About this Research Topic

Background

Digital twins can offer a new way of managing nuclear assets by creating a virtual replica of physical assets, which can be monitored, simulated, and analyzed in real-time. Digital twins provide a comprehensive view of an asset's behavior, condition, and performance, using data from sensors, computer simulations, and other sources. This information can be used to predict the condition of equipment, optimize repair and maintenance schedules, and improve overall operational efficiency. While the use of digital twins in the nuclear energy industry is still in its early stages, it has the potential to revolutionize the sector in several ways. Digital twins can enable the development of new technologies and processes that reduce the cost of nuclear power generation while enhancing safety, security, and reliability.

The goal of this research topic is to encourage original research and review articles that delve into the potential applications of digital twins in the nuclear industry. The articles should aim to explore and highlight the current state of the art and present new perspectives on the development and deployment of digital twins for nuclear assets. These articles should also investigate the challenges and opportunities that come with using digital twins and showcase their potential to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of nuclear assets. Additionally, articles can propose new methods, tools, and techniques to optimize the integration of digital twins with other digital technologies in the nuclear industry.

The research topic will provide a platform for researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders to share their knowledge and experience in the use of digital twins in nuclear energy. It will serve as an avenue to showcase the latest advancements, explore emerging technologies and tools, and highlight current challenges and opportunities in the field. By submitting to this research topic, you will have the opportunity to showcase how digital twins can:

Improve the front end of a nuclear fuel cycle, from mining to fuel fabrication

Address the challenges and opportunities in the design, construction, and commissioning of nuclear fission and fusion facilities, resulting in improved safety and efficiency

Play a vital role in the integrated design of rapid deployable small modular reactors and microreactors, reducing the need for large capital expenditures and compressing construction schedules

Enable real-time monitoring and analysis of advanced reactors, enhancing safety and security using digital twins and computational physics models

Optimize the operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of nuclear assets, reducing downtime and costs through the integration of digital twins with other digital technologies

Aid in the design and optimization of spent fuel storage facilities, helping to inform decisions on waste management strategies while ensuring safe and secure long-term storage of radioactive materials

Provide a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing across the nuclear energy industry, including plant siting, construction, design and licensing, operations, maintenance, safety, and security.

We welcome submissions from academia, industry, and government laboratories that contribute to advancing the understanding of digital twins and their impact on the future of nuclear assets.

Keywords: Fission, Fusion, Digital Twin, Operation, Maintenance, Optimization, Advanced Reactors

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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