Faculty Advisor: Ryan McClarren, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering

Monte Carlo Methods for Neutron Transport (Summer 2024) 

Small modular reactors (SMRs) and "microreactors" represents a renewed interest in nuclear fission technology as a carbon-free baseload power. Additionally, the footprint (both literal and in terms of the grid impact) of these reactors makes them suitable for emerging economies that do not have the infrastructure to adopt large, conventional nuclear plants. Despite the advantages of these reactors, the fact that they are in many ways different than the legacy nuclear fleet means that traditional modeling, simulation, and analysis techniques need to be rethought.

This project will investigate novel techniques for simulating neutron migration in nuclear reactors in these nuclear systems. Working in tandem with the Dept. of Energy funded Center for Exascale Monte Carlo Neutron Transport (CEMeNT), I will apply state of the art simulation tools to analyze these novel reactors in a variety of scenarios to ensure their safe and secure operation.