Automated design optimisation of nuclear reactor cores

One of the key functions of a Reactor Physicist is to optimise the fuel and poison design to make the power-shape as flat and constant as possible. This ensures that the power peaks are as small as possible and the power capability of the reactor is as large as possible. The challenge is to do this both spatially and as a function of core lifetime (i.e. depletion) for all of the different core conditions. This needs to be done whilst ensuring that the reactor meets all of the other design objectives and requirements, such as maximising its core lifetime and ensuring it meets its reactivity shutdown margins.
This PhD will look to developing an automated design optimisation approach to maximise the power and lifetime capability of the core. This will involve automatically varying key design options such as: the concentration and location of the fuel; the concentration and location of poison; the dimensions of the fuel elements and flow paths; etc.