Challenge

Upheavals in energy markets have brought increased attention to nuclear power as a long-term, low-carbon domestic energy source, but the ability to safely store spent nuclear fuel is a key priority if nuclear power is to play a larger role in our energy future.

Solution

Virginia Tech researchers Alireza Haghighat and Valerio Mascolino have created the Real-time Analysis for Particle-transport and In-situ Detection (RAPID) Code System,a simulation platform that allows users to interact with nuclear technology and collaborate with colleagues through both Web3D and a high-resolution multi-user virtual reality (VR) interface using the X3D Standard. The system is designed to help engineers optimize the safety of spent-fuel storage across a variety of containers, assemblies, and configurations, and it has also proven valuable as a teaching tool. This image shows nuclear engineering students working with the simulation to examine how different designs affect the fate and security of spent fuel inside the high-resolution virtual reality room managed by Virginia Tech Advanced Research Computing.