Western receives $5 million for research into nuclear fuel disposal

Fully ceramic microencapsulated (FCM) fuel pellets contain TRISO fuel particles (Source: USNC)

Western has received nearly $5 million in federal funding to support research into the secure storage of advanced nuclear fuel.

The funding, announced March 5, will be distributed over three years, supporting research to understand the management, characterization and minimization of TRi-structural ISOtropic (TRISO) based fuel waste.

Jamie Noel is an electrochemist at Western, who has more than 25 years of experience researching permanent disposal of used nuclear fuels.

“I am thrilled Western was awarded this funding because it will allow us to evaluate and provide input on the waste management aspects of advanced nuclear fuel during the development stage, not as an afterthought,” said Noel.

The funding is provided by Natural Resources' Canada’s Enabling Small Modular Reactors program.

The hope is that their research will provide a scientific foundation for government decisions, “We want to provide a common knowledge base for decision-makers and SMR developers for the long-term management of TRISO-based used fuel,” said Noel.

The project is a first for Western University Nuclear Hub, which collaborates with other schools and research bodies including McMaster University, Ontario Tech University, York University and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories.