As global demand for sustainable electricity increases, scientists are focusing on the development of small nuclear reactors. To make the innovations safer, researchers turned to new AI-powered technology that can detect potential dangers in these reactors in seconds.

Called an intelligent component system, this technology allows remote monitoring of small nuclear reactors.

Developed by UNIST researchers, the system includes integrated fiber optic sensors to monitor components and send alerts in the event of abnormal conditions.

The breakthrough lies in new technology

The breakthrough lies in a novel technology which combines 3D printing with AI, enabling rapid processing of multiple continuous variables from fiber optic sensors. The team successfully manufactured smart nuclear parts using a directed energy deposition (DED) printing method, seamlessly integrating fiber optic sensors into metal components, reported TechExplorer.

A small nuclear reactor is a microreactor, a compact reactor that will be small enough to be transported by truck and could help solve energy challenges in a number of areas.

Microreactor designs vary, but most are said to be capable of producing 1 to 20 megawatts of thermal power. energy which could be used directly as heat or converted into electrical energy. They can be used to produce clean, reliable electricity for commercial purposes or for non-electric applications such as district heating, water desalination and hydrogen production.

Most designs will require fuel with a higher concentration of uranium 235 which is not currently used in current reactors, although some could benefit from the use of a high temperature moderator. materials this would reduce the need for fuel enrichment while maintaining the small size of the system.

Real-time reactor monitoring

The recent study proposes a novel approach using direct energy deposition to integrate a fiber optic sensor into microreactor (MR) components, enabling real-time monitoring with artificial intelligence.

“The integrated optical fiber generates real-time data that enables AI-driven in vivo thermal deformation analysis. Our intelligent MR component can detect structural anomalies, identify abnormal operations, and assess operational conditions through augmented reality interfaces and AI technology,” the study researchers said.

Professor Im Doo Jung from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UNIST said that researchers have addressed the challenges associated with traditional inspection methods through our AI convergence technology, which can greatly improve stable and efficient operation new generation small nuclear power plants.

Applications beyond nuclear energy

“This convergence technology could expand its applications beyond nuclear power, potentially benefiting various industries such as autonomous manufacturing systems, aerospace and advanced defense. » said Jung.

“We have introduced a new method to produce intelligent micro-reactor components by integrating fiber optic sensors during the directed energy deposition (DED) process. This method includes a DED process optimized for metallic components of MR systems,” the study researchers said.

The researchers highlighted that the proposed process, involving the integration of sensors into metal components, could be applied to the fabrication of smart metal components with various sensors with a directed energy deposition (DED) process.

This research will also expand applications in a variety of industries and research areas requiring digitalization and AI in additively manufactured components.

The study was published in the magazine Virtual and Physical Prototyping.