Advanced Composite Materials for Fuels Course
Online 300-hour course in advanced composite materials for fuels. 6 modules covering IAEA SSR-4 (safety of fuel cycle facilities), IAEA SSG-52 (reactor core design) and BISON. Assigned tutor and enrolment open.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the concept of composite fuel and its advantages.
Select fissile phase and matrix materials according to their properties.
Describe the manufacturing and quality control processes for composite fuels.
Analyse behaviour under irradiation, including swelling and gas release.
Interpret qualification and licensing requirements.
Identify applications in current and advanced reactors.
Develop an integrating project on a composite fuel.
Who it's for
- Advanced fuel development engineer who wants to specialise in Advanced Composite Materials for Fuels.
- Researcher in nuclear ceramic materials who wants to specialise in Advanced Composite Materials for Fuels.
- Fuel manufacturing process engineer who wants to specialise in Advanced Composite Materials for Fuels.
- Analyst of behaviour under irradiation who wants to specialise in Advanced Composite Materials for Fuels.
- Fuel qualification engineer who wants to specialise in Advanced Composite Materials for Fuels.
- Manufacturing quality control technician who wants to specialise in Advanced Composite Materials for Fuels.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter nuclear fuel manufacturing.
What you'll work with
- IAEA SSR-4 (safety of fuel cycle facilities)
- IAEA SSG-52 (reactor core design)
- ASTM C776 (sintered UO2 pellets)
- ASTM C696 (analysis of UO2 powder and pellets)
- 10 CFR 50.46 (ECCS acceptance criteria)
- ANSI/ANS-8.1 (criticality safety outside reactors)
- ISO 19443 (quality in the nuclear supply chain)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Difference between monolithic and composite fuel1.2Dispersed fuel in a matrix1.3Coated particles and their architecture1.4Ceramic-ceramic composites1.5Ceramic-metal composites1.6Graphite, silicon carbide and metallic matrices1.7Motivation: retention of fission products and robustness1.8Applications: high-temperature and modular reactors1.9Research reactors and plate fuel1.10Exercise: classify concepts by architecture
2.1Oxide, carbide and oxycarbide particles2.2Coating layers and the function of each2.3Porous and dense pyrolytic carbon2.4Silicon carbide as a barrier2.5Graphite matrix and its manufacture2.6Fibre-reinforced silicon carbide composites2.7Aluminium and zirconium matrices2.8Chemical compatibility between phases2.9Interdiffusion and reactions at the interface2.10Practice: specify a layer system
3.1Obtaining kernels by gelation3.2Chemical vapour deposition in a fluidised bed3.3Control of layer thickness and density3.4Overcoating and matrix pressing3.5Infiltration and sintering of composites3.6Manufacture of plates by rolling3.7Manufacturing defects and their detection3.8Non-destructive testing of the element3.9Statistical control and acceptable defect fraction3.10Practice: control plan for a batch of particles
4.1Retention of fission products by the layers4.2Particle failure mechanisms4.3Internal pressure and overpressure failure4.4Fission product attack and internal corrosion4.5Kernel migration due to thermal gradient4.6Swelling and shrinkage under irradiation4.7Degradation of the matrix and fibres4.8Behaviour at very high temperature4.9Failure fraction and its experimental measurement4.10Practice: estimate the expected failure fraction
5.1Staged qualification strategy5.2Heating and annealing tests5.3Experimental irradiation and post-irradiation examination5.4Particle behaviour models5.5Licensing criteria and source term5.6Management of composite fuel waste5.7Difficulty of reprocessing and its implications5.8Industrial scale-up and supply chain5.9Maturity status of each concept5.10Practice: qualification plan for a fuel
6.1Choice of concept and application6.2Specification of materials and architecture6.3Design of the manufacturing process6.4Quality control plan6.5Thermal and mechanical analysis of the element6.6Prediction of behaviour under irradiation6.7Test and qualification plan6.8Spent fuel management6.9Technical report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The software used is BISON, MARMOT, ABAQUS, Thermo-Calc, ImageJ/Fiji, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real laboratory-scale manufacturing procedures for composite pellets, irradiations in test reactors and microstructural characterisation. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the concept of composite fuel and its advantages.
Select fissile phase and matrix materials according to their properties.
Describe the manufacturing and quality control processes for composite fuels.
Analyse behaviour under irradiation, including swelling and gas release.
Interpret qualification and licensing requirements.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme consists of 300 total hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The course works with BISON, MARMOT, ABAQUS, Thermo-Calc, ImageJ/Fiji. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official title from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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