US team funded to explore nuclear fuel for space, remote reactors

Scientists at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) are collaborating with Oak Ridge National Laboratory on a Department of Energy-funded project to study the performance of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel in small modular and microreactors. Led by Dr. Ayodeji Alajo, the research focuses on HALEU fuel enriched between 5 and 20 percent uranium-235, which is higher than the fuel used in current commercial reactors but lower than highly enriched uranium used in older research reactors. The goal is to evaluate how HALEU behaves under various conditions, including remote locations and space missions, where reactors must operate safely for extended periods without refueling. The Missouri S&T Reactor (MSTR), operating at 200 kilowatts and housed in a large water pool for radiation shielding, will serve as the testbed for this research. Unlike commercial reactors that generate electricity, MSTR is used solely for research, allowing scientists to observe nuclear fission and