Research focus JRC’s research is dedicated to evaluating the safety of innovative nuclear fuels through experimental investigations. This includes studies on molten salt reactors fuels, oxide-based fuels, and their interactions with advanced metal-based coolants such as lead, lead-bismuth eutectic, and nano-sized actinide oxides. Using advanced—and in some cases, unique—experimental techniques, JRC investigates the behaviour of these fuels under diverse conditions, including extreme scenarios, to determine the safety margin and operation boundaries of emerging reactor designs. Data and simulation tools The data resulting from experiments contribute to the enhancement and validation of key thermodynamic databases such as:JRCMSD – Molten Salt DatabaseTAF-ID – International Database for Oxide FuelsTRANSURANUS – Fuel performance code for cylindrical fuel geometriesThrough the TRANSURANUS simulation platform, JRC also offers a safety assessment tool tailored for fuels with cylindrical geometry. Laboratories The research on nuclear fuels safety builds on the exploitation of JRC Karlsruhe specialised laboratories:Fuel and Material Research: this facility provides an objective assessment and modelling of the safety-related behaviour of nuclear materials.Properties of Actinide Materials under Extreme Conditions: an ensemble of state-of-the-art installations designed for basic research on behaviour and properties of actinide materials under extreme conditions. EU funded Euratom Horizon Europe projects JRC contributes to several projects under the EU-funded Euratom Horizon programme, supporting research on advanced fuels and reactor technologies. MIMOSAMulti-recycling strategies of LWR SNF focusing on Molten Salt technology.ENDURANCESupporting safe operation and technological development of Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology in Europe.TRANSPARANTTechnological research action necessary for safe partitioning and nuclear transmutation.ESFR SIMPLEEnhancing safety of the European Sodium Fast Reactor through monitoring, flexibility, and experimental research.OperaHPCDevelopment of thermomechanical tools for advanced fuel design.CONNECT-NMAdvancing research, development and innovation in the field of nuclear materials. EU reports and publications Discover key publications and reports reflecting the European Commission’s work:JRC Publications Repository - molten salt reactors technologiesExploring the safety and performance of molten salt reactors for their deployment in the European Union: the MIMOSA and ENDURANCE projects | EPJ N - Nuclear Sciences & TechnologiesThermophysical Properties of FUNaK (NaF-KF-UF4) EutecticsCesium and Iodine release from the molten salt reactors FuelPredicting material release during a nuclear reactor accidentComparison of Advanced-Technology-Fuel options in soluble boron-free Small Modular ReactorsAdvancing molten salt reactor technologies: Prioritizing standardisation needs and bridging gapsHigh-fidelity and high-resolution simulation of two different rod ejection accidents in a NuScale-like small modular reactor with conventional and accident tolerant fuelsModelling and assessment of thermophysical properties of Am-bearing fuels for transmutation purposes in fast reactors Related links Euratom Research and Training ProgrammeSMR projects co-funded by the Euratom R&T Programme
ENDURANCESupporting safe operation and technological development of Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology in Europe.
ESFR SIMPLEEnhancing safety of the European Sodium Fast Reactor through monitoring, flexibility, and experimental research.
