MIT News  June 11, 2020 In the wake of an earthquake-triggered tsunami sparked a global race for solutions to improve nuclear safety and develop accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) to avert future reactor breakdowns. In Fukushima, there were hydrogen explosions because of interactions between the conventional zirconium-based fuel cladding and high temperature steam produced when the safety system failed, and coolant water heated up. Researchers at MIT packed CVD-fabricated, cylindrically shaped fuel particles into a bundle that fits into a typical fuel rod and replace the conventional zirconium fuel rod cladding with silicon carbide composite to slow down hydrogen generation. This would […]