Probing Molten Salts with Used Nuclear Fuel in Extreme Environments
Towards Proliferation-resistant Processing and High Temperature SMRs
Effective management of used nuclear fuel is one of the most critical challenges for the sustainable future of nuclear energy. Molten salts have emerged as key media across the nuclear fuel cycle, serving as solvents for proliferation-resistant recycling of used nuclear fuel, fuel-coolant mixtures in MSRs, blankets in fusion systems, and thermal energy storage media. Their outstanding chemical stability, solubility for actinides and fission products, and recyclability enable high-temperature operations essential for efficient electricity generation, industrial heat, hydrogen production, and metal processing.​​
However, molten salts operating under extreme environments (500–800℃, strong corrosivity, intense radiation) complicate material selection, sensor durability, and in-situ chemical monitoring, directly affecting safety, safeguards, process control, and aging management. Addressing these challenges requires a deep understanding of molten salt chemistry, corrosion mechanisms, and advanced sensing technologies capable of stable operation under such harsh conditions.
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Our research integrates electrochemical sensing, laser-based spectroscopy, and AI-driven chemometrics to establish real-time monitoring for molten salt environments.
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Research Topics
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Electrochemical monitoring of actinide, fission products, and moisture impurities
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Postdoctoral researchers: Hiring
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Graduate Students: Saehyun Choi, Jihun Kim, Taehoon Park, Hiring
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Interns: Jeanwon Lee, Minjae Hur, Seungjae Lee
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Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (solidified salts, molten salts, aerosols)
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Graduate Students: Hyeongbin Kim, Joonsoo Ock, Jihye Park, Jun-won Kim, Hiring
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Interns: Pilseong Kwon, Hiring
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- Corrosion behavior of structural materials under moisture impurities and radiation
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Postdoctoral researchers:
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Graduate Students: Taehoon Park, Byeongmin Kong, Seungyop Peak(Hyundai E&C)
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Interns: Hiring
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- Thermophysical and thermochemical property measurements for molten salts
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Postdoctoral researchers: Sujeong Lee
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Graduate Students: Jihun Kim, Joonsoo Ock
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Interns: Pilsen Kwon​​​​​
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Sponsors: NRF, KAERI, KOFONS, 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