SNU Monte Carlo LaboratoryNUCLEAR ENGINEERING

  Since its founding in 2010, the Monte Carlo Laboratory at Seoul National University’s Department of Nuclear Engineering has been dedicated to uncovering the physical truths hidden within probability, leading research in reactor physics and numerical analysis. As one of the few groups in Korea to adopt the Monte Carlo method as a primary tool for reactor analysis, the lab developed McCARD (Monte Carlo Code for Advanced Reactor Design), a high-fidelity reactor physics code now widely used both domestically and internationally. Notably, McCARD served as a core analysis tool in the UAE Barakah Nuclear Power Plant export project, contributing significantly to the global expansion of Korean nuclear technology.

  In its early years, the lab focused on large-scale probabilistic simulations to precisely analyze reactor core behavior and neutron transport phenomena. Building on this foundation, the team independently developed and refined McCARD/G, a GPU-based Monte Carlo code optimized for high-performance computing environments. This innovation has enabled unprecedented computational efficiency and full-core simulation capabilities, with applications in radiation transport, shielding design, and nuclear fuel cycle analysis.

  In recent years, the lab has actively advanced research at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and reactor physics. By applying Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), we have developed models capable of directly solving the neutron diffusion equation and predicting reactor power distributions and criticality without labeled data. Embedding physical laws into AI architectures has significantly improved training stability and predictive reliability, opening a new paradigm for AI-driven reactor analysis tools.

  The Monte Carlo Laboratory is also committed to next-generation reactor development, including small modular reactors (SMRs), high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs), and microreactors. These projects aim to deliver safe, economical, and sustainable nuclear energy systems that can play a vital role in achieving global Net Zero goals.

  The philosophy of the Monte Carlo Laboratory is clear:

“Computation is not merely a tool—it is a path to truth.”

  We will continue to discover physical order through high-fidelity computation, reveal immutable laws within probability, and apply this knowledge to advance safe and sustainable nuclear technologies. Building on McCARD, McCARD/G, AI innovations, and next-generation reactor design, we aim to lead the innovation of future energy systems and contribute meaningfully to the realization of global carbon neutrality.

Thank you for visiting the Monte Carlo Laboratory.