Nuclear Engineering Lab Simulator

TL;DR

A real-time nuclear reactor simulator built in Unity for operator training and research, combining interactive 3D visualization with physically accurate reactor kinetics computed via MATLAB integration.

Purpose

Traditional nuclear engineering education relies heavily on:

• static diagrams
• offline numerical simulations
• limited-access physical labs

This simulator aims to bridge that gap by providing an interactive, real-time simulation environment where users can:

• visualize reactor behavior
• manipulate operational parameters
• observe system response immediately

The simulator is designed for both training and research analysis.

Project Context

This project was developed in collaboration with nuclear engineering researchers and deployed in two forms:

• Desktop application (Windows)
• Web-based application

It supports instructional use in academic environments and exploratory analysis by researchers.

Methodology

1) Unity-based real-time simulation framework

Unity was used as the core platform to:

• render interactive 3D lab environments
• manage user input and UI
• synchronize simulation state with visual feedback

Real-time game development techniques ensure smooth interaction while maintaining responsiveness under continuous simulation updates.

2) Physics-informed reactor modeling

Accurate reactor behavior is critical. To achieve this:

• Complex numerical calculations (e.g., point kinetics algorithms) are handled via MATLAB integration
• MATLAB computes reactor state evolution based on control inputs
• Unity acts as the real-time visualization and interaction layer

This separation allows:

• high numerical accuracy
• rapid iteration on visualization and UI
• clean integration between scientific computation and interactive graphics

3) Interactive operator controls

Users can interact with the simulated reactor by:

• adjusting control parameters
• triggering operational changes
• observing immediate system response

This mirrors real operator workflows and reinforces cause–effect understanding.

Comparison between the actual reactor screen and Unity-built simulation

4) Cross-platform deployment

The simulator was deployed as:

• a Windows application for local training and demonstrations
• a web application for broader accessibility

This dual-deployment approach increases adoption and lowers barriers for instructional use.

Dissemination & Collaboration

This work was presented at:

• NESTet
• ANS CONTE

Impact

• Enhances nuclear engineering education through interactive visualization
• Bridges game technology with scientific simulation
• Demonstrates the use of real-time graphics as a serious research and training tool

Role

Unity Programmer & Research Assistant
Responsible for:

• real-time simulation integration
• UI/UX design
• Unity implementation and deployment
• collaboration with nuclear engineering researchers