The OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), Idaho National Laboratory, and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are co-organising the Sixth International Workshop on Structural Materials for Innovative Nuclear Systems (SMINS-6). The workshop will be held in Idaho Falls (ID, US) from 12 to 15 September 2022, hosted by Idaho National Laboratory, in co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

IAEA Travel Grants

The IAEA offers a limited number of travel grants which will contribute to covering the grantee’s travel and accommodation expenses. The grants aim to increase the attendance at the 6^th International Workshop on Structural Materials for Innovative Nuclear Systems (SMINS-6).
The IAEA also invites young attendees to apply for a travel grant. One grant will be awarded per country. 

The criteria for selection are:

• the candidate must be a national from an IAEA member state;
• the candidate must present an oral paper or poster accepted by the Programme Committee.

Applications should be addressed to Mr Ian Hill (copy Mr Ki Seob Sim of the IAEA). Applicants should ensure that applications for grants are:

• Submitted by June 30, 2022
• Accompanied by duly completed and signed Grant Application Form  giving detailed information on the scientific qualifications of the candidate and signed by the head of the applicant’s organisation.

Applications which do not comply with the above conditions will not be considered.

The grants awarded will be in the form of a lump sum, usually covering part of the travel cost of attendance.

Materials research is a field of growing relevance for advanced nuclear systems, such as Generation IV reactors, small modular reactors and micro reactors, transmutation systems and fusion devices. For these different systems, structural materials must be selected or developed to address the specific challenges of their foreseen operational environments. This requires both cross-cutting research programmes and advanced experimental/simulation facilities to characterise and evaluate the performance of materials.

The purpose of this workshop is to stimulate an exchange of information on current materials research programmes for different innovative nuclear systems with a view to identifying and developing potential synergies.

The workshop will cover fundamental studies, modelling and experiments on innovative structural materials including cladding materials for advanced nuclear systems such as thermal/fast systems, sub-critical systems, as well as fusion systems.

Five main topics are suggested and a panel discussion will be organised:

1. Fundamental studies
2. Metal alloys
3. Ceramic and ceramic composites
4. Advanced/novel materials
5. Evolution of material properties
6. Panel discussion on complex concentrated alloys for nuclear applications

Fundamental studies: identification of mechanisms driving the response of materials under the conditions expected in innovative nuclear systems. These mechanisms may be described at the atomic or at higher scale. Multiscale approaches, together with related problems of scale bridging are of special interest along with advanced simulation techniques and data driven modelling/learning. Ion and neutron irradiation experiments, and subsequent characterisation of materials microstructure are included. 

Metal alloys and ceramic and ceramic composites: in- and out-of-core applications with the scope of data availability and gaps; experimental and modelling needs for specific components; link between R&D, standardisation and experimental protocols; mechanical properties. Discussions on code development and implementation plans are also of interest.

Advanced/novel materials: complex concentrated alloys, functionally gradient materials, nano-grained materials, grain boundary engineered materials, nano-precipitation-strengthened materials and micro-laminates. Design, processing and joining will focus on novel and advanced methods (including numerical approaches) for the production and optimisation of materials and components: for instance, high-performance coating, additive manufacturing, laser sintering, and innovative joining techniques for similar and dissimilar materials.

Evolution of material properties: experimental and modelling studies of degradation modes; time-dependent properties, mechanical properties, thermal properties, radiation tolerance, environmental resistance.

Please note that fuel-cladding interactions and zirconium alloys for fuel cladding will not be covered in this edition of the workshop. Other novel materials for accident tolerant fuel cladding in LWR systems are within the scope of the meeting.

Plenary lectures and technical sessions will be organised according to the topics listed above.

A panel discussion session on complex concentrated alloys for nuclear applications (opportunities and limitations) and a poster session covering all technical subjects will also be held.

Participants planning to attend the meeting are invited to complete the Registration form before 30 June 2022. Participants willing to give a presentation should submit an abstract by 10 April 2022. A template can be found in instruction for authors .

Fees

No registration fee will be charged. If, following your registration you decide not to attend please send a cancellation note to the NEA Secretariat (email: ian.hill@oecd-nea.org).

Working language

The working language will be English.

Book of abstracts

All abstract will be included in the book of abstract and published by the NEA after the meeting.

Venue, hotel, transport

The workshop will be held at Idaho National Laboratory in the U.S. 

• SpringHill Suites Idaho Falls for 149 USD per night
• Residence Inn Idaho Falls for 169 USD per night

Scientific and Organising Committee

Fanny Balbaud (CEA, Chair of the Expert Group on Innovative Structural Materials)

Céline Cabet (CEA, Co-chair of the Expert Group on Innovative Structural Materials)

Marta Serrano (CIEMAT)

Lorenzo Malerba (CIEMAT)

Brian Connolly (University of Manchester)

Yong Dai (PSI)

Jian Gan (INL)

Stuart Maloy (LANL)

James Marrow (University of Oxford)

Nariaki Okubo (JAEA)

Satoshi Ohtsuka (JAEA)

Manuel Pouchon (PSI)

Dmitry Terentyev (SCK•CEN)

Mychailo Toloczko (PNNL)

Yugang Wang (Peking University)

Alfons Weisenburger (KIT)

Davide Costa (NEA)

Local Organising Committee

Colin Judge, Director of Advanced PIE and Characterization Division, INL

Jian Gan, Manager of Advanced Characterization Department, INL

Candice Lord, Administrative Assistant, Characterization and Advanced PIE Divison, INL

Steven Hayes, Director of Nuclear Fuels and Materials Division, INL

Allen Roach, Manager of Irradiated Fuels and Materials Department, INL

Rebekah Thompson, Administrative Assistant, Nuclear Fuels and Materials Divison, INL