A preview of nano-materials and nano-technologies applied in advanced nuclear energy system

With the rapid growth of human demands for nuclear energy, in response to the challenges of nuclear energy development, the world's major nuclear countries have started the R&D of advanced nuclear energy systems, in which new materials and new technologies are considered to play important roles. Nano-materials and nano-technologies, which have gain extensive attentions in recent years, have shown a wide range of potential applications in future nuclear energy system. In this paper, the basic research progresses of nano-materials and nano-technologies in advanced nuclear fuel fabrication, spent nuclear fuel reprocessing, nuclear waste disposal and nuclear environmental restoration is reviewed. Furthermore, the R&D trends of nano-materials and nanotechnologies in future advanced nuclear energy system are discussed.