Comparative criticality assessment of a hypothetical fuel element with 316 stainless steel-clad rods doped with niobium through computational simulation

Several applications were explored, including fuel rod coatings, structural alloys, and cooling materials in nuclear reactors, with a focus on performance, safety, and durability improvements. The results revealed that niobium doping provided a range of benefits, such as increased corrosion resistance, greater stability in high-temperature and radiation environments, and contributed to reducing criticality in nuclear fuel elements. These findings underscore the potential of niobium as a strategic material in the nuclear industry, offering promising solutions to the challenges faced in the safe and efficient operation of nuclear reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs).