A masters program in Nuclear Engineering focusing specifically on High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors (HTGCR's), has been developed and the first students enrolled in 2005. Fields in which we can make a unique contribution are HTGCR Technology, Gas Turbine Cycles for HTGCR's, Advanced Thermo Systems Design and Systems Modeling of HTGCR Power Plants.

Our research efforts focus on the following:

• Thermo hydraulic modeling and optimization of complete HTGCR power plants including the reactor.
  
  
• Control strategies for HTGCR power plants.
  
  
• Neutronic modeling of HTGCR's and in particular the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR).
  
  
• Optimization of closed-loop gas turbine power conversion cycles used in conjunction with HTGCR's· Techno economic modeling and optimization of HTGCR's.
  
  
• High temperature materials used in HTGCR's.
  
  
• Off-design performance prediction of compressors and turbines used in HTGCR power plants.
  
  
• Detailed modeling of the heat transfer inside HTGCR's including the effects of convection, conduction, radiation and the release of fission heat.