Nuclear science

Overview

The goal of the NEA in this area is to help member countries identify, collate, develop and disseminate basic scientific and technical knowledge required to ensure safe, reliable and economic operation of current nuclear systems and to develop next-generation technologies.

Objectives

• To help advance the existing scientific knowledge needed to enhance the performance and safety of current nuclear systems;
• To contribute to building a solid scientific and technical basis for the development of future-generation nuclear systems;
• To support the preservation of essential knowledge in the field of nuclear science.

Programme of work

The NEA nuclear science programme is developed and executed by the Nuclear Science Committee (NSC), comprising high-level scientific experts from all NEA member countries. The secretarial support to the NSC is provided by the NEA Nuclear Science section. Close co-operation with the Data Bank is maintained, primarily because of the potential for mutual benefit to be gained between the programme of work of the Data Bank and the type of activities pursued within the nuclear science programme. The main areas of work are:

• reactor physics;
• fuel cycle physics and chemistry;
• criticality safety;
• material science;
• radiation shielding.

Working parties (and expert groups)

• The Working Party on Scientific Issues of Reactor Systems (WPRS)
• The Working Party on Scientific Issues of the Fuel Cycle (WPFC)
• The Working Party on Nuclear Criticality Safety (WPNCS)
• The Working Party on Multi-scale Modelling of Fuels and Structural Materials for Nuclear Systems (WPMM)
• The Working Party on International Nuclear Data Evaluation Co-operation (WPEC)
• Expert Group on Integral Experiments for Minor Actinide Management
• Expert Group on Accident Tolerant Fuels for Light Water Reactors (EGATFL)
• Expert Group on Multi-physics Experimental Data, Benchmarks and Validation (EGMPEBV)

Related links

• Nuclear science publications
• Nuclear science documents
• Thermodynamics of Advanced Fuels – International Database (TAF-ID)
• Research and test facilities database (RTFDB)
• NSC members' area (password protected | reminder)

For more information, please contact

Last reviewed: 8 September 2014