Technology readiness levels for advanced nuclear fuels and materials development

Journal Article · Fri Dec 23 00:00:00 EST 2016 · Nuclear Engineering and Design

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2016.11.024· OSTI ID:1364025

Carmack, W. J. ^[1]; Braase, L. A. ^[1]; Wigeland, R. A. ^[1]; Todosow, M. ^[2]

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1. Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
2. Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)

The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) process is used to quantitatively assess the maturity of a given technology. It was pioneered by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the 1980s to develop and deploy new systems for space applications. The process was subsequently adopted by the Department of Defense (DoD) to develop and deploy new technology and systems for defense applications as well as the Department of Energy (DOE) to evaluate the maturity of new technologies in major construction projects. Advanced nuclear fuels and materials development is a critical technology needed for improving the performance and safety of current and advanced reactors, and ultimately closing the nuclear fuel cycle. Because deployment of new nuclear fuel forms requires a lengthy and expensive research, development, and demonstration program, applying the TRL concept to the advanced fuel development program is very useful as a management, communication and tracking tool. Furthermore, this article provides examples regarding the methods by which TRLs are currently used to assess the maturity of nuclear fuels and materials under development in the DOE Fuel Cycle Research and Development (FCRD) Program within the Advanced Fuels Campaign (AFC).

• Research Organization: Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517; DEAC0705ID14517
• OSTI ID: 1364025
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1411833
• Report Number(s): INL/JOU-16-38690; PII: S0029549316304745
• Journal Information: Nuclear Engineering and Design, Vol. 313, Issue C; ISSN 0029-5493
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
nuclear fuels and materials
technology readiness level
advanced nuclear fuel technology readiness level