This year's TA CR Awards, with the motto "Forgotten Innovations: The World as We (Don't) Know It," are also being celebrated by FJFI. In a competition that highlighted the crucial role played by innovations that are often taken for granted today, scientists from the Department of Nuclear Reactors were successful in the Society category. However, another surprise awaited them at the National Museum, where the entire evening took place. They received the most votes in the "Czech Idea" poll, becoming the overall winners of this year's competition.
The researchers participated with a project that can contribute to greater safety, efficiency, and sustainability in nuclear energy. They developed and tested a new type of nuclear fuel—with high density and a protective coating of chromium-nickel alloy, which increases resistance to overheating, oxidation, and corrosion. The new material ensures more stable behavior during power changes, which are a normal part of nuclear power plant operation. This makes it easier to plan plant operation and respond flexibly to various operating situations. The fuel also has a longer service life, which reduces replacement costs and overall reactor operating costs.
"Primarily, we are showing that there are still areas where innovation is possible, thereby further increasing the efficiency and safety of current reactors. Nuclear energy is inherently very conservative, but current developments in the electricity sector, with a high proportion of unstable sources in the energy mix, are placing ever greater demands on reactor operation, which will be difficult to meet without innovation. However, our technology will provide the greatest benefits for new types of small and micro reactors, including floating and space reactors," explains Ing. Martin Ševeček, Ph.D.
As part of the project, an advanced software model was also developed, which allows for more detailed analysis and prediction of fuel behavior under real operating conditions. The tool is valuable for fuel manufacturers as well as operators and regulatory authorities who oversee the safety and reliability of nuclear facilities.
Forgotten innovations
The ceremony at the National Museum's Historical Building offered an atmosphere that outlined the chilling scenario of life without the innovations we currently take for granted. The evening was opened by Petr Konvalinka, Chairman of TA CR and former Rector of CTU, and speeches were given by Jiří Drahoš, Vice-President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and former President of the Czech Academy of Sciences, among others.
The awards were presented to the winners in the categories of Business, Governance, Partnership, and Society. The winners received an original glass statuette designed by Lukáš Jabůrek.
The highlight of the evening came with the announcement of the main prize, "Czech Idea." The winner was decided by public vote on the TA ČR website and directly in the hall. The project from FJFI received the most votes of all the competing proposals, underscoring its scientific and social contribution.
"The award is a great honor for us and, at the same time, a great commitment for the future. Finding out that our ideas really interest someone and that society values them is very motivating. At the same time, however, we realize that this is just the icing on the cake, and the real reward would be to put this technology into operation," adds Ševeček.
TA CR finances applied research projects in Czechia. This year, it awarded the best projects for the thirteenth time.
Photo: TA CR