Nuclear Energy Systems (NES)

The Nuclear Energy Systems (NES) Research Group at the University of Sharjah’s Research Institute of Sciences and Engineering (RISE) is dedicated to advancing the science and engineering of nuclear energy for peaceful and sustainable applications in the UAE and beyond. Our multidisciplinary team focuses on cutting edge research in nuclear system simulation, reactor safety and reliability, radiation protection, transient and accident analysis, and computational modeling of core physics and thermal hydraulics. Through collaboration with international academic partners and engagement in global research initiatives, we aim to develop innovative analytical tools and knowledge that enhance nuclear system performance, safety, and reliability, while contributing to the growth of regional expertise in nuclear science and technology.

• Pioneering conceptual core designs for advanced systems including the lead cooled ALMANAR and APR1400-based small modular reactors (SMRs) for desalination, while optimizing fuel assembly thermal hydraulics utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
• Evaluating comprehensive reactor safety and reliability by analyzing protection system failure modes, modeling total effective dose during LOCA scenarios, and deploying Machine Learning for the early diagnosis of severe accidents in the APR1400.
• Advancing predictive computational capabilities by developing specialized toolkits for uncertainty propagation, sensitivity analysis, and Bayesian-based surrogate modeling to rigorously validate complex neutronics and thermal hydraulics codes.
• Optimizing radiation protection and shielding designs using MCNP and dispersion simulations, coupled with investigating the molecular dynamics of advanced cladding materials like FeCrAl alloys to assess structural integrity at the atomic level.