The 4th SNETP Project Portfolio Webinar brought together experts and stakeholders from across Europe to explore three promising research initiatives that are shaping the future of nuclear energy and safety. The featured projects MAGIC-RR, GO-VIKING, and FIND, reflect Europe’s commitment to fostering innovation, safety, and public engagement in nuclear technologies.

Research on Materials Ageing and Structural Integrity of Research Reactors (MAGIC-RR)

The problem addressed: Europe’s research reactor (RR) fleet is ageing, with many having operated for over 60 years, while only a limited number of new capacities are planned. Their continued safe operation (CSO) is essential for nuclear materials R&D activities and the supply of medical isotopes. However, there is limited understanding of the radiation-induced degradation and corrosion of their aluminium alloy structures, especially at high fluences, and harmonised ageing management practices are lacking.[1, 1] Of particular concern is the absence of physics-based predictive models for radiation damage in Al-alloys and the lack of European-level uniformity in the ageing management of operational RRs.

Objectives and methodology: MAGIC-RR aims to better understand these degradation mechanisms, validate the use of small-scale test specimens in surveillance programmes (to address the shortage of surveillance samples), develop predictive models for Al-alloy damage, and harmonise ageing management. It involves experimental investigations on unique irradiated materials, advanced microstructural analyses, and multi-scale modelling. The project has a budget of €3,207,732.75, fully funded by the EU, and runs from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2028, coordinated by the Hungarian HUN-REN CENTRE FOR ENERGY RESEARCH.

Expected impact: The project will formulate recommendations for regulatory bodies, support the long-term safe use of RRs, fill knowledge gaps, improve ageing management methods, and ultimately contribute to maintaining European excellence in RR material research. This project is fundamental to preserving critical European research infrastructure and capabilities.

Gathering expertise On Vibration ImpaKt In Nuclear power Generation (GO-VIKING)

The problem addressed: Flow-induced vibrations (FIV) pose a significant operational problem in nuclear power plants (NPPs), potentially causing wear and damage to critical components such as fuel assemblies (where grid-to-rod fretting is the main cause of failure) and steam generators (risk of tube rupture). In the period 2006-2015, 58% of PWR fuel assembly failures were attributable to grid-to-rod fretting.

Objectives and methodology: GO-VIKING aims to develop, improve, and validate advanced fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulation methods for FIV analysis. This includes extensive experimental campaigns on various test facilities (e.g., Cantilever Rod, ALAIN, AMOVI, GOKSTAD) under single- and two-phase flow conditions, as well as the development of best practice guidelines for industry and regulators. The project received €2.816 million in funding, with the participation of 16 European and two US partners, and runs from June 1, 2022, to May 30, 2026.

Expected impact: The project will improve the understanding of FIV mechanisms, deliver validated FSI tools and fast-running models with uncertainty quantification, leading to better design of NPP components, enhanced operational safety and reliability (e.g., fewer leaking fuel assemblies/steam generator tubes), and reduced costs from unplanned outages.GO-VIKING directly addresses a known operational risk that affects plant availability and safety.

Future Instrumentation and coNtrol based on innovative methods and Disruptive technologies for higher safety level (FIND)

FIND focuses on the development and validation of innovative monitoring and instrumentation technologies to support the long-term operation and safety of nuclear reactors. It includes the deployment of online diagnostic tools for defect detection and stress monitoring under normal and accidental conditions. The project also addresses technology qualification, human and organizational factors, and the creation of a roadmap for broader implementation of these solutions in operational environments.

The problem addressed: Supporting the long-term operation of nuclear power plants and enhancing their safety requires innovative monitoring and instrumentation technologies capable of early fault detection, stress monitoring, and robust performance under normal and accident conditions, especially in hard-to-access zones.

Objectives and methodology: FIND focuses on the development and validation of such technologies. Key activities include the deployment of online diagnostic tools (e.g., ultrasonic methods, Fiber Bragg gratings, acoustic monitoring for fault detection), the development of “Digital Twin” concepts that combine real operational data with high-fidelity simulations for stress monitoring, and the creation of hardened instrumentation for accident conditions (e.g., water level, fission product detection). The project includes testing in experimental loops (VIKTORIA, IRMA irradiator) and industrial environments. The project budget is €15.8 million, of which €5 million is Euratom funding, and it has a significant experimental budget of €900,000 for equipment and facilities.

Expected impact: FIND aims to deliver proof-of-concepts for advanced monitoring systems adapted to the nuclear environment, provide recommendations for market introduction, and create a roadmap for future developments (e.g., robotic inspections, quantum sensors). This will contribute to early damage prediction, better event and accident management, and increased overall safety and operational performance. FIND represents a forward-looking approach to reactor safety, employing cutting-edge technologies towards more predictive and resilient operational paradigms.

Key Takeaways

The three presented projects – though different in focus – collectively represent a comprehensive strategy. MAGIC-RR addresses the fundamental material science of ageing, GO-VIKING tackles dynamic operational challenges, and FIND provides the advanced “senses” for monitoring and managing these complex systems. This reflects a holistic approach to nuclear safety and LTO.

Common Themes and Synergies

  • Enhanced safety through proactive measures: A central theme is the shift towards proactive and predictive safety. This is evident in MAGIC-RR‘s predictive modelling, GO-VIKING‘s validated simulation tools for design and assessment, and FIND‘s emphasis on early fault detection and online monitoring.
  • Support for Long-Term Operation (LTO): All three projects directly contribute to the safe and reliable LTO of Europe’s nuclear fleet. MAGIC-RR addresses material ageing in RRs (with implications for NPPs), GO-VIKING mitigates operational wear, and FIND provides crucial monitoring for ageing management.
  • European cooperation and harmonization: The projects highlight the power of European collaboration in pooling expertise and resources (MAGIC-RR: 12 partners; GO-VIKING: 16 European partners; FIND: 11 partners). MAGIC-RR specifically aims to harmonize ageing management practices.
  • Innovation in key technologies: Significant advancements are being made in material science, advanced simulation (FSI, Digital Twins), non-destructive testing, and sensor technology. Advanced computational tools, simulation, and data-centric approaches are fundamental to all these projects, indicating a broader trend of digitalization transforming nuclear safety and engineering practices.
  • Synergistic knowledge generation: The results of these projects are not isolated. For example, improved material degradation models developed by MAGIC-RR can refine the structural input data for GO-VIKING‘s FSI simulations. FIND‘s advanced monitoring can, in turn, validate the predictions of both projects, creating a virtuous cycle of research and validation that enhances the overall value and reliability of the research outcomes.

While focusing on current challenges and LTO, the achievements in material understanding (MAGIC-RR), simulation capabilities (GO-VIKING), and monitoring technologies (FIND) inherently contribute to building the knowledge base necessary for the safer and more efficient design and operation of next-generation reactors (Gen IV, SMRs).

Looking Ahead

This webinar highlighted significant progress in key areas of nuclear safety: structural ageing, vibration mitigation, and advanced monitoring. By addressing long-standing technical challenges through coordinated R&D, MAGIC-RR, GO-VIKING, and FIND contribute to the resilience and continued safe operation of both current and future nuclear systems.

Together, they strengthen the foundation for long-term reactor safety, through improved understanding of material ageing, enhanced predictive capabilities, and the integration of cutting-edge monitoring technologies. By jointly addressing key challenges, such as structural degradation, flow-induced vibrations, and the need for real-time diagnostics, these initiatives contribute to the development of a more resilient, efficient, and future-ready nuclear sector in Europe.

Their synergies highlight the essential role of coordinated R&D in securing the safe and reliable operation of both current and next-generation nuclear systems.

SNETP will continue its webinar series in the coming months to showcase further innovative projects within its growing portfolio.