Sort of. A failsafe reactor design [can] include[s] things like:
* Negative temperature coefficient of reactivity: as temperature increases, the neutron flux is reduced, which both makes it more controllable, and tends to prevent runaway reactions.
* Negative void coefficient of reactivity: as voids (steam pockets) increase, the neutron is reduced.
* Control rods constructed solely of neutron adsorbent. The RBMK reactor (Chernobyl) in particular used graphite followers (tips), which _increased_ reactivity initially when being lowered.
It's also worth noting that nuclear reactors are designed to be operated within certain limits. The RBMK reactor would have been fine had it been operated as designed.
Source: was a nuclear reactor operator on a submarine.
* Negative temperature coefficient of reactivity: as temperature increases, the neutron flux is reduced, which both makes it more controllable, and tends to prevent runaway reactions.
* Negative void coefficient of reactivity: as voids (steam pockets) increase, the neutron is reduced.
* Control rods constructed solely of neutron adsorbent. The RBMK reactor (Chernobyl) in particular used graphite followers (tips), which _increased_ reactivity initially when being lowered.
It's also worth noting that nuclear reactors are designed to be operated within certain limits. The RBMK reactor would have been fine had it been operated as designed.
Source: was a nuclear reactor operator on a submarine.