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Probing Molten Salts in Extreme Environments

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Molten salts are gaining significant attention as a medium for pyrochemical recycling of used nuclear fuel, fuel-coolant mixtures in molten salt reactors, liquid blankets in nuclear fusion reactors, and thermal energy storage. Their exceptional properties—including high-temperature stability, high solubility for actinides and fission products, and recyclability—are unlocking new possibilities for nuclear energy, enabling high-temperature applications essential for highly-efficient electricity generation, industrial process heat, green hydrogen production, and metal processing. However, operating in extreme environments—500–800°C, highly corrosive conditions, and intense radiation—poses significant challenges for material selection, sensor durability, and the ability to monitor complex chemical compositions. These harsh conditions have made the development of reliable, long-term sensors nearly impossible, limiting the monitoring and measurement of corrosion, nuclear material concentrations, thermophysical and thermochemical properties, chemical reactions and structure, and accident conditions. Overcoming these obstacles will be a critical breakthrough in advancing the design, operation, and safety of next-generation nuclear systems.​

This topic investigates the behavior of nuclear materials, fission products, impurities (moisture, oxygen, metals), and corrosion environments (static and loop tests) in molten salts.​​

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Research Topics

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  • Spectroelectrochemistry for monitoring and separation

    • Postdoctoral researchers: Wonseok Yang

    • Graduate Students: Saehyun Choi, Taehoon Park, Jihun Kim, Seungyop Peak(Hyundai E&C), Byungmin Goung

    • Interns: Jeanwon Lee, Hiring

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  • Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for remote sensing

    • Graduate Students: Hyeongbin Kim, Jihye Park, Jun-won Kim

    • Interns: Pilseong Kwon, Dongmin Kim

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  • Thermophysical and thermochemical properties of various molten salt mixtures
    • Postdoctoral researchers: Sujeong Lee, Wonseok Yang

    • Graduate Students: Jihun Kim, Joonsoo Ock, Jinyoung Lee(Hyundai E&C)

    • Interns: Hiring

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  • Structural characterization using Raman and XAFS

  • Removal of fission products and activation products​

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Sponsors: NRF, KAERI, KIMS, KIMM, KAIST, HD KSOE, Hyundai E&C

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Collaborating Partners:

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, Korea Institute of Materials Science, Hyundai Engineering & Construction, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, Soonchunhyang University, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Hanyang University, University of Michigan, University of Manchester, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Utah, Virginia Commonwealth University, Tohoku University, Tsinghua University

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