Unique research reactor TU Delft ready for faster materials research with even more societal impact
Over the past few years, a team of scientists and technicians from the TU Delft Reactor Institute have been working on a large-scale upgrade and modernisation of the Delft reactor. The result is a state-of-the-art facility where researchers and students from around the world can now conduct faster and more advanced research. The milestone was officially celebrated on Thursday 17 October 2024.
The Schoof government made no bones about it last Budget Day: The Netherlands must become more energy independent using renewable energy, nuclear power, hydrogen and other forms of energy storage. For these plans to become reality, more radiation research is needed. Something that is also taking place at the TU Delft Reactor Institute. To ensure that researchers and students - from all over the world - can conduct research many times faster and more advanced, a large-scale modernisation of the Delft reactor has recently been hard at work.
Quote Wim Koppers:
Our mission is to contribute to excellent science through excellent support. With the ultimate goal of making a better world through science. We welcome you all to join us in meeting the challenges!
Cool adaptation gives faster measurement results
A Delft team of scientists and technicians, working closely with dozens of (inter)national partners and suppliers, has realised several technical feats in recent years. With the neutron cooler, located next to the reactor core, as the absolute masterpiece. Here, neutrons of 20 Kelvin (more than 250 Celsius below zero) are produced for research.
Cooled neutrons have a greater wavelength and therefore more interaction with a research object than non-cooled neutrons. The quality and speed of measurements with cold neutrons have improved so much that measurements that normally took hours can now be made in minutes. This allows more researchers to start using the research reactor.
Such as Prof. dr.ir. Tim van der Hagen, chairman of the Executive Board and rector magnificus of TU Delft, says: ‘Without our fantastic partners and suppliers, we would never have come this far. And we hope to welcome many more partners, old and new, to work with us on this exciting new chapter of the TU Delft Reactor Institute!’
Research with social impact
The research taking place at TU Delft Reactor Institute includes projects that contribute to accelerating the energy transition, the treatment of cancer, our understanding of sustainable materials, non-destructive research on cultural heritage, and the development of new sustainable food products such as meat substitutes.
Background information TU Delft Reactor Institute
In recent years, there has been increasing interest in radiation research in the Netherlands. It is becoming increasingly clear how important knowledge about radiation is for all kinds of sectors. In Delft, radiation research focuses, among other things, on developing new materials for solar cells, batteries and efficient cooling and heating systems. There is also intensive work on medical applications, such as the development of processes surrounding the production of isotopes that are important for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
The TU Delft Reactor Institute also plays a leading role in research into clean and safe nuclear energy. Other research taking place in the reactor is into the structure of proteins in meat substitutes - soy-based - which contributes to making our food system more sustainable and encouraging healthier lifestyles. We also use our radiation to find answers to all kinds of pressing questions concerning cultural heritage and other historical objects.
For more information
https://www.tudelft.nl/tnw/zakelijk/faciliteiten/tu-delft-reactor-institute
For press enquiries
Dave Boomkens