Diana Bachurina (KIT)
Diana Bachurina is a materials scientist at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and works as a research associate in the High-Temperature Materials Chemistry group at the Institute of Applied Materials. Following her academic training, which included stints at the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI in Moscow, she has spent years developing and investigating novel materials for extreme operating conditions.
Her research focuses on the safety assessment of materials for nuclear reactors, with a current emphasis on how modern and advanced nuclear fuel claddings behave during nuclear accidents and under spent fuel storage conditions. By combining her knowledge of materials for fusion and fission applications, she addresses key challenges in nuclear energy.
Diana Bachurina is the author of numerous scientific publications with international visibility; her research has been cited multiple times and is widely recognized within the scientific community.
In this interview, she discusses her scientific career, her motivation, and the role of materials research in ensuring the safety of current and future energy systems
Interview:
What are you currently working on?
Diana Bachurina: Currently, I am working on different topics, all of which are related to nuclear safety. There are mainly two directions: accident-tolerant fuel (ATF) and spent nuclear fuel.
Regarding ATF, we investigate new or advanced materials and evaluate whether they can withstand nuclear accident conditions. More precisely, I study the behaviour of nuclear fuel claddings under accident conditions. After the Fukushima accident, there was a significant rise in the development of so-called accident-tolerant fuels—fuels that are less likely to lead to explosions in the event of an accident.
The other important topic in Germany is the dry storage of spent nuclear fuel. In our research group, we investigate how material properties change in the environment of temporary storage (before final disposal). Specifically, we study how hydrogen (which is absorbed during operation) redistributes within fuel claddings and whether this poses any risk if such conditions persist for decades before final disposal.
My personal scientific activities are focused on laboratory-scale experiments with these materials. However, the highlight of our team, which consists of two scientific groups, is the QUENCH facility—a unique installation that can simulate conditions on a near-realistic scale. The data we collect from both accident research and spent fuel storage are used to develop computational codes that help predict previously unseen scenarios and guide mitigation strategies.
What is your personal motivation?
Diana Bachurina: First of all, I genuinely enjoy scientific work. Sometimes, when I go to bed, I cannot stop thinking about my research, and sudden ideas come to mind. To make sure I do not forget them, I write them down, and the next day I feel motivated to find answers to the questions I have identified.
I also have experience working in industry, where I found that I lacked the level of freedom and creativity that research offers. However, in science, there is always a risk of losing focus on the main objective. Therefore, staying on track and continuously seeking answers are my main driving forces.
What kind of challenges are you facing in the near future?
Diana Bachurina: Recently, the research community has made significant progress in the development of advanced, safer nuclear claddings, and we are likely to see their implementation in real applications soon. However, our work is far from complete. Both the scientific community and industry are now taking the first steps toward even more advanced materials, one of which is silicon carbide composites. This material has already demonstrated its advantages at the laboratory scale. Our nearest challenge is to find ways to adapt our QUENCH facility so that we can test this material under relevant accident conditions.
If you could make a wish for something for your research, what would you wish for?
Diana Bachurina: I would like to see less ideological conflict between pro- and anti-nuclear perspectives. The use of nuclear energy is, in my opinion, unavoidable worldwide, alongside other energy sources such as wind and solar. A balanced mix of these technologies is likely the best solution.
This would make it easier to communicate honestly with society and to invest in safety research. Ultimately, safety is a shared global responsibility. I see how open international collaborations drive progress in this field—no single country can achieve it alone. In these collaborations, scientists work closely with industry across borders, which I believe is essential. I hope this cooperative approach continues, even in current turbulent times.
Another important topic for me is strengthening the connection between fission and fusion research. I completed my PhD in fusion and now work in fission, and I see clear opportunities for synergy. Fission, with its industrial experience, infrastructure, and computational tools, can help fusion overcome unnecessary challenges.
Where do you see your discipline in 5-10 years?
Diana Bachurina: There are already many ongoing developments in current concepts. I believe we will soon see more advanced cladding technologies being implemented in real reactors. These include claddings with not only external but also internal chromium coatings.
Another promising concept is the use of diffusion barriers, which could significantly enhance safety at extremely high temperatures. Silicon carbide is also a highly advanced concept, and its successful application within this timeframe would represent a major achievement.
From a broader perspective, these innovations are not only relevant for conventional nuclear power plants but also for emerging technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and fusion reactors. I expect to see increased cross-disciplinary and cross-concept collaboration to maximize knowledge sharing and accelerate progress.