Research
Fundamental research for understanding the structure and internal interactions of atomic nuclei is performed both with theoretical modelling and experimental activities at accelerator-based facilities with state-of-the-art detector arrays for radiation detection. With these techniques, the complex quantum behaviour of this many-body proton/neutron system can be probed e.g. with measurements of excitation energies and lifetimes at extreme angular momentum and in nuclei far from stability. With our long experience in radiation detector technology our research activities also include several applications of nuclear- and radiation physics, such as advanced detector techniques for nuclear safeguards, micro/nano dosimetry in radiation therapy fields, and underwater radon measurements for finding earthquake precursors.
A large part of our research activities is directly concerned with novel nuclear reactor designs, including the many safety aspects related to these systems. This includes design and safety of Gen III+ light-water reactors, Gen IV reactors, and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Several projects in the NSE division focus on nuclear power safety, including research on thermal-hydraulics and severe accident phenomena in both existing and future nuclear power plants. The research groups in the NSE division have decades of experience in method development in the relevant research fields, including Monte-Carlo simulation of reactor core designs, thermo-mechanic and thermal-hydraulic modelling of nuclear plants, heat transfer in super-critical water, modelling of severe accidents, and modelling of future nuclear fuel cycle scenarios.
The behaviour of materials is a crucial aspect for designing reactor systems. An important part of our research activities are therefore connected to material physics, both in connection to radiation damage and to interaction between reactor materials, e.g. lead, steel, and fission products. This involves both advanced modelling and computer simulations and experimental research.
Our research is coordinated by our senior faculty and research staff in the list below. For more information on the research and contact information, follow the links.
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Assoc. Prof. Torbjörn Bäck
(head of division)
Experimental nuclear physics, artEmis project, micro/nanodosimetry -
Prof. Weimin Ma
(deputy head of division)
Nuclear power safety, severe accidents -
Prof. Pär Olsson
Radiation damage of materials, director for SUNRISE -
Prof. Sevostian Bechta
Nuclear power safety, severe accidents -
Prof. Bo Cederwall
Experimental nuclear physics (FAIR, AGATA), nuclear safeguards -
Prof. Ayse Nyberg
Coordination of the artEmis project, experimental nuclear physics -
Prof. Janne Wallenius
Small modular reactors, reactor design - Assoc. Prof. Pavel Kudinov
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Assoc. Prof. Jan Dufek
Monte-carlo simulations for reactor systems, ML, neutronics, thermohydraulics -
Assoc. Prof. Chong Qi
Nuclear Theory - Dr. Dmitry Grishchenko
- Dr. Andrei Komlev
- Dr. Haipeng Li
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Dr. Peter Szakalos
Corrosion studies and alloys for nuclear applications -
Dr. Mikael Jolkkonen
Nuclear fuel development, laboratory activities
Table 1:PI:s of the NSE division at KTH and their contributions to projects and supervision
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PI |
Ongoing projects relevant to new nuclear power |
Postgraduate students to be supervised during 2024-2027 |
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Prof. Pär Olsson |
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Prof. Sevostian Bechta |
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Prof. Bo Cederwall |
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Prof. Ayse Nyberg |
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Prof. Janne Wallenius |
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Assoc. Prof. Torbjörn Bäck |
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Assoc. Prof. Weimin Ma |
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Assoc. Prof. Pavel Kudinov |
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Assoc. Prof. Jan Dufek |
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Assoc. Prof. Chong Qi |
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Dr. Dmitry Grishchenko |
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Dr. Andrei Komlev |
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Dr. Haipeng Li |
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Dr. Sara Bortot |
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Dr. Peter Szakalos |
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Dr. Mikael Jolkkonen |
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Sean Roshan |
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- 2 MSc students |