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CourseAutomotive & Motorsport Enrolment open

Course in Fuel Characterisation Methods

Online 300-hour course in fuel characterisation methods. 6 modules covering ASTM C696 (chemical, spectrometric and mass analysis of UO2 powder and pellets), ASTM C776 (specification of sintered UO2 pellets) and ImageJ/Fiji. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.

Duration300 h
ModeOnline
Start datesOctober / March
LocationEurope (Madrid)
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Virtual lab · try it before you enrol

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Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Describe nuclear fuel and the properties that must be characterised.

02

Apply chemical and isotopic characterisation techniques.

03

Analyse microstructure using metallography and microscopy.

04

Measure physical and thermal properties relevant to reactor behaviour.

05

Select non-destructive tests for fuels and cladding.

06

Interpret characterisation results against specifications.

07

Plan a fuel characterisation programme.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Fuel characterisation engineer looking to specialise in Fuel Characterisation Methods.
  • Nuclear materials laboratory technician looking to specialise in Fuel Characterisation Methods.
  • Post-irradiation examination specialist looking to specialise in Fuel Characterisation Methods.
  • Nuclear analytical chemist looking to specialise in Fuel Characterisation Methods.
  • Fuel quality engineer looking to specialise in Fuel Characterisation Methods.
  • Nuclear materials researcher looking to specialise in Fuel Characterisation Methods.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter nuclear fuel manufacturing.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ASTM C696 (chemical, spectrometric and mass analysis of UO2 powder and pellets)
  • ASTM C776 (specification of sintered UO2 pellets)
  • ASTM E1461 (thermal diffusivity by the flash method)
  • ASTM E112 (determination of grain size)
  • ASTM E3 (preparation of metallographic specimens)
  • ISO/IEC 17025 (competence of testing laboratories)
  • ASTM E1316 (non-destructive testing terminology)
Syllabus

6 modules · 300 h

  1. 1.1Fuel types: UO2, MOX, metallic and TRISO
  2. 1.2Pellet and cladding manufacture
  3. 1.3Specifications and quality control
  4. 1.4Fuel changes during irradiation
  5. 1.5Characterisation objectives
  6. 1.6Hot cells and post-irradiation examination
  7. 1.7ASTM C776 and C833 standards
  8. 1.8Sampling and sample preparation
  9. 1.9Traceability and quality assurance
  10. 1.10Case study: characterisation plan for a pellet
  1. 2.1O/M stoichiometry and its measurement
  2. 2.2Thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS)
  3. 2.3ICP-MS and isotope dilution
  4. 2.4Burn-up measurement: the neodymium-148 method
  5. 2.5High-resolution gamma spectrometry
  6. 2.6Impurity analysis
  7. 2.7Gas and moisture content
  8. 2.8Chromatography and chemical separations
  9. 2.9Uncertainty in isotopic measurements
  10. 2.10Laboratory: burn-up calculation using Nd-148 data
  1. 3.1Ceramography and metallography
  2. 3.2Optical and scanning electron microscopy
  3. 3.3Transmission electron microscopy
  4. 3.4Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA)
  5. 3.5High burn-up structure (HBS) at the rim
  6. 3.6Porosity and density
  7. 3.7Grain size and its evolution
  8. 3.8Fission product precipitates
  9. 3.9X-ray diffraction
  10. 3.10Practical: image analysis of porosity and grain
  1. 4.1Thermal conductivity: laser flash method
  2. 4.2Dilatometry and thermal expansion
  3. 4.3Specific heat by calorimetry
  4. 4.4Melting temperature
  5. 4.5Mechanical properties and microhardness
  6. 4.6Fission gas release
  7. 4.7Swelling and densification
  8. 4.8Cladding tests: corrosion and hydriding
  9. 4.9Cladding burst tests
  10. 4.10Case study: comparison of UO2 and MOX conductivity
  1. 5.1Axial gamma scanning of rods
  2. 5.2Profilometry and diameter measurement
  3. 5.3Eddy currents in cladding
  4. 5.4Neutron radiography and tomography
  5. 5.5Rod puncturing and gas analysis
  6. 5.6Transient testing: CABRI and TREAT
  7. 5.7Cladding LOCA tests
  8. 5.8Accident-tolerant fuels
  9. 5.9Data for behaviour codes such as FRAPCON
  10. 5.10Workshop: interpreting an axial gamma scan
  1. 6.1Fuel definition and objectives
  2. 6.2Selection of techniques
  3. 6.3Sampling and preparation plan
  4. 6.4Analysis of chemical results
  5. 6.5Microstructural analysis
  6. 6.6Property evaluation
  7. 6.7Comparison with models
  8. 6.8Synthesis of results
  9. 6.9Report and presentation
  10. 6.10Final review with the tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training 100 % online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is ImageJ/Fiji, MATLAB, OriginPro, Python (pandas), JMatPro, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The tests are studied using real procedures for metallography and electron microscopy, isotopic mass spectrometry and thermal diffusivity measurements. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.

Accreditable laboratories(EN ISO/IEC 17025) with a rotor test rig, EMC/Lightning pre-compliance, HIL/SIL, vibration/acoustics.
Evidence-driven Master's Thesis:a safety case, test plan, compliance dossier and operating limits.
Industry mentoring:lecturers with experience in training, , eVTOL/UAM and flight test.
Flexible format(hybrid/online), international cohorts and support from SEIUM Career Services.
Ethics and safety:a safety-by-design approach, OT cybersecurity, DIH and compliance as pillars.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Fuel definition and objectives

Describe nuclear fuel and the properties that must be characterised.

Selection of techniques

Apply chemical and isotopic characterisation techniques.

Sampling and preparation plan

Analyse microstructure using metallography and microscopy.

Analysis of chemical results

Measure physical and thermal properties relevant to reactor behaviour.

Microstructural analysis

Select non-destructive tests for fuels and cladding.

Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Fuel characterisation engineerNuclear materials laboratory technicianPost-irradiation examination specialistNuclear analytical chemistFuel quality engineerNuclear materials researcher
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • No previous degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
  • Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical standards reading.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.

The course uses ImageJ/Fiji, MATLAB, OriginPro, Python (pandas), JMatPro. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.

A SEIUM in-house diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.

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