Summary of Engineering Research

NUCLEAR ENGINEERING

B. G. JONES, Head
214 Nuclear Engineering Laboratory,
103 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 · 217-333-2295

Research in the Department of Nuclear Engineering is broadly based, including the traditional areas of fission and fusion as well as innovative new areas in support of fundamental nuclear engineering and related nuclear processes and their applications. These are a clear reflection of the creativity and diverse interests of our faculty and demonstrate responsiveness to societal needs and problems both within Illinois and the nation. Twelve topical groups have been used to present current research activities in The Summary.

A primary research direction within the department is support of the continued role of nuclear power in meeting society's energy needs not only through currently used light-water fission reactors, but through the development of both fast breeder reactors and fusion reactors for future applications.

Important contributions have recently been made by several research groups, including: new methods for analyzing spheromak and theta pinch fusion devices; simultaneous measurements of electron and ion beams emitted in dense-plasma focus experiments; fundamental physics of plasma-wall interaction measurements; numerical and analytical methods for fusion plasma engineering; discovery and study of several nuclear-pumped laser states; analysis and design of superconductivity magnets; behavior of nuclear materials under high-temperature corrosion and irradiation damage and nondestructive material testing; use of small angle neutron scattering and reflectometry to study molecular level material properties; thermal and epithermal neutron activation analyses; thermal hydraulics including multiphase flows, boiling in porous media, jet breakup, and turbulent structure modeling; advanced analysis techniques for linear and nonlinear systems using Lie groups and group invariant difference schemes; advanced nodal methods development; probabilistic risk assessment and knowledge engineering; combined neutron capture therapy and magnetic resonance imaging for cancer cell treatment; and reactor simulation, perceptive displays, and human factors.

Specific research facilities in the department include the Illinois Advanced TRIGA, an above-ground, tank-type reactor with a maximum steady-state power of 1.5 MW and neutron flux of 6 x 10¹³ neuts/cm²-sec and a peak pulsing power up to 6000 MW. It provides extensive beam port and sample irradiation facilities. Experimental research facilities available are for: nuclear thermal hydraulics, single- and two-phase flow facilities and instrumentation, nuclear materials properties measurements; processing of high-T_c superconducting materials; fusion plasmas and plasma wall interactions; and neutron activation and analysis. Extensive computing capabilities, both on the campus and through the National Fusion Computer Center and national laboratories, are available.