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Center for Used Fuel Research: Building confidence in storage and transport
Used nuclear fuel storage and transportation have reached a critical juncture.
Dozens of utilities need reliable data on how used nuclear fuel performs in dry storage casks and canisters to extend regulatory licenses at sites across the United States. Likewise, the Department of Energy expects to take ownership of the used nuclear fuel—termed “spent nuclear fuel” in the laws and regulations governing its stewardship—and transfer it to one or more federal staging facilities for management and disposition.
Meanwhile, dozens of reactor companies are testing prototypes of advanced reactors and advanced reactor fuels. Eventually, regulators and industry must also verify the safety and security of storage methods for these advanced fuel types.
To help address these challenges, the DOE established the Center for Used Fuel Research (CUFR) in January 2026 for work related to the long-term storage and transport of used nuclear fuel.
Chansuh Lee, Kyungtae Lim, Man-Sung Yim
Nuclear Technology | Volume 212 | Number 1 | January 2026 | Pages 198-218
Regular Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2025.2462494
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Given the rise in global interest in nuclear energy, the spread of nuclear technological capabilities and their potential impact on nuclear nonproliferation are of significant interest. This study examines the utility of open-source international trade data along with demand and supply-side data as a means by which to assess the potential nuclear proliferation risk related to nuclear power development. The proliferation risk assessment involves the use of machine learning, deep learning, traditional econometric methods, and big data. The results of the analysis indicated that using trade data can assist with nuclear proliferation risk predictions. Key items of importance in relation to nuclear trade were found to be the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (HS) code 360300 (explosives for signaling, the most significant feature), followed by HS codes 282590 (inorganic bases) and 841350 (reciprocating positive displacement pumps for liquids). Other important items were HS codes 722810 (stainless steel products), 391721 (tubes, pipes, and hoses of plastic), 840120 (nuclear reactors and their parts), and 722830 (bars and rods of alloy steel).