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FY23_Infrastructure_Awards

FY 2023 Infrastructure Awards

Eighteen university-led projects will receive more than $6.3 million for research and infrastructure improvements, providing important safety, performance, and student education-related upgrades to a portion of the nation's 25 university reactors, as well as enhancing university research and training infrastructure.

A full list of infrastructure recipients is listed below.

FY 2023 Infrastructure Awards

	Title	Abstract_Link	FY	Institution	Program	TechArea	Amount	Description
	High Tempurature Thermal Diffusivity Equipment for Expanding the Scientific Impact of the MIT Reactor	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/GSI-23-29991.pdf	23	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Infrastructure	General Scientific Infrastructure	$136,000	Project seeks to upgrade the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Research Reactor (MITR) post-irradiation examination (PIE) facilities to better complement the irradiation capabilities and broaden our role as a Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) partner. Our eventual goal is to enable the MITR to provide full irradiation and sample analysis capabilities, from the start to the end of NSUF projects.
	High-speed X-ray Imaging System Under a Chemically Protected Environment for Advanced High-temperature Non-Water-Cooled Reactor Experiments	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/GSI-23-29942.pdf	23	Pennsylvania State University	Infrastructure	General Scientific Infrastructure	$326,898	Pennsylvania State University seeks a high-speed X-ray imaging system under a chemically controlled atmosphere to study high-temperature advanced reactor coolants and the materials-environment interactions. The capability of imaging low radioactive liquids and solids using a high-energy X-ray beam, at a very high imaging rate, and under a chemically protective environment is currently not available in the Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Database.
	Hot Isotatic Pressing (HIP) for Nuclear Fuels and Structural Materials	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/GSI-23-30023.pdf	23	Purdue University	Infrastructure	General Scientific Infrastructure	$258,750	Purdue University seeks to expand the Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) capabilities to include hot isostatic pressing (HIP) equipment to fabricate, densify, and/or process nuclear structural materials, nuclear fuels, radioactive waste, and radiation detectors.
	A Molten Salt Training and Research Loop for Advanced Nuclear Reactors	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/GSI-23-30009.pdf	23	North Carolina State University	Infrastructure	General Scientific Infrastructure	$250,000	North Carolina State University will procure a molten salt pumped loop and glove box for both cutting-edge R&D and laboratory training for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students. Future users of the salt loop will investigate a diversity of research topics that include fluid characterization, material corrosion, thermos-hydraulics, sensor development, and more.
	Establishment of Hot Cell Irradiated Materials Micro and Nano-Mechanical Testing at the University of New Mexico	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/GSI-23-30056.pdf	23	University of New Mexico	Infrastructure	General Scientific Infrastructure	$209,305	Project seeks to enhance the materials characterization capabilities at the University of New Mexico hot cell facilities through acquisition of a microhardness tester, an in situ SEM picoindenter, and a digital image correlation system.
	Establishment of a Salt Characterization Facility at UNR	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/GSI-23-30040.pdf	23	University of Nevada, Reno	Infrastructure	General Scientific Infrastructure	$180,779	Project seeks to obtain accessories for existing characterization tools to determine the composition of halide salts. Specifically, a double glovebox, an ELTRA combustion analyzer and a titrator. This facility along with existing characterization infrastructure at UNR will allow for complete characterization of the salt composition.
	Develop a Thermophysical Lab for Environment-Sensitive Nuclear Materials at Oregon State Univeristy	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/GSI-23-30019.pdf	23	Oregon State University	Infrastructure	General Scientific Infrastructure	$249,885	Project aims to enhance Oregon State University (OSU)’s capabilities to handle and comprehensively characterize air- and water-sensitive nuclear materials, including (fuel-bearing) molten salts, liquid and solid metallic fuels, etc., by developing a THERmophysical and cheMical lab for envirOnment-sensitive NUCLEar mAteRials (The Thermonuclear lab).
	Establishing a Nuclear Chemistry Core Facility at the University of Wyoming	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/GSI-23-30049.pdf	23	University of Wyoming	Infrastructure	General Scientific Infrastructure	$300,000	University of Wyoming seeks to secure the necessary infrastructure to establish a nuclear chemistry core facility which will serve the research and teaching missions of the University of Wyoming.
	An Extreme-Temperature Load Frame for Reduced Length Scale Experimentation to Support Nuclear Materials Research and Education	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/GSI%2023-29983.pdf	23	University of Utah	Infrastructure	General Scientific Infrastructure	$244,942	University of Utah seeks to acquire a turn-key Psylotech µTS testing system and furnace chambers to enable elevated temperature testing (up to 1600°C) of reduced length scale specimens (dimensions from 10 µm to 10mm).
	Advanced SMR Simulator to Reinforce Nuclear Engineering Infrastructure at Rensselaer	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/GSI-23-30030.pdf	23	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Infrastructure	General Scientific Infrastructure	$250,000	Project seeks to strengthen the research and educational capabilities of the Nuclear Engineering Program at RPI (developing the NuScale Energy Exploration (E2) Center and a digital control room).
	NuScale SMR Energy Exploration Center for UNLV Engineering Program Education and Research	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/GSI-23-29994.pdf	23	University of Nevada, Las Vegas	Infrastructure	General Scientific Infrastructure	$250,000	Project seeks to enhance the teaching and research capabilities of the Nuclear Engineering Program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). The project aims to acquire the NuScale Energy Exploration (E2) Center, a state-of-the-art full scope reactor simulator based on the NuScale small modular reactor (SMR).
	Upgrades to the Maryland University Training Reactor Cooling and Neutron Activation Analysis Systems for Enhanced Operational Reliability and Capability	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/RU-23-29953.pdf	23	University of Maryland, College Park	Infrastructure	Reactor Upgrades	$1,465,001	University of Maryland, College Park will increase and restore the safety, operational availability, and experimental capabilities of the Maryland University Training Reactor. A complete overhaul of the Primary and Secondary Coolant Systems will enable the reactor to operate continuously at its full licensed power. The acquisition of a microbalance and fume hood will improve the sensitivities of the neutron activation analysis program.
	Replacement if the Oregon State TRIGA Reactor Ventilation System	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/RU-23-29939.pdf	23	Oregon State University	Infrastructure	Reactor Upgrades	$416,405	Oregon State University will increase the reliability and safety of the operational condition of the Oregon State TRIGA® Reactor ventilation system. This upgrade will provide opportunity for continued safe use of the reactor in the areas of nuclear science and engineering research as well as material science.
	Replacement and Upgrade of the Reactor Secondary Cooling Loop at the WSU 1 MW TRIGA Reactor	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/RU-23-29952.pdf	23	Washington State University	Infrastructure	Reactor Upgrades	$740,121	Wasington State University will enhance the continued operational reliability and efficiency of the WSU Nuclear Science Center 1.0 MW TRIGA conversion research reactor by replacing and simultaneously upgrading the research reactor cooling system secondary loop with equipment sized appropriately for heat removal and operation during summer heat.
	Maximizing Long-Term Availability of The Ohio State University Research Reactor for Supporting Research and Education via Replacement Equipment for Cruicial Cooling System Components	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/RU-23-29906.pdf	23	The Ohio State University	Infrastructure	Reactor Upgrades	$87,158	The Ohio State University Research Reactor will update replacement/spare custom facility components to enhance the institutions’ availability to perform R&D.
	Procurement of Spare Digital Recorders, Replacement Portal Monitor, and Pool Lighting System at the Missouri S&T Reactor	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/RU-23-30034.pdf	23	Missouri University of Science and Technology	Infrastructure	Reactor Upgrades	$25,865	Missouri University of Science and Technology will procure spare digital recorders for the MSTR control console, a new portal monitor, and a pool lighting system. These improvements will bolster facility safety and reliability.
	Radiological Safety and Operational Reliability Enhancements at the Penn State Breazeale Reactor	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/RU-23-29975.pdf	23	Pennsylvania State University	Infrastructure	Reactor Upgrades	$78,531	Pennsylvania State University will purchase two Alpha/Beta Continuous Air Monitors (Mirion iCAM) to replace the several decades old AMS-3 units, two new hand, cuff, and foot surface contamination monitors, one for reactor bay and the other in the new reactor beam hall exit area, a spare control rod servo drive and motor mechanism.
	University Research Reactor Upgrades Infrastructure Support for the MIT Research Reactor's Area Radiation Monitor System Upgrade	https://neup.inl.gov/FY23%20Infra%20Abstracts/RU-23-29943.pdf	23	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Infrastructure	Reactor Upgrades	$898,769	Massachusetts Institute of Technology will upgrade the reactor's area radiation monitor system to improve reactor safety, personnel safety and reactor radiological emergency preparedness by replacing and expanding the existing area radiation monitor system with updated technology and equipment.