahigh-burnup fuels for light water reactors to
endure prolonged fuel use,
- the study of rock-like plutonium fuels, which possibly may be
directly disposed of after the plutonium is almost completely
burned,
- the study of higher density uranium fuels like silicides and new
ternary compounds for research reactors and materials testing
reactors,
- the study of a pyrochemical reprocessing system using molten salt
technology, and
- the development of uranium enrichment using laser technology.
Nuclear chemistry research aiming at the achievement of an advanced
fuel cycle process has fostered the following studies;
- research on the pyrochemical and the solid-state chemistry of
actinide compounds,
- research on analysis methods for nuclear fuels and materials,
and environmental substances,
- research on chemical reactions induced by radiation of lasers
and particle beams,
- research on physicochemical properties, separation, and stabilization
of volatile radionuclides and their compounds,
- development of a four-group partitioning process from high-level
waste, and
- investigation of new superconductors under the high-temperature
superconductor R&D project organized by the Science and Technology
Agency.
|
