Scientists create Nanoceramic material for safer nuclear reactors

A team of scientists from the United States have created a Nanoceramic material that can be used to produce safer and economical nuclear reactors. The team included Fabio Di Fonzo and Kumar Sridharan and others.

The research was published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports in September 2016 with the title Radiation endurance in Al2O3 nanoceramics.

Highlights of the Nanoceramic material
•  This new material is made of aluminium oxide nanoceramic coating.
•  It can withstand high temperatures and the harsh effects of radiation.
•  Moreover, it also becomes tougher under radiation.
•  It can be used in next-generation nuclear reactors that will operate at higher temperatures and radiation fields to produce more energy efficiently and economically.

Background
Traditionally, water was used as the primary coolant in reactors for absorbing the heat released from fission reactions which poses risks of corrosion damage to materials. It also limits the temperatures up to which water-cooled reactors can operate.

Due to the temperature limitation, it was not feasible to use it in advanced reactors.