AECL maintains the safety, design and licensing R&D that ensures safe and economic operation of CANDU reactors. Most of our R&D is carried out at our premier research and development facility, the Chalk River Laboratories (CRL). Customer-focused and always ready to collaborate on innovative and creative solutions with clients, our CRL staff are recognized experts in a wide range of disciplines, including applied physics, metallurgy, ceramics, chemistry, biology, and engineering.

The goals of our R&D activities are to:

• understand underlying phenomena that can affect safe and reliable performance of key nuclear components or systems
• determine the consequences of failure or degraded performance
• develop improvements that can prevent or mitigate risks
• ensure that standards for health, safety and environmental protection are met and exceeded

AECL performs R&D work for domestic and international utilities through the CANDU Owners’ Group (COG). Comprised of CANDU utilities and AECL, COG was formed in 1984 to establish a framework for co-operation, mutual assistance and exchange of information for the successful support, development, operation and maintenance of CANDU technology. AECL, with its unique suite of world-class nuclear R&D facilities and expertise, has been the primary contractor for the majority of the COG R&D program since it began. Part of the government appropriation that AECL receives as a Crown corporation is used to fund our Nuclear Platform R&D Program. AECL also works with other government departments—such as the Department of National Defence, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Natural Resources Canada, and Health Canada—on nuclear-related issues. The Nuclear Platform also addresses regulatory concerns and the general need to keep nuclear technology at the leading edge of employee, public and environmental protection.

AECL leverages its technology to ensure that existing CANDU reactors remain safe, reliable and competitive. AECL provides technology-based solutions for current customer needs, while maintaining an underlying R&D role to identify and address future potential issues.

Our specialized laboratory-based services include:

Radioactive Material Testing and Analysis
AECL’s hot cells at Chalk River provide North America’s most comprehensive, remote-handling services and facilities for post-irradiation examination, analysis and testing of reactor fuels, materials and components.

Surface Science / Metallography
Using state-of-the-art technology, experts at our Sheridan Park and Chalk River locations provide an effective, integrated approach to problem solving. They carry out fundamental research on materials as well as fulfilling commercial failure analysis contracts. They are experienced in examining metal and alloy reactor components, metal-oxide corrosion deposits, ceramic oxide fuel materials and polymers and coatings used in nuclear power plants.