Present status of the innovative basic research on high-temperature engineering using the HTTR

The high-temperature engineering test reactor (HTTR) of JAERI aims at establishment and upgrading the HTGR technologies as well as the innovative basic research in the field of high-temperature engineering. It is now under commissioning tests and will soon achieve the rated power of 30 I/W. This paper presents a brief overview concerning the innovative basic research in the following fields: - New materials development of high-temperature oxide superconductors (HTSC), high performance silicon carbide (SIC) semiconductor, and heat-resistant ceramic composite materials. - High-temperature radiation chemistry research on poly-silane decomposition into SiC fibres, and high-temperature radiolysis of heavy oils and plastics, as well as in situ measurement of property changes of solid tritium breeding materials under irradiation. - High-temperature in-core instrumentation development of a heat- and radiation-resistant optical fibre system and of devices for monitoring neutron and gamma-ray spectra. JAERI is preparing for the first HTTR irradiation in 2003 and will then proceed to the international collaboration phase on. high-temperature irradiation test for development of the new materials in the field of high-temperature engineering. (authors)