Principal investigator: Rahul Panat
University: Carnegie Mellon University
Industry partner: Westinghouse Electric Company
Carnegie Mellon University and Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC, propose a multi-scale simulation framework for the Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing process for nuclear microreactors. This “simulation-first” approach aims to predict thermal-mechanical outcomes, reducing the cost-prohibitive experimental burden of prototyping large-scale reactor components. Key objectives include developing computational workflows to capture thermal histories and coupling them with microscopic models to predict microstructure, and therefore properties. The simulations will also be used to create a comprehensive synthetic dataset for future AI-based surrogate models. The success of this research will position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced manufacturing. It will leverage the combined expertise of institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania with the commonwealth’s nuclear industry, enhancing the commonwealth’s economic competitiveness. Lastly, by leveraging WAAM’s roots in welding technology, this initiative will cultivate a pipeline of skilled talent for the energy industry and the burgeoning revival of Pennsylvania’s shipbuilding sector.