Specialized workplaces:
- A complex of hot and semi-hot cells for the realization of experiments and analyses on irradiated materials of nuclear power plant components. At present, the reconditioning of test bodies using the electron beam is performed as part of the supplementary evidence programs of the VVER-440 and VVER-1000 reactor pressure vessels, which allow us to significantly improve the quality of information on the influence of irradiation on the mechanical properties of reactor steels;
- Accredited laboratories for testing the mechanical properties of irradiated materials.
Material properties research
- Research and development of materials for operating nuclear reactors, low power reactors, research reactors and new generation reactors;
- Experiments within surveillance programs of nuclear power plants - testing the mechanical properties of irradiated materials, and determining the influence of interaction with the environment (eg autoclave tests);
- Testing the mechanical properties of advanced materials for Gen IV reactors (eg ODS steel, Ni alloys);
- Testing the environmental impact, irradiation, and loading of different types on the life of materials;
- Simulating the aging of weld materials and evaluating the related changes in the mechanical properties;
- Research in Fuel Cover Materials.
Use of nanomaterials for nuclear applications
In cooperation with other specialized institutions (the Faculty of Nuclear and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague and the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic), we develop and test nanomaterials for the following applications:
- The capture of radionuclides released into the environment by human activity;
- Decontamination of waste solutions;
- The provision of emergency response and mitigation;
- As fillers in filter systems for nuclear power plants, armed forces, and medical facilities.
The test and use of nanomaterials is based on:
- Nanoparticulate metal oxides (Al2O3, TiO2, NiO, ZnO), double or ternary oxides;
- With a garnet or spinel structure;
- Nanoformygrafen and graphene oxide or their modified forms with Ag;
- Nanomaterials based on aluminosilicates substituted with Ag and Cu particles and the like.
