Rosatom emphasizes computational infrastructure to support nuclear research facilities

On August 11, Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom, stated at a meeting of the Science and Education Council in Novosibirsk that Russia needs to develop a dedicated program to advance high-performance computing, artificial intelligence technologies, and supercomputer infrastructure to support the operation of large scientific facilities and related research tasks.

Likhachev noted that Rosatom has developed a mathematical modeling system since the 1990s and built its own supercomputer network. He believes that a unified digital platform integrating artificial intelligence, computing based on new physical principles, and quantum technologies should be systematically developed as a key component of the nation's scientific and technological advancement.

Regarding nuclear research infrastructure, Likhachev proposed improving utilization efficiency through the complementary capabilities of different research facilities. Citing the PIK reactor in Gatchina and the MBIR reactor under construction in Dimitrovgrad as examples, he stated that the combined use of the two facilities could cover a full range of tasks related to neutron irradiation.

The MBIR reactor is scheduled to be commissioned in 2028 at the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors (RIAR), which is part of Rosatom's scientific division. The facility is regarded as a long-term key project for building Russia's experimental capabilities in the nuclear industry and will be used to expand research on two-component nuclear power technologies and closed fuel cycle, as well as to support the acceleration and validation of fourth-generation safe nuclear power plant development. The project is part of the national technology leadership initiative "New Nuclear Energy Technologies."

Likhachev also mentioned the Siberian Circular Photon Source (SKIF) project, implemented with Rosatom's participation, as an example of a large scientific facility serving a diverse range of research users. Rosatom experts have constructed 34 standalone buildings in the Koltsovo science city, including a ring-shaped storage structure with a diameter of 230 meters. To meet seismic performance requirements, the project team developed and patented a soil-cement foundation formulation.

The general contractor for the SKIF Central Collective Use Center is Titan-2 holding company (Titan-2), which is part of Rosatom's power division. The project design and construction supervision are handled by the Central Design and Technology Institute (CPTI), which is part of Rosatom's fuel division.