HomeNuclear Fuel Cycle and Materials
Advanced Nuclear Fuels and Fuel Cycles
Technical Aspects of Improving Proliferation Resistance of Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Contact Point: Shoichiro SAKAGUCHI.
This activity focuses on making a TECDOC on this subject.
It is generally accepted that proliferation resistance is an essential issue for prevailing peaceful use and sustainability of nuclear energy. Several comprehensive assessment activities on proliferation resistance of the nuclear fuel cycle have previously been completed, e.g. the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Evaluation (INFCE) carried out under the auspices of the IAEA. Following these efforts in the 1970s, there have been few comprehensive activities done. However, interest and concern about this issue have renewed recently, particularly because of increased interest in innovative nuclear fuel cycles and systems. In this context, the Agency studied Technical Aspects of Improving Proliferation Resistance of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle and prepared a document, which outlined how to identify technologies that can enhance the proliferation resistance of the nuclear fuel cycle and identify what impacts such technologies might have on proliferation resistance. This study considered technical aspects of proposed future nuclear fuel cycles and systems and how these can contribute to improved proliferation resistance.
