A hybridization of the recently introduced Particle Collision Algorithm (PCA) and the Nelder–
Mead Simplex algorithm is introduced and applied to a core design optimization problem
which was previously attacked by other metaheuristics. The optimization problem consists in
adjusting several reactor cell parameters, such as dimensions, enrichment and materials, in
order to minimize the average peak-factor in a three-enrichment-zone reactor, considering
restrictions on the average thermal flux, criticality and sub-moderation. The new …