To support long-term reliability of existing reactors and the development of advanced reactors, advanced nuclear fuel concepts are being developed worldwide. These advanced fuels offer improved performance, failure tolerance, safety, proliferation resistance, and accident tolerance; and are recycled or recyclable. Many next-generation nuclear fuels demand new fabrication methods because they cannot be manufactured via the conventional processes used for uranium dioxide-based nuclear fuels.
As new manufacturing technologies emerge for fabricating advanced nuclear fuel, CNL is well positioned to become an international leader in the development and testing of new fuel technologies. CNL is building on current knowledge and expertise in fuel fabrication, materials characterization and performance; with new expertise in additive manufacturing and other advanced manufacturing methods.
