The development of advanced nuclear energy systems,known for their cleanliness and sustainability,is a key strategy for achieving a low-carbon energy transition.Liquid metal(LM)-powered advanced nuclear energy systems...The development of advanced nuclear energy systems,known for their cleanliness and sustainability,is a key strategy for achieving a low-carbon energy transition.Liquid metal(LM)-powered advanced nuclear energy systems demonstrate sustainability and environmental friendliness,as well as being irreplaceable in specific areas.This paper charts a comprehensive scene of applications,challenges,and prospects of LMs in advanced nuclear energy(fusion and fission).First,next-generation fission reactors that use LM coolants,such as sodium or lead,are currently under design and construction.However,the coupling mechanisms of multiphase and multiphysics interactions remain unresolved due to various challenges,including corrosion and lead-water interactions.Second,the exploration of new LM-cooled reactors should emphasize sustainable development while ensuring basic performance.Lastly,the unique properties of LMs,including efficient energy transport and tritium breeding,position them as crucial materials in fusion system design.However,surface characteristics and the magnetohydrodynamic(MHD)effect remain major technical challenges.LMs have already left their mark in nuclear energy and are expected to be an effective solution to overcoming the energy crisis.展开更多
From Moon to Mars exploration,from the progress of global large-scale scientific facilities to the wide application of superconducting materials and solidstate batteries,from the development and application of nuclear...From Moon to Mars exploration,from the progress of global large-scale scientific facilities to the wide application of superconducting materials and solidstate batteries,from the development and application of nuclear energy to environmental protection against contaminants of emerging concern(CECs),and the rapid reconstruction of human lifestyles by artificial intelligence(AI),....,The Innovation’s editorial team presents a review of the major scientific breakthroughs in 2024(Figure 1).展开更多
基金support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(nos.U20B2011 and 123B2086).
文摘The development of advanced nuclear energy systems,known for their cleanliness and sustainability,is a key strategy for achieving a low-carbon energy transition.Liquid metal(LM)-powered advanced nuclear energy systems demonstrate sustainability and environmental friendliness,as well as being irreplaceable in specific areas.This paper charts a comprehensive scene of applications,challenges,and prospects of LMs in advanced nuclear energy(fusion and fission).First,next-generation fission reactors that use LM coolants,such as sodium or lead,are currently under design and construction.However,the coupling mechanisms of multiphase and multiphysics interactions remain unresolved due to various challenges,including corrosion and lead-water interactions.Second,the exploration of new LM-cooled reactors should emphasize sustainable development while ensuring basic performance.Lastly,the unique properties of LMs,including efficient energy transport and tritium breeding,position them as crucial materials in fusion system design.However,surface characteristics and the magnetohydrodynamic(MHD)effect remain major technical challenges.LMs have already left their mark in nuclear energy and are expected to be an effective solution to overcoming the energy crisis.
文摘From Moon to Mars exploration,from the progress of global large-scale scientific facilities to the wide application of superconducting materials and solidstate batteries,from the development and application of nuclear energy to environmental protection against contaminants of emerging concern(CECs),and the rapid reconstruction of human lifestyles by artificial intelligence(AI),....,The Innovation’s editorial team presents a review of the major scientific breakthroughs in 2024(Figure 1).
