A remarkable study led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory answers a decades-old question in nuclear science: Do tiny pores in graphite affect nuclear reactor performance?
The answer, published in the journal Carbon , is clear: Graphite's natural porosity does not affect its performance as a moderator of nuclear reactions.
Graphite's ability to withstand high temperatures makes it an ideal material for sustaining nuclear reactions in nuclear reactors. Understanding its composition is essential for simulating how reactors maintain steady, controlled nuclear reactions. ORNL's research confirms that the tiny cracks and voids in graphite do not disturb the atomic vibrations that determine its interactions with neutrons. This finding offers reactor developers greater confidence that graphite will perform its moderation duties as expected.
"This work highlights the power of pairing cutting-edge modeling with world-class facilities like the Spallation Neutron Source and High Flux Isotope Reactor to resolve a complex and important question for nuclear energy," said ORNL's Kemal Ramić.
Resolving this decades-old question strengthens the nation's leadership in nuclear science and reactor design.
