TDB Project Course – Ninth Edition: Thermodynamic Data Collection and Assessment
About the course

The ninth edition of the annual NEA Thermochemical Database (TDB) Project course on the topic of thermodynamic data collection and assessment will take place in person on the 20 September 2025 at Le Méridien, New Orleans, US, in conjunction with the 19th Conference on the Migration of Actinides and Fission Products in the Geosphere

The course is designed to familiarise scientists with current NEA TDB activities and standards, provide an overview of data collection and analysis techniques and work through some real system examples to demonstrate the critical evaluation and data assessment process. Retaining high scientific standards for the collection, interpretation, critical review and application of thermodynamic data is a key goal of the NEA TDB, and helps assure that a strong scientific basis for the safety case is maintained to support international nuclear waste management options.

Target audience

Ideally designed for graduate students, young scientists (typically postdoctoral students) or any scientists who are new to the nuclear chemistry field and its application to nuclear waste management (repository science as well as environmental remediation/containment of near-surface contamination sites). The course also further targets scientists interested in broader environmental applications of the NEA TDB and the collection and application of thermodynamic data.

Practical information

Tentative Programme:

Topic 1: Backgroud - The TDB Project, materials and processes 

Topic 2: Perspective in radioactive waste management and international updates 

Topic 3: Experimental approaches and design 

Topic 4: NEA-TDB Guidelines for ionic strength corrections. Critical review criteria within NEA-TDB 

Topic 5: Use cases of thermochemical data tables

Topic 6: Use of thermodynamic approaches in nuclear waste disposal Safety Case: insights from the EURAD-2 DITUSC work package


Date and time: 20 September 2025, 09:00-18:00 (Louisiana time)

Location: Le Méridien, New Orleans, USA

Registration deadline: 5 September 

Registration fee: EUR 65

Previous editions of the TDB course
  • 1st edition: 10 September 2017, Barcelona, Spain
  • 2nd edition: 18 August 2018, Boston, MA, United States
  • 3rd edition: 14 September 2019, Kyoto, Japan
  • 4th edition: 12 November 2020, online
  • 5th edition: 18-19 November 2021, online
  • 6th edition: 15-16 November 2022, online
  • 7th edition: 23 September 2023, Nantes, France
  • 8th edition: 10 October 2024, online