Resources

Nuclear Power

Challenges in Materials Research for Sustainable Nuclear Energy

Baldev Raj^a1, M. Vijayalakshmi^a1, P.R. Vasudeva Rao^a1 and K.B.S. Rao^a1

^a1 Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, India

Abstract

Global energy demand is expected to increase steeply, creating an urgent need to evolve a judicious global energy policy, exploiting the potential of all available energy resources, including nuclear energy. With increasing awareness of environmental issues, nuclear energy is expected to play an important role on the energy scenario in the coming decades. The immediate thrust in the science and technology of nuclear materials is to realize a robust reactor technology with associated fuel cycle and ensure the cost competitiveness of nuclear power and to extend the service life of reactors to 100 years. Accordingly, the present-generation materials need to be modified to meet the demands of prolonged exposure to irradiation and extended service life for the reactor. Emerging nuclear systems incorporate features to ensure environmental friendliness, effective waste management, enhanced safety, and proliferation resistance and require development of high-temperature materials and the associated technologies. Fusion, on a longer horizon of about fve decades, also requires the development of a new spectrum of materials. The development of next-generation materials technology is expected to occur in short times and is likely to be further accelerated by strong international collaborations.

Baldev Raj can be reached at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India; tel. +91–44–27480240, fax +91–44–27480060, and e-mail secdmg@igcar.ernet.in, secdmg@igcar.gov.in or dir@igcar.gov.in.

Raj is a distinguished scientist and director of Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research in Kalpakkam. Raj holds BE, PhD, and DSc(hc) degrees. He has specialized in materials research and technology and fast reactor technology and associated fuel cycle. In addition, his interests include technology management, heritage, philosophy, theosophy, and education. Raj has signifcant contributions in many national and international committees. He has more than 700 publications in journals, 12 books, fve Indian standards, and 18 patents to his credit. Raj also has co-edited 28 books and special journal volumes. He is a recipient of the Padma Shri award from the Government of India. Raj is an active member of the Academy of Sciences in India and a fellow of the Third World Academy of Sciences.

M. Vijayalakshmi can be reached at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India; tel. +91–44–27480306, and e-mail mvl@igcar.gov.in.

Vijayalakshmi is head of the Physical Metallurgy Division at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research in Kalpakkam. She has specialized in alloy development for nuclear industry, structure-property correlations, and phase transformations for nearly 30 years. Vijayalakshmi has published a book, chapters in several books and an encyclopedia, and original research papers. She also has received a number of awards and is a fellow of The Indian Institute of Metals.

P.R. Vasudeva Rao can be reached at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India; tel. +91–44–27480229, and e-mail vasu@igcar.gov.in.

Rao is currently heading the chemistry, metallurgy, and materials programs at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research in Kalpakkam. A specialist in actinide separations, Rao has been working on various chemical aspects of fast reactor fuel cycles for more than 30 years. He also is an author of more than 150 publications in international journals.

K. Bhanu Sankara Rao can be reached at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India; tel. +91–44–27480107, and e-mail bhanu@igcar.gov.in.

Rao is the associate director of the Materials Development and Characterisation Group at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research in Kalpakkam. He obtained his BE degree in metallurgical engineering in 1973, his MTech degree in physical metallurgy in 1975, and his PhD degree in metallurgical engineering in 1989. Rao has specialized in materials development and in the areas of creep, low-cycle fatigue, creep-fatigue interaction, life prediction, and structure-property correlations. He is a fellow of ASM International, the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the Indian Academy of Sciences, and The Indian Institute of Metals. Rao also is currently the chief editor of Transactions of The Indian Institute of Metals and serves on the editorial board of International Materials Reviews.