NMB
Nakase Laboratory, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and a research group led by Dr. Kenji Nishihara from the Japan Atomic Energy Agency have collaboratively developed the simulation code NMB4.0 for the study of future nuclear energy utilization scenarios. The code is freely available from the NMB official website.(https://nmb-code.jp/english)。
In nuclear research and development, core development, reprocessing, and disposal, including backend technologies and individual element technology development, are extremely crucial. However, nuclear power is a vast engineering system, and the evaluation of overall system validity and rationalization studies become paramount.
To begin with, for the formulation of Japan's future energy strategy, it is essential to quantitatively assess the strengths and weaknesses of each power source. Particularly in the utilization of nuclear energy, conducting future predictions to determine the types of reactors and nuclear fuel cycles to be developed and employed is crucial. This involves estimating quantities such as the required resources, plant scale, scale of the nuclear fuel cycle, and the amount of generated waste. In recent years, the significance of broader system analysis, including the synergy between nuclear power as a clean energy source and renewable energy, has been increasingly recognized.
In Japan, there have been several instances of simulation codes developed for future predictions, but these have not always been openly accessible and may not have been fully reflected in strategic planning. In order to establish a foundation for open discussions on future energy and nuclear strategies, Tokyo Tech ZC Lab and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency have collaborated to jointly develop and release NMB4.0 at no cost.
NMB4.0 is equipped with high-speed computational algorithms, covering various reactor types and processes of the nuclear fuel cycle (such as fuel manufacturing, reprocessing, disposal, etc.). It allows flexible combinations and parameter settings, enabling the analysis of numerous scenarios anticipated for the future. It can be expanded by adding additional data, accommodating new innovative reactors and more. By incorporating research and development backend information, it facilitates in-depth examinations and detailed considerations.
We are actively seeking a wide range of users and developers to establish NMB4.0 as a standard simulator both domestically and internationally. Our goal is to build a research platform towards comprehensive evaluations in the energy sector, encompassing economic and environmental impact assessments, and facilitating cross-disciplinary studies. By consistently integrating research activities like reprocessing and backend research within the laboratory, we believe it becomes possible to achieve genuine "nuclear system research."
Without energy, a country and the world cannot function. In order to address the challenges of energy and specifically tackle the issues related to nuclear power, and to realize a better society, Nakase Lab is committed to conducting a broad range of research activities.
Links
- Graduate Major in Nuclear Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Laboratory for Zero-Carbon Energy, Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Fukushima Reconstruction and Revitalization Unit, Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Dr. Kenji NISHIHARA : Nuclear Science and Engineering Center
Research Group for Nuclear Transmutation System - Radioactive Waste Management Funding and Research Center
- Okayama University of Science
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University
- International Research Center for Nuclear Materials Science, Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University
(Oarai Center) - Laboratory of Alpha-Ray Emitters, Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University
- Research Center for Electron Photon Science, Tohoku University
- Cyclotron and Radioisotope Center, Tohoku University
- Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science (KURNS)
- SPring-8 (The world's largest third-generation synchrotron radiation facility)