DESC0024820

Recent breakthroughs in fusion energy production fusion have focused public attention on the potential for viable, clean, fusion energy. However, many significant fusion engineering challenges remain unsolved. Optimal material selection is a central part of the development of viable fusion reactor designs, as reactor components are subject to severe radiation, heat, and stress. Multiphysics neutronics simulations are a critical tool for predicting the behavior of these materials, but the associated software workflows are immature and not suitable for rapid design-test-build workflows. In this proposal, the company will improve fusion reactor materials selection by developing a multiphysics neutronics workflow. Specifically, it will provide deep integration between a widely-used preprocessing software and two popular open-source tools for neutron transport simulation. This will enable neutronics simulation directly on computer-aided design geometry for non-researchers in a robust way for the first time. The company will also introduce powerful setup and troubleshooting diagnostic tools for a popular open-source neutronics code, making these available in a commercial preprocessor for the first time. The proposed work is being carried out in close partnership with multiple commercial fusion companies. This project is scoped to be responsive to these fusion reactor developersĺ needs as they expand their workforce in response to this accessible, scalable simulation process. In Phase I, the company will complete the initial integration between the preprocessing tool and the open-source neutronics codes. During Phase II, the company will build on the success of Phase I and create a full multiphysics simulation workflow for coupled structural and neutronics simulation that enables neutronics analysis to be performed directly on computer-aided design data without requiring the creation of a volumetric mesh. This next-generation improvement in fusion materials testing workflow will further accelerate design-test-build workflows. The possibility of affordable fusion energy will depend on efficiently-designed reactor components as well as on cutting-edge physics research. If carried over beyond Phase II, this project will increase the rate at which these components can be optimized for performance and safety.