New zirconium nuclear data for reactor performance modelling

在运行核反应堆和未来的反应堆设计中，锆是一种关键的结构材料；用于燃料棒的包层，并被考虑与氢化锆等先进燃料基质一起使用。需要改进的物理数据来准确预测中子与锆同位素的相互作用。该项目将与欧盟委员会Geel设施的中子截面实验相结合，并成为国际重新评估锆核数据的一部分。这名学生将与雅各布斯的行业专家合作，评估新数据对核电站运营预测的影响。

Zirconium is a key structural material in operating nuclear reactors and future reactor designs; used in cladding for fuel rods and considered for use with advanced fuel matrices such as zirconium hydride. Improved physics data is needed to accurately predict interactions of neutrons with the zirconium isotopes. This project will integrate with neutron cross section experiments at the European Commission's Geel facility and be part of an international re-evaluation of the zirconium nuclear data. The student will work with industry experts at Jacobs to assess the impact of the new data on predictions for operating nuclear plants.