Dr. Alex Ivanov
Research Staff Scientist
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Abstract

Molten salt reactors (MSRs) are sometimes called “chemist’s reactors” because their operation and fuel cycle rely heavily on chemical processes rather than traditional solid-fuel reactor physics. Unlike conventional nuclear reactors that use solid fuel rods, MSRs use liquid fuel in the form of molten salts, which introduces several chemistry-related challenges and opportunities. While molten salts are ionic liquids, the uranium constituent is known to form partially covalent associations with halides, leading to the formation of complex ionic networks in the melt. This talk will provide examples of new observations in molten chloride salts relevant to nuclear applications, including interactions with solutes such as nuclear fuel, fission, and corrosion products at the extreme conditions of high temperature.

Biography

Dr. Alex Ivanov is a research staff scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He earned his Ph.D. from Utah State University in 2015. His research focuses on developing and applying neutron/X-ray scattering and spectroscopy techniques combined with atomistic modeling to investigate processes and functional materials for energy-related technologies, including nuclear materials, molten salts, radionuclides, and nuclear medicine. Dr. Ivanov is currently a principal investigator at the U.S. DOE Energy Frontier Research Center for Molten Salts in Extreme Environments. He also collaborates with industrial partners to advance next-generation nuclear reactors and novel radiopharmaceuticals.

Thursday, February 13. 2024
4:10 pm seminar

zoom link upon request