FUNLAB - Future Nuclear Laboratory

Nuclear energy is central to reaching net-zero emissions, and small, advanced and micro modular reactors offer flexible and sustainable solutions for the future. Their fuels and structural materials must withstand intense radiation, high temperatures and corrosive conditions. FUNLAB brings together expertise in nuclear engineering, nuclear physics, materials science, chemistry, reactor physics, heat transfer and artificial intelligence to meet that challenge.

The project uses the new experimental infrastructure built up in the NUCLEAR project, including the capability to additively manufacture components from nuclear materials. Predictive modelling and experimental validation are coupled in rapid iterations, so that reactor components can be designed virtually, prototyped and tested with short lead times.

The work will result in several test beds and prototype models. Its summary goal is the FUNLAB core: a 3D-printed, surface-coated and electrically heated fuel core model with optimised heat transfer, neutronics and materials performance, used to validate the models developed in the project.

FUNLAB also trains a new generation of researchers. Four PhD students and four postdocs will be recruited, and more than 20 diploma students are expected to do their thesis work in connection with the project.

The project partners are KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Uppsala University and Luleå University of Technology, together with the initial industrial partners Blykalla and Duroc Laser Coating, with more to come.

FUNLAB is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency with 47 MSEK for the period November 2026 to December 2029.

The project is coordinated by professor Pär Olsson at KTH.