About this Research Topic

Background

Multiphysics modeling and simulation in nuclear engineering is critical for the design, analysis, and operation of advanced nuclear reactors. These simulations encapsulate the intricate interactions between various physical phenomena, such as fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and nuclear reactions, providing a virtual yet robust framework for reactor assessment. This approach significantly reduces reliance on expensive and potentially hazardous experimental testing. Ensuring the validity of these models through experimental data and precise uncertainty quantification is paramount to align with the stringent safety and regulatory standards of the nuclear industry. High-fidelity computational methods thus play a pivotal role in advancing nuclear reactor safety and performance while navigating the complexities of regulatory compliance and operational efficiency in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

This Research Topic is dedicated to presenting the forefront of research and providing deep insights into the pivotal role that sophisticated simulations play in advancing nuclear reactor technologies. The Topic will explore the frontier of innovative computational methods that facilitate the integration of diverse physical phenomena. These multiphysics models are essential tools in the design and safety analysis of nuclear reactors, helping to predict and optimize performance under a wide array of operating conditions, reduce conservatism compared to more traditional methods, and gain physical insight that is currently unavailable through experimental data.

A central theme of this collection is the rigorous experimental validation that these models undergo to confirm their accuracy and reliability. Such validation efforts are vital for ensuring that the simulations can be confidently used in critical decision-making processes. Additionally, this Topic will address the intricacies of uncertainty quantification within these models, a process that is becoming increasingly important as it directly impacts regulatory standards and the approval of new reactor designs. By bringing together this knowledge, this collection will illuminate the ongoing developments and challenges in the field, while emphasizing the importance of precision and rigor in the modeling of advanced nuclear systems.

Submissions are encouraged from a diverse international pool of contributors, including industry professionals, academic researchers, and research laboratory experts, to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue that addresses both present challenges and future needs in this rapidly growing field.

This Research Topic welcomes a mix of Original Research articles, Reviews/Mini-Reviews, Perspectives, and Data Reports.

Manuscripts focused on the following areas are of particular interest to this Research Topic:
• Innovative Computational Methods: Explorations of new algorithms, software, or techniques that enhance multi-physics simulation.
• Model Integration and Coupling: Studies on how models representing distinct physical processes can be effectively integrated to provide comprehensive simulations.
• Design Optimization: The use of multiphysics simulations to inform and optimize reactor design.
• Safety Analysis: Contributions that utilize modeling and simulation to analyze and improve the safety of nuclear reactors.
• Experimental Validation: Papers that detail the validation of models against experimental data.
• Uncertainty Quantification: Studies focused on methods for quantifying uncertainties within simulations.
• Regulatory Implications: Discussions on how advanced simulations align with, inform, or challenge current regulatory frameworks.
• Case Studies: Detailed case studies of how multiphysics modeling and simulation have been applied in real-world scenarios.
• Experiment Optimization: Discussions on how multiphysics modelling and simulation has been used to prioritize experimental gaps, enhance data collection, and reduce the number of experimental variations needed.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: design optimization, nuclear reactor technologies, uncertainty quantification, safety analysis, multiphysics, experimental validation, innovative computational methods, model integration

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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