Russian Engineers Use Digital Twins to Advance Nuclear Fuel Technology

The innovation optimizes reactor component design and enhances production safety — potentially lowering costs across the nuclear energy sector.

Engineers at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University have upgraded nuclear fuel manufacturing by using digital twin technology. Working within the university’s Digital Engineering School, the team developed and tested a new furnace component in a virtual environment before implementation, according to a statement to TASS.

During the R&D phase, engineers created virtual models of the manufacturing equipment using a digital platform, allowing them to simulate and refine the design with precision. The new nuclear tech platform led to a reduced weight of the furnace substrate, which decreases wear on components and cuts overall production costs.

Beyond economics, the innovation improves reliability and reduces the risk of failures at nuclear power plants, marking a safety breakthrough for the industry.