The APRENDE project aims to improve nuclear data for simulation tools used by European stakeholders in various applications, including spent nuclear fuel management, reactor operation, advanced reactor development, criticality safety, and non-energy applications. The project will enhance data accuracy, develop new methodologies, and improve data accessibility. It involves a large consortium of European organizations and will contribute to international nuclear data libraries. Within this framework, NPL members possess leading roles in detector development projects and in fission reaction studies. This is an EU funded project (HORIZON-EURATOM-2023).

The measurement of ²⁴³Am neutron-induced fission cross-section at EAR-1 and EAR-2 of the n_TOF/CERN facility, using Micromegas detectors, is an ongoing project. The role of ²⁴³Am as a burnable actinide in various reactors necessitates accurate cross-section data, particularly in the under-studied thermal and resonance energy regions. This will address inconsistencies in existing evaluated libraries and provide a single, comprehensive dataset. This is an approved project by CERN INTC committee project (INTC-P-566), led and designed by NPL members. Data analysis is on-going by NTUA members.

The measurement of ²³⁶U neutron-induced fission cross-section at the n_TOF/CERN facility using Micromegas detectors is under preparation. Accurate ²³⁶U cross-section data are crucial due to its significant contribution to reactor neutron economy. The experiment aims to produce a single, precise dataset covering thermal to 0.5 GeV energies, addressing discrepancies in existing evaluated libraries. High-purity ²³⁶U samples and the unique characteristics of n_TOF's EAR-1 and EAR-2 areas will be leveraged to achieve this. This is an approved project by CERN INTC committee project (INTC-P-700), led and designed by NPL members.

The development of a silicon detector array, suitable for operation under the specific conditions of the n_TOF/CERN experimental areas, is underway. The detectors, which are designed for low gamma-flash sensitivity and accurate timing, will be used to measure (n,cp) reactions to both validate their performance and assess their suitability for fusion-related studies. Measurements on polyethylene, carbon, and aluminum will be compared with existing data, and the ¹²C(n,p)¹²B reaction will be analyzed for this purpose. The project will also investigate capabilities for alpha particle identification. This is an approved project by the CERN INTC committee (INTC-P-629). NPL members possess leading roles in the data analysis and extension activities of the project.