GE Vernova and SHINE develop AI-powered nuclear fuel tracking

SHINE and GE Vernova are collaborating on a project to modernize material accountability and tracking within nuclear fuel recycling facilities. Led by GE Vernova’s Advanced Research Center and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), the initiative aims to integrate advanced monitoring systems directly into the design of recycling plants.

The project is developing technology known as Monochromatic Assays Yielding Enhanced Reliability (MAYER). This system utilizes artificial intelligence and improved sensor deployment to track and measure nuclear material in real time as it moves through a facility. The data is fed into a virtual digital twin to strengthen security safeguards and provide continuous oversight.

By implementing these automated systems, the project seeks to reduce the reliance on manual sampling, redundant instrumentation, and periodic facility shutdowns. This approach is intended to lower operating costs and minimize operational disruptions while improving the economic viability of commercial nuclear fuel recycling.