PSI Visualizes Nuclear Fuel Corrosion at Nanoscale

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI published results in Advanced Engineering Materials showing they visualized nuclear fuel rod corrosion at nanoscale resolution. Using tiny 20 micrometer zirconium oxide samples, they identified pores as small as 80 nanometers. The study confirms standard autoclave tests yield meaningful results for irradiated tubes, aiding future reactor optimization including small modular and fusion designs.