MIT model predicts nuclear waste behavior deep underground for eons

MIT researchers, in collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and the University of Orléans, have developed a new computational model called CrunchODiTI to improve predictions of nuclear waste behavior in underground repositories over millions of years. This model builds on the existing CrunchFlow software and uniquely incorporates electrostatic effects of negatively charged clay minerals, enabling three-dimensional simulations of radionuclide interactions with engineered barriers made of cement and clay. The research aims to enhance confidence among policymakers and the public regarding the long-term safety of nuclear waste storage. The study’s findings were validated against experimental data from the Mont Terri research site in Switzerland, a key facility known for its extensive datasets on interactions between cement and Opalinus clay—a water-tight claystone used in many geological repositories worldwide. By coupling high-performance computing simulations with real-world experiments, the model addresses previous limitations in understanding how radionuclides migrate through complex underground environments. This advancement supports safer design and assessment of nuclear waste disposal systems, which is increasingly important as global nuclear