Welcome to the CARPL Home Page

Computation Applied Reactor Physics Laboratory:

CARPL is centered on the development of accurate, efficient, and advanced computational methods for fission reactor analysis and a broad range of nuclear engineering applications. Our research spans reactor physics, neutron transport, thermal-fluid dynamics, uncertainty quantification, and data-driven modeling, with an emphasis on improving the fidelity and efficiency of nuclear system simulations. The team also employs state-of-the-art computational tools and high-performance computing techniques to address emerging and challenging problems in nuclear reactor design, analysis, safety, and operation. Through multiscale and multiphysics integrated modeling and simulation, CARPL seeks to bridge fundamental computational methodology development with practical nuclear engineering applications.

Lab Capabilities:

CARPL leads substantial computational efforts in nuclear reactor design and analysis. For reactor physics (neutronics) analysis, the team has access to Monte Carlo codes such as MCNP, Serpent, OpenMC, SCALE modules, as well as deterministic codes such as CASMO/CMSLink/SIMULATE, PARCS, PARTISN, Rattlesnake/MAMMOTH and MC²-3/DIF3D/DIF3D-K/REBUS-3.  For thermal-fluid dynamics and reactor safety analysis, the team has access to system level codes such as RELAP5-3D, PLTEMP4.2/PARET7.5, SAS (SAS4A/SASSYS-1), SAM,  RETRAN,  as well as CFD codes such as OpenFOAM and FLUENT.

Lab Openings:

• Research Scientist Opening: We are seeking a full-time Research Scientist in computational modeling and simulation for nuclear engineering applications to join CARPL at VCU, with a minimum of two years of support. Learn more and apply through VCU Careers.
• Undergraduate Research Opportunities: The MSI3 project is actively recruiting motivated undergraduate researchers throughout the year to participate in research in nuclear science and engineering, including isotope science and related computational and experimental applications. Qualified and interested students are strongly encouraged to apply by contacting the project director (Dr. Wu) or research staff members (Dr. Khatab and Dr. Erdogan).

Lab Director and Contact: