Imaging Breakthrough Boosts Nuclear Material Testing

ORNL researchers capture first-of-a-kind optical measurements during accident testing of commercially irradiated nuclear fuel cladding.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 2:04am

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Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new technique to capture detailed optical measurements of nuclear fuel cladding behavior during simulated loss-of-coolant accident testing. The breakthrough allows for continuous, high-quality photography of irradiated materials from outside heavily shielded hot cell areas, providing a clearer picture of how cladding performs in rare but important accident scenarios.

Why it matters

Understanding how nuclear fuel cladding behaves in accident conditions is critical for qualifying materials and fuels to the highest safety standards. The new optical measurement technique provides more comprehensive data to improve computer models and expand safety parameters, especially for high-burnup and accident-tolerant nuclear fuels.

The details

The ORNL team modified a camera system to remotely capture continuous, high-quality photos of irradiated fuel cladding samples during simulated loss-of-coolant accident testing. Using digital image correlation (DIC), the system was able to take measurements at four frames per second, providing detailed data on the cladding's behavior that was previously difficult to obtain in such a complex testing environment.

  • The research and testing took place at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2026.

The players

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

A U.S. Department of Energy science and energy laboratory located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, conducting research in areas such as materials science and nuclear technology.

Mackenzie Ridley

An ORNL researcher who led the team that developed the new optical measurement technique for nuclear fuel cladding accident testing.

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What they’re saying

“DIC gives us a clearer, more complete picture of what happens during these rare events. These measurements feed models that can refine and expand safety qualification parameters for high burnup and accident-tolerant fuel.”

— Mackenzie Ridley, ORNL Researcher

What’s next

The new optical measurement technique will be used to further study the behavior of nuclear fuel cladding in simulated accident conditions, providing critical data to improve safety models and qualify advanced nuclear fuels.

The takeaway

This breakthrough in nuclear materials testing represents an important advancement in the quest to enhance the safety and reliability of nuclear power generation, a key component of the transition to clean energy sources.