Investigation of thermal transport in UO2
Project Description
UO2 is usually used in nuclear fuel rods in nuclear reactors. The thermal conductivity of UO2 is one of the parameters which determine the fuel centerline temperature. This low thermal conductivity can result in localized overheating in the fuel centerline, and therefore this overheating must be avoided. In this project, we will use atomistic simulations to accurately predict the thermal conductivity of UO2 considering irradiation, defects and external pressure.
Supervisor
ZHOU Simen Y.
Quota
2
Course type
UROP1100
Applicant's Roles
The applicant will carry out and finish the project under the supervision of my RPG student Yixin Xu and Xing Xiang and me.
Applicant's Learning Objectives
1, the applicant will learn how to run atomistic simulations.
2, the applicant will learn how to construct interatomic potentials.
3, the applicant will learn how to calculate the thermal properties of UO2 using atomistic simulations.
4, the applicant will learn how to analyze the underlying mechanisms behind the thermal transport of UO2.
2, the applicant will learn how to construct interatomic potentials.
3, the applicant will learn how to calculate the thermal properties of UO2 using atomistic simulations.
4, the applicant will learn how to analyze the underlying mechanisms behind the thermal transport of UO2.
Complexity of the project
Moderate