Guided by the National Science and Technology Major Projects and closely focusing on the development needs of Generation IV advanced nuclear energy systems, the Department has established, in the field of micro and small reactor R&D, a full-process technology chain covering the design, development, verification, and testing of important equipment for nuclear energy and nuclear technology. It is committed to breaking through core technological bottlenecks and promoting technological innovation and independent controllability of nuclear energy equipment.

In the field of advanced nuclear energy, the Department focuses its research on comprehensive breakthroughs in key equipment technologies for micro and small reactors, covering the design and development of core equipment and systems such as reactivity control drive mechanisms, coolant main circulation pumps, heat exchangers, reactor vessels and internals, refueling systems, and instrumentation and control systems. It strives to overcome key scientific and technical challenges such as high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and radiation resistance. In the field of interdisciplinary applications of nuclear technology, its research covers the R&D and application of miniaturized neutron sources, accelerators, neutron detection, nuclear detectors, and radiation monitoring, among others, striving to expand innovative application scenarios of nuclear technology in multiple fields.

The Department has established important experimental platforms for advanced nuclear energy and interdisciplinary applications of nuclear technology, including a Comprehensive Experimental Platform for High-Intensity Radiation Physics and Detection Technology, a Zero-Power Physics Experimental Facility, a High-Intensity D-D/D-T Accelerator Neutron Source, and a Cleanroom Laboratory for Miniaturized Neutron Sources. The total area of the experimental platforms exceeds 2,000 m², and the fixed assets of the experimental facilities are about RMB 250 million. The Department has also established key technology verification and test facilities for lead-bismuth reactor equipment, such as control rod drive mechanisms, main pumps, heat exchangers, and refueling mechanisms, laying a solid foundation for the engineering application of lead-bismuth micro and small reactors.

The Department has an interdisciplinary innovation team composed of professionals from multiple disciplines, including nuclear science and technology, mechanical engineering, thermal engineering, nuclear physics, mechanics, electronic information, electrical engineering, and control engineering. Over the past five years, the Department has led and undertaken more than 20 major scientific research projects, including the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, major national defense projects, the National Key R&D Program of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Anhui Provincial Key R&D Program, and competitive projects of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It has won one First Prize of the Anhui Provincial Science and Technology Award, published more than 50 SCI/EI papers, and been granted more than 40 international and national invention patents.