Advancing Nuclear Fuels for a Safer Tomorrow
Mission
Advancing nuclear fuel technology for safer, more efficient, and reliable energy.
Vision
A future powered by nuclear energy, transcending traditional limits.
Values
In The News
Why AFC Matters
Enhanced Safety
By focusing on the development of Accident Tolerant Fuels (ATF) and other innovative fuel types like metallic fuels and tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) particle fuel, AFC aims to increase the safety of nuclear reactors, particularly under accident conditions. This can lead to a lower risk of radiation release.
Improved Efficiency
The advancement of fuel technologies through the AFC can lead to better thermal efficiency and fuel utilization in nuclear reactors, reducing waste and potentially lowering the costs of nuclear power.
Stewardship
AFC's work promotes responsible resource management in the nuclear industry by exploring fuels that can operate at higher burn-up and with greater fuel cycle efficiency, which means that reactors can extract more energy from the same amount of nuclear fuel.
Innovation
AFC drives innovation in nuclear fuel technologies, keeping the United States at the forefront of nuclear research and maintaining its competitive edge in the global nuclear energy market.
Energy Security
By improving the performance and safety of nuclear fuels, AFC contributes to the reliability and resilience of the nation's energy infrastructure, which is crucial for energy security.
AFC plays a pivotal role in advancing nuclear technology, which is key to achieving a mix of energy sources that is safe, reliable, economically viable, and environmentally responsible.
Accomplishments
AFC Laboratories
The Advanced Fuels Campaign is a collaborative effort involving teams from Idaho National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Brookhaven National Laboratory.
