NEET Funded Projects
Projects by Year
FY 2021 Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies Awards
Two research and development projects led by DOE National Laboratories and U.S. universities will receive more than $1.9 million in funding. Together, they will conduct research to address crosscutting nuclear energy challenges that will help to develop advanced sensors and instrumentation and advanced manufacturing methods for multiple nuclear reactor plant and fuel applications.
A complete list of NEET projects with their associated abstracts is listed below.
| Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Award Type | Category | Abstract | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing Microstructure-Property Correlation in Reactor Materials using in situ High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will demonstrate the applications of high energy X-ray measurements with in-situ thermal-mechanical loading to understand the microstructure-property relationship. The gained knowledge is expected to enable accurate predictions of mechanical performance of nuclear reactor materials subjected to extreme environments, and to further facilitate design and development of new materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Electronics Destined for Severe Nuclear Reactor Environments | Arizona State University | $399,674 | Researchers will develop radiation hard by design (RHBD) electronics using commercially available technology employing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices and present generation circuit fabrication techniques. This project will increase the radiation resilience of more sensitive electronics such that a robot could be employed for post-accident monitoring and sensing purposes as well as for long-term inspection and decontamination missions. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Automated Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction of Irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $979,200 | Researchers will develop an automated system to rapidly and safely acquire synchrotron data on radioactive samples. Data will be obtained on irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) steels, austenitic stainless steels and ferritic-martensitic steels that will improve the understanding and performance predictions of these materials in nuclear reactor environments. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Self-consolidating concrete construction for modular units | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop self-consolidating concrete ("self-compacting concrete" or SCC) mixtures so concrete placement can be made into steel plate composite (SC) modular structures without the need for continuous concrete placement. SCC mixtures will be developed and their use validated to ensure sufficient shear capacity across cold-joints while minimizing shrinkage and temperature increase during curing to enhance concrete bonding with the steel plates. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improvements in SMR Modular Construction through Supply Chain Optimization and Lessons Learned | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will advance methods for manufacturing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), improve modular construction techniques and develop best practices for designing and operating supply chains that take advantage of these techniques. The research will identify, address and resolve challenges and deficiencies in the current modular construction approach, thus enhancing the economic attractiveness of SMRs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Advanced 3D Characterization and Reconstruction of Reactor Materials | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use a coordinated effort to link advanced materials characterization methods and computational modeling approaches to better understand and predict the behavior of reactor materials that operate at extreme conditions. The project will address current characterization limitations and enhance recently developed advanced characterization and reconstruction capabilities to allow for efficient characterization of reactor microstructures reconstruction with numerical simulation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Measuring radiation damage dynamics by pulsed ion beam irradiation | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a novel experimental approach to access the dynamic regime of radiation damage formation processes in nuclear materials. Experimental data on defect interaction dynamics is essential for building physically sound models to describe the formation of stable radiation defects. If successful, this project will establish the pulsed ion beam method as the primary approach to study defect interaction dynamics in nuclear materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Predictive Characterization of Aging and Degradation of Reactor Materials in Extreme Environments | Northwestern University | $999,812 | Researchers will develop a suite of unique experimental techniques, augmented by a mesoscale computational framework, to understand and predict the long-term effects of irradiation, temperature and stress on material microstructures and their macroscopic behavior. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Circuitry Using Mask-Programmable Analog Arrays | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $400,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a general-purpose data acquisition system built from commercial or near-commercial radiation-hard analog arrays and digital arrays to be the building blocks of a family of future fieldable radiation-hard systems. The result will be a prototype rad-hard data acquisition system constructed and tested to demonstrate functionality and rad-hardness of the identified commercially available technology, as applied to a nuclear reactor environment. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| A Method for Quantifying the Dependability Attributes of Software-Based Safety Critical Instrumentation and Control Systems in Nuclear Power Plants | The Ohio State University | $399,990 | Researchers will address the lack of systematic science-based methods for quantifying the dependability attributes in software-based instrumentation and control systems in safety critical application. This research will lead to the development of hybrid causal maps, an advanced representation of knowledge, as well as to a more robust elicitation of causal maps which further enhance the science of elicitation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Use of Micro- and Meso-Scale Magnetic Characterization Methods to Study Degradation of Reactor Structural Material | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $896,983 | Researchers will use magnetic characterization methods at the micro-scale and meso-scale to evaluate the degradation of reactor materials at extreme conditions. These measurements will be correlated with measurements taken at a larger scale using established techniques. If successful, the research will result in the ability to use micro-scale magnetic measurements alone to provide diagnostic information about the materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Ultra-High Performance Concrete and Advanced Manufacturing Methods for Modular Construction | University of Houston | $399,999 | Researchers will develop cost-effective ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) products with 150 MPa (22 ksi) concrete compressive strength without special temperature and pressure treatment, high durability, large-scale process-ability with controlled quality, which can be rapidly prefabricated and assembled for modular construction of new nuclear power plants. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improving Weld Productivity and Quality by Means of Intelligent Real-Time Close-Looped Adaptive Welding Process Control through Integrated Optical Sensors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a novel close-looped adaptive welding quality control system that will enable real-time weld defect detection and adaptive adjustment to the welding process conditions to eliminate or minimize the formation of weld defects. The project will provide high-speed, high quality welds for factory and field fabrication to significantly reduce the cost and schedule of new nuclear plant construction. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Improvement of Design Codes to Account for Accident Thermal Effects on Seismic Performance | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will improve current design codes and standards by taking both accident thermal and seismic loading events. The project will resolve this issue by generating the requisite information, knowledge and guidance to facilitate regulation and actualize the licensing schedule desired for new designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Periodic Material-Based Seismic Base Isolators for Small Modular Reactors | University of Houston | $800,000 | Researchers will utilize past research on periodic material foundations and apply it on a larger scale for application in small modular reactors. The project will use large scale shake table test on a structure supported on a periodic-material foundation to verify and refine the analytical model and identify design parameters. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Nanostructured Bulk Thermoelectric Generator for Efficient Power Harvesting for Self-powered Sensor Networks | Boise State University | $980,804 | Researchers will develop high-efficiency and reliable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for self-powered sensors utilizing thermal energy from nuclear reactors or fuel cycle. The project will identify suitable hot surfaces for TEG implementation, develop a robust TEG prototype with shielded package, and study the radiation effect on TEG properties and performances. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detector (MPFD) for High Temperature Reactors | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, fabricate, and demonstrate the performance of enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors suitable for use as real-time reactor core neutron flux and temperature monitors in high-temperature advanced reactors. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Robust Online Monitoring Technology for Recalibration Assessment of Transmitters and Instrumentation | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will create the next generation of online monitoring technologies for sensor calibration interval extension and signal validation in nuclear systems. The project will develop advanced algorithms for monitoring sensor/system performance and enabling the use of plant data to derive information that currently cannot be measured. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| High Spatial Resolution Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensor Networks for Reactors and Fuel Cycle Systems | University of Pittsburgh | $987,676 | Researchers will develop radiation-hard, multi-functional, distributed fiber optical sensor networks to improve the ability for sensors to actively adjust its sensitivity and functionality in time. This research will address the critical technology gaps for monitoring advanced reactors and fuel cycle systems. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Functionally Gradient Transition Joint for Dissimilar Metal Welding Using Plasma Arc Lamps | Mesocoat, Inc. | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use high-density plasma arc lamp processing to build gradient transition joints for dissimilar metal welding. The project includes transition joint design, fabrication and characterization. Results from the study will validate the microstructure and composition of a gradient transition joint and improve stress corrosion cracking resistance of the joint. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Radiation Tolerance of Controlled Fusion Welds in High Temperature Oxidation Resistant FeCrAl Alloys for Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding Applications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will investigate the mechanical performance and microstructure of controlled fusion welds completed on high temperature oxidation resistant FeCrAl alloys after neutron irradiation using advance characterization techniques. The project will further the commercialization of FeCrAl alloys. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Extending The In-Service Life Of Welded Assemblies Through Low Energy Solid State Joining | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an optimized friction stir welding process with improvements over baseline fusion welding methods in prototypic fission reactor environments. The project will improve sound welds in residual stress, creep, creep/fatigue, and SCC susceptibility for alloys of interest to LWR, VHTR and SFR designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography for Advanced Instrumentation Imaging | Idaho National Laboratory | $635,910 | Idaho National Laboratory will purchase a three-dimensional computed tomography system to perform high-resolution non-destructive imaging of unique sensors. | Infrastructure Awards | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Nuclear Fuels and Materials Characterization Enhancement at Idaho National Laboratory | Idaho National Laboratory | $592,783 | Idaho National Laboratory will upgrade the Materials and Characterization Suite by purchasing a Fischione 1040 NanoMill to improve the quality of sample preparation and a Topspin ASTAR system to provide phase mapping capabilities on an existing TEM. | Infrastructure Awards | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Environmental Cracking and Irradiation Resistant Stainless Steel by Additive Manufacturing | GE Global Research | $847,940 | Researchers will significantly enhance stress corrosion cracking resistance, irradiation resistance and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel (SS) used in core components by controlling the non-equilibrium microstructure during fabrication using direct metal laser melting (DMLM). The process will produce near net-shape components to save the deployment time. The improved material properties will reduce the overall life-cycle cost and improve plant reliability. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced Onsite Fabrication of Continuous Large-Scale Structures | Idaho National Laboratory | $800,000 | A joint US/UK team will develop a novel method for on-site fabrication of continuous large structures such as pressure or containment vessels for the nuclear industry. This project will investigate techniques and additive manufacturing methods to construct large-scale structures onsite from smaller format raw materials. This process could enable the domestic production of large structures at a much-reduced cost. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced surface plasma nitriding for development of corrosion resistance and accident tolerant fuel cladding | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will apply an advanced surface plasma nitriding technique to convert alloy surface layers into nitride layers for better structural integrity and compatibility with both coolants and nuclear fuels. The project will impact both the development of advanced methods for manufacturing and the development of advanced reactor in-core structural materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Prefabricated High-Strength Rebar Systems with High-Performance Concrete for Accelerated Construction of Nuclear Concrete Structures | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will reduce the field erection times and fabrication costs of reinforced concrete nuclear structures through high-strength steel reinforcing bars (rebar), prefabrication of rebar assemblies with headed anchorages, and high-performance concrete. The research will integrate cost-benefit analysis and optimization with structural design, analysis, and testing to validate feasibility, design criteria, and design tools for nuclear structures with high performance materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Nuclear Qualification Demonstration of a Cost Effective Common Cause Failure Mitigation in Embedded Digital Devices | Electric Power Research Institute | $991,341 | Researchers will investigate an alternate approach to CCF mitigation using embedded digital components that can be demonstrated to contain no additional capabilities or characteristics beyond those specially required for functional objectives. The project creates a new and alternate concept to design, fabricate, and validate embedded digital devices for safety-related applications. The concept offers a lower total cost and reduction in schedule risk by minimizing validation, analysis, and regulatory review overhead. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Development and Demonstration of a Model Based Assessment Process for Qualification of Embedded Digital Devices in Nuclear Power Applications | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an effective approach employing science-based methods to resolve concerns about common-cause failure (CCF) vulnerability that serve to inhibit deployment of advanced instrumentation (e.g., sensors, actuators, micro-controllers) with embedded digital devices in nuclear power applications. The project will advance the state of the art in the qualification of advanced instrumentation with embedded digital devices for nuclear power plant application. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Nanoprecipitates-Strengthened Advanced Ferritic-Martensitic Steels and Ferritic Alloys for Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop advanced ferritic-martensitic steels and ferritic alloys that favor the formation of a high number density of robust nanoprecipitates, leading to significant improvements in high temperature strength and radiation resistance. Microstructure, mechanical properties, and ion irradiation resistance of the advanced alloys will be assessed. The developed advanced alloys will benefit a variety of advanced reactor concepts. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2015 |
| Consequence Evaluations of Cyber-Attacks on Nuclear Power Plants Using Adaptive Sampling of Attack Scenarios | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $990,000 | Researchers will develop a methodology that will enable cyber-security analysts to identify digital systems in nuclear power plants that, if compromised, will lead to undesirable consequences. In collaboration with Westinghouse, researchers will demonstrate the methodology on a representative AP1000. The methodology is based on adaptive sampling of the input space to select inputs (e.g., control systems behavior) that will cause the plant to be in undesirable states. | R&D Award Abstracts | Cyber Security | Document | FY2015 |
| Wireless Non-Linear Ultrasonic Testing and Microstructural Evolution: Developing a Prognostic Damage Map For Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Researchers will integrate experiment and modeling to establish the relationship between ultrasonic signals and defect microstructures, and improve the capability of signal discrimination for the life prediction of a reactor component in simulated reactor conditions. The new capability could probe the relative healthiness of materials in real time or nearly real time, to better understand the safety limits and lifetimes of components. | R&D Award Abstracts | Nuclear Energy Related R&D | Document | FY2015 |
| X-ray Synchrotron Diffraction Tomography for Materials for Nuclear Energy Systems | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $624,600 | Brookhaven National Laboratory will provide a new user facility for X-ray Diffraction-Computed Tomography (XRD-CT) on materials for nuclear energy systems. Purchasing XRD-CT equipment for the X-ray Powder Diffraction (XPD) beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II (NSLS-II) will develop a unique, crosscutting tool that can address a gap in materials research. It will provide greater access to tomographic imaging coupled with crystallographic structural information to the entire nuclear community. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| Electron Beam Welder for Advanced Instrumentation Fabrication | Idaho National Laboratory | $438,200 | Idaho National Laboratory will procure a state-of-the-art electron-beam (EB) welder system (BEAMER 312 with a 12-inch cube chamber) from Electron Beam Engineering Services, LLC to enable researchers at the High Temperature Test Laboratory (HTTL) to fabricate unique sensors critical to advance nuclear technology and competiveness. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10181: Effects of High Dose on Laser Welded, Irradiated AISI 304SS | Boise State University | $500,000 | This project will investigate the microstructural and mechanical integrity of high irradiation fluence on laser weld repairs of previously-irradiated material. Studies will focus on neutron-irradiated AISI 304 stainless steel hex blocks, which contain high void number density and high helium concentration. These specimens will then be welded and subsequently ion irradiated to as high as 200 displacements per atom (dpa). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10584: Irradiation Performance Testing of Specimens Produced by Commercially Available Additive Manufacturing Techniques | Colorado School of Mines | $499,928 | The proposed project will collect first-ever irradiation and thermal aging performance data for stainless steel and Inconel specimens produced using a range of commercially available additive manufacturing techniques. Commercial suppliers will produce a set of tensile bar specimens using a representative range of additive manufacturing techniques and parameters for irradiation in the ATR and subsequent post-irradiation examination and comparison to as-fabricated and thermally-aged specimens. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10537: Enhancing Irradiation Tolerance of Steels via Nanostructuring by Innovative Manufacturing Techniques | Idaho State University | $500,000 | Researchers will perform neutron irradiation and post-irradiation examination of bulk nanostructured austenitic and ferritic/martensitic (F/M) steels that are anticipated to have enhanced irradiation tolerance. Two innovative, low-cost manufacturing techniques will be used to manufacture the samples: equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and high-pressure torsion (HPT). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10764: Radiation Enhanced Diffusion of Ag, Ag-Pd, Eu and Sr in Neutron Irradiated PyC/SiC Diffusion Couples | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $495,330 | Researchers will investigate diffusion of fission product elements in PyC/SiC substrates with near identical layer construction to TRISO fuel to supply accurate diffusion kinetics necessary to validate and provide input for fuel performance models. The effect of neutron radiation on fission product diffusion will be understood by investigating both thermally exposed diffusion couples and diffusion couples exposed to neutron radiation at temperature. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10696: Understand the Phase Transformation of Thermally Aged and Neutron Irradiated Duplex Stainless Steels Used in LWRs | University of Florida | $489,135 | To fundamentally understand the elemental evolution, segregation and precipitation in duplex stainless steels upon irradiation and thermal aging, Researchers will conduct systematic X-ray measurements including X-ray diffraction, Extended X-ray Absorption Fine structure spectroscopy and in-situ tensile testing using WXAS on existing irradiated cast stainless steels and welds. The study will also be augmented by microstructural characterization using TEM and APT. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10432: Fission Product Transport in TRISO Fuel | University of Michigan | $500,000 | Researchers will measure diffusion coefficients of fission product (FP) for irradiation performance at IPyC/SiC interface and in SiC via a set of separate effects tests that target the diffusion path, temperature, and irradiation conditions. The team will then use ab initio and molecular dynamics calculations to determine the atomistics associated with diffusion to provide a fundamental physics-based model of FP diffusion at IPyC/SuC and in SiC for use in PARFUME to predict FP release in TRISO fuel. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10393: Irradiation Testing of LWR Additively Manufactured Materials | GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy | $ - | Researchers will perform full irradiation/PIE on materials produced by Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) fabrication. It is desirable to test material fabricated in this manner because there are significant opportunities for implementation as reactor internal repair parts, fuel debris resistant filters, and fuel spacers in existing Light Water Reactors (LWRs). Advanced LWRs could also benefit from the use of additively manufactured materials in smaller complex parts. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10737: Correlative Atom Probe and Electron Microscopy Study of Radiation Induced Segregation at Low and High Angle Grain Boundaries in Steels | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $ - | Researchers will seek to better understand the phenomenon of radiation induced segregation to grain boundaries through the application of advanced microscopy techniques including scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and atom probe tomography. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10480: Role of Minor Alloying Elements on Long Range Ordering in Ni-Cr Alloys | Oregon State University | $ - | Researchers will seek to understand the role of different minor alloy elements in the formation of order phases in Ni-based alloys. Additionally, the range of stability of the ordered phase is investigated by changing the Ni-Cr stoichiometry. This work proposes ion/proton irradiation of commercial alloy 690 and model Ni-Cr-Fe-X alloys (where X=Si, P) to understand the role of minor elements and stoichiometry in the ordering phase transformation kinetics. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10834: Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nano-modified Concrete | Vanderbilt University | $ - | Access to the Gamma Irradiation Facility in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be granted for the development of a nano-modified concrete for next generation storage systems. The access will be used to subject concrete containing nano-sized and nano-structured particles to gamma radiations to simulate decades of radiation dose for subsequent characterization of the microstructure and mechanical properties. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10644: Investigating Grain Dynamics in Irradiated Materials with High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop new capabilities for in situ thermal-mechanical testing of neutron-irradiated specimens with 3D X-ray characterization techniques. These new capabilities will enable researchers to probe radiation damage and damage evolution within individual grains of mm-sized polycrystalline specimens. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10669: Transmission of Information by Acoustic Communication along Metal Pathways in Nuclear Facilities | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate methods for transmission of information in nuclear facilities by acoustic means along existing in-place metal infrastructure (e.g. piping). This innovative means of transmitting information overcomes physics hurdles that beset conventional communication methods. This project provides a cross-cutting solution for those areas in the plant where wired or wireless RF communication is not feasible, not reliable (accident conditions), or not secure. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10616: All-Position Surface Cladding and Modification by Solid-State Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing (FSAM) | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop/demonstrate a novel solid-state additive manufacturing process for both manufacturing individual components and cladding and surface modification to improve nuclear components and to support repair of failed components with low weldability. The new technique is expected to have a considerable reduction in cost while showing improvement in productivity and quality. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10570: The Use of Neutron Irradiation Preconditioning Followed by Self-Ion Irradiation to Accurately Characterize the Irradiation Response of Nuclear Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will establish the value of using neutron irradiation followed by heavy ion irradiation as a technique to accurately assess the effects of irradiation on nuclear reactor structural materials that are exposed to significant dose beyond what can be conveniently studied by neutron irradiations alone. The goal is to show how this technique compares to pure ion irradiations and pure neutron irradiations, both of which are used to study irradiation effects. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10884: Self-Powered Wireless Through-wall Data Communication for Nuclear Environments | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate an enabling technology for the data communications for nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities using radiation and thermal energy harvestings, through-wall ultrasound communication, and harsh environment electronics. The project will enable transmitting a great amount of data through the physical boundaries in the harsh nuclear environment in a self-powered manner. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10773: Wireless Reactor Power Distribution Measurement System Utilizing an In-Core Radiation and Temperature Tolerant Wireless Transmitter and a Gamma-Harvesting Power Supply | Westinghouse Electric Company LLC | $789,228 | Researchers will design, manufacture, and operate a wireless transmitter that uses highly radiation-and temperature-resistant vacuum micro-electronics technology that continuously broadcasts Vanadium self-powered neutron detector (SPND) signal measurements to receivers located outside a test reactor core. The power required to broadcast the wireless signal is generated by harvesting gamma radiation emitted by the reactor core and using an activated Co-60. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| Enhanced Micro-analytical Capabilities of Irradiated Materials | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $281,473 | Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will acquire a MEMS-based high-temperature, high mechanical stability in situ experimental system for TEM, as well as an on-axis tomography TEM holder for atom probe specimens. The project will also procure and install an advanced inventory tracking and laboratory information management system for irradiated materials. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Scanning Probe Microscope for Measuring Mechanical and Electromagnetic Properties of Irradiated Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will procure and install a multi-capability atomic force microscope for enabling atomic force, magnetic force, and piezo force microscopy. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Upgrade of the IVEM-Tandem User Facility | Argonne National Laboratory | $230,000 | Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) will make two enhancements to the IVEM-Tandem Facility: 1) establish dual-beam irradiation capability to enable the study of synergistic effects of heavy ion induced cascade damage and helium produced in nuclear environments; and 2) acquire an in situ heating stage dedicated to radioactive samples to meet the increased demand in nuclear fuel studies and high-dose irradiation of neutron-irradiated samples, permitting safe specimen handling and experimentation. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 17-12633: Integrated silicon/chalcogenide glass hybrid plasmonic sensor for monitoring of temperature in nuclear facilities | Boise State University | $890,000 | Researchers will develop a novel hybrid plasmonic sensor that is easier and less costly to manufacture, and which will continue to function properly after radiation exposure. Reusability is a significant feature that will further reduce cost; after reaching critical temperatures, the facility could quickly and easily reset and reuse the sensor for subsequent measurements. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12703: High temperature embedded/integrated sensors (HiTEIS) for remote monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems | North Carolina State University | $999,688 | Researchers will develop high temperature embedded/integrated sensors for wireless monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems. Existing sensing techniques for NPP structures are mostly challenged by the limitations at high temperatures, by the lack of radiation resistance, by the poor embed-ability because of the wired electric power supply and communication, and by unknown long-term performance under harsh environments. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12907: Ultrasonic Sensors for TREAT Fuel Condition Measurement and Monitoring | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design an ultrasonic sensor (and the associated instrumentation) for deploying at the TREAT reactor in support of transient testing of pre-irradiated nuclear fuel rods. The focus of the sensor design will be on high-speed (<1 ms) measurements of fuel deformation in-pile. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12744: Development of Low Temperature Powder Spray Process for Manufacturing Fuel Cladding and Surface Modification of Reactor Components | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a low temperature powder spray deposition process for: [i] the manufacture of fuel cladding of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels, and [ii] deposition of coatings (e.g., functionally-graded and multilayered coatings) to address corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and wear in reactor components. This technology is amenable to large-scale manufacturing and will lower costs. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12690: 3-D Chemo-Mechanical Degradation State Monitoring, Diagnostics and Prognostics of Corrosion Processes in Nuclear Power Plant Secondary Piping Structures | Vanderbilt University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a novel and generalizable 3-D sensor network and associated data analytics for the chemo-mechanical degradation state monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics of corrosive processes in representative secondary piping structures. This project will address current and future needs in nuclear power plants for cost-effectively maintaining the safety and operational performance of passive structural components. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-13022: Versatile Acoustic and Optical Sensing Platforms for Passive Structural System Monitoring | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a distributed acoustic fiber Bragg grating sensing (AFBGs) technology capable of monitoring multiple parameters, such as strain, temperature, pressure, and corrosion for structural health monitoring in nuclear facilities. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15141: Pulsed Thermal Tomography Nondestructive Examination of Additively Manufactured Reactor Materials and Components | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and demonstrate a novel pulsed thermal tomography (TT) non-destructive examination (NDE) method for in-service inspection of additively manufactured (AM) reactor components and materials. NDE capability developed in this project will accelerate deployment of components produced with AM techniques in commercial nuclear reactors. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15179: Process-Constrained Data Analytics for Sensor Assignment and Calibration | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will develop and demonstrate data-analytic methods to address the problem of how to assign a sensor set in a nuclear facility such that 1) a requisite level of process monitoring capability is realized, and in turn, 2) the sensor set is sufficiently rich to allow analytics to determine the status of the individual sensors with respect to their need for calibration. This approach will allow for automated calibration status, avoiding unneeded calibration activities in the facility. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15233: Analytics-at-scale of Sensor Data for Digital Monitoring in Nuclear Plants | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will apply advanced sensor technologies, particularly wireless sensor technologies, and data science-based analytic capabilities, to advance online monitoring and predictive maintenance in nuclear plants, and improve plant performance. The resulting technology is expected to improve plant economics by enabling the transition from periodic maintenance to predictive maintenance. Predictive maintenance will allow plants to better prepare for upcoming maintenance activities by optimizing allocation of resources including tools and labor. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15086: Development of Optical Fiber-based Gamma Thermometer and Its Demonstration in a University Research Reactor Using Statistical Data Analytic Methods to Infer Power Distributions from Gamma Thermometer Response | The Ohio State University | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to build and test an optical fiber based gamma thermometer (OFBGT) using two university research reactors, and to develop methods to process the data that is produced by OFBGTs to produce estimates of the power density in the volume of the reactor that surrounds the OFBGTs. The OFBGT sensor will be robust and resilient, and capable of producing 'big data' scale information, with the smallest possible sensor footprint in the core. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15251: Integrating Dissolvable Supports, Topology Optimization, and Microstructure Design to Drastically Reduce Costs in Developing and Post-Processing Nuclear Plant Components Produced by Laser-based Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and establish an innovative approach to drastically reduce development and post-processing costs associated with laser powder bed additive manufacturing (AM) of complex nuclear reactor components with internal cavities and overhangs. The proposed innovative approach integrates dissolvable supports, topology optimization, and microstructure design to achieve the project goal. Using optimally designed dissolvable supports, this research will make state-of-the-art nuclear components much cheaper, have minimal distortion, and could eliminate build failures altogether. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17045: Cost-Benefit Analyses through Integrated Online Monitoring and Diagnostics | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The objective of the project is to improve the economic competitiveness of advanced reactors through the optimization of cost and plant performance, which can be achieved by coupling intelligent online monitoring with asset management decision-making. This includes designing a sensor network that is optimized for both cost and diagnostic capabilities then utilizing the sensor network and the plant's risk profile during operation to perform supply chain and asset management planning. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17206: Laser Additive Manufacturing of Grade 91 Steel for Affordable Nuclear Reactor Components | Los Alamos National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The primary goal of this project is to determine the feasibility of laser additive manufacturing for producing reactor components of a ferritic/martensitic steel (Grade 91) with an engineered microstructure. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17435: Design of Risk Informed Autonomous Operation for Advanced Reactor | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $1,000,000 | The proposed research will deliver the foundation of integrated instrumentation and controls platform for advanced reactors and demonstrate the capability for autonomous operation. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17070: Acousto-optic Smart Multimodal Sensors for Advanced Reactor Monitoring and Control | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | This project will design and develop a multimodal sensor for measurements of critical process parameters in advanced non-light water-cooled nuclear power plants for the early detection and characterization of deviations from nominal operating condition. The focus will be to develop an integrated sensor concept that enables simultaneous measurements of temperature, pressure, and gas composition using a single sensor, thereby limiting the number of penetrations in the reactor vessel that would be needed. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19321: Design and Prototyping of Advanced Control Systems for Advanced Reactors Operating in the Future Electric Grid | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design and demonstrate and advanced control schemes for semi-autonomous and remote operation of advanced reactors to support integrated energy systems with energy storage technologies. The research will develop a control system architecture that will integrate with future changes to the grid, including highly variable grid demand. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19356: HIP Cladding and Joining to Manufacture Large Dissimilar Metal Structures for Modular and GEN IV Reactors | Auburn University | $1,000,000 | Researchers, using an integrated experimental and modeling approach, will develop, optimize and commercially demonstrate powder-based hot isostatic pressing (HIP) cladding and joining. This research will reduce the cost of manufacturing pressure retaining components in small modular and advanced reactors made from dissimilar metals. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19280: Adaptive Control and Monitoring Platform for Autonomous Operation of Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an artificial intelligence-based platform that can support autonomous control of advanced reactors. The platform will use and integrate information from multiple sensors and support systems to issue appropriate commands to plant systems to keep the reactor within a safe operating envelope and avoid unnecessary shutdown. The work will include a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the performance of the platform and the anticipated cost savings from its deployment. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-20021: Diffuse field ultrasonics for in situ material property monitoring during additive manufacturing using the SMART Platform | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, integrate, and test an ultrasound suite integrated into an additive manufacturing (AM) build plate to provide in-situ monitoring of the AM part being built. The sensing, based on microstructural sensitive diffuse ultrasonic scattering, provides information about the microstructure and associated material properties during the build. Research will focus on sensing material signatures prior to failure to allow for on-the-fly corrections to the AM build. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19888: Fiber Sensor Fused Additive Manufacturing for Smart Component Fabrication for Nuclear Energy | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a fiber sensor fused additive manufacturing technique for smart components and module fabrication for nuclear power systems. The proposed innovation will significantly lower installation costs of monitoring instruments, reduce the overall operational costs, and dramatically improve safety margins of nuclear power systems, thusincrease the economic viability of nuclear energy. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24729: Direct Production of ODS Ferritic Alloys for Long-life Reactor Fuel Bundles: Sheet Material for Ducts and Tubing Pre-forms for Cladding | Iowa State University | $999,000 | Researchers seek to exploit the inherent uniformity, reasonable compressibility, and thermally-activated sintering of gas atomization reaction synthesis (GARS) precursor oxide dispersoid strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel powder to produce full density powder compacts by conventional vacuum warm pressing. Resulting billets will be cold cross-rolled to sheet material for duct applications. Hollow preforms, with a dissimilar powder core that can be readily removed, will be produced for cladding applications. | Document | FY2021 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24446: Gallium Nitride-based 100-Mrad Electronics Technology for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Wireless Communications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $999,000 | The development and demonstration of a GaN HEMT based wireless communication system for near-core operation in existing and future nuclear reactor facilities is proposed. The design will be optimized for neutron, gamma, and temperature hardness, and will reach TRL4 by the project's end. Deliverables include the GaN wireless communications system design and test results, and the results of elevated temperature and gamma, neutron and combined gamma/neutron irradiation tests. | Document | FY2021 |
*Actual project funding will be established during the award negotiation phase.
FY 2020 Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies Awards
Five research and development projects led by DOE National Laboratories and U.S. universities will receive $5 million in funding. Together, they will conduct research to address crosscutting nuclear energy challenges that will help to develop advanced sensors and instrumentation and advanced manufacturing methods for multiple nuclear reactor plant and fuel applications.
A complete list of NEET projects with their associated abstracts is listed below.
| Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Award Type | Category | Abstract | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing Microstructure-Property Correlation in Reactor Materials using in situ High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will demonstrate the applications of high energy X-ray measurements with in-situ thermal-mechanical loading to understand the microstructure-property relationship. The gained knowledge is expected to enable accurate predictions of mechanical performance of nuclear reactor materials subjected to extreme environments, and to further facilitate design and development of new materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Electronics Destined for Severe Nuclear Reactor Environments | Arizona State University | $399,674 | Researchers will develop radiation hard by design (RHBD) electronics using commercially available technology employing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices and present generation circuit fabrication techniques. This project will increase the radiation resilience of more sensitive electronics such that a robot could be employed for post-accident monitoring and sensing purposes as well as for long-term inspection and decontamination missions. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Automated Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction of Irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $979,200 | Researchers will develop an automated system to rapidly and safely acquire synchrotron data on radioactive samples. Data will be obtained on irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) steels, austenitic stainless steels and ferritic-martensitic steels that will improve the understanding and performance predictions of these materials in nuclear reactor environments. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Self-consolidating concrete construction for modular units | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop self-consolidating concrete ("self-compacting concrete" or SCC) mixtures so concrete placement can be made into steel plate composite (SC) modular structures without the need for continuous concrete placement. SCC mixtures will be developed and their use validated to ensure sufficient shear capacity across cold-joints while minimizing shrinkage and temperature increase during curing to enhance concrete bonding with the steel plates. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improvements in SMR Modular Construction through Supply Chain Optimization and Lessons Learned | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will advance methods for manufacturing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), improve modular construction techniques and develop best practices for designing and operating supply chains that take advantage of these techniques. The research will identify, address and resolve challenges and deficiencies in the current modular construction approach, thus enhancing the economic attractiveness of SMRs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Advanced 3D Characterization and Reconstruction of Reactor Materials | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use a coordinated effort to link advanced materials characterization methods and computational modeling approaches to better understand and predict the behavior of reactor materials that operate at extreme conditions. The project will address current characterization limitations and enhance recently developed advanced characterization and reconstruction capabilities to allow for efficient characterization of reactor microstructures reconstruction with numerical simulation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Measuring radiation damage dynamics by pulsed ion beam irradiation | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a novel experimental approach to access the dynamic regime of radiation damage formation processes in nuclear materials. Experimental data on defect interaction dynamics is essential for building physically sound models to describe the formation of stable radiation defects. If successful, this project will establish the pulsed ion beam method as the primary approach to study defect interaction dynamics in nuclear materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Predictive Characterization of Aging and Degradation of Reactor Materials in Extreme Environments | Northwestern University | $999,812 | Researchers will develop a suite of unique experimental techniques, augmented by a mesoscale computational framework, to understand and predict the long-term effects of irradiation, temperature and stress on material microstructures and their macroscopic behavior. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Circuitry Using Mask-Programmable Analog Arrays | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $400,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a general-purpose data acquisition system built from commercial or near-commercial radiation-hard analog arrays and digital arrays to be the building blocks of a family of future fieldable radiation-hard systems. The result will be a prototype rad-hard data acquisition system constructed and tested to demonstrate functionality and rad-hardness of the identified commercially available technology, as applied to a nuclear reactor environment. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| A Method for Quantifying the Dependability Attributes of Software-Based Safety Critical Instrumentation and Control Systems in Nuclear Power Plants | The Ohio State University | $399,990 | Researchers will address the lack of systematic science-based methods for quantifying the dependability attributes in software-based instrumentation and control systems in safety critical application. This research will lead to the development of hybrid causal maps, an advanced representation of knowledge, as well as to a more robust elicitation of causal maps which further enhance the science of elicitation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Use of Micro- and Meso-Scale Magnetic Characterization Methods to Study Degradation of Reactor Structural Material | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $896,983 | Researchers will use magnetic characterization methods at the micro-scale and meso-scale to evaluate the degradation of reactor materials at extreme conditions. These measurements will be correlated with measurements taken at a larger scale using established techniques. If successful, the research will result in the ability to use micro-scale magnetic measurements alone to provide diagnostic information about the materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Ultra-High Performance Concrete and Advanced Manufacturing Methods for Modular Construction | University of Houston | $399,999 | Researchers will develop cost-effective ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) products with 150 MPa (22 ksi) concrete compressive strength without special temperature and pressure treatment, high durability, large-scale process-ability with controlled quality, which can be rapidly prefabricated and assembled for modular construction of new nuclear power plants. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improving Weld Productivity and Quality by Means of Intelligent Real-Time Close-Looped Adaptive Welding Process Control through Integrated Optical Sensors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a novel close-looped adaptive welding quality control system that will enable real-time weld defect detection and adaptive adjustment to the welding process conditions to eliminate or minimize the formation of weld defects. The project will provide high-speed, high quality welds for factory and field fabrication to significantly reduce the cost and schedule of new nuclear plant construction. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Improvement of Design Codes to Account for Accident Thermal Effects on Seismic Performance | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will improve current design codes and standards by taking both accident thermal and seismic loading events. The project will resolve this issue by generating the requisite information, knowledge and guidance to facilitate regulation and actualize the licensing schedule desired for new designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Periodic Material-Based Seismic Base Isolators for Small Modular Reactors | University of Houston | $800,000 | Researchers will utilize past research on periodic material foundations and apply it on a larger scale for application in small modular reactors. The project will use large scale shake table test on a structure supported on a periodic-material foundation to verify and refine the analytical model and identify design parameters. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Nanostructured Bulk Thermoelectric Generator for Efficient Power Harvesting for Self-powered Sensor Networks | Boise State University | $980,804 | Researchers will develop high-efficiency and reliable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for self-powered sensors utilizing thermal energy from nuclear reactors or fuel cycle. The project will identify suitable hot surfaces for TEG implementation, develop a robust TEG prototype with shielded package, and study the radiation effect on TEG properties and performances. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detector (MPFD) for High Temperature Reactors | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, fabricate, and demonstrate the performance of enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors suitable for use as real-time reactor core neutron flux and temperature monitors in high-temperature advanced reactors. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Robust Online Monitoring Technology for Recalibration Assessment of Transmitters and Instrumentation | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will create the next generation of online monitoring technologies for sensor calibration interval extension and signal validation in nuclear systems. The project will develop advanced algorithms for monitoring sensor/system performance and enabling the use of plant data to derive information that currently cannot be measured. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| High Spatial Resolution Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensor Networks for Reactors and Fuel Cycle Systems | University of Pittsburgh | $987,676 | Researchers will develop radiation-hard, multi-functional, distributed fiber optical sensor networks to improve the ability for sensors to actively adjust its sensitivity and functionality in time. This research will address the critical technology gaps for monitoring advanced reactors and fuel cycle systems. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Functionally Gradient Transition Joint for Dissimilar Metal Welding Using Plasma Arc Lamps | Mesocoat, Inc. | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use high-density plasma arc lamp processing to build gradient transition joints for dissimilar metal welding. The project includes transition joint design, fabrication and characterization. Results from the study will validate the microstructure and composition of a gradient transition joint and improve stress corrosion cracking resistance of the joint. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Radiation Tolerance of Controlled Fusion Welds in High Temperature Oxidation Resistant FeCrAl Alloys for Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding Applications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will investigate the mechanical performance and microstructure of controlled fusion welds completed on high temperature oxidation resistant FeCrAl alloys after neutron irradiation using advance characterization techniques. The project will further the commercialization of FeCrAl alloys. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Extending The In-Service Life Of Welded Assemblies Through Low Energy Solid State Joining | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an optimized friction stir welding process with improvements over baseline fusion welding methods in prototypic fission reactor environments. The project will improve sound welds in residual stress, creep, creep/fatigue, and SCC susceptibility for alloys of interest to LWR, VHTR and SFR designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography for Advanced Instrumentation Imaging | Idaho National Laboratory | $635,910 | Idaho National Laboratory will purchase a three-dimensional computed tomography system to perform high-resolution non-destructive imaging of unique sensors. | Infrastructure Awards | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Nuclear Fuels and Materials Characterization Enhancement at Idaho National Laboratory | Idaho National Laboratory | $592,783 | Idaho National Laboratory will upgrade the Materials and Characterization Suite by purchasing a Fischione 1040 NanoMill to improve the quality of sample preparation and a Topspin ASTAR system to provide phase mapping capabilities on an existing TEM. | Infrastructure Awards | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Environmental Cracking and Irradiation Resistant Stainless Steel by Additive Manufacturing | GE Global Research | $847,940 | Researchers will significantly enhance stress corrosion cracking resistance, irradiation resistance and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel (SS) used in core components by controlling the non-equilibrium microstructure during fabrication using direct metal laser melting (DMLM). The process will produce near net-shape components to save the deployment time. The improved material properties will reduce the overall life-cycle cost and improve plant reliability. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced Onsite Fabrication of Continuous Large-Scale Structures | Idaho National Laboratory | $800,000 | A joint US/UK team will develop a novel method for on-site fabrication of continuous large structures such as pressure or containment vessels for the nuclear industry. This project will investigate techniques and additive manufacturing methods to construct large-scale structures onsite from smaller format raw materials. This process could enable the domestic production of large structures at a much-reduced cost. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced surface plasma nitriding for development of corrosion resistance and accident tolerant fuel cladding | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will apply an advanced surface plasma nitriding technique to convert alloy surface layers into nitride layers for better structural integrity and compatibility with both coolants and nuclear fuels. The project will impact both the development of advanced methods for manufacturing and the development of advanced reactor in-core structural materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Prefabricated High-Strength Rebar Systems with High-Performance Concrete for Accelerated Construction of Nuclear Concrete Structures | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will reduce the field erection times and fabrication costs of reinforced concrete nuclear structures through high-strength steel reinforcing bars (rebar), prefabrication of rebar assemblies with headed anchorages, and high-performance concrete. The research will integrate cost-benefit analysis and optimization with structural design, analysis, and testing to validate feasibility, design criteria, and design tools for nuclear structures with high performance materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Nuclear Qualification Demonstration of a Cost Effective Common Cause Failure Mitigation in Embedded Digital Devices | Electric Power Research Institute | $991,341 | Researchers will investigate an alternate approach to CCF mitigation using embedded digital components that can be demonstrated to contain no additional capabilities or characteristics beyond those specially required for functional objectives. The project creates a new and alternate concept to design, fabricate, and validate embedded digital devices for safety-related applications. The concept offers a lower total cost and reduction in schedule risk by minimizing validation, analysis, and regulatory review overhead. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Development and Demonstration of a Model Based Assessment Process for Qualification of Embedded Digital Devices in Nuclear Power Applications | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an effective approach employing science-based methods to resolve concerns about common-cause failure (CCF) vulnerability that serve to inhibit deployment of advanced instrumentation (e.g., sensors, actuators, micro-controllers) with embedded digital devices in nuclear power applications. The project will advance the state of the art in the qualification of advanced instrumentation with embedded digital devices for nuclear power plant application. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Nanoprecipitates-Strengthened Advanced Ferritic-Martensitic Steels and Ferritic Alloys for Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop advanced ferritic-martensitic steels and ferritic alloys that favor the formation of a high number density of robust nanoprecipitates, leading to significant improvements in high temperature strength and radiation resistance. Microstructure, mechanical properties, and ion irradiation resistance of the advanced alloys will be assessed. The developed advanced alloys will benefit a variety of advanced reactor concepts. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2015 |
| Consequence Evaluations of Cyber-Attacks on Nuclear Power Plants Using Adaptive Sampling of Attack Scenarios | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $990,000 | Researchers will develop a methodology that will enable cyber-security analysts to identify digital systems in nuclear power plants that, if compromised, will lead to undesirable consequences. In collaboration with Westinghouse, researchers will demonstrate the methodology on a representative AP1000. The methodology is based on adaptive sampling of the input space to select inputs (e.g., control systems behavior) that will cause the plant to be in undesirable states. | R&D Award Abstracts | Cyber Security | Document | FY2015 |
| Wireless Non-Linear Ultrasonic Testing and Microstructural Evolution: Developing a Prognostic Damage Map For Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Researchers will integrate experiment and modeling to establish the relationship between ultrasonic signals and defect microstructures, and improve the capability of signal discrimination for the life prediction of a reactor component in simulated reactor conditions. The new capability could probe the relative healthiness of materials in real time or nearly real time, to better understand the safety limits and lifetimes of components. | R&D Award Abstracts | Nuclear Energy Related R&D | Document | FY2015 |
| X-ray Synchrotron Diffraction Tomography for Materials for Nuclear Energy Systems | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $624,600 | Brookhaven National Laboratory will provide a new user facility for X-ray Diffraction-Computed Tomography (XRD-CT) on materials for nuclear energy systems. Purchasing XRD-CT equipment for the X-ray Powder Diffraction (XPD) beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II (NSLS-II) will develop a unique, crosscutting tool that can address a gap in materials research. It will provide greater access to tomographic imaging coupled with crystallographic structural information to the entire nuclear community. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| Electron Beam Welder for Advanced Instrumentation Fabrication | Idaho National Laboratory | $438,200 | Idaho National Laboratory will procure a state-of-the-art electron-beam (EB) welder system (BEAMER 312 with a 12-inch cube chamber) from Electron Beam Engineering Services, LLC to enable researchers at the High Temperature Test Laboratory (HTTL) to fabricate unique sensors critical to advance nuclear technology and competiveness. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10181: Effects of High Dose on Laser Welded, Irradiated AISI 304SS | Boise State University | $500,000 | This project will investigate the microstructural and mechanical integrity of high irradiation fluence on laser weld repairs of previously-irradiated material. Studies will focus on neutron-irradiated AISI 304 stainless steel hex blocks, which contain high void number density and high helium concentration. These specimens will then be welded and subsequently ion irradiated to as high as 200 displacements per atom (dpa). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10584: Irradiation Performance Testing of Specimens Produced by Commercially Available Additive Manufacturing Techniques | Colorado School of Mines | $499,928 | The proposed project will collect first-ever irradiation and thermal aging performance data for stainless steel and Inconel specimens produced using a range of commercially available additive manufacturing techniques. Commercial suppliers will produce a set of tensile bar specimens using a representative range of additive manufacturing techniques and parameters for irradiation in the ATR and subsequent post-irradiation examination and comparison to as-fabricated and thermally-aged specimens. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10537: Enhancing Irradiation Tolerance of Steels via Nanostructuring by Innovative Manufacturing Techniques | Idaho State University | $500,000 | Researchers will perform neutron irradiation and post-irradiation examination of bulk nanostructured austenitic and ferritic/martensitic (F/M) steels that are anticipated to have enhanced irradiation tolerance. Two innovative, low-cost manufacturing techniques will be used to manufacture the samples: equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and high-pressure torsion (HPT). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10764: Radiation Enhanced Diffusion of Ag, Ag-Pd, Eu and Sr in Neutron Irradiated PyC/SiC Diffusion Couples | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $495,330 | Researchers will investigate diffusion of fission product elements in PyC/SiC substrates with near identical layer construction to TRISO fuel to supply accurate diffusion kinetics necessary to validate and provide input for fuel performance models. The effect of neutron radiation on fission product diffusion will be understood by investigating both thermally exposed diffusion couples and diffusion couples exposed to neutron radiation at temperature. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10696: Understand the Phase Transformation of Thermally Aged and Neutron Irradiated Duplex Stainless Steels Used in LWRs | University of Florida | $489,135 | To fundamentally understand the elemental evolution, segregation and precipitation in duplex stainless steels upon irradiation and thermal aging, Researchers will conduct systematic X-ray measurements including X-ray diffraction, Extended X-ray Absorption Fine structure spectroscopy and in-situ tensile testing using WXAS on existing irradiated cast stainless steels and welds. The study will also be augmented by microstructural characterization using TEM and APT. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10432: Fission Product Transport in TRISO Fuel | University of Michigan | $500,000 | Researchers will measure diffusion coefficients of fission product (FP) for irradiation performance at IPyC/SiC interface and in SiC via a set of separate effects tests that target the diffusion path, temperature, and irradiation conditions. The team will then use ab initio and molecular dynamics calculations to determine the atomistics associated with diffusion to provide a fundamental physics-based model of FP diffusion at IPyC/SuC and in SiC for use in PARFUME to predict FP release in TRISO fuel. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10393: Irradiation Testing of LWR Additively Manufactured Materials | GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy | $ - | Researchers will perform full irradiation/PIE on materials produced by Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) fabrication. It is desirable to test material fabricated in this manner because there are significant opportunities for implementation as reactor internal repair parts, fuel debris resistant filters, and fuel spacers in existing Light Water Reactors (LWRs). Advanced LWRs could also benefit from the use of additively manufactured materials in smaller complex parts. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10737: Correlative Atom Probe and Electron Microscopy Study of Radiation Induced Segregation at Low and High Angle Grain Boundaries in Steels | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $ - | Researchers will seek to better understand the phenomenon of radiation induced segregation to grain boundaries through the application of advanced microscopy techniques including scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and atom probe tomography. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10480: Role of Minor Alloying Elements on Long Range Ordering in Ni-Cr Alloys | Oregon State University | $ - | Researchers will seek to understand the role of different minor alloy elements in the formation of order phases in Ni-based alloys. Additionally, the range of stability of the ordered phase is investigated by changing the Ni-Cr stoichiometry. This work proposes ion/proton irradiation of commercial alloy 690 and model Ni-Cr-Fe-X alloys (where X=Si, P) to understand the role of minor elements and stoichiometry in the ordering phase transformation kinetics. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10834: Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nano-modified Concrete | Vanderbilt University | $ - | Access to the Gamma Irradiation Facility in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be granted for the development of a nano-modified concrete for next generation storage systems. The access will be used to subject concrete containing nano-sized and nano-structured particles to gamma radiations to simulate decades of radiation dose for subsequent characterization of the microstructure and mechanical properties. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10644: Investigating Grain Dynamics in Irradiated Materials with High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop new capabilities for in situ thermal-mechanical testing of neutron-irradiated specimens with 3D X-ray characterization techniques. These new capabilities will enable researchers to probe radiation damage and damage evolution within individual grains of mm-sized polycrystalline specimens. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10669: Transmission of Information by Acoustic Communication along Metal Pathways in Nuclear Facilities | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate methods for transmission of information in nuclear facilities by acoustic means along existing in-place metal infrastructure (e.g. piping). This innovative means of transmitting information overcomes physics hurdles that beset conventional communication methods. This project provides a cross-cutting solution for those areas in the plant where wired or wireless RF communication is not feasible, not reliable (accident conditions), or not secure. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10616: All-Position Surface Cladding and Modification by Solid-State Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing (FSAM) | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop/demonstrate a novel solid-state additive manufacturing process for both manufacturing individual components and cladding and surface modification to improve nuclear components and to support repair of failed components with low weldability. The new technique is expected to have a considerable reduction in cost while showing improvement in productivity and quality. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10570: The Use of Neutron Irradiation Preconditioning Followed by Self-Ion Irradiation to Accurately Characterize the Irradiation Response of Nuclear Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will establish the value of using neutron irradiation followed by heavy ion irradiation as a technique to accurately assess the effects of irradiation on nuclear reactor structural materials that are exposed to significant dose beyond what can be conveniently studied by neutron irradiations alone. The goal is to show how this technique compares to pure ion irradiations and pure neutron irradiations, both of which are used to study irradiation effects. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10884: Self-Powered Wireless Through-wall Data Communication for Nuclear Environments | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate an enabling technology for the data communications for nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities using radiation and thermal energy harvestings, through-wall ultrasound communication, and harsh environment electronics. The project will enable transmitting a great amount of data through the physical boundaries in the harsh nuclear environment in a self-powered manner. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10773: Wireless Reactor Power Distribution Measurement System Utilizing an In-Core Radiation and Temperature Tolerant Wireless Transmitter and a Gamma-Harvesting Power Supply | Westinghouse Electric Company LLC | $789,228 | Researchers will design, manufacture, and operate a wireless transmitter that uses highly radiation-and temperature-resistant vacuum micro-electronics technology that continuously broadcasts Vanadium self-powered neutron detector (SPND) signal measurements to receivers located outside a test reactor core. The power required to broadcast the wireless signal is generated by harvesting gamma radiation emitted by the reactor core and using an activated Co-60. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| Enhanced Micro-analytical Capabilities of Irradiated Materials | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $281,473 | Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will acquire a MEMS-based high-temperature, high mechanical stability in situ experimental system for TEM, as well as an on-axis tomography TEM holder for atom probe specimens. The project will also procure and install an advanced inventory tracking and laboratory information management system for irradiated materials. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Scanning Probe Microscope for Measuring Mechanical and Electromagnetic Properties of Irradiated Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will procure and install a multi-capability atomic force microscope for enabling atomic force, magnetic force, and piezo force microscopy. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Upgrade of the IVEM-Tandem User Facility | Argonne National Laboratory | $230,000 | Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) will make two enhancements to the IVEM-Tandem Facility: 1) establish dual-beam irradiation capability to enable the study of synergistic effects of heavy ion induced cascade damage and helium produced in nuclear environments; and 2) acquire an in situ heating stage dedicated to radioactive samples to meet the increased demand in nuclear fuel studies and high-dose irradiation of neutron-irradiated samples, permitting safe specimen handling and experimentation. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 17-12633: Integrated silicon/chalcogenide glass hybrid plasmonic sensor for monitoring of temperature in nuclear facilities | Boise State University | $890,000 | Researchers will develop a novel hybrid plasmonic sensor that is easier and less costly to manufacture, and which will continue to function properly after radiation exposure. Reusability is a significant feature that will further reduce cost; after reaching critical temperatures, the facility could quickly and easily reset and reuse the sensor for subsequent measurements. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12703: High temperature embedded/integrated sensors (HiTEIS) for remote monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems | North Carolina State University | $999,688 | Researchers will develop high temperature embedded/integrated sensors for wireless monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems. Existing sensing techniques for NPP structures are mostly challenged by the limitations at high temperatures, by the lack of radiation resistance, by the poor embed-ability because of the wired electric power supply and communication, and by unknown long-term performance under harsh environments. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12907: Ultrasonic Sensors for TREAT Fuel Condition Measurement and Monitoring | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design an ultrasonic sensor (and the associated instrumentation) for deploying at the TREAT reactor in support of transient testing of pre-irradiated nuclear fuel rods. The focus of the sensor design will be on high-speed (<1 ms) measurements of fuel deformation in-pile. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12744: Development of Low Temperature Powder Spray Process for Manufacturing Fuel Cladding and Surface Modification of Reactor Components | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a low temperature powder spray deposition process for: [i] the manufacture of fuel cladding of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels, and [ii] deposition of coatings (e.g., functionally-graded and multilayered coatings) to address corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and wear in reactor components. This technology is amenable to large-scale manufacturing and will lower costs. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12690: 3-D Chemo-Mechanical Degradation State Monitoring, Diagnostics and Prognostics of Corrosion Processes in Nuclear Power Plant Secondary Piping Structures | Vanderbilt University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a novel and generalizable 3-D sensor network and associated data analytics for the chemo-mechanical degradation state monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics of corrosive processes in representative secondary piping structures. This project will address current and future needs in nuclear power plants for cost-effectively maintaining the safety and operational performance of passive structural components. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-13022: Versatile Acoustic and Optical Sensing Platforms for Passive Structural System Monitoring | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a distributed acoustic fiber Bragg grating sensing (AFBGs) technology capable of monitoring multiple parameters, such as strain, temperature, pressure, and corrosion for structural health monitoring in nuclear facilities. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15141: Pulsed Thermal Tomography Nondestructive Examination of Additively Manufactured Reactor Materials and Components | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and demonstrate a novel pulsed thermal tomography (TT) non-destructive examination (NDE) method for in-service inspection of additively manufactured (AM) reactor components and materials. NDE capability developed in this project will accelerate deployment of components produced with AM techniques in commercial nuclear reactors. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15179: Process-Constrained Data Analytics for Sensor Assignment and Calibration | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will develop and demonstrate data-analytic methods to address the problem of how to assign a sensor set in a nuclear facility such that 1) a requisite level of process monitoring capability is realized, and in turn, 2) the sensor set is sufficiently rich to allow analytics to determine the status of the individual sensors with respect to their need for calibration. This approach will allow for automated calibration status, avoiding unneeded calibration activities in the facility. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15233: Analytics-at-scale of Sensor Data for Digital Monitoring in Nuclear Plants | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will apply advanced sensor technologies, particularly wireless sensor technologies, and data science-based analytic capabilities, to advance online monitoring and predictive maintenance in nuclear plants, and improve plant performance. The resulting technology is expected to improve plant economics by enabling the transition from periodic maintenance to predictive maintenance. Predictive maintenance will allow plants to better prepare for upcoming maintenance activities by optimizing allocation of resources including tools and labor. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15086: Development of Optical Fiber-based Gamma Thermometer and Its Demonstration in a University Research Reactor Using Statistical Data Analytic Methods to Infer Power Distributions from Gamma Thermometer Response | The Ohio State University | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to build and test an optical fiber based gamma thermometer (OFBGT) using two university research reactors, and to develop methods to process the data that is produced by OFBGTs to produce estimates of the power density in the volume of the reactor that surrounds the OFBGTs. The OFBGT sensor will be robust and resilient, and capable of producing 'big data' scale information, with the smallest possible sensor footprint in the core. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15251: Integrating Dissolvable Supports, Topology Optimization, and Microstructure Design to Drastically Reduce Costs in Developing and Post-Processing Nuclear Plant Components Produced by Laser-based Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and establish an innovative approach to drastically reduce development and post-processing costs associated with laser powder bed additive manufacturing (AM) of complex nuclear reactor components with internal cavities and overhangs. The proposed innovative approach integrates dissolvable supports, topology optimization, and microstructure design to achieve the project goal. Using optimally designed dissolvable supports, this research will make state-of-the-art nuclear components much cheaper, have minimal distortion, and could eliminate build failures altogether. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17045: Cost-Benefit Analyses through Integrated Online Monitoring and Diagnostics | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The objective of the project is to improve the economic competitiveness of advanced reactors through the optimization of cost and plant performance, which can be achieved by coupling intelligent online monitoring with asset management decision-making. This includes designing a sensor network that is optimized for both cost and diagnostic capabilities then utilizing the sensor network and the plant's risk profile during operation to perform supply chain and asset management planning. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17206: Laser Additive Manufacturing of Grade 91 Steel for Affordable Nuclear Reactor Components | Los Alamos National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The primary goal of this project is to determine the feasibility of laser additive manufacturing for producing reactor components of a ferritic/martensitic steel (Grade 91) with an engineered microstructure. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17435: Design of Risk Informed Autonomous Operation for Advanced Reactor | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $1,000,000 | The proposed research will deliver the foundation of integrated instrumentation and controls platform for advanced reactors and demonstrate the capability for autonomous operation. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17070: Acousto-optic Smart Multimodal Sensors for Advanced Reactor Monitoring and Control | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | This project will design and develop a multimodal sensor for measurements of critical process parameters in advanced non-light water-cooled nuclear power plants for the early detection and characterization of deviations from nominal operating condition. The focus will be to develop an integrated sensor concept that enables simultaneous measurements of temperature, pressure, and gas composition using a single sensor, thereby limiting the number of penetrations in the reactor vessel that would be needed. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19321: Design and Prototyping of Advanced Control Systems for Advanced Reactors Operating in the Future Electric Grid | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design and demonstrate and advanced control schemes for semi-autonomous and remote operation of advanced reactors to support integrated energy systems with energy storage technologies. The research will develop a control system architecture that will integrate with future changes to the grid, including highly variable grid demand. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19356: HIP Cladding and Joining to Manufacture Large Dissimilar Metal Structures for Modular and GEN IV Reactors | Auburn University | $1,000,000 | Researchers, using an integrated experimental and modeling approach, will develop, optimize and commercially demonstrate powder-based hot isostatic pressing (HIP) cladding and joining. This research will reduce the cost of manufacturing pressure retaining components in small modular and advanced reactors made from dissimilar metals. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19280: Adaptive Control and Monitoring Platform for Autonomous Operation of Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an artificial intelligence-based platform that can support autonomous control of advanced reactors. The platform will use and integrate information from multiple sensors and support systems to issue appropriate commands to plant systems to keep the reactor within a safe operating envelope and avoid unnecessary shutdown. The work will include a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the performance of the platform and the anticipated cost savings from its deployment. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-20021: Diffuse field ultrasonics for in situ material property monitoring during additive manufacturing using the SMART Platform | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, integrate, and test an ultrasound suite integrated into an additive manufacturing (AM) build plate to provide in-situ monitoring of the AM part being built. The sensing, based on microstructural sensitive diffuse ultrasonic scattering, provides information about the microstructure and associated material properties during the build. Research will focus on sensing material signatures prior to failure to allow for on-the-fly corrections to the AM build. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19888: Fiber Sensor Fused Additive Manufacturing for Smart Component Fabrication for Nuclear Energy | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a fiber sensor fused additive manufacturing technique for smart components and module fabrication for nuclear power systems. The proposed innovation will significantly lower installation costs of monitoring instruments, reduce the overall operational costs, and dramatically improve safety margins of nuclear power systems, thusincrease the economic viability of nuclear energy. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24729: Direct Production of ODS Ferritic Alloys for Long-life Reactor Fuel Bundles: Sheet Material for Ducts and Tubing Pre-forms for Cladding | Iowa State University | $999,000 | Researchers seek to exploit the inherent uniformity, reasonable compressibility, and thermally-activated sintering of gas atomization reaction synthesis (GARS) precursor oxide dispersoid strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel powder to produce full density powder compacts by conventional vacuum warm pressing. Resulting billets will be cold cross-rolled to sheet material for duct applications. Hollow preforms, with a dissimilar powder core that can be readily removed, will be produced for cladding applications. | Document | FY2021 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24446: Gallium Nitride-based 100-Mrad Electronics Technology for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Wireless Communications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $999,000 | The development and demonstration of a GaN HEMT based wireless communication system for near-core operation in existing and future nuclear reactor facilities is proposed. The design will be optimized for neutron, gamma, and temperature hardness, and will reach TRL4 by the project's end. Deliverables include the GaN wireless communications system design and test results, and the results of elevated temperature and gamma, neutron and combined gamma/neutron irradiation tests. | Document | FY2021 |
*Actual project funding will be established during the award negotiation phase.
FY 2019 Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies Awards
Five research and development projects led by DOE national laboratories and U.S. universities will receive $4.5 million in funding. Together, they will conduct research to address crosscutting nuclear energy challenges that will help to develop advanced sensors and instrumentation, advanced manufacturing methods, and materials for multiple nuclear reactor plant and fuel applications.
A complete list of NEET projects with their associated abstracts is listed below.
| Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Award Type | Category | Abstract | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing Microstructure-Property Correlation in Reactor Materials using in situ High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will demonstrate the applications of high energy X-ray measurements with in-situ thermal-mechanical loading to understand the microstructure-property relationship. The gained knowledge is expected to enable accurate predictions of mechanical performance of nuclear reactor materials subjected to extreme environments, and to further facilitate design and development of new materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Electronics Destined for Severe Nuclear Reactor Environments | Arizona State University | $399,674 | Researchers will develop radiation hard by design (RHBD) electronics using commercially available technology employing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices and present generation circuit fabrication techniques. This project will increase the radiation resilience of more sensitive electronics such that a robot could be employed for post-accident monitoring and sensing purposes as well as for long-term inspection and decontamination missions. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Automated Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction of Irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $979,200 | Researchers will develop an automated system to rapidly and safely acquire synchrotron data on radioactive samples. Data will be obtained on irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) steels, austenitic stainless steels and ferritic-martensitic steels that will improve the understanding and performance predictions of these materials in nuclear reactor environments. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Self-consolidating concrete construction for modular units | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop self-consolidating concrete ("self-compacting concrete" or SCC) mixtures so concrete placement can be made into steel plate composite (SC) modular structures without the need for continuous concrete placement. SCC mixtures will be developed and their use validated to ensure sufficient shear capacity across cold-joints while minimizing shrinkage and temperature increase during curing to enhance concrete bonding with the steel plates. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improvements in SMR Modular Construction through Supply Chain Optimization and Lessons Learned | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will advance methods for manufacturing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), improve modular construction techniques and develop best practices for designing and operating supply chains that take advantage of these techniques. The research will identify, address and resolve challenges and deficiencies in the current modular construction approach, thus enhancing the economic attractiveness of SMRs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Advanced 3D Characterization and Reconstruction of Reactor Materials | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use a coordinated effort to link advanced materials characterization methods and computational modeling approaches to better understand and predict the behavior of reactor materials that operate at extreme conditions. The project will address current characterization limitations and enhance recently developed advanced characterization and reconstruction capabilities to allow for efficient characterization of reactor microstructures reconstruction with numerical simulation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Measuring radiation damage dynamics by pulsed ion beam irradiation | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a novel experimental approach to access the dynamic regime of radiation damage formation processes in nuclear materials. Experimental data on defect interaction dynamics is essential for building physically sound models to describe the formation of stable radiation defects. If successful, this project will establish the pulsed ion beam method as the primary approach to study defect interaction dynamics in nuclear materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Predictive Characterization of Aging and Degradation of Reactor Materials in Extreme Environments | Northwestern University | $999,812 | Researchers will develop a suite of unique experimental techniques, augmented by a mesoscale computational framework, to understand and predict the long-term effects of irradiation, temperature and stress on material microstructures and their macroscopic behavior. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Circuitry Using Mask-Programmable Analog Arrays | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $400,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a general-purpose data acquisition system built from commercial or near-commercial radiation-hard analog arrays and digital arrays to be the building blocks of a family of future fieldable radiation-hard systems. The result will be a prototype rad-hard data acquisition system constructed and tested to demonstrate functionality and rad-hardness of the identified commercially available technology, as applied to a nuclear reactor environment. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| A Method for Quantifying the Dependability Attributes of Software-Based Safety Critical Instrumentation and Control Systems in Nuclear Power Plants | The Ohio State University | $399,990 | Researchers will address the lack of systematic science-based methods for quantifying the dependability attributes in software-based instrumentation and control systems in safety critical application. This research will lead to the development of hybrid causal maps, an advanced representation of knowledge, as well as to a more robust elicitation of causal maps which further enhance the science of elicitation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Use of Micro- and Meso-Scale Magnetic Characterization Methods to Study Degradation of Reactor Structural Material | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $896,983 | Researchers will use magnetic characterization methods at the micro-scale and meso-scale to evaluate the degradation of reactor materials at extreme conditions. These measurements will be correlated with measurements taken at a larger scale using established techniques. If successful, the research will result in the ability to use micro-scale magnetic measurements alone to provide diagnostic information about the materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Ultra-High Performance Concrete and Advanced Manufacturing Methods for Modular Construction | University of Houston | $399,999 | Researchers will develop cost-effective ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) products with 150 MPa (22 ksi) concrete compressive strength without special temperature and pressure treatment, high durability, large-scale process-ability with controlled quality, which can be rapidly prefabricated and assembled for modular construction of new nuclear power plants. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improving Weld Productivity and Quality by Means of Intelligent Real-Time Close-Looped Adaptive Welding Process Control through Integrated Optical Sensors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a novel close-looped adaptive welding quality control system that will enable real-time weld defect detection and adaptive adjustment to the welding process conditions to eliminate or minimize the formation of weld defects. The project will provide high-speed, high quality welds for factory and field fabrication to significantly reduce the cost and schedule of new nuclear plant construction. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Improvement of Design Codes to Account for Accident Thermal Effects on Seismic Performance | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will improve current design codes and standards by taking both accident thermal and seismic loading events. The project will resolve this issue by generating the requisite information, knowledge and guidance to facilitate regulation and actualize the licensing schedule desired for new designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Periodic Material-Based Seismic Base Isolators for Small Modular Reactors | University of Houston | $800,000 | Researchers will utilize past research on periodic material foundations and apply it on a larger scale for application in small modular reactors. The project will use large scale shake table test on a structure supported on a periodic-material foundation to verify and refine the analytical model and identify design parameters. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Nanostructured Bulk Thermoelectric Generator for Efficient Power Harvesting for Self-powered Sensor Networks | Boise State University | $980,804 | Researchers will develop high-efficiency and reliable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for self-powered sensors utilizing thermal energy from nuclear reactors or fuel cycle. The project will identify suitable hot surfaces for TEG implementation, develop a robust TEG prototype with shielded package, and study the radiation effect on TEG properties and performances. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detector (MPFD) for High Temperature Reactors | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, fabricate, and demonstrate the performance of enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors suitable for use as real-time reactor core neutron flux and temperature monitors in high-temperature advanced reactors. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Robust Online Monitoring Technology for Recalibration Assessment of Transmitters and Instrumentation | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will create the next generation of online monitoring technologies for sensor calibration interval extension and signal validation in nuclear systems. The project will develop advanced algorithms for monitoring sensor/system performance and enabling the use of plant data to derive information that currently cannot be measured. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| High Spatial Resolution Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensor Networks for Reactors and Fuel Cycle Systems | University of Pittsburgh | $987,676 | Researchers will develop radiation-hard, multi-functional, distributed fiber optical sensor networks to improve the ability for sensors to actively adjust its sensitivity and functionality in time. This research will address the critical technology gaps for monitoring advanced reactors and fuel cycle systems. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Functionally Gradient Transition Joint for Dissimilar Metal Welding Using Plasma Arc Lamps | Mesocoat, Inc. | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use high-density plasma arc lamp processing to build gradient transition joints for dissimilar metal welding. The project includes transition joint design, fabrication and characterization. Results from the study will validate the microstructure and composition of a gradient transition joint and improve stress corrosion cracking resistance of the joint. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Radiation Tolerance of Controlled Fusion Welds in High Temperature Oxidation Resistant FeCrAl Alloys for Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding Applications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will investigate the mechanical performance and microstructure of controlled fusion welds completed on high temperature oxidation resistant FeCrAl alloys after neutron irradiation using advance characterization techniques. The project will further the commercialization of FeCrAl alloys. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Extending The In-Service Life Of Welded Assemblies Through Low Energy Solid State Joining | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an optimized friction stir welding process with improvements over baseline fusion welding methods in prototypic fission reactor environments. The project will improve sound welds in residual stress, creep, creep/fatigue, and SCC susceptibility for alloys of interest to LWR, VHTR and SFR designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography for Advanced Instrumentation Imaging | Idaho National Laboratory | $635,910 | Idaho National Laboratory will purchase a three-dimensional computed tomography system to perform high-resolution non-destructive imaging of unique sensors. | Infrastructure Awards | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Nuclear Fuels and Materials Characterization Enhancement at Idaho National Laboratory | Idaho National Laboratory | $592,783 | Idaho National Laboratory will upgrade the Materials and Characterization Suite by purchasing a Fischione 1040 NanoMill to improve the quality of sample preparation and a Topspin ASTAR system to provide phase mapping capabilities on an existing TEM. | Infrastructure Awards | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Environmental Cracking and Irradiation Resistant Stainless Steel by Additive Manufacturing | GE Global Research | $847,940 | Researchers will significantly enhance stress corrosion cracking resistance, irradiation resistance and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel (SS) used in core components by controlling the non-equilibrium microstructure during fabrication using direct metal laser melting (DMLM). The process will produce near net-shape components to save the deployment time. The improved material properties will reduce the overall life-cycle cost and improve plant reliability. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced Onsite Fabrication of Continuous Large-Scale Structures | Idaho National Laboratory | $800,000 | A joint US/UK team will develop a novel method for on-site fabrication of continuous large structures such as pressure or containment vessels for the nuclear industry. This project will investigate techniques and additive manufacturing methods to construct large-scale structures onsite from smaller format raw materials. This process could enable the domestic production of large structures at a much-reduced cost. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced surface plasma nitriding for development of corrosion resistance and accident tolerant fuel cladding | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will apply an advanced surface plasma nitriding technique to convert alloy surface layers into nitride layers for better structural integrity and compatibility with both coolants and nuclear fuels. The project will impact both the development of advanced methods for manufacturing and the development of advanced reactor in-core structural materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Prefabricated High-Strength Rebar Systems with High-Performance Concrete for Accelerated Construction of Nuclear Concrete Structures | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will reduce the field erection times and fabrication costs of reinforced concrete nuclear structures through high-strength steel reinforcing bars (rebar), prefabrication of rebar assemblies with headed anchorages, and high-performance concrete. The research will integrate cost-benefit analysis and optimization with structural design, analysis, and testing to validate feasibility, design criteria, and design tools for nuclear structures with high performance materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Nuclear Qualification Demonstration of a Cost Effective Common Cause Failure Mitigation in Embedded Digital Devices | Electric Power Research Institute | $991,341 | Researchers will investigate an alternate approach to CCF mitigation using embedded digital components that can be demonstrated to contain no additional capabilities or characteristics beyond those specially required for functional objectives. The project creates a new and alternate concept to design, fabricate, and validate embedded digital devices for safety-related applications. The concept offers a lower total cost and reduction in schedule risk by minimizing validation, analysis, and regulatory review overhead. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Development and Demonstration of a Model Based Assessment Process for Qualification of Embedded Digital Devices in Nuclear Power Applications | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an effective approach employing science-based methods to resolve concerns about common-cause failure (CCF) vulnerability that serve to inhibit deployment of advanced instrumentation (e.g., sensors, actuators, micro-controllers) with embedded digital devices in nuclear power applications. The project will advance the state of the art in the qualification of advanced instrumentation with embedded digital devices for nuclear power plant application. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Nanoprecipitates-Strengthened Advanced Ferritic-Martensitic Steels and Ferritic Alloys for Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop advanced ferritic-martensitic steels and ferritic alloys that favor the formation of a high number density of robust nanoprecipitates, leading to significant improvements in high temperature strength and radiation resistance. Microstructure, mechanical properties, and ion irradiation resistance of the advanced alloys will be assessed. The developed advanced alloys will benefit a variety of advanced reactor concepts. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2015 |
| Consequence Evaluations of Cyber-Attacks on Nuclear Power Plants Using Adaptive Sampling of Attack Scenarios | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $990,000 | Researchers will develop a methodology that will enable cyber-security analysts to identify digital systems in nuclear power plants that, if compromised, will lead to undesirable consequences. In collaboration with Westinghouse, researchers will demonstrate the methodology on a representative AP1000. The methodology is based on adaptive sampling of the input space to select inputs (e.g., control systems behavior) that will cause the plant to be in undesirable states. | R&D Award Abstracts | Cyber Security | Document | FY2015 |
| Wireless Non-Linear Ultrasonic Testing and Microstructural Evolution: Developing a Prognostic Damage Map For Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Researchers will integrate experiment and modeling to establish the relationship between ultrasonic signals and defect microstructures, and improve the capability of signal discrimination for the life prediction of a reactor component in simulated reactor conditions. The new capability could probe the relative healthiness of materials in real time or nearly real time, to better understand the safety limits and lifetimes of components. | R&D Award Abstracts | Nuclear Energy Related R&D | Document | FY2015 |
| X-ray Synchrotron Diffraction Tomography for Materials for Nuclear Energy Systems | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $624,600 | Brookhaven National Laboratory will provide a new user facility for X-ray Diffraction-Computed Tomography (XRD-CT) on materials for nuclear energy systems. Purchasing XRD-CT equipment for the X-ray Powder Diffraction (XPD) beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II (NSLS-II) will develop a unique, crosscutting tool that can address a gap in materials research. It will provide greater access to tomographic imaging coupled with crystallographic structural information to the entire nuclear community. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| Electron Beam Welder for Advanced Instrumentation Fabrication | Idaho National Laboratory | $438,200 | Idaho National Laboratory will procure a state-of-the-art electron-beam (EB) welder system (BEAMER 312 with a 12-inch cube chamber) from Electron Beam Engineering Services, LLC to enable researchers at the High Temperature Test Laboratory (HTTL) to fabricate unique sensors critical to advance nuclear technology and competiveness. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10181: Effects of High Dose on Laser Welded, Irradiated AISI 304SS | Boise State University | $500,000 | This project will investigate the microstructural and mechanical integrity of high irradiation fluence on laser weld repairs of previously-irradiated material. Studies will focus on neutron-irradiated AISI 304 stainless steel hex blocks, which contain high void number density and high helium concentration. These specimens will then be welded and subsequently ion irradiated to as high as 200 displacements per atom (dpa). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10584: Irradiation Performance Testing of Specimens Produced by Commercially Available Additive Manufacturing Techniques | Colorado School of Mines | $499,928 | The proposed project will collect first-ever irradiation and thermal aging performance data for stainless steel and Inconel specimens produced using a range of commercially available additive manufacturing techniques. Commercial suppliers will produce a set of tensile bar specimens using a representative range of additive manufacturing techniques and parameters for irradiation in the ATR and subsequent post-irradiation examination and comparison to as-fabricated and thermally-aged specimens. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10537: Enhancing Irradiation Tolerance of Steels via Nanostructuring by Innovative Manufacturing Techniques | Idaho State University | $500,000 | Researchers will perform neutron irradiation and post-irradiation examination of bulk nanostructured austenitic and ferritic/martensitic (F/M) steels that are anticipated to have enhanced irradiation tolerance. Two innovative, low-cost manufacturing techniques will be used to manufacture the samples: equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and high-pressure torsion (HPT). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10764: Radiation Enhanced Diffusion of Ag, Ag-Pd, Eu and Sr in Neutron Irradiated PyC/SiC Diffusion Couples | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $495,330 | Researchers will investigate diffusion of fission product elements in PyC/SiC substrates with near identical layer construction to TRISO fuel to supply accurate diffusion kinetics necessary to validate and provide input for fuel performance models. The effect of neutron radiation on fission product diffusion will be understood by investigating both thermally exposed diffusion couples and diffusion couples exposed to neutron radiation at temperature. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10696: Understand the Phase Transformation of Thermally Aged and Neutron Irradiated Duplex Stainless Steels Used in LWRs | University of Florida | $489,135 | To fundamentally understand the elemental evolution, segregation and precipitation in duplex stainless steels upon irradiation and thermal aging, Researchers will conduct systematic X-ray measurements including X-ray diffraction, Extended X-ray Absorption Fine structure spectroscopy and in-situ tensile testing using WXAS on existing irradiated cast stainless steels and welds. The study will also be augmented by microstructural characterization using TEM and APT. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10432: Fission Product Transport in TRISO Fuel | University of Michigan | $500,000 | Researchers will measure diffusion coefficients of fission product (FP) for irradiation performance at IPyC/SiC interface and in SiC via a set of separate effects tests that target the diffusion path, temperature, and irradiation conditions. The team will then use ab initio and molecular dynamics calculations to determine the atomistics associated with diffusion to provide a fundamental physics-based model of FP diffusion at IPyC/SuC and in SiC for use in PARFUME to predict FP release in TRISO fuel. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10393: Irradiation Testing of LWR Additively Manufactured Materials | GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy | $ - | Researchers will perform full irradiation/PIE on materials produced by Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) fabrication. It is desirable to test material fabricated in this manner because there are significant opportunities for implementation as reactor internal repair parts, fuel debris resistant filters, and fuel spacers in existing Light Water Reactors (LWRs). Advanced LWRs could also benefit from the use of additively manufactured materials in smaller complex parts. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10737: Correlative Atom Probe and Electron Microscopy Study of Radiation Induced Segregation at Low and High Angle Grain Boundaries in Steels | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $ - | Researchers will seek to better understand the phenomenon of radiation induced segregation to grain boundaries through the application of advanced microscopy techniques including scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and atom probe tomography. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10480: Role of Minor Alloying Elements on Long Range Ordering in Ni-Cr Alloys | Oregon State University | $ - | Researchers will seek to understand the role of different minor alloy elements in the formation of order phases in Ni-based alloys. Additionally, the range of stability of the ordered phase is investigated by changing the Ni-Cr stoichiometry. This work proposes ion/proton irradiation of commercial alloy 690 and model Ni-Cr-Fe-X alloys (where X=Si, P) to understand the role of minor elements and stoichiometry in the ordering phase transformation kinetics. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10834: Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nano-modified Concrete | Vanderbilt University | $ - | Access to the Gamma Irradiation Facility in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be granted for the development of a nano-modified concrete for next generation storage systems. The access will be used to subject concrete containing nano-sized and nano-structured particles to gamma radiations to simulate decades of radiation dose for subsequent characterization of the microstructure and mechanical properties. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10644: Investigating Grain Dynamics in Irradiated Materials with High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop new capabilities for in situ thermal-mechanical testing of neutron-irradiated specimens with 3D X-ray characterization techniques. These new capabilities will enable researchers to probe radiation damage and damage evolution within individual grains of mm-sized polycrystalline specimens. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10669: Transmission of Information by Acoustic Communication along Metal Pathways in Nuclear Facilities | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate methods for transmission of information in nuclear facilities by acoustic means along existing in-place metal infrastructure (e.g. piping). This innovative means of transmitting information overcomes physics hurdles that beset conventional communication methods. This project provides a cross-cutting solution for those areas in the plant where wired or wireless RF communication is not feasible, not reliable (accident conditions), or not secure. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10616: All-Position Surface Cladding and Modification by Solid-State Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing (FSAM) | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop/demonstrate a novel solid-state additive manufacturing process for both manufacturing individual components and cladding and surface modification to improve nuclear components and to support repair of failed components with low weldability. The new technique is expected to have a considerable reduction in cost while showing improvement in productivity and quality. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10570: The Use of Neutron Irradiation Preconditioning Followed by Self-Ion Irradiation to Accurately Characterize the Irradiation Response of Nuclear Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will establish the value of using neutron irradiation followed by heavy ion irradiation as a technique to accurately assess the effects of irradiation on nuclear reactor structural materials that are exposed to significant dose beyond what can be conveniently studied by neutron irradiations alone. The goal is to show how this technique compares to pure ion irradiations and pure neutron irradiations, both of which are used to study irradiation effects. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10884: Self-Powered Wireless Through-wall Data Communication for Nuclear Environments | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate an enabling technology for the data communications for nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities using radiation and thermal energy harvestings, through-wall ultrasound communication, and harsh environment electronics. The project will enable transmitting a great amount of data through the physical boundaries in the harsh nuclear environment in a self-powered manner. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10773: Wireless Reactor Power Distribution Measurement System Utilizing an In-Core Radiation and Temperature Tolerant Wireless Transmitter and a Gamma-Harvesting Power Supply | Westinghouse Electric Company LLC | $789,228 | Researchers will design, manufacture, and operate a wireless transmitter that uses highly radiation-and temperature-resistant vacuum micro-electronics technology that continuously broadcasts Vanadium self-powered neutron detector (SPND) signal measurements to receivers located outside a test reactor core. The power required to broadcast the wireless signal is generated by harvesting gamma radiation emitted by the reactor core and using an activated Co-60. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| Enhanced Micro-analytical Capabilities of Irradiated Materials | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $281,473 | Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will acquire a MEMS-based high-temperature, high mechanical stability in situ experimental system for TEM, as well as an on-axis tomography TEM holder for atom probe specimens. The project will also procure and install an advanced inventory tracking and laboratory information management system for irradiated materials. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Scanning Probe Microscope for Measuring Mechanical and Electromagnetic Properties of Irradiated Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will procure and install a multi-capability atomic force microscope for enabling atomic force, magnetic force, and piezo force microscopy. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Upgrade of the IVEM-Tandem User Facility | Argonne National Laboratory | $230,000 | Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) will make two enhancements to the IVEM-Tandem Facility: 1) establish dual-beam irradiation capability to enable the study of synergistic effects of heavy ion induced cascade damage and helium produced in nuclear environments; and 2) acquire an in situ heating stage dedicated to radioactive samples to meet the increased demand in nuclear fuel studies and high-dose irradiation of neutron-irradiated samples, permitting safe specimen handling and experimentation. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 17-12633: Integrated silicon/chalcogenide glass hybrid plasmonic sensor for monitoring of temperature in nuclear facilities | Boise State University | $890,000 | Researchers will develop a novel hybrid plasmonic sensor that is easier and less costly to manufacture, and which will continue to function properly after radiation exposure. Reusability is a significant feature that will further reduce cost; after reaching critical temperatures, the facility could quickly and easily reset and reuse the sensor for subsequent measurements. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12703: High temperature embedded/integrated sensors (HiTEIS) for remote monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems | North Carolina State University | $999,688 | Researchers will develop high temperature embedded/integrated sensors for wireless monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems. Existing sensing techniques for NPP structures are mostly challenged by the limitations at high temperatures, by the lack of radiation resistance, by the poor embed-ability because of the wired electric power supply and communication, and by unknown long-term performance under harsh environments. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12907: Ultrasonic Sensors for TREAT Fuel Condition Measurement and Monitoring | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design an ultrasonic sensor (and the associated instrumentation) for deploying at the TREAT reactor in support of transient testing of pre-irradiated nuclear fuel rods. The focus of the sensor design will be on high-speed (<1 ms) measurements of fuel deformation in-pile. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12744: Development of Low Temperature Powder Spray Process for Manufacturing Fuel Cladding and Surface Modification of Reactor Components | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a low temperature powder spray deposition process for: [i] the manufacture of fuel cladding of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels, and [ii] deposition of coatings (e.g., functionally-graded and multilayered coatings) to address corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and wear in reactor components. This technology is amenable to large-scale manufacturing and will lower costs. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12690: 3-D Chemo-Mechanical Degradation State Monitoring, Diagnostics and Prognostics of Corrosion Processes in Nuclear Power Plant Secondary Piping Structures | Vanderbilt University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a novel and generalizable 3-D sensor network and associated data analytics for the chemo-mechanical degradation state monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics of corrosive processes in representative secondary piping structures. This project will address current and future needs in nuclear power plants for cost-effectively maintaining the safety and operational performance of passive structural components. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-13022: Versatile Acoustic and Optical Sensing Platforms for Passive Structural System Monitoring | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a distributed acoustic fiber Bragg grating sensing (AFBGs) technology capable of monitoring multiple parameters, such as strain, temperature, pressure, and corrosion for structural health monitoring in nuclear facilities. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15141: Pulsed Thermal Tomography Nondestructive Examination of Additively Manufactured Reactor Materials and Components | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and demonstrate a novel pulsed thermal tomography (TT) non-destructive examination (NDE) method for in-service inspection of additively manufactured (AM) reactor components and materials. NDE capability developed in this project will accelerate deployment of components produced with AM techniques in commercial nuclear reactors. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15179: Process-Constrained Data Analytics for Sensor Assignment and Calibration | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will develop and demonstrate data-analytic methods to address the problem of how to assign a sensor set in a nuclear facility such that 1) a requisite level of process monitoring capability is realized, and in turn, 2) the sensor set is sufficiently rich to allow analytics to determine the status of the individual sensors with respect to their need for calibration. This approach will allow for automated calibration status, avoiding unneeded calibration activities in the facility. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15233: Analytics-at-scale of Sensor Data for Digital Monitoring in Nuclear Plants | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will apply advanced sensor technologies, particularly wireless sensor technologies, and data science-based analytic capabilities, to advance online monitoring and predictive maintenance in nuclear plants, and improve plant performance. The resulting technology is expected to improve plant economics by enabling the transition from periodic maintenance to predictive maintenance. Predictive maintenance will allow plants to better prepare for upcoming maintenance activities by optimizing allocation of resources including tools and labor. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15086: Development of Optical Fiber-based Gamma Thermometer and Its Demonstration in a University Research Reactor Using Statistical Data Analytic Methods to Infer Power Distributions from Gamma Thermometer Response | The Ohio State University | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to build and test an optical fiber based gamma thermometer (OFBGT) using two university research reactors, and to develop methods to process the data that is produced by OFBGTs to produce estimates of the power density in the volume of the reactor that surrounds the OFBGTs. The OFBGT sensor will be robust and resilient, and capable of producing 'big data' scale information, with the smallest possible sensor footprint in the core. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15251: Integrating Dissolvable Supports, Topology Optimization, and Microstructure Design to Drastically Reduce Costs in Developing and Post-Processing Nuclear Plant Components Produced by Laser-based Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and establish an innovative approach to drastically reduce development and post-processing costs associated with laser powder bed additive manufacturing (AM) of complex nuclear reactor components with internal cavities and overhangs. The proposed innovative approach integrates dissolvable supports, topology optimization, and microstructure design to achieve the project goal. Using optimally designed dissolvable supports, this research will make state-of-the-art nuclear components much cheaper, have minimal distortion, and could eliminate build failures altogether. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17045: Cost-Benefit Analyses through Integrated Online Monitoring and Diagnostics | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The objective of the project is to improve the economic competitiveness of advanced reactors through the optimization of cost and plant performance, which can be achieved by coupling intelligent online monitoring with asset management decision-making. This includes designing a sensor network that is optimized for both cost and diagnostic capabilities then utilizing the sensor network and the plant's risk profile during operation to perform supply chain and asset management planning. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17206: Laser Additive Manufacturing of Grade 91 Steel for Affordable Nuclear Reactor Components | Los Alamos National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The primary goal of this project is to determine the feasibility of laser additive manufacturing for producing reactor components of a ferritic/martensitic steel (Grade 91) with an engineered microstructure. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17435: Design of Risk Informed Autonomous Operation for Advanced Reactor | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $1,000,000 | The proposed research will deliver the foundation of integrated instrumentation and controls platform for advanced reactors and demonstrate the capability for autonomous operation. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17070: Acousto-optic Smart Multimodal Sensors for Advanced Reactor Monitoring and Control | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | This project will design and develop a multimodal sensor for measurements of critical process parameters in advanced non-light water-cooled nuclear power plants for the early detection and characterization of deviations from nominal operating condition. The focus will be to develop an integrated sensor concept that enables simultaneous measurements of temperature, pressure, and gas composition using a single sensor, thereby limiting the number of penetrations in the reactor vessel that would be needed. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19321: Design and Prototyping of Advanced Control Systems for Advanced Reactors Operating in the Future Electric Grid | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design and demonstrate and advanced control schemes for semi-autonomous and remote operation of advanced reactors to support integrated energy systems with energy storage technologies. The research will develop a control system architecture that will integrate with future changes to the grid, including highly variable grid demand. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19356: HIP Cladding and Joining to Manufacture Large Dissimilar Metal Structures for Modular and GEN IV Reactors | Auburn University | $1,000,000 | Researchers, using an integrated experimental and modeling approach, will develop, optimize and commercially demonstrate powder-based hot isostatic pressing (HIP) cladding and joining. This research will reduce the cost of manufacturing pressure retaining components in small modular and advanced reactors made from dissimilar metals. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19280: Adaptive Control and Monitoring Platform for Autonomous Operation of Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an artificial intelligence-based platform that can support autonomous control of advanced reactors. The platform will use and integrate information from multiple sensors and support systems to issue appropriate commands to plant systems to keep the reactor within a safe operating envelope and avoid unnecessary shutdown. The work will include a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the performance of the platform and the anticipated cost savings from its deployment. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-20021: Diffuse field ultrasonics for in situ material property monitoring during additive manufacturing using the SMART Platform | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, integrate, and test an ultrasound suite integrated into an additive manufacturing (AM) build plate to provide in-situ monitoring of the AM part being built. The sensing, based on microstructural sensitive diffuse ultrasonic scattering, provides information about the microstructure and associated material properties during the build. Research will focus on sensing material signatures prior to failure to allow for on-the-fly corrections to the AM build. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19888: Fiber Sensor Fused Additive Manufacturing for Smart Component Fabrication for Nuclear Energy | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a fiber sensor fused additive manufacturing technique for smart components and module fabrication for nuclear power systems. The proposed innovation will significantly lower installation costs of monitoring instruments, reduce the overall operational costs, and dramatically improve safety margins of nuclear power systems, thusincrease the economic viability of nuclear energy. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24729: Direct Production of ODS Ferritic Alloys for Long-life Reactor Fuel Bundles: Sheet Material for Ducts and Tubing Pre-forms for Cladding | Iowa State University | $999,000 | Researchers seek to exploit the inherent uniformity, reasonable compressibility, and thermally-activated sintering of gas atomization reaction synthesis (GARS) precursor oxide dispersoid strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel powder to produce full density powder compacts by conventional vacuum warm pressing. Resulting billets will be cold cross-rolled to sheet material for duct applications. Hollow preforms, with a dissimilar powder core that can be readily removed, will be produced for cladding applications. | Document | FY2021 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24446: Gallium Nitride-based 100-Mrad Electronics Technology for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Wireless Communications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $999,000 | The development and demonstration of a GaN HEMT based wireless communication system for near-core operation in existing and future nuclear reactor facilities is proposed. The design will be optimized for neutron, gamma, and temperature hardness, and will reach TRL4 by the project's end. Deliverables include the GaN wireless communications system design and test results, and the results of elevated temperature and gamma, neutron and combined gamma/neutron irradiation tests. | Document | FY2021 |
*Actual project funding will be established during the award negotiation phase.
FY 2018 Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies Awards
In NEET crosscut, five national laboratry and university projects will receive $5 million in funding. Together, they will conduct research to address crosscutting nuclear energy challenges that will help to develop advanced sensors and instrumentation, advanced manufacturing methods, and materials for multiple nuclear reactor plant and fuel applications.
A complete list of NEET projects with their associated abstracts is listed below.
| Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Award Type | Category | Abstract | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing Microstructure-Property Correlation in Reactor Materials using in situ High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will demonstrate the applications of high energy X-ray measurements with in-situ thermal-mechanical loading to understand the microstructure-property relationship. The gained knowledge is expected to enable accurate predictions of mechanical performance of nuclear reactor materials subjected to extreme environments, and to further facilitate design and development of new materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Electronics Destined for Severe Nuclear Reactor Environments | Arizona State University | $399,674 | Researchers will develop radiation hard by design (RHBD) electronics using commercially available technology employing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices and present generation circuit fabrication techniques. This project will increase the radiation resilience of more sensitive electronics such that a robot could be employed for post-accident monitoring and sensing purposes as well as for long-term inspection and decontamination missions. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Automated Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction of Irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $979,200 | Researchers will develop an automated system to rapidly and safely acquire synchrotron data on radioactive samples. Data will be obtained on irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) steels, austenitic stainless steels and ferritic-martensitic steels that will improve the understanding and performance predictions of these materials in nuclear reactor environments. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Self-consolidating concrete construction for modular units | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop self-consolidating concrete ("self-compacting concrete" or SCC) mixtures so concrete placement can be made into steel plate composite (SC) modular structures without the need for continuous concrete placement. SCC mixtures will be developed and their use validated to ensure sufficient shear capacity across cold-joints while minimizing shrinkage and temperature increase during curing to enhance concrete bonding with the steel plates. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improvements in SMR Modular Construction through Supply Chain Optimization and Lessons Learned | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will advance methods for manufacturing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), improve modular construction techniques and develop best practices for designing and operating supply chains that take advantage of these techniques. The research will identify, address and resolve challenges and deficiencies in the current modular construction approach, thus enhancing the economic attractiveness of SMRs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Advanced 3D Characterization and Reconstruction of Reactor Materials | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use a coordinated effort to link advanced materials characterization methods and computational modeling approaches to better understand and predict the behavior of reactor materials that operate at extreme conditions. The project will address current characterization limitations and enhance recently developed advanced characterization and reconstruction capabilities to allow for efficient characterization of reactor microstructures reconstruction with numerical simulation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Measuring radiation damage dynamics by pulsed ion beam irradiation | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a novel experimental approach to access the dynamic regime of radiation damage formation processes in nuclear materials. Experimental data on defect interaction dynamics is essential for building physically sound models to describe the formation of stable radiation defects. If successful, this project will establish the pulsed ion beam method as the primary approach to study defect interaction dynamics in nuclear materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Predictive Characterization of Aging and Degradation of Reactor Materials in Extreme Environments | Northwestern University | $999,812 | Researchers will develop a suite of unique experimental techniques, augmented by a mesoscale computational framework, to understand and predict the long-term effects of irradiation, temperature and stress on material microstructures and their macroscopic behavior. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Circuitry Using Mask-Programmable Analog Arrays | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $400,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a general-purpose data acquisition system built from commercial or near-commercial radiation-hard analog arrays and digital arrays to be the building blocks of a family of future fieldable radiation-hard systems. The result will be a prototype rad-hard data acquisition system constructed and tested to demonstrate functionality and rad-hardness of the identified commercially available technology, as applied to a nuclear reactor environment. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| A Method for Quantifying the Dependability Attributes of Software-Based Safety Critical Instrumentation and Control Systems in Nuclear Power Plants | The Ohio State University | $399,990 | Researchers will address the lack of systematic science-based methods for quantifying the dependability attributes in software-based instrumentation and control systems in safety critical application. This research will lead to the development of hybrid causal maps, an advanced representation of knowledge, as well as to a more robust elicitation of causal maps which further enhance the science of elicitation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Use of Micro- and Meso-Scale Magnetic Characterization Methods to Study Degradation of Reactor Structural Material | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $896,983 | Researchers will use magnetic characterization methods at the micro-scale and meso-scale to evaluate the degradation of reactor materials at extreme conditions. These measurements will be correlated with measurements taken at a larger scale using established techniques. If successful, the research will result in the ability to use micro-scale magnetic measurements alone to provide diagnostic information about the materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Ultra-High Performance Concrete and Advanced Manufacturing Methods for Modular Construction | University of Houston | $399,999 | Researchers will develop cost-effective ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) products with 150 MPa (22 ksi) concrete compressive strength without special temperature and pressure treatment, high durability, large-scale process-ability with controlled quality, which can be rapidly prefabricated and assembled for modular construction of new nuclear power plants. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improving Weld Productivity and Quality by Means of Intelligent Real-Time Close-Looped Adaptive Welding Process Control through Integrated Optical Sensors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a novel close-looped adaptive welding quality control system that will enable real-time weld defect detection and adaptive adjustment to the welding process conditions to eliminate or minimize the formation of weld defects. The project will provide high-speed, high quality welds for factory and field fabrication to significantly reduce the cost and schedule of new nuclear plant construction. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Improvement of Design Codes to Account for Accident Thermal Effects on Seismic Performance | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will improve current design codes and standards by taking both accident thermal and seismic loading events. The project will resolve this issue by generating the requisite information, knowledge and guidance to facilitate regulation and actualize the licensing schedule desired for new designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Periodic Material-Based Seismic Base Isolators for Small Modular Reactors | University of Houston | $800,000 | Researchers will utilize past research on periodic material foundations and apply it on a larger scale for application in small modular reactors. The project will use large scale shake table test on a structure supported on a periodic-material foundation to verify and refine the analytical model and identify design parameters. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Nanostructured Bulk Thermoelectric Generator for Efficient Power Harvesting for Self-powered Sensor Networks | Boise State University | $980,804 | Researchers will develop high-efficiency and reliable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for self-powered sensors utilizing thermal energy from nuclear reactors or fuel cycle. The project will identify suitable hot surfaces for TEG implementation, develop a robust TEG prototype with shielded package, and study the radiation effect on TEG properties and performances. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detector (MPFD) for High Temperature Reactors | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, fabricate, and demonstrate the performance of enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors suitable for use as real-time reactor core neutron flux and temperature monitors in high-temperature advanced reactors. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Robust Online Monitoring Technology for Recalibration Assessment of Transmitters and Instrumentation | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will create the next generation of online monitoring technologies for sensor calibration interval extension and signal validation in nuclear systems. The project will develop advanced algorithms for monitoring sensor/system performance and enabling the use of plant data to derive information that currently cannot be measured. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| High Spatial Resolution Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensor Networks for Reactors and Fuel Cycle Systems | University of Pittsburgh | $987,676 | Researchers will develop radiation-hard, multi-functional, distributed fiber optical sensor networks to improve the ability for sensors to actively adjust its sensitivity and functionality in time. This research will address the critical technology gaps for monitoring advanced reactors and fuel cycle systems. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Functionally Gradient Transition Joint for Dissimilar Metal Welding Using Plasma Arc Lamps | Mesocoat, Inc. | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use high-density plasma arc lamp processing to build gradient transition joints for dissimilar metal welding. The project includes transition joint design, fabrication and characterization. Results from the study will validate the microstructure and composition of a gradient transition joint and improve stress corrosion cracking resistance of the joint. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Radiation Tolerance of Controlled Fusion Welds in High Temperature Oxidation Resistant FeCrAl Alloys for Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding Applications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will investigate the mechanical performance and microstructure of controlled fusion welds completed on high temperature oxidation resistant FeCrAl alloys after neutron irradiation using advance characterization techniques. The project will further the commercialization of FeCrAl alloys. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Extending The In-Service Life Of Welded Assemblies Through Low Energy Solid State Joining | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an optimized friction stir welding process with improvements over baseline fusion welding methods in prototypic fission reactor environments. The project will improve sound welds in residual stress, creep, creep/fatigue, and SCC susceptibility for alloys of interest to LWR, VHTR and SFR designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography for Advanced Instrumentation Imaging | Idaho National Laboratory | $635,910 | Idaho National Laboratory will purchase a three-dimensional computed tomography system to perform high-resolution non-destructive imaging of unique sensors. | Infrastructure Awards | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Nuclear Fuels and Materials Characterization Enhancement at Idaho National Laboratory | Idaho National Laboratory | $592,783 | Idaho National Laboratory will upgrade the Materials and Characterization Suite by purchasing a Fischione 1040 NanoMill to improve the quality of sample preparation and a Topspin ASTAR system to provide phase mapping capabilities on an existing TEM. | Infrastructure Awards | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Environmental Cracking and Irradiation Resistant Stainless Steel by Additive Manufacturing | GE Global Research | $847,940 | Researchers will significantly enhance stress corrosion cracking resistance, irradiation resistance and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel (SS) used in core components by controlling the non-equilibrium microstructure during fabrication using direct metal laser melting (DMLM). The process will produce near net-shape components to save the deployment time. The improved material properties will reduce the overall life-cycle cost and improve plant reliability. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced Onsite Fabrication of Continuous Large-Scale Structures | Idaho National Laboratory | $800,000 | A joint US/UK team will develop a novel method for on-site fabrication of continuous large structures such as pressure or containment vessels for the nuclear industry. This project will investigate techniques and additive manufacturing methods to construct large-scale structures onsite from smaller format raw materials. This process could enable the domestic production of large structures at a much-reduced cost. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced surface plasma nitriding for development of corrosion resistance and accident tolerant fuel cladding | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will apply an advanced surface plasma nitriding technique to convert alloy surface layers into nitride layers for better structural integrity and compatibility with both coolants and nuclear fuels. The project will impact both the development of advanced methods for manufacturing and the development of advanced reactor in-core structural materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Prefabricated High-Strength Rebar Systems with High-Performance Concrete for Accelerated Construction of Nuclear Concrete Structures | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will reduce the field erection times and fabrication costs of reinforced concrete nuclear structures through high-strength steel reinforcing bars (rebar), prefabrication of rebar assemblies with headed anchorages, and high-performance concrete. The research will integrate cost-benefit analysis and optimization with structural design, analysis, and testing to validate feasibility, design criteria, and design tools for nuclear structures with high performance materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Nuclear Qualification Demonstration of a Cost Effective Common Cause Failure Mitigation in Embedded Digital Devices | Electric Power Research Institute | $991,341 | Researchers will investigate an alternate approach to CCF mitigation using embedded digital components that can be demonstrated to contain no additional capabilities or characteristics beyond those specially required for functional objectives. The project creates a new and alternate concept to design, fabricate, and validate embedded digital devices for safety-related applications. The concept offers a lower total cost and reduction in schedule risk by minimizing validation, analysis, and regulatory review overhead. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Development and Demonstration of a Model Based Assessment Process for Qualification of Embedded Digital Devices in Nuclear Power Applications | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an effective approach employing science-based methods to resolve concerns about common-cause failure (CCF) vulnerability that serve to inhibit deployment of advanced instrumentation (e.g., sensors, actuators, micro-controllers) with embedded digital devices in nuclear power applications. The project will advance the state of the art in the qualification of advanced instrumentation with embedded digital devices for nuclear power plant application. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Nanoprecipitates-Strengthened Advanced Ferritic-Martensitic Steels and Ferritic Alloys for Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop advanced ferritic-martensitic steels and ferritic alloys that favor the formation of a high number density of robust nanoprecipitates, leading to significant improvements in high temperature strength and radiation resistance. Microstructure, mechanical properties, and ion irradiation resistance of the advanced alloys will be assessed. The developed advanced alloys will benefit a variety of advanced reactor concepts. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2015 |
| Consequence Evaluations of Cyber-Attacks on Nuclear Power Plants Using Adaptive Sampling of Attack Scenarios | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $990,000 | Researchers will develop a methodology that will enable cyber-security analysts to identify digital systems in nuclear power plants that, if compromised, will lead to undesirable consequences. In collaboration with Westinghouse, researchers will demonstrate the methodology on a representative AP1000. The methodology is based on adaptive sampling of the input space to select inputs (e.g., control systems behavior) that will cause the plant to be in undesirable states. | R&D Award Abstracts | Cyber Security | Document | FY2015 |
| Wireless Non-Linear Ultrasonic Testing and Microstructural Evolution: Developing a Prognostic Damage Map For Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Researchers will integrate experiment and modeling to establish the relationship between ultrasonic signals and defect microstructures, and improve the capability of signal discrimination for the life prediction of a reactor component in simulated reactor conditions. The new capability could probe the relative healthiness of materials in real time or nearly real time, to better understand the safety limits and lifetimes of components. | R&D Award Abstracts | Nuclear Energy Related R&D | Document | FY2015 |
| X-ray Synchrotron Diffraction Tomography for Materials for Nuclear Energy Systems | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $624,600 | Brookhaven National Laboratory will provide a new user facility for X-ray Diffraction-Computed Tomography (XRD-CT) on materials for nuclear energy systems. Purchasing XRD-CT equipment for the X-ray Powder Diffraction (XPD) beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II (NSLS-II) will develop a unique, crosscutting tool that can address a gap in materials research. It will provide greater access to tomographic imaging coupled with crystallographic structural information to the entire nuclear community. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| Electron Beam Welder for Advanced Instrumentation Fabrication | Idaho National Laboratory | $438,200 | Idaho National Laboratory will procure a state-of-the-art electron-beam (EB) welder system (BEAMER 312 with a 12-inch cube chamber) from Electron Beam Engineering Services, LLC to enable researchers at the High Temperature Test Laboratory (HTTL) to fabricate unique sensors critical to advance nuclear technology and competiveness. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10181: Effects of High Dose on Laser Welded, Irradiated AISI 304SS | Boise State University | $500,000 | This project will investigate the microstructural and mechanical integrity of high irradiation fluence on laser weld repairs of previously-irradiated material. Studies will focus on neutron-irradiated AISI 304 stainless steel hex blocks, which contain high void number density and high helium concentration. These specimens will then be welded and subsequently ion irradiated to as high as 200 displacements per atom (dpa). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10584: Irradiation Performance Testing of Specimens Produced by Commercially Available Additive Manufacturing Techniques | Colorado School of Mines | $499,928 | The proposed project will collect first-ever irradiation and thermal aging performance data for stainless steel and Inconel specimens produced using a range of commercially available additive manufacturing techniques. Commercial suppliers will produce a set of tensile bar specimens using a representative range of additive manufacturing techniques and parameters for irradiation in the ATR and subsequent post-irradiation examination and comparison to as-fabricated and thermally-aged specimens. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10537: Enhancing Irradiation Tolerance of Steels via Nanostructuring by Innovative Manufacturing Techniques | Idaho State University | $500,000 | Researchers will perform neutron irradiation and post-irradiation examination of bulk nanostructured austenitic and ferritic/martensitic (F/M) steels that are anticipated to have enhanced irradiation tolerance. Two innovative, low-cost manufacturing techniques will be used to manufacture the samples: equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and high-pressure torsion (HPT). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10764: Radiation Enhanced Diffusion of Ag, Ag-Pd, Eu and Sr in Neutron Irradiated PyC/SiC Diffusion Couples | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $495,330 | Researchers will investigate diffusion of fission product elements in PyC/SiC substrates with near identical layer construction to TRISO fuel to supply accurate diffusion kinetics necessary to validate and provide input for fuel performance models. The effect of neutron radiation on fission product diffusion will be understood by investigating both thermally exposed diffusion couples and diffusion couples exposed to neutron radiation at temperature. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10696: Understand the Phase Transformation of Thermally Aged and Neutron Irradiated Duplex Stainless Steels Used in LWRs | University of Florida | $489,135 | To fundamentally understand the elemental evolution, segregation and precipitation in duplex stainless steels upon irradiation and thermal aging, Researchers will conduct systematic X-ray measurements including X-ray diffraction, Extended X-ray Absorption Fine structure spectroscopy and in-situ tensile testing using WXAS on existing irradiated cast stainless steels and welds. The study will also be augmented by microstructural characterization using TEM and APT. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10432: Fission Product Transport in TRISO Fuel | University of Michigan | $500,000 | Researchers will measure diffusion coefficients of fission product (FP) for irradiation performance at IPyC/SiC interface and in SiC via a set of separate effects tests that target the diffusion path, temperature, and irradiation conditions. The team will then use ab initio and molecular dynamics calculations to determine the atomistics associated with diffusion to provide a fundamental physics-based model of FP diffusion at IPyC/SuC and in SiC for use in PARFUME to predict FP release in TRISO fuel. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10393: Irradiation Testing of LWR Additively Manufactured Materials | GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy | $ - | Researchers will perform full irradiation/PIE on materials produced by Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) fabrication. It is desirable to test material fabricated in this manner because there are significant opportunities for implementation as reactor internal repair parts, fuel debris resistant filters, and fuel spacers in existing Light Water Reactors (LWRs). Advanced LWRs could also benefit from the use of additively manufactured materials in smaller complex parts. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10737: Correlative Atom Probe and Electron Microscopy Study of Radiation Induced Segregation at Low and High Angle Grain Boundaries in Steels | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $ - | Researchers will seek to better understand the phenomenon of radiation induced segregation to grain boundaries through the application of advanced microscopy techniques including scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and atom probe tomography. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10480: Role of Minor Alloying Elements on Long Range Ordering in Ni-Cr Alloys | Oregon State University | $ - | Researchers will seek to understand the role of different minor alloy elements in the formation of order phases in Ni-based alloys. Additionally, the range of stability of the ordered phase is investigated by changing the Ni-Cr stoichiometry. This work proposes ion/proton irradiation of commercial alloy 690 and model Ni-Cr-Fe-X alloys (where X=Si, P) to understand the role of minor elements and stoichiometry in the ordering phase transformation kinetics. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10834: Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nano-modified Concrete | Vanderbilt University | $ - | Access to the Gamma Irradiation Facility in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be granted for the development of a nano-modified concrete for next generation storage systems. The access will be used to subject concrete containing nano-sized and nano-structured particles to gamma radiations to simulate decades of radiation dose for subsequent characterization of the microstructure and mechanical properties. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10644: Investigating Grain Dynamics in Irradiated Materials with High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop new capabilities for in situ thermal-mechanical testing of neutron-irradiated specimens with 3D X-ray characterization techniques. These new capabilities will enable researchers to probe radiation damage and damage evolution within individual grains of mm-sized polycrystalline specimens. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10669: Transmission of Information by Acoustic Communication along Metal Pathways in Nuclear Facilities | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate methods for transmission of information in nuclear facilities by acoustic means along existing in-place metal infrastructure (e.g. piping). This innovative means of transmitting information overcomes physics hurdles that beset conventional communication methods. This project provides a cross-cutting solution for those areas in the plant where wired or wireless RF communication is not feasible, not reliable (accident conditions), or not secure. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10616: All-Position Surface Cladding and Modification by Solid-State Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing (FSAM) | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop/demonstrate a novel solid-state additive manufacturing process for both manufacturing individual components and cladding and surface modification to improve nuclear components and to support repair of failed components with low weldability. The new technique is expected to have a considerable reduction in cost while showing improvement in productivity and quality. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10570: The Use of Neutron Irradiation Preconditioning Followed by Self-Ion Irradiation to Accurately Characterize the Irradiation Response of Nuclear Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will establish the value of using neutron irradiation followed by heavy ion irradiation as a technique to accurately assess the effects of irradiation on nuclear reactor structural materials that are exposed to significant dose beyond what can be conveniently studied by neutron irradiations alone. The goal is to show how this technique compares to pure ion irradiations and pure neutron irradiations, both of which are used to study irradiation effects. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10884: Self-Powered Wireless Through-wall Data Communication for Nuclear Environments | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate an enabling technology for the data communications for nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities using radiation and thermal energy harvestings, through-wall ultrasound communication, and harsh environment electronics. The project will enable transmitting a great amount of data through the physical boundaries in the harsh nuclear environment in a self-powered manner. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10773: Wireless Reactor Power Distribution Measurement System Utilizing an In-Core Radiation and Temperature Tolerant Wireless Transmitter and a Gamma-Harvesting Power Supply | Westinghouse Electric Company LLC | $789,228 | Researchers will design, manufacture, and operate a wireless transmitter that uses highly radiation-and temperature-resistant vacuum micro-electronics technology that continuously broadcasts Vanadium self-powered neutron detector (SPND) signal measurements to receivers located outside a test reactor core. The power required to broadcast the wireless signal is generated by harvesting gamma radiation emitted by the reactor core and using an activated Co-60. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| Enhanced Micro-analytical Capabilities of Irradiated Materials | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $281,473 | Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will acquire a MEMS-based high-temperature, high mechanical stability in situ experimental system for TEM, as well as an on-axis tomography TEM holder for atom probe specimens. The project will also procure and install an advanced inventory tracking and laboratory information management system for irradiated materials. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Scanning Probe Microscope for Measuring Mechanical and Electromagnetic Properties of Irradiated Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will procure and install a multi-capability atomic force microscope for enabling atomic force, magnetic force, and piezo force microscopy. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Upgrade of the IVEM-Tandem User Facility | Argonne National Laboratory | $230,000 | Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) will make two enhancements to the IVEM-Tandem Facility: 1) establish dual-beam irradiation capability to enable the study of synergistic effects of heavy ion induced cascade damage and helium produced in nuclear environments; and 2) acquire an in situ heating stage dedicated to radioactive samples to meet the increased demand in nuclear fuel studies and high-dose irradiation of neutron-irradiated samples, permitting safe specimen handling and experimentation. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 17-12633: Integrated silicon/chalcogenide glass hybrid plasmonic sensor for monitoring of temperature in nuclear facilities | Boise State University | $890,000 | Researchers will develop a novel hybrid plasmonic sensor that is easier and less costly to manufacture, and which will continue to function properly after radiation exposure. Reusability is a significant feature that will further reduce cost; after reaching critical temperatures, the facility could quickly and easily reset and reuse the sensor for subsequent measurements. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12703: High temperature embedded/integrated sensors (HiTEIS) for remote monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems | North Carolina State University | $999,688 | Researchers will develop high temperature embedded/integrated sensors for wireless monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems. Existing sensing techniques for NPP structures are mostly challenged by the limitations at high temperatures, by the lack of radiation resistance, by the poor embed-ability because of the wired electric power supply and communication, and by unknown long-term performance under harsh environments. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12907: Ultrasonic Sensors for TREAT Fuel Condition Measurement and Monitoring | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design an ultrasonic sensor (and the associated instrumentation) for deploying at the TREAT reactor in support of transient testing of pre-irradiated nuclear fuel rods. The focus of the sensor design will be on high-speed (<1 ms) measurements of fuel deformation in-pile. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12744: Development of Low Temperature Powder Spray Process for Manufacturing Fuel Cladding and Surface Modification of Reactor Components | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a low temperature powder spray deposition process for: [i] the manufacture of fuel cladding of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels, and [ii] deposition of coatings (e.g., functionally-graded and multilayered coatings) to address corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and wear in reactor components. This technology is amenable to large-scale manufacturing and will lower costs. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12690: 3-D Chemo-Mechanical Degradation State Monitoring, Diagnostics and Prognostics of Corrosion Processes in Nuclear Power Plant Secondary Piping Structures | Vanderbilt University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a novel and generalizable 3-D sensor network and associated data analytics for the chemo-mechanical degradation state monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics of corrosive processes in representative secondary piping structures. This project will address current and future needs in nuclear power plants for cost-effectively maintaining the safety and operational performance of passive structural components. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-13022: Versatile Acoustic and Optical Sensing Platforms for Passive Structural System Monitoring | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a distributed acoustic fiber Bragg grating sensing (AFBGs) technology capable of monitoring multiple parameters, such as strain, temperature, pressure, and corrosion for structural health monitoring in nuclear facilities. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15141: Pulsed Thermal Tomography Nondestructive Examination of Additively Manufactured Reactor Materials and Components | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and demonstrate a novel pulsed thermal tomography (TT) non-destructive examination (NDE) method for in-service inspection of additively manufactured (AM) reactor components and materials. NDE capability developed in this project will accelerate deployment of components produced with AM techniques in commercial nuclear reactors. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15179: Process-Constrained Data Analytics for Sensor Assignment and Calibration | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will develop and demonstrate data-analytic methods to address the problem of how to assign a sensor set in a nuclear facility such that 1) a requisite level of process monitoring capability is realized, and in turn, 2) the sensor set is sufficiently rich to allow analytics to determine the status of the individual sensors with respect to their need for calibration. This approach will allow for automated calibration status, avoiding unneeded calibration activities in the facility. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15233: Analytics-at-scale of Sensor Data for Digital Monitoring in Nuclear Plants | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will apply advanced sensor technologies, particularly wireless sensor technologies, and data science-based analytic capabilities, to advance online monitoring and predictive maintenance in nuclear plants, and improve plant performance. The resulting technology is expected to improve plant economics by enabling the transition from periodic maintenance to predictive maintenance. Predictive maintenance will allow plants to better prepare for upcoming maintenance activities by optimizing allocation of resources including tools and labor. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15086: Development of Optical Fiber-based Gamma Thermometer and Its Demonstration in a University Research Reactor Using Statistical Data Analytic Methods to Infer Power Distributions from Gamma Thermometer Response | The Ohio State University | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to build and test an optical fiber based gamma thermometer (OFBGT) using two university research reactors, and to develop methods to process the data that is produced by OFBGTs to produce estimates of the power density in the volume of the reactor that surrounds the OFBGTs. The OFBGT sensor will be robust and resilient, and capable of producing 'big data' scale information, with the smallest possible sensor footprint in the core. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15251: Integrating Dissolvable Supports, Topology Optimization, and Microstructure Design to Drastically Reduce Costs in Developing and Post-Processing Nuclear Plant Components Produced by Laser-based Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and establish an innovative approach to drastically reduce development and post-processing costs associated with laser powder bed additive manufacturing (AM) of complex nuclear reactor components with internal cavities and overhangs. The proposed innovative approach integrates dissolvable supports, topology optimization, and microstructure design to achieve the project goal. Using optimally designed dissolvable supports, this research will make state-of-the-art nuclear components much cheaper, have minimal distortion, and could eliminate build failures altogether. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17045: Cost-Benefit Analyses through Integrated Online Monitoring and Diagnostics | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The objective of the project is to improve the economic competitiveness of advanced reactors through the optimization of cost and plant performance, which can be achieved by coupling intelligent online monitoring with asset management decision-making. This includes designing a sensor network that is optimized for both cost and diagnostic capabilities then utilizing the sensor network and the plant's risk profile during operation to perform supply chain and asset management planning. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17206: Laser Additive Manufacturing of Grade 91 Steel for Affordable Nuclear Reactor Components | Los Alamos National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The primary goal of this project is to determine the feasibility of laser additive manufacturing for producing reactor components of a ferritic/martensitic steel (Grade 91) with an engineered microstructure. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17435: Design of Risk Informed Autonomous Operation for Advanced Reactor | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $1,000,000 | The proposed research will deliver the foundation of integrated instrumentation and controls platform for advanced reactors and demonstrate the capability for autonomous operation. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17070: Acousto-optic Smart Multimodal Sensors for Advanced Reactor Monitoring and Control | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | This project will design and develop a multimodal sensor for measurements of critical process parameters in advanced non-light water-cooled nuclear power plants for the early detection and characterization of deviations from nominal operating condition. The focus will be to develop an integrated sensor concept that enables simultaneous measurements of temperature, pressure, and gas composition using a single sensor, thereby limiting the number of penetrations in the reactor vessel that would be needed. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19321: Design and Prototyping of Advanced Control Systems for Advanced Reactors Operating in the Future Electric Grid | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design and demonstrate and advanced control schemes for semi-autonomous and remote operation of advanced reactors to support integrated energy systems with energy storage technologies. The research will develop a control system architecture that will integrate with future changes to the grid, including highly variable grid demand. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19356: HIP Cladding and Joining to Manufacture Large Dissimilar Metal Structures for Modular and GEN IV Reactors | Auburn University | $1,000,000 | Researchers, using an integrated experimental and modeling approach, will develop, optimize and commercially demonstrate powder-based hot isostatic pressing (HIP) cladding and joining. This research will reduce the cost of manufacturing pressure retaining components in small modular and advanced reactors made from dissimilar metals. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19280: Adaptive Control and Monitoring Platform for Autonomous Operation of Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an artificial intelligence-based platform that can support autonomous control of advanced reactors. The platform will use and integrate information from multiple sensors and support systems to issue appropriate commands to plant systems to keep the reactor within a safe operating envelope and avoid unnecessary shutdown. The work will include a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the performance of the platform and the anticipated cost savings from its deployment. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-20021: Diffuse field ultrasonics for in situ material property monitoring during additive manufacturing using the SMART Platform | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, integrate, and test an ultrasound suite integrated into an additive manufacturing (AM) build plate to provide in-situ monitoring of the AM part being built. The sensing, based on microstructural sensitive diffuse ultrasonic scattering, provides information about the microstructure and associated material properties during the build. Research will focus on sensing material signatures prior to failure to allow for on-the-fly corrections to the AM build. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19888: Fiber Sensor Fused Additive Manufacturing for Smart Component Fabrication for Nuclear Energy | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a fiber sensor fused additive manufacturing technique for smart components and module fabrication for nuclear power systems. The proposed innovation will significantly lower installation costs of monitoring instruments, reduce the overall operational costs, and dramatically improve safety margins of nuclear power systems, thusincrease the economic viability of nuclear energy. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24729: Direct Production of ODS Ferritic Alloys for Long-life Reactor Fuel Bundles: Sheet Material for Ducts and Tubing Pre-forms for Cladding | Iowa State University | $999,000 | Researchers seek to exploit the inherent uniformity, reasonable compressibility, and thermally-activated sintering of gas atomization reaction synthesis (GARS) precursor oxide dispersoid strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel powder to produce full density powder compacts by conventional vacuum warm pressing. Resulting billets will be cold cross-rolled to sheet material for duct applications. Hollow preforms, with a dissimilar powder core that can be readily removed, will be produced for cladding applications. | Document | FY2021 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24446: Gallium Nitride-based 100-Mrad Electronics Technology for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Wireless Communications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $999,000 | The development and demonstration of a GaN HEMT based wireless communication system for near-core operation in existing and future nuclear reactor facilities is proposed. The design will be optimized for neutron, gamma, and temperature hardness, and will reach TRL4 by the project's end. Deliverables include the GaN wireless communications system design and test results, and the results of elevated temperature and gamma, neutron and combined gamma/neutron irradiation tests. | Document | FY2021 |
*Actual project funding will be established during the award negotiation phase.
FY 2017 Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies Awards
In NEET Crosscutting Technologies, $6 million will be awarded for six research and development projects led by Department of Energy national laboratories, industry and U.S. universities to conduct research to address crosscutting nuclear energy challenges that will help to develop advanced sensors and instrumentation, advanced manufacturing methods, and materials for multiple nuclear reactor plant and fuel applications.
A complete list of NEET projects with their associated abstracts is listed below.
| Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Award Type | Category | Abstract | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing Microstructure-Property Correlation in Reactor Materials using in situ High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will demonstrate the applications of high energy X-ray measurements with in-situ thermal-mechanical loading to understand the microstructure-property relationship. The gained knowledge is expected to enable accurate predictions of mechanical performance of nuclear reactor materials subjected to extreme environments, and to further facilitate design and development of new materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Electronics Destined for Severe Nuclear Reactor Environments | Arizona State University | $399,674 | Researchers will develop radiation hard by design (RHBD) electronics using commercially available technology employing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices and present generation circuit fabrication techniques. This project will increase the radiation resilience of more sensitive electronics such that a robot could be employed for post-accident monitoring and sensing purposes as well as for long-term inspection and decontamination missions. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Automated Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction of Irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $979,200 | Researchers will develop an automated system to rapidly and safely acquire synchrotron data on radioactive samples. Data will be obtained on irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) steels, austenitic stainless steels and ferritic-martensitic steels that will improve the understanding and performance predictions of these materials in nuclear reactor environments. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Self-consolidating concrete construction for modular units | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop self-consolidating concrete ("self-compacting concrete" or SCC) mixtures so concrete placement can be made into steel plate composite (SC) modular structures without the need for continuous concrete placement. SCC mixtures will be developed and their use validated to ensure sufficient shear capacity across cold-joints while minimizing shrinkage and temperature increase during curing to enhance concrete bonding with the steel plates. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improvements in SMR Modular Construction through Supply Chain Optimization and Lessons Learned | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will advance methods for manufacturing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), improve modular construction techniques and develop best practices for designing and operating supply chains that take advantage of these techniques. The research will identify, address and resolve challenges and deficiencies in the current modular construction approach, thus enhancing the economic attractiveness of SMRs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Advanced 3D Characterization and Reconstruction of Reactor Materials | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use a coordinated effort to link advanced materials characterization methods and computational modeling approaches to better understand and predict the behavior of reactor materials that operate at extreme conditions. The project will address current characterization limitations and enhance recently developed advanced characterization and reconstruction capabilities to allow for efficient characterization of reactor microstructures reconstruction with numerical simulation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Measuring radiation damage dynamics by pulsed ion beam irradiation | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a novel experimental approach to access the dynamic regime of radiation damage formation processes in nuclear materials. Experimental data on defect interaction dynamics is essential for building physically sound models to describe the formation of stable radiation defects. If successful, this project will establish the pulsed ion beam method as the primary approach to study defect interaction dynamics in nuclear materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Predictive Characterization of Aging and Degradation of Reactor Materials in Extreme Environments | Northwestern University | $999,812 | Researchers will develop a suite of unique experimental techniques, augmented by a mesoscale computational framework, to understand and predict the long-term effects of irradiation, temperature and stress on material microstructures and their macroscopic behavior. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Circuitry Using Mask-Programmable Analog Arrays | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $400,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a general-purpose data acquisition system built from commercial or near-commercial radiation-hard analog arrays and digital arrays to be the building blocks of a family of future fieldable radiation-hard systems. The result will be a prototype rad-hard data acquisition system constructed and tested to demonstrate functionality and rad-hardness of the identified commercially available technology, as applied to a nuclear reactor environment. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| A Method for Quantifying the Dependability Attributes of Software-Based Safety Critical Instrumentation and Control Systems in Nuclear Power Plants | The Ohio State University | $399,990 | Researchers will address the lack of systematic science-based methods for quantifying the dependability attributes in software-based instrumentation and control systems in safety critical application. This research will lead to the development of hybrid causal maps, an advanced representation of knowledge, as well as to a more robust elicitation of causal maps which further enhance the science of elicitation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Use of Micro- and Meso-Scale Magnetic Characterization Methods to Study Degradation of Reactor Structural Material | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $896,983 | Researchers will use magnetic characterization methods at the micro-scale and meso-scale to evaluate the degradation of reactor materials at extreme conditions. These measurements will be correlated with measurements taken at a larger scale using established techniques. If successful, the research will result in the ability to use micro-scale magnetic measurements alone to provide diagnostic information about the materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Ultra-High Performance Concrete and Advanced Manufacturing Methods for Modular Construction | University of Houston | $399,999 | Researchers will develop cost-effective ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) products with 150 MPa (22 ksi) concrete compressive strength without special temperature and pressure treatment, high durability, large-scale process-ability with controlled quality, which can be rapidly prefabricated and assembled for modular construction of new nuclear power plants. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improving Weld Productivity and Quality by Means of Intelligent Real-Time Close-Looped Adaptive Welding Process Control through Integrated Optical Sensors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a novel close-looped adaptive welding quality control system that will enable real-time weld defect detection and adaptive adjustment to the welding process conditions to eliminate or minimize the formation of weld defects. The project will provide high-speed, high quality welds for factory and field fabrication to significantly reduce the cost and schedule of new nuclear plant construction. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Improvement of Design Codes to Account for Accident Thermal Effects on Seismic Performance | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will improve current design codes and standards by taking both accident thermal and seismic loading events. The project will resolve this issue by generating the requisite information, knowledge and guidance to facilitate regulation and actualize the licensing schedule desired for new designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Periodic Material-Based Seismic Base Isolators for Small Modular Reactors | University of Houston | $800,000 | Researchers will utilize past research on periodic material foundations and apply it on a larger scale for application in small modular reactors. The project will use large scale shake table test on a structure supported on a periodic-material foundation to verify and refine the analytical model and identify design parameters. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Nanostructured Bulk Thermoelectric Generator for Efficient Power Harvesting for Self-powered Sensor Networks | Boise State University | $980,804 | Researchers will develop high-efficiency and reliable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for self-powered sensors utilizing thermal energy from nuclear reactors or fuel cycle. The project will identify suitable hot surfaces for TEG implementation, develop a robust TEG prototype with shielded package, and study the radiation effect on TEG properties and performances. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detector (MPFD) for High Temperature Reactors | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, fabricate, and demonstrate the performance of enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors suitable for use as real-time reactor core neutron flux and temperature monitors in high-temperature advanced reactors. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Robust Online Monitoring Technology for Recalibration Assessment of Transmitters and Instrumentation | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will create the next generation of online monitoring technologies for sensor calibration interval extension and signal validation in nuclear systems. The project will develop advanced algorithms for monitoring sensor/system performance and enabling the use of plant data to derive information that currently cannot be measured. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| High Spatial Resolution Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensor Networks for Reactors and Fuel Cycle Systems | University of Pittsburgh | $987,676 | Researchers will develop radiation-hard, multi-functional, distributed fiber optical sensor networks to improve the ability for sensors to actively adjust its sensitivity and functionality in time. This research will address the critical technology gaps for monitoring advanced reactors and fuel cycle systems. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Functionally Gradient Transition Joint for Dissimilar Metal Welding Using Plasma Arc Lamps | Mesocoat, Inc. | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use high-density plasma arc lamp processing to build gradient transition joints for dissimilar metal welding. The project includes transition joint design, fabrication and characterization. Results from the study will validate the microstructure and composition of a gradient transition joint and improve stress corrosion cracking resistance of the joint. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Radiation Tolerance of Controlled Fusion Welds in High Temperature Oxidation Resistant FeCrAl Alloys for Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding Applications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will investigate the mechanical performance and microstructure of controlled fusion welds completed on high temperature oxidation resistant FeCrAl alloys after neutron irradiation using advance characterization techniques. The project will further the commercialization of FeCrAl alloys. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Extending The In-Service Life Of Welded Assemblies Through Low Energy Solid State Joining | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an optimized friction stir welding process with improvements over baseline fusion welding methods in prototypic fission reactor environments. The project will improve sound welds in residual stress, creep, creep/fatigue, and SCC susceptibility for alloys of interest to LWR, VHTR and SFR designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography for Advanced Instrumentation Imaging | Idaho National Laboratory | $635,910 | Idaho National Laboratory will purchase a three-dimensional computed tomography system to perform high-resolution non-destructive imaging of unique sensors. | Infrastructure Awards | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Nuclear Fuels and Materials Characterization Enhancement at Idaho National Laboratory | Idaho National Laboratory | $592,783 | Idaho National Laboratory will upgrade the Materials and Characterization Suite by purchasing a Fischione 1040 NanoMill to improve the quality of sample preparation and a Topspin ASTAR system to provide phase mapping capabilities on an existing TEM. | Infrastructure Awards | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Environmental Cracking and Irradiation Resistant Stainless Steel by Additive Manufacturing | GE Global Research | $847,940 | Researchers will significantly enhance stress corrosion cracking resistance, irradiation resistance and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel (SS) used in core components by controlling the non-equilibrium microstructure during fabrication using direct metal laser melting (DMLM). The process will produce near net-shape components to save the deployment time. The improved material properties will reduce the overall life-cycle cost and improve plant reliability. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced Onsite Fabrication of Continuous Large-Scale Structures | Idaho National Laboratory | $800,000 | A joint US/UK team will develop a novel method for on-site fabrication of continuous large structures such as pressure or containment vessels for the nuclear industry. This project will investigate techniques and additive manufacturing methods to construct large-scale structures onsite from smaller format raw materials. This process could enable the domestic production of large structures at a much-reduced cost. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced surface plasma nitriding for development of corrosion resistance and accident tolerant fuel cladding | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will apply an advanced surface plasma nitriding technique to convert alloy surface layers into nitride layers for better structural integrity and compatibility with both coolants and nuclear fuels. The project will impact both the development of advanced methods for manufacturing and the development of advanced reactor in-core structural materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Prefabricated High-Strength Rebar Systems with High-Performance Concrete for Accelerated Construction of Nuclear Concrete Structures | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will reduce the field erection times and fabrication costs of reinforced concrete nuclear structures through high-strength steel reinforcing bars (rebar), prefabrication of rebar assemblies with headed anchorages, and high-performance concrete. The research will integrate cost-benefit analysis and optimization with structural design, analysis, and testing to validate feasibility, design criteria, and design tools for nuclear structures with high performance materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Nuclear Qualification Demonstration of a Cost Effective Common Cause Failure Mitigation in Embedded Digital Devices | Electric Power Research Institute | $991,341 | Researchers will investigate an alternate approach to CCF mitigation using embedded digital components that can be demonstrated to contain no additional capabilities or characteristics beyond those specially required for functional objectives. The project creates a new and alternate concept to design, fabricate, and validate embedded digital devices for safety-related applications. The concept offers a lower total cost and reduction in schedule risk by minimizing validation, analysis, and regulatory review overhead. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Development and Demonstration of a Model Based Assessment Process for Qualification of Embedded Digital Devices in Nuclear Power Applications | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an effective approach employing science-based methods to resolve concerns about common-cause failure (CCF) vulnerability that serve to inhibit deployment of advanced instrumentation (e.g., sensors, actuators, micro-controllers) with embedded digital devices in nuclear power applications. The project will advance the state of the art in the qualification of advanced instrumentation with embedded digital devices for nuclear power plant application. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Nanoprecipitates-Strengthened Advanced Ferritic-Martensitic Steels and Ferritic Alloys for Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop advanced ferritic-martensitic steels and ferritic alloys that favor the formation of a high number density of robust nanoprecipitates, leading to significant improvements in high temperature strength and radiation resistance. Microstructure, mechanical properties, and ion irradiation resistance of the advanced alloys will be assessed. The developed advanced alloys will benefit a variety of advanced reactor concepts. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2015 |
| Consequence Evaluations of Cyber-Attacks on Nuclear Power Plants Using Adaptive Sampling of Attack Scenarios | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $990,000 | Researchers will develop a methodology that will enable cyber-security analysts to identify digital systems in nuclear power plants that, if compromised, will lead to undesirable consequences. In collaboration with Westinghouse, researchers will demonstrate the methodology on a representative AP1000. The methodology is based on adaptive sampling of the input space to select inputs (e.g., control systems behavior) that will cause the plant to be in undesirable states. | R&D Award Abstracts | Cyber Security | Document | FY2015 |
| Wireless Non-Linear Ultrasonic Testing and Microstructural Evolution: Developing a Prognostic Damage Map For Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Researchers will integrate experiment and modeling to establish the relationship between ultrasonic signals and defect microstructures, and improve the capability of signal discrimination for the life prediction of a reactor component in simulated reactor conditions. The new capability could probe the relative healthiness of materials in real time or nearly real time, to better understand the safety limits and lifetimes of components. | R&D Award Abstracts | Nuclear Energy Related R&D | Document | FY2015 |
| X-ray Synchrotron Diffraction Tomography for Materials for Nuclear Energy Systems | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $624,600 | Brookhaven National Laboratory will provide a new user facility for X-ray Diffraction-Computed Tomography (XRD-CT) on materials for nuclear energy systems. Purchasing XRD-CT equipment for the X-ray Powder Diffraction (XPD) beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II (NSLS-II) will develop a unique, crosscutting tool that can address a gap in materials research. It will provide greater access to tomographic imaging coupled with crystallographic structural information to the entire nuclear community. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| Electron Beam Welder for Advanced Instrumentation Fabrication | Idaho National Laboratory | $438,200 | Idaho National Laboratory will procure a state-of-the-art electron-beam (EB) welder system (BEAMER 312 with a 12-inch cube chamber) from Electron Beam Engineering Services, LLC to enable researchers at the High Temperature Test Laboratory (HTTL) to fabricate unique sensors critical to advance nuclear technology and competiveness. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10181: Effects of High Dose on Laser Welded, Irradiated AISI 304SS | Boise State University | $500,000 | This project will investigate the microstructural and mechanical integrity of high irradiation fluence on laser weld repairs of previously-irradiated material. Studies will focus on neutron-irradiated AISI 304 stainless steel hex blocks, which contain high void number density and high helium concentration. These specimens will then be welded and subsequently ion irradiated to as high as 200 displacements per atom (dpa). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10584: Irradiation Performance Testing of Specimens Produced by Commercially Available Additive Manufacturing Techniques | Colorado School of Mines | $499,928 | The proposed project will collect first-ever irradiation and thermal aging performance data for stainless steel and Inconel specimens produced using a range of commercially available additive manufacturing techniques. Commercial suppliers will produce a set of tensile bar specimens using a representative range of additive manufacturing techniques and parameters for irradiation in the ATR and subsequent post-irradiation examination and comparison to as-fabricated and thermally-aged specimens. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10537: Enhancing Irradiation Tolerance of Steels via Nanostructuring by Innovative Manufacturing Techniques | Idaho State University | $500,000 | Researchers will perform neutron irradiation and post-irradiation examination of bulk nanostructured austenitic and ferritic/martensitic (F/M) steels that are anticipated to have enhanced irradiation tolerance. Two innovative, low-cost manufacturing techniques will be used to manufacture the samples: equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and high-pressure torsion (HPT). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10764: Radiation Enhanced Diffusion of Ag, Ag-Pd, Eu and Sr in Neutron Irradiated PyC/SiC Diffusion Couples | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $495,330 | Researchers will investigate diffusion of fission product elements in PyC/SiC substrates with near identical layer construction to TRISO fuel to supply accurate diffusion kinetics necessary to validate and provide input for fuel performance models. The effect of neutron radiation on fission product diffusion will be understood by investigating both thermally exposed diffusion couples and diffusion couples exposed to neutron radiation at temperature. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10696: Understand the Phase Transformation of Thermally Aged and Neutron Irradiated Duplex Stainless Steels Used in LWRs | University of Florida | $489,135 | To fundamentally understand the elemental evolution, segregation and precipitation in duplex stainless steels upon irradiation and thermal aging, Researchers will conduct systematic X-ray measurements including X-ray diffraction, Extended X-ray Absorption Fine structure spectroscopy and in-situ tensile testing using WXAS on existing irradiated cast stainless steels and welds. The study will also be augmented by microstructural characterization using TEM and APT. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10432: Fission Product Transport in TRISO Fuel | University of Michigan | $500,000 | Researchers will measure diffusion coefficients of fission product (FP) for irradiation performance at IPyC/SiC interface and in SiC via a set of separate effects tests that target the diffusion path, temperature, and irradiation conditions. The team will then use ab initio and molecular dynamics calculations to determine the atomistics associated with diffusion to provide a fundamental physics-based model of FP diffusion at IPyC/SuC and in SiC for use in PARFUME to predict FP release in TRISO fuel. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10393: Irradiation Testing of LWR Additively Manufactured Materials | GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy | $ - | Researchers will perform full irradiation/PIE on materials produced by Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) fabrication. It is desirable to test material fabricated in this manner because there are significant opportunities for implementation as reactor internal repair parts, fuel debris resistant filters, and fuel spacers in existing Light Water Reactors (LWRs). Advanced LWRs could also benefit from the use of additively manufactured materials in smaller complex parts. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10737: Correlative Atom Probe and Electron Microscopy Study of Radiation Induced Segregation at Low and High Angle Grain Boundaries in Steels | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $ - | Researchers will seek to better understand the phenomenon of radiation induced segregation to grain boundaries through the application of advanced microscopy techniques including scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and atom probe tomography. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10480: Role of Minor Alloying Elements on Long Range Ordering in Ni-Cr Alloys | Oregon State University | $ - | Researchers will seek to understand the role of different minor alloy elements in the formation of order phases in Ni-based alloys. Additionally, the range of stability of the ordered phase is investigated by changing the Ni-Cr stoichiometry. This work proposes ion/proton irradiation of commercial alloy 690 and model Ni-Cr-Fe-X alloys (where X=Si, P) to understand the role of minor elements and stoichiometry in the ordering phase transformation kinetics. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10834: Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nano-modified Concrete | Vanderbilt University | $ - | Access to the Gamma Irradiation Facility in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be granted for the development of a nano-modified concrete for next generation storage systems. The access will be used to subject concrete containing nano-sized and nano-structured particles to gamma radiations to simulate decades of radiation dose for subsequent characterization of the microstructure and mechanical properties. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10644: Investigating Grain Dynamics in Irradiated Materials with High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop new capabilities for in situ thermal-mechanical testing of neutron-irradiated specimens with 3D X-ray characterization techniques. These new capabilities will enable researchers to probe radiation damage and damage evolution within individual grains of mm-sized polycrystalline specimens. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10669: Transmission of Information by Acoustic Communication along Metal Pathways in Nuclear Facilities | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate methods for transmission of information in nuclear facilities by acoustic means along existing in-place metal infrastructure (e.g. piping). This innovative means of transmitting information overcomes physics hurdles that beset conventional communication methods. This project provides a cross-cutting solution for those areas in the plant where wired or wireless RF communication is not feasible, not reliable (accident conditions), or not secure. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10616: All-Position Surface Cladding and Modification by Solid-State Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing (FSAM) | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop/demonstrate a novel solid-state additive manufacturing process for both manufacturing individual components and cladding and surface modification to improve nuclear components and to support repair of failed components with low weldability. The new technique is expected to have a considerable reduction in cost while showing improvement in productivity and quality. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10570: The Use of Neutron Irradiation Preconditioning Followed by Self-Ion Irradiation to Accurately Characterize the Irradiation Response of Nuclear Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will establish the value of using neutron irradiation followed by heavy ion irradiation as a technique to accurately assess the effects of irradiation on nuclear reactor structural materials that are exposed to significant dose beyond what can be conveniently studied by neutron irradiations alone. The goal is to show how this technique compares to pure ion irradiations and pure neutron irradiations, both of which are used to study irradiation effects. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10884: Self-Powered Wireless Through-wall Data Communication for Nuclear Environments | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate an enabling technology for the data communications for nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities using radiation and thermal energy harvestings, through-wall ultrasound communication, and harsh environment electronics. The project will enable transmitting a great amount of data through the physical boundaries in the harsh nuclear environment in a self-powered manner. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10773: Wireless Reactor Power Distribution Measurement System Utilizing an In-Core Radiation and Temperature Tolerant Wireless Transmitter and a Gamma-Harvesting Power Supply | Westinghouse Electric Company LLC | $789,228 | Researchers will design, manufacture, and operate a wireless transmitter that uses highly radiation-and temperature-resistant vacuum micro-electronics technology that continuously broadcasts Vanadium self-powered neutron detector (SPND) signal measurements to receivers located outside a test reactor core. The power required to broadcast the wireless signal is generated by harvesting gamma radiation emitted by the reactor core and using an activated Co-60. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| Enhanced Micro-analytical Capabilities of Irradiated Materials | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $281,473 | Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will acquire a MEMS-based high-temperature, high mechanical stability in situ experimental system for TEM, as well as an on-axis tomography TEM holder for atom probe specimens. The project will also procure and install an advanced inventory tracking and laboratory information management system for irradiated materials. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Scanning Probe Microscope for Measuring Mechanical and Electromagnetic Properties of Irradiated Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will procure and install a multi-capability atomic force microscope for enabling atomic force, magnetic force, and piezo force microscopy. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Upgrade of the IVEM-Tandem User Facility | Argonne National Laboratory | $230,000 | Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) will make two enhancements to the IVEM-Tandem Facility: 1) establish dual-beam irradiation capability to enable the study of synergistic effects of heavy ion induced cascade damage and helium produced in nuclear environments; and 2) acquire an in situ heating stage dedicated to radioactive samples to meet the increased demand in nuclear fuel studies and high-dose irradiation of neutron-irradiated samples, permitting safe specimen handling and experimentation. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 17-12633: Integrated silicon/chalcogenide glass hybrid plasmonic sensor for monitoring of temperature in nuclear facilities | Boise State University | $890,000 | Researchers will develop a novel hybrid plasmonic sensor that is easier and less costly to manufacture, and which will continue to function properly after radiation exposure. Reusability is a significant feature that will further reduce cost; after reaching critical temperatures, the facility could quickly and easily reset and reuse the sensor for subsequent measurements. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12703: High temperature embedded/integrated sensors (HiTEIS) for remote monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems | North Carolina State University | $999,688 | Researchers will develop high temperature embedded/integrated sensors for wireless monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems. Existing sensing techniques for NPP structures are mostly challenged by the limitations at high temperatures, by the lack of radiation resistance, by the poor embed-ability because of the wired electric power supply and communication, and by unknown long-term performance under harsh environments. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12907: Ultrasonic Sensors for TREAT Fuel Condition Measurement and Monitoring | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design an ultrasonic sensor (and the associated instrumentation) for deploying at the TREAT reactor in support of transient testing of pre-irradiated nuclear fuel rods. The focus of the sensor design will be on high-speed (<1 ms) measurements of fuel deformation in-pile. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12744: Development of Low Temperature Powder Spray Process for Manufacturing Fuel Cladding and Surface Modification of Reactor Components | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a low temperature powder spray deposition process for: [i] the manufacture of fuel cladding of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels, and [ii] deposition of coatings (e.g., functionally-graded and multilayered coatings) to address corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and wear in reactor components. This technology is amenable to large-scale manufacturing and will lower costs. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12690: 3-D Chemo-Mechanical Degradation State Monitoring, Diagnostics and Prognostics of Corrosion Processes in Nuclear Power Plant Secondary Piping Structures | Vanderbilt University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a novel and generalizable 3-D sensor network and associated data analytics for the chemo-mechanical degradation state monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics of corrosive processes in representative secondary piping structures. This project will address current and future needs in nuclear power plants for cost-effectively maintaining the safety and operational performance of passive structural components. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-13022: Versatile Acoustic and Optical Sensing Platforms for Passive Structural System Monitoring | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a distributed acoustic fiber Bragg grating sensing (AFBGs) technology capable of monitoring multiple parameters, such as strain, temperature, pressure, and corrosion for structural health monitoring in nuclear facilities. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15141: Pulsed Thermal Tomography Nondestructive Examination of Additively Manufactured Reactor Materials and Components | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and demonstrate a novel pulsed thermal tomography (TT) non-destructive examination (NDE) method for in-service inspection of additively manufactured (AM) reactor components and materials. NDE capability developed in this project will accelerate deployment of components produced with AM techniques in commercial nuclear reactors. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15179: Process-Constrained Data Analytics for Sensor Assignment and Calibration | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will develop and demonstrate data-analytic methods to address the problem of how to assign a sensor set in a nuclear facility such that 1) a requisite level of process monitoring capability is realized, and in turn, 2) the sensor set is sufficiently rich to allow analytics to determine the status of the individual sensors with respect to their need for calibration. This approach will allow for automated calibration status, avoiding unneeded calibration activities in the facility. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15233: Analytics-at-scale of Sensor Data for Digital Monitoring in Nuclear Plants | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will apply advanced sensor technologies, particularly wireless sensor technologies, and data science-based analytic capabilities, to advance online monitoring and predictive maintenance in nuclear plants, and improve plant performance. The resulting technology is expected to improve plant economics by enabling the transition from periodic maintenance to predictive maintenance. Predictive maintenance will allow plants to better prepare for upcoming maintenance activities by optimizing allocation of resources including tools and labor. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15086: Development of Optical Fiber-based Gamma Thermometer and Its Demonstration in a University Research Reactor Using Statistical Data Analytic Methods to Infer Power Distributions from Gamma Thermometer Response | The Ohio State University | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to build and test an optical fiber based gamma thermometer (OFBGT) using two university research reactors, and to develop methods to process the data that is produced by OFBGTs to produce estimates of the power density in the volume of the reactor that surrounds the OFBGTs. The OFBGT sensor will be robust and resilient, and capable of producing 'big data' scale information, with the smallest possible sensor footprint in the core. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15251: Integrating Dissolvable Supports, Topology Optimization, and Microstructure Design to Drastically Reduce Costs in Developing and Post-Processing Nuclear Plant Components Produced by Laser-based Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and establish an innovative approach to drastically reduce development and post-processing costs associated with laser powder bed additive manufacturing (AM) of complex nuclear reactor components with internal cavities and overhangs. The proposed innovative approach integrates dissolvable supports, topology optimization, and microstructure design to achieve the project goal. Using optimally designed dissolvable supports, this research will make state-of-the-art nuclear components much cheaper, have minimal distortion, and could eliminate build failures altogether. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17045: Cost-Benefit Analyses through Integrated Online Monitoring and Diagnostics | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The objective of the project is to improve the economic competitiveness of advanced reactors through the optimization of cost and plant performance, which can be achieved by coupling intelligent online monitoring with asset management decision-making. This includes designing a sensor network that is optimized for both cost and diagnostic capabilities then utilizing the sensor network and the plant's risk profile during operation to perform supply chain and asset management planning. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17206: Laser Additive Manufacturing of Grade 91 Steel for Affordable Nuclear Reactor Components | Los Alamos National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The primary goal of this project is to determine the feasibility of laser additive manufacturing for producing reactor components of a ferritic/martensitic steel (Grade 91) with an engineered microstructure. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17435: Design of Risk Informed Autonomous Operation for Advanced Reactor | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $1,000,000 | The proposed research will deliver the foundation of integrated instrumentation and controls platform for advanced reactors and demonstrate the capability for autonomous operation. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17070: Acousto-optic Smart Multimodal Sensors for Advanced Reactor Monitoring and Control | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | This project will design and develop a multimodal sensor for measurements of critical process parameters in advanced non-light water-cooled nuclear power plants for the early detection and characterization of deviations from nominal operating condition. The focus will be to develop an integrated sensor concept that enables simultaneous measurements of temperature, pressure, and gas composition using a single sensor, thereby limiting the number of penetrations in the reactor vessel that would be needed. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19321: Design and Prototyping of Advanced Control Systems for Advanced Reactors Operating in the Future Electric Grid | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design and demonstrate and advanced control schemes for semi-autonomous and remote operation of advanced reactors to support integrated energy systems with energy storage technologies. The research will develop a control system architecture that will integrate with future changes to the grid, including highly variable grid demand. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19356: HIP Cladding and Joining to Manufacture Large Dissimilar Metal Structures for Modular and GEN IV Reactors | Auburn University | $1,000,000 | Researchers, using an integrated experimental and modeling approach, will develop, optimize and commercially demonstrate powder-based hot isostatic pressing (HIP) cladding and joining. This research will reduce the cost of manufacturing pressure retaining components in small modular and advanced reactors made from dissimilar metals. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19280: Adaptive Control and Monitoring Platform for Autonomous Operation of Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an artificial intelligence-based platform that can support autonomous control of advanced reactors. The platform will use and integrate information from multiple sensors and support systems to issue appropriate commands to plant systems to keep the reactor within a safe operating envelope and avoid unnecessary shutdown. The work will include a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the performance of the platform and the anticipated cost savings from its deployment. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-20021: Diffuse field ultrasonics for in situ material property monitoring during additive manufacturing using the SMART Platform | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, integrate, and test an ultrasound suite integrated into an additive manufacturing (AM) build plate to provide in-situ monitoring of the AM part being built. The sensing, based on microstructural sensitive diffuse ultrasonic scattering, provides information about the microstructure and associated material properties during the build. Research will focus on sensing material signatures prior to failure to allow for on-the-fly corrections to the AM build. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19888: Fiber Sensor Fused Additive Manufacturing for Smart Component Fabrication for Nuclear Energy | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a fiber sensor fused additive manufacturing technique for smart components and module fabrication for nuclear power systems. The proposed innovation will significantly lower installation costs of monitoring instruments, reduce the overall operational costs, and dramatically improve safety margins of nuclear power systems, thusincrease the economic viability of nuclear energy. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24729: Direct Production of ODS Ferritic Alloys for Long-life Reactor Fuel Bundles: Sheet Material for Ducts and Tubing Pre-forms for Cladding | Iowa State University | $999,000 | Researchers seek to exploit the inherent uniformity, reasonable compressibility, and thermally-activated sintering of gas atomization reaction synthesis (GARS) precursor oxide dispersoid strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel powder to produce full density powder compacts by conventional vacuum warm pressing. Resulting billets will be cold cross-rolled to sheet material for duct applications. Hollow preforms, with a dissimilar powder core that can be readily removed, will be produced for cladding applications. | Document | FY2021 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24446: Gallium Nitride-based 100-Mrad Electronics Technology for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Wireless Communications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $999,000 | The development and demonstration of a GaN HEMT based wireless communication system for near-core operation in existing and future nuclear reactor facilities is proposed. The design will be optimized for neutron, gamma, and temperature hardness, and will reach TRL4 by the project's end. Deliverables include the GaN wireless communications system design and test results, and the results of elevated temperature and gamma, neutron and combined gamma/neutron irradiation tests. | Document | FY2021 |
*Actual project funding will be established during the award negotiation phase.
FY 2016 Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies Awards
Through this program, the U.S. Department of Energy is announcing over $10 million that will be awarded to universities, industry and national laboratories to further advanced manufacturing, reactor materials, instrumentation, and cybersecurity research.
A complete list of NEET projects with their associated abstracts is listed below.
| Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Award Type | Category | Abstract | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing Microstructure-Property Correlation in Reactor Materials using in situ High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will demonstrate the applications of high energy X-ray measurements with in-situ thermal-mechanical loading to understand the microstructure-property relationship. The gained knowledge is expected to enable accurate predictions of mechanical performance of nuclear reactor materials subjected to extreme environments, and to further facilitate design and development of new materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Electronics Destined for Severe Nuclear Reactor Environments | Arizona State University | $399,674 | Researchers will develop radiation hard by design (RHBD) electronics using commercially available technology employing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices and present generation circuit fabrication techniques. This project will increase the radiation resilience of more sensitive electronics such that a robot could be employed for post-accident monitoring and sensing purposes as well as for long-term inspection and decontamination missions. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Automated Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction of Irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $979,200 | Researchers will develop an automated system to rapidly and safely acquire synchrotron data on radioactive samples. Data will be obtained on irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) steels, austenitic stainless steels and ferritic-martensitic steels that will improve the understanding and performance predictions of these materials in nuclear reactor environments. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Self-consolidating concrete construction for modular units | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop self-consolidating concrete ("self-compacting concrete" or SCC) mixtures so concrete placement can be made into steel plate composite (SC) modular structures without the need for continuous concrete placement. SCC mixtures will be developed and their use validated to ensure sufficient shear capacity across cold-joints while minimizing shrinkage and temperature increase during curing to enhance concrete bonding with the steel plates. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improvements in SMR Modular Construction through Supply Chain Optimization and Lessons Learned | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will advance methods for manufacturing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), improve modular construction techniques and develop best practices for designing and operating supply chains that take advantage of these techniques. The research will identify, address and resolve challenges and deficiencies in the current modular construction approach, thus enhancing the economic attractiveness of SMRs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Advanced 3D Characterization and Reconstruction of Reactor Materials | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use a coordinated effort to link advanced materials characterization methods and computational modeling approaches to better understand and predict the behavior of reactor materials that operate at extreme conditions. The project will address current characterization limitations and enhance recently developed advanced characterization and reconstruction capabilities to allow for efficient characterization of reactor microstructures reconstruction with numerical simulation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Measuring radiation damage dynamics by pulsed ion beam irradiation | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a novel experimental approach to access the dynamic regime of radiation damage formation processes in nuclear materials. Experimental data on defect interaction dynamics is essential for building physically sound models to describe the formation of stable radiation defects. If successful, this project will establish the pulsed ion beam method as the primary approach to study defect interaction dynamics in nuclear materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Predictive Characterization of Aging and Degradation of Reactor Materials in Extreme Environments | Northwestern University | $999,812 | Researchers will develop a suite of unique experimental techniques, augmented by a mesoscale computational framework, to understand and predict the long-term effects of irradiation, temperature and stress on material microstructures and their macroscopic behavior. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Circuitry Using Mask-Programmable Analog Arrays | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $400,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a general-purpose data acquisition system built from commercial or near-commercial radiation-hard analog arrays and digital arrays to be the building blocks of a family of future fieldable radiation-hard systems. The result will be a prototype rad-hard data acquisition system constructed and tested to demonstrate functionality and rad-hardness of the identified commercially available technology, as applied to a nuclear reactor environment. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| A Method for Quantifying the Dependability Attributes of Software-Based Safety Critical Instrumentation and Control Systems in Nuclear Power Plants | The Ohio State University | $399,990 | Researchers will address the lack of systematic science-based methods for quantifying the dependability attributes in software-based instrumentation and control systems in safety critical application. This research will lead to the development of hybrid causal maps, an advanced representation of knowledge, as well as to a more robust elicitation of causal maps which further enhance the science of elicitation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Use of Micro- and Meso-Scale Magnetic Characterization Methods to Study Degradation of Reactor Structural Material | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $896,983 | Researchers will use magnetic characterization methods at the micro-scale and meso-scale to evaluate the degradation of reactor materials at extreme conditions. These measurements will be correlated with measurements taken at a larger scale using established techniques. If successful, the research will result in the ability to use micro-scale magnetic measurements alone to provide diagnostic information about the materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Ultra-High Performance Concrete and Advanced Manufacturing Methods for Modular Construction | University of Houston | $399,999 | Researchers will develop cost-effective ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) products with 150 MPa (22 ksi) concrete compressive strength without special temperature and pressure treatment, high durability, large-scale process-ability with controlled quality, which can be rapidly prefabricated and assembled for modular construction of new nuclear power plants. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improving Weld Productivity and Quality by Means of Intelligent Real-Time Close-Looped Adaptive Welding Process Control through Integrated Optical Sensors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a novel close-looped adaptive welding quality control system that will enable real-time weld defect detection and adaptive adjustment to the welding process conditions to eliminate or minimize the formation of weld defects. The project will provide high-speed, high quality welds for factory and field fabrication to significantly reduce the cost and schedule of new nuclear plant construction. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Improvement of Design Codes to Account for Accident Thermal Effects on Seismic Performance | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will improve current design codes and standards by taking both accident thermal and seismic loading events. The project will resolve this issue by generating the requisite information, knowledge and guidance to facilitate regulation and actualize the licensing schedule desired for new designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Periodic Material-Based Seismic Base Isolators for Small Modular Reactors | University of Houston | $800,000 | Researchers will utilize past research on periodic material foundations and apply it on a larger scale for application in small modular reactors. The project will use large scale shake table test on a structure supported on a periodic-material foundation to verify and refine the analytical model and identify design parameters. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Nanostructured Bulk Thermoelectric Generator for Efficient Power Harvesting for Self-powered Sensor Networks | Boise State University | $980,804 | Researchers will develop high-efficiency and reliable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for self-powered sensors utilizing thermal energy from nuclear reactors or fuel cycle. The project will identify suitable hot surfaces for TEG implementation, develop a robust TEG prototype with shielded package, and study the radiation effect on TEG properties and performances. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detector (MPFD) for High Temperature Reactors | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, fabricate, and demonstrate the performance of enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors suitable for use as real-time reactor core neutron flux and temperature monitors in high-temperature advanced reactors. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Robust Online Monitoring Technology for Recalibration Assessment of Transmitters and Instrumentation | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will create the next generation of online monitoring technologies for sensor calibration interval extension and signal validation in nuclear systems. The project will develop advanced algorithms for monitoring sensor/system performance and enabling the use of plant data to derive information that currently cannot be measured. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| High Spatial Resolution Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensor Networks for Reactors and Fuel Cycle Systems | University of Pittsburgh | $987,676 | Researchers will develop radiation-hard, multi-functional, distributed fiber optical sensor networks to improve the ability for sensors to actively adjust its sensitivity and functionality in time. This research will address the critical technology gaps for monitoring advanced reactors and fuel cycle systems. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Functionally Gradient Transition Joint for Dissimilar Metal Welding Using Plasma Arc Lamps | Mesocoat, Inc. | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use high-density plasma arc lamp processing to build gradient transition joints for dissimilar metal welding. The project includes transition joint design, fabrication and characterization. Results from the study will validate the microstructure and composition of a gradient transition joint and improve stress corrosion cracking resistance of the joint. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Radiation Tolerance of Controlled Fusion Welds in High Temperature Oxidation Resistant FeCrAl Alloys for Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding Applications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will investigate the mechanical performance and microstructure of controlled fusion welds completed on high temperature oxidation resistant FeCrAl alloys after neutron irradiation using advance characterization techniques. The project will further the commercialization of FeCrAl alloys. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Extending The In-Service Life Of Welded Assemblies Through Low Energy Solid State Joining | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an optimized friction stir welding process with improvements over baseline fusion welding methods in prototypic fission reactor environments. The project will improve sound welds in residual stress, creep, creep/fatigue, and SCC susceptibility for alloys of interest to LWR, VHTR and SFR designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography for Advanced Instrumentation Imaging | Idaho National Laboratory | $635,910 | Idaho National Laboratory will purchase a three-dimensional computed tomography system to perform high-resolution non-destructive imaging of unique sensors. | Infrastructure Awards | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Nuclear Fuels and Materials Characterization Enhancement at Idaho National Laboratory | Idaho National Laboratory | $592,783 | Idaho National Laboratory will upgrade the Materials and Characterization Suite by purchasing a Fischione 1040 NanoMill to improve the quality of sample preparation and a Topspin ASTAR system to provide phase mapping capabilities on an existing TEM. | Infrastructure Awards | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Environmental Cracking and Irradiation Resistant Stainless Steel by Additive Manufacturing | GE Global Research | $847,940 | Researchers will significantly enhance stress corrosion cracking resistance, irradiation resistance and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel (SS) used in core components by controlling the non-equilibrium microstructure during fabrication using direct metal laser melting (DMLM). The process will produce near net-shape components to save the deployment time. The improved material properties will reduce the overall life-cycle cost and improve plant reliability. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced Onsite Fabrication of Continuous Large-Scale Structures | Idaho National Laboratory | $800,000 | A joint US/UK team will develop a novel method for on-site fabrication of continuous large structures such as pressure or containment vessels for the nuclear industry. This project will investigate techniques and additive manufacturing methods to construct large-scale structures onsite from smaller format raw materials. This process could enable the domestic production of large structures at a much-reduced cost. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced surface plasma nitriding for development of corrosion resistance and accident tolerant fuel cladding | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will apply an advanced surface plasma nitriding technique to convert alloy surface layers into nitride layers for better structural integrity and compatibility with both coolants and nuclear fuels. The project will impact both the development of advanced methods for manufacturing and the development of advanced reactor in-core structural materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Prefabricated High-Strength Rebar Systems with High-Performance Concrete for Accelerated Construction of Nuclear Concrete Structures | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will reduce the field erection times and fabrication costs of reinforced concrete nuclear structures through high-strength steel reinforcing bars (rebar), prefabrication of rebar assemblies with headed anchorages, and high-performance concrete. The research will integrate cost-benefit analysis and optimization with structural design, analysis, and testing to validate feasibility, design criteria, and design tools for nuclear structures with high performance materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Nuclear Qualification Demonstration of a Cost Effective Common Cause Failure Mitigation in Embedded Digital Devices | Electric Power Research Institute | $991,341 | Researchers will investigate an alternate approach to CCF mitigation using embedded digital components that can be demonstrated to contain no additional capabilities or characteristics beyond those specially required for functional objectives. The project creates a new and alternate concept to design, fabricate, and validate embedded digital devices for safety-related applications. The concept offers a lower total cost and reduction in schedule risk by minimizing validation, analysis, and regulatory review overhead. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Development and Demonstration of a Model Based Assessment Process for Qualification of Embedded Digital Devices in Nuclear Power Applications | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an effective approach employing science-based methods to resolve concerns about common-cause failure (CCF) vulnerability that serve to inhibit deployment of advanced instrumentation (e.g., sensors, actuators, micro-controllers) with embedded digital devices in nuclear power applications. The project will advance the state of the art in the qualification of advanced instrumentation with embedded digital devices for nuclear power plant application. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Nanoprecipitates-Strengthened Advanced Ferritic-Martensitic Steels and Ferritic Alloys for Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop advanced ferritic-martensitic steels and ferritic alloys that favor the formation of a high number density of robust nanoprecipitates, leading to significant improvements in high temperature strength and radiation resistance. Microstructure, mechanical properties, and ion irradiation resistance of the advanced alloys will be assessed. The developed advanced alloys will benefit a variety of advanced reactor concepts. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2015 |
| Consequence Evaluations of Cyber-Attacks on Nuclear Power Plants Using Adaptive Sampling of Attack Scenarios | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $990,000 | Researchers will develop a methodology that will enable cyber-security analysts to identify digital systems in nuclear power plants that, if compromised, will lead to undesirable consequences. In collaboration with Westinghouse, researchers will demonstrate the methodology on a representative AP1000. The methodology is based on adaptive sampling of the input space to select inputs (e.g., control systems behavior) that will cause the plant to be in undesirable states. | R&D Award Abstracts | Cyber Security | Document | FY2015 |
| Wireless Non-Linear Ultrasonic Testing and Microstructural Evolution: Developing a Prognostic Damage Map For Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Researchers will integrate experiment and modeling to establish the relationship between ultrasonic signals and defect microstructures, and improve the capability of signal discrimination for the life prediction of a reactor component in simulated reactor conditions. The new capability could probe the relative healthiness of materials in real time or nearly real time, to better understand the safety limits and lifetimes of components. | R&D Award Abstracts | Nuclear Energy Related R&D | Document | FY2015 |
| X-ray Synchrotron Diffraction Tomography for Materials for Nuclear Energy Systems | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $624,600 | Brookhaven National Laboratory will provide a new user facility for X-ray Diffraction-Computed Tomography (XRD-CT) on materials for nuclear energy systems. Purchasing XRD-CT equipment for the X-ray Powder Diffraction (XPD) beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II (NSLS-II) will develop a unique, crosscutting tool that can address a gap in materials research. It will provide greater access to tomographic imaging coupled with crystallographic structural information to the entire nuclear community. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| Electron Beam Welder for Advanced Instrumentation Fabrication | Idaho National Laboratory | $438,200 | Idaho National Laboratory will procure a state-of-the-art electron-beam (EB) welder system (BEAMER 312 with a 12-inch cube chamber) from Electron Beam Engineering Services, LLC to enable researchers at the High Temperature Test Laboratory (HTTL) to fabricate unique sensors critical to advance nuclear technology and competiveness. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10181: Effects of High Dose on Laser Welded, Irradiated AISI 304SS | Boise State University | $500,000 | This project will investigate the microstructural and mechanical integrity of high irradiation fluence on laser weld repairs of previously-irradiated material. Studies will focus on neutron-irradiated AISI 304 stainless steel hex blocks, which contain high void number density and high helium concentration. These specimens will then be welded and subsequently ion irradiated to as high as 200 displacements per atom (dpa). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10584: Irradiation Performance Testing of Specimens Produced by Commercially Available Additive Manufacturing Techniques | Colorado School of Mines | $499,928 | The proposed project will collect first-ever irradiation and thermal aging performance data for stainless steel and Inconel specimens produced using a range of commercially available additive manufacturing techniques. Commercial suppliers will produce a set of tensile bar specimens using a representative range of additive manufacturing techniques and parameters for irradiation in the ATR and subsequent post-irradiation examination and comparison to as-fabricated and thermally-aged specimens. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10537: Enhancing Irradiation Tolerance of Steels via Nanostructuring by Innovative Manufacturing Techniques | Idaho State University | $500,000 | Researchers will perform neutron irradiation and post-irradiation examination of bulk nanostructured austenitic and ferritic/martensitic (F/M) steels that are anticipated to have enhanced irradiation tolerance. Two innovative, low-cost manufacturing techniques will be used to manufacture the samples: equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and high-pressure torsion (HPT). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10764: Radiation Enhanced Diffusion of Ag, Ag-Pd, Eu and Sr in Neutron Irradiated PyC/SiC Diffusion Couples | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $495,330 | Researchers will investigate diffusion of fission product elements in PyC/SiC substrates with near identical layer construction to TRISO fuel to supply accurate diffusion kinetics necessary to validate and provide input for fuel performance models. The effect of neutron radiation on fission product diffusion will be understood by investigating both thermally exposed diffusion couples and diffusion couples exposed to neutron radiation at temperature. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10696: Understand the Phase Transformation of Thermally Aged and Neutron Irradiated Duplex Stainless Steels Used in LWRs | University of Florida | $489,135 | To fundamentally understand the elemental evolution, segregation and precipitation in duplex stainless steels upon irradiation and thermal aging, Researchers will conduct systematic X-ray measurements including X-ray diffraction, Extended X-ray Absorption Fine structure spectroscopy and in-situ tensile testing using WXAS on existing irradiated cast stainless steels and welds. The study will also be augmented by microstructural characterization using TEM and APT. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10432: Fission Product Transport in TRISO Fuel | University of Michigan | $500,000 | Researchers will measure diffusion coefficients of fission product (FP) for irradiation performance at IPyC/SiC interface and in SiC via a set of separate effects tests that target the diffusion path, temperature, and irradiation conditions. The team will then use ab initio and molecular dynamics calculations to determine the atomistics associated with diffusion to provide a fundamental physics-based model of FP diffusion at IPyC/SuC and in SiC for use in PARFUME to predict FP release in TRISO fuel. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10393: Irradiation Testing of LWR Additively Manufactured Materials | GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy | $ - | Researchers will perform full irradiation/PIE on materials produced by Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) fabrication. It is desirable to test material fabricated in this manner because there are significant opportunities for implementation as reactor internal repair parts, fuel debris resistant filters, and fuel spacers in existing Light Water Reactors (LWRs). Advanced LWRs could also benefit from the use of additively manufactured materials in smaller complex parts. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10737: Correlative Atom Probe and Electron Microscopy Study of Radiation Induced Segregation at Low and High Angle Grain Boundaries in Steels | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $ - | Researchers will seek to better understand the phenomenon of radiation induced segregation to grain boundaries through the application of advanced microscopy techniques including scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and atom probe tomography. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10480: Role of Minor Alloying Elements on Long Range Ordering in Ni-Cr Alloys | Oregon State University | $ - | Researchers will seek to understand the role of different minor alloy elements in the formation of order phases in Ni-based alloys. Additionally, the range of stability of the ordered phase is investigated by changing the Ni-Cr stoichiometry. This work proposes ion/proton irradiation of commercial alloy 690 and model Ni-Cr-Fe-X alloys (where X=Si, P) to understand the role of minor elements and stoichiometry in the ordering phase transformation kinetics. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10834: Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nano-modified Concrete | Vanderbilt University | $ - | Access to the Gamma Irradiation Facility in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be granted for the development of a nano-modified concrete for next generation storage systems. The access will be used to subject concrete containing nano-sized and nano-structured particles to gamma radiations to simulate decades of radiation dose for subsequent characterization of the microstructure and mechanical properties. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10644: Investigating Grain Dynamics in Irradiated Materials with High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop new capabilities for in situ thermal-mechanical testing of neutron-irradiated specimens with 3D X-ray characterization techniques. These new capabilities will enable researchers to probe radiation damage and damage evolution within individual grains of mm-sized polycrystalline specimens. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10669: Transmission of Information by Acoustic Communication along Metal Pathways in Nuclear Facilities | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate methods for transmission of information in nuclear facilities by acoustic means along existing in-place metal infrastructure (e.g. piping). This innovative means of transmitting information overcomes physics hurdles that beset conventional communication methods. This project provides a cross-cutting solution for those areas in the plant where wired or wireless RF communication is not feasible, not reliable (accident conditions), or not secure. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10616: All-Position Surface Cladding and Modification by Solid-State Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing (FSAM) | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop/demonstrate a novel solid-state additive manufacturing process for both manufacturing individual components and cladding and surface modification to improve nuclear components and to support repair of failed components with low weldability. The new technique is expected to have a considerable reduction in cost while showing improvement in productivity and quality. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10570: The Use of Neutron Irradiation Preconditioning Followed by Self-Ion Irradiation to Accurately Characterize the Irradiation Response of Nuclear Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will establish the value of using neutron irradiation followed by heavy ion irradiation as a technique to accurately assess the effects of irradiation on nuclear reactor structural materials that are exposed to significant dose beyond what can be conveniently studied by neutron irradiations alone. The goal is to show how this technique compares to pure ion irradiations and pure neutron irradiations, both of which are used to study irradiation effects. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10884: Self-Powered Wireless Through-wall Data Communication for Nuclear Environments | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate an enabling technology for the data communications for nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities using radiation and thermal energy harvestings, through-wall ultrasound communication, and harsh environment electronics. The project will enable transmitting a great amount of data through the physical boundaries in the harsh nuclear environment in a self-powered manner. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10773: Wireless Reactor Power Distribution Measurement System Utilizing an In-Core Radiation and Temperature Tolerant Wireless Transmitter and a Gamma-Harvesting Power Supply | Westinghouse Electric Company LLC | $789,228 | Researchers will design, manufacture, and operate a wireless transmitter that uses highly radiation-and temperature-resistant vacuum micro-electronics technology that continuously broadcasts Vanadium self-powered neutron detector (SPND) signal measurements to receivers located outside a test reactor core. The power required to broadcast the wireless signal is generated by harvesting gamma radiation emitted by the reactor core and using an activated Co-60. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| Enhanced Micro-analytical Capabilities of Irradiated Materials | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $281,473 | Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will acquire a MEMS-based high-temperature, high mechanical stability in situ experimental system for TEM, as well as an on-axis tomography TEM holder for atom probe specimens. The project will also procure and install an advanced inventory tracking and laboratory information management system for irradiated materials. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Scanning Probe Microscope for Measuring Mechanical and Electromagnetic Properties of Irradiated Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will procure and install a multi-capability atomic force microscope for enabling atomic force, magnetic force, and piezo force microscopy. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Upgrade of the IVEM-Tandem User Facility | Argonne National Laboratory | $230,000 | Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) will make two enhancements to the IVEM-Tandem Facility: 1) establish dual-beam irradiation capability to enable the study of synergistic effects of heavy ion induced cascade damage and helium produced in nuclear environments; and 2) acquire an in situ heating stage dedicated to radioactive samples to meet the increased demand in nuclear fuel studies and high-dose irradiation of neutron-irradiated samples, permitting safe specimen handling and experimentation. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 17-12633: Integrated silicon/chalcogenide glass hybrid plasmonic sensor for monitoring of temperature in nuclear facilities | Boise State University | $890,000 | Researchers will develop a novel hybrid plasmonic sensor that is easier and less costly to manufacture, and which will continue to function properly after radiation exposure. Reusability is a significant feature that will further reduce cost; after reaching critical temperatures, the facility could quickly and easily reset and reuse the sensor for subsequent measurements. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12703: High temperature embedded/integrated sensors (HiTEIS) for remote monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems | North Carolina State University | $999,688 | Researchers will develop high temperature embedded/integrated sensors for wireless monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems. Existing sensing techniques for NPP structures are mostly challenged by the limitations at high temperatures, by the lack of radiation resistance, by the poor embed-ability because of the wired electric power supply and communication, and by unknown long-term performance under harsh environments. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12907: Ultrasonic Sensors for TREAT Fuel Condition Measurement and Monitoring | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design an ultrasonic sensor (and the associated instrumentation) for deploying at the TREAT reactor in support of transient testing of pre-irradiated nuclear fuel rods. The focus of the sensor design will be on high-speed (<1 ms) measurements of fuel deformation in-pile. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12744: Development of Low Temperature Powder Spray Process for Manufacturing Fuel Cladding and Surface Modification of Reactor Components | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a low temperature powder spray deposition process for: [i] the manufacture of fuel cladding of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels, and [ii] deposition of coatings (e.g., functionally-graded and multilayered coatings) to address corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and wear in reactor components. This technology is amenable to large-scale manufacturing and will lower costs. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12690: 3-D Chemo-Mechanical Degradation State Monitoring, Diagnostics and Prognostics of Corrosion Processes in Nuclear Power Plant Secondary Piping Structures | Vanderbilt University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a novel and generalizable 3-D sensor network and associated data analytics for the chemo-mechanical degradation state monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics of corrosive processes in representative secondary piping structures. This project will address current and future needs in nuclear power plants for cost-effectively maintaining the safety and operational performance of passive structural components. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-13022: Versatile Acoustic and Optical Sensing Platforms for Passive Structural System Monitoring | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a distributed acoustic fiber Bragg grating sensing (AFBGs) technology capable of monitoring multiple parameters, such as strain, temperature, pressure, and corrosion for structural health monitoring in nuclear facilities. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15141: Pulsed Thermal Tomography Nondestructive Examination of Additively Manufactured Reactor Materials and Components | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and demonstrate a novel pulsed thermal tomography (TT) non-destructive examination (NDE) method for in-service inspection of additively manufactured (AM) reactor components and materials. NDE capability developed in this project will accelerate deployment of components produced with AM techniques in commercial nuclear reactors. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15179: Process-Constrained Data Analytics for Sensor Assignment and Calibration | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will develop and demonstrate data-analytic methods to address the problem of how to assign a sensor set in a nuclear facility such that 1) a requisite level of process monitoring capability is realized, and in turn, 2) the sensor set is sufficiently rich to allow analytics to determine the status of the individual sensors with respect to their need for calibration. This approach will allow for automated calibration status, avoiding unneeded calibration activities in the facility. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15233: Analytics-at-scale of Sensor Data for Digital Monitoring in Nuclear Plants | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will apply advanced sensor technologies, particularly wireless sensor technologies, and data science-based analytic capabilities, to advance online monitoring and predictive maintenance in nuclear plants, and improve plant performance. The resulting technology is expected to improve plant economics by enabling the transition from periodic maintenance to predictive maintenance. Predictive maintenance will allow plants to better prepare for upcoming maintenance activities by optimizing allocation of resources including tools and labor. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15086: Development of Optical Fiber-based Gamma Thermometer and Its Demonstration in a University Research Reactor Using Statistical Data Analytic Methods to Infer Power Distributions from Gamma Thermometer Response | The Ohio State University | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to build and test an optical fiber based gamma thermometer (OFBGT) using two university research reactors, and to develop methods to process the data that is produced by OFBGTs to produce estimates of the power density in the volume of the reactor that surrounds the OFBGTs. The OFBGT sensor will be robust and resilient, and capable of producing 'big data' scale information, with the smallest possible sensor footprint in the core. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15251: Integrating Dissolvable Supports, Topology Optimization, and Microstructure Design to Drastically Reduce Costs in Developing and Post-Processing Nuclear Plant Components Produced by Laser-based Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and establish an innovative approach to drastically reduce development and post-processing costs associated with laser powder bed additive manufacturing (AM) of complex nuclear reactor components with internal cavities and overhangs. The proposed innovative approach integrates dissolvable supports, topology optimization, and microstructure design to achieve the project goal. Using optimally designed dissolvable supports, this research will make state-of-the-art nuclear components much cheaper, have minimal distortion, and could eliminate build failures altogether. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17045: Cost-Benefit Analyses through Integrated Online Monitoring and Diagnostics | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The objective of the project is to improve the economic competitiveness of advanced reactors through the optimization of cost and plant performance, which can be achieved by coupling intelligent online monitoring with asset management decision-making. This includes designing a sensor network that is optimized for both cost and diagnostic capabilities then utilizing the sensor network and the plant's risk profile during operation to perform supply chain and asset management planning. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17206: Laser Additive Manufacturing of Grade 91 Steel for Affordable Nuclear Reactor Components | Los Alamos National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The primary goal of this project is to determine the feasibility of laser additive manufacturing for producing reactor components of a ferritic/martensitic steel (Grade 91) with an engineered microstructure. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17435: Design of Risk Informed Autonomous Operation for Advanced Reactor | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $1,000,000 | The proposed research will deliver the foundation of integrated instrumentation and controls platform for advanced reactors and demonstrate the capability for autonomous operation. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17070: Acousto-optic Smart Multimodal Sensors for Advanced Reactor Monitoring and Control | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | This project will design and develop a multimodal sensor for measurements of critical process parameters in advanced non-light water-cooled nuclear power plants for the early detection and characterization of deviations from nominal operating condition. The focus will be to develop an integrated sensor concept that enables simultaneous measurements of temperature, pressure, and gas composition using a single sensor, thereby limiting the number of penetrations in the reactor vessel that would be needed. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19321: Design and Prototyping of Advanced Control Systems for Advanced Reactors Operating in the Future Electric Grid | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design and demonstrate and advanced control schemes for semi-autonomous and remote operation of advanced reactors to support integrated energy systems with energy storage technologies. The research will develop a control system architecture that will integrate with future changes to the grid, including highly variable grid demand. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19356: HIP Cladding and Joining to Manufacture Large Dissimilar Metal Structures for Modular and GEN IV Reactors | Auburn University | $1,000,000 | Researchers, using an integrated experimental and modeling approach, will develop, optimize and commercially demonstrate powder-based hot isostatic pressing (HIP) cladding and joining. This research will reduce the cost of manufacturing pressure retaining components in small modular and advanced reactors made from dissimilar metals. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19280: Adaptive Control and Monitoring Platform for Autonomous Operation of Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an artificial intelligence-based platform that can support autonomous control of advanced reactors. The platform will use and integrate information from multiple sensors and support systems to issue appropriate commands to plant systems to keep the reactor within a safe operating envelope and avoid unnecessary shutdown. The work will include a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the performance of the platform and the anticipated cost savings from its deployment. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-20021: Diffuse field ultrasonics for in situ material property monitoring during additive manufacturing using the SMART Platform | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, integrate, and test an ultrasound suite integrated into an additive manufacturing (AM) build plate to provide in-situ monitoring of the AM part being built. The sensing, based on microstructural sensitive diffuse ultrasonic scattering, provides information about the microstructure and associated material properties during the build. Research will focus on sensing material signatures prior to failure to allow for on-the-fly corrections to the AM build. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19888: Fiber Sensor Fused Additive Manufacturing for Smart Component Fabrication for Nuclear Energy | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a fiber sensor fused additive manufacturing technique for smart components and module fabrication for nuclear power systems. The proposed innovation will significantly lower installation costs of monitoring instruments, reduce the overall operational costs, and dramatically improve safety margins of nuclear power systems, thusincrease the economic viability of nuclear energy. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24729: Direct Production of ODS Ferritic Alloys for Long-life Reactor Fuel Bundles: Sheet Material for Ducts and Tubing Pre-forms for Cladding | Iowa State University | $999,000 | Researchers seek to exploit the inherent uniformity, reasonable compressibility, and thermally-activated sintering of gas atomization reaction synthesis (GARS) precursor oxide dispersoid strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel powder to produce full density powder compacts by conventional vacuum warm pressing. Resulting billets will be cold cross-rolled to sheet material for duct applications. Hollow preforms, with a dissimilar powder core that can be readily removed, will be produced for cladding applications. | Document | FY2021 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24446: Gallium Nitride-based 100-Mrad Electronics Technology for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Wireless Communications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $999,000 | The development and demonstration of a GaN HEMT based wireless communication system for near-core operation in existing and future nuclear reactor facilities is proposed. The design will be optimized for neutron, gamma, and temperature hardness, and will reach TRL4 by the project's end. Deliverables include the GaN wireless communications system design and test results, and the results of elevated temperature and gamma, neutron and combined gamma/neutron irradiation tests. | Document | FY2021 |
*Actual project funding will be established during the award negotiation phase.
FY 2015 Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies Research & Development and Infrastructure Awards
Through this program, the Department is announcing over $8.5 million to support 10 research projects led by 10 research institutions; comprised of 4 U.S. universities, 4 national laboratories, and 2 companies to address crosscutting nuclear energy challenges. Further, two infrastructure enhancement projects totaling over $1 million will be awarded to Department of Energy national laboratories to further reactor materials and instrumentation research.
A complete list of NEET R&D projects with their associated abstracts is listed below.
| Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Award Type | Category | Abstract | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing Microstructure-Property Correlation in Reactor Materials using in situ High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will demonstrate the applications of high energy X-ray measurements with in-situ thermal-mechanical loading to understand the microstructure-property relationship. The gained knowledge is expected to enable accurate predictions of mechanical performance of nuclear reactor materials subjected to extreme environments, and to further facilitate design and development of new materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Electronics Destined for Severe Nuclear Reactor Environments | Arizona State University | $399,674 | Researchers will develop radiation hard by design (RHBD) electronics using commercially available technology employing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices and present generation circuit fabrication techniques. This project will increase the radiation resilience of more sensitive electronics such that a robot could be employed for post-accident monitoring and sensing purposes as well as for long-term inspection and decontamination missions. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Automated Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction of Irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $979,200 | Researchers will develop an automated system to rapidly and safely acquire synchrotron data on radioactive samples. Data will be obtained on irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) steels, austenitic stainless steels and ferritic-martensitic steels that will improve the understanding and performance predictions of these materials in nuclear reactor environments. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Self-consolidating concrete construction for modular units | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop self-consolidating concrete ("self-compacting concrete" or SCC) mixtures so concrete placement can be made into steel plate composite (SC) modular structures without the need for continuous concrete placement. SCC mixtures will be developed and their use validated to ensure sufficient shear capacity across cold-joints while minimizing shrinkage and temperature increase during curing to enhance concrete bonding with the steel plates. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improvements in SMR Modular Construction through Supply Chain Optimization and Lessons Learned | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will advance methods for manufacturing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), improve modular construction techniques and develop best practices for designing and operating supply chains that take advantage of these techniques. The research will identify, address and resolve challenges and deficiencies in the current modular construction approach, thus enhancing the economic attractiveness of SMRs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Advanced 3D Characterization and Reconstruction of Reactor Materials | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use a coordinated effort to link advanced materials characterization methods and computational modeling approaches to better understand and predict the behavior of reactor materials that operate at extreme conditions. The project will address current characterization limitations and enhance recently developed advanced characterization and reconstruction capabilities to allow for efficient characterization of reactor microstructures reconstruction with numerical simulation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Measuring radiation damage dynamics by pulsed ion beam irradiation | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a novel experimental approach to access the dynamic regime of radiation damage formation processes in nuclear materials. Experimental data on defect interaction dynamics is essential for building physically sound models to describe the formation of stable radiation defects. If successful, this project will establish the pulsed ion beam method as the primary approach to study defect interaction dynamics in nuclear materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Predictive Characterization of Aging and Degradation of Reactor Materials in Extreme Environments | Northwestern University | $999,812 | Researchers will develop a suite of unique experimental techniques, augmented by a mesoscale computational framework, to understand and predict the long-term effects of irradiation, temperature and stress on material microstructures and their macroscopic behavior. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Circuitry Using Mask-Programmable Analog Arrays | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $400,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a general-purpose data acquisition system built from commercial or near-commercial radiation-hard analog arrays and digital arrays to be the building blocks of a family of future fieldable radiation-hard systems. The result will be a prototype rad-hard data acquisition system constructed and tested to demonstrate functionality and rad-hardness of the identified commercially available technology, as applied to a nuclear reactor environment. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| A Method for Quantifying the Dependability Attributes of Software-Based Safety Critical Instrumentation and Control Systems in Nuclear Power Plants | The Ohio State University | $399,990 | Researchers will address the lack of systematic science-based methods for quantifying the dependability attributes in software-based instrumentation and control systems in safety critical application. This research will lead to the development of hybrid causal maps, an advanced representation of knowledge, as well as to a more robust elicitation of causal maps which further enhance the science of elicitation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Use of Micro- and Meso-Scale Magnetic Characterization Methods to Study Degradation of Reactor Structural Material | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $896,983 | Researchers will use magnetic characterization methods at the micro-scale and meso-scale to evaluate the degradation of reactor materials at extreme conditions. These measurements will be correlated with measurements taken at a larger scale using established techniques. If successful, the research will result in the ability to use micro-scale magnetic measurements alone to provide diagnostic information about the materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Ultra-High Performance Concrete and Advanced Manufacturing Methods for Modular Construction | University of Houston | $399,999 | Researchers will develop cost-effective ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) products with 150 MPa (22 ksi) concrete compressive strength without special temperature and pressure treatment, high durability, large-scale process-ability with controlled quality, which can be rapidly prefabricated and assembled for modular construction of new nuclear power plants. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improving Weld Productivity and Quality by Means of Intelligent Real-Time Close-Looped Adaptive Welding Process Control through Integrated Optical Sensors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a novel close-looped adaptive welding quality control system that will enable real-time weld defect detection and adaptive adjustment to the welding process conditions to eliminate or minimize the formation of weld defects. The project will provide high-speed, high quality welds for factory and field fabrication to significantly reduce the cost and schedule of new nuclear plant construction. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Improvement of Design Codes to Account for Accident Thermal Effects on Seismic Performance | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will improve current design codes and standards by taking both accident thermal and seismic loading events. The project will resolve this issue by generating the requisite information, knowledge and guidance to facilitate regulation and actualize the licensing schedule desired for new designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Periodic Material-Based Seismic Base Isolators for Small Modular Reactors | University of Houston | $800,000 | Researchers will utilize past research on periodic material foundations and apply it on a larger scale for application in small modular reactors. The project will use large scale shake table test on a structure supported on a periodic-material foundation to verify and refine the analytical model and identify design parameters. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Nanostructured Bulk Thermoelectric Generator for Efficient Power Harvesting for Self-powered Sensor Networks | Boise State University | $980,804 | Researchers will develop high-efficiency and reliable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for self-powered sensors utilizing thermal energy from nuclear reactors or fuel cycle. The project will identify suitable hot surfaces for TEG implementation, develop a robust TEG prototype with shielded package, and study the radiation effect on TEG properties and performances. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detector (MPFD) for High Temperature Reactors | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, fabricate, and demonstrate the performance of enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors suitable for use as real-time reactor core neutron flux and temperature monitors in high-temperature advanced reactors. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Robust Online Monitoring Technology for Recalibration Assessment of Transmitters and Instrumentation | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will create the next generation of online monitoring technologies for sensor calibration interval extension and signal validation in nuclear systems. The project will develop advanced algorithms for monitoring sensor/system performance and enabling the use of plant data to derive information that currently cannot be measured. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| High Spatial Resolution Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensor Networks for Reactors and Fuel Cycle Systems | University of Pittsburgh | $987,676 | Researchers will develop radiation-hard, multi-functional, distributed fiber optical sensor networks to improve the ability for sensors to actively adjust its sensitivity and functionality in time. This research will address the critical technology gaps for monitoring advanced reactors and fuel cycle systems. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Functionally Gradient Transition Joint for Dissimilar Metal Welding Using Plasma Arc Lamps | Mesocoat, Inc. | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use high-density plasma arc lamp processing to build gradient transition joints for dissimilar metal welding. The project includes transition joint design, fabrication and characterization. Results from the study will validate the microstructure and composition of a gradient transition joint and improve stress corrosion cracking resistance of the joint. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Radiation Tolerance of Controlled Fusion Welds in High Temperature Oxidation Resistant FeCrAl Alloys for Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding Applications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will investigate the mechanical performance and microstructure of controlled fusion welds completed on high temperature oxidation resistant FeCrAl alloys after neutron irradiation using advance characterization techniques. The project will further the commercialization of FeCrAl alloys. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Extending The In-Service Life Of Welded Assemblies Through Low Energy Solid State Joining | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an optimized friction stir welding process with improvements over baseline fusion welding methods in prototypic fission reactor environments. The project will improve sound welds in residual stress, creep, creep/fatigue, and SCC susceptibility for alloys of interest to LWR, VHTR and SFR designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography for Advanced Instrumentation Imaging | Idaho National Laboratory | $635,910 | Idaho National Laboratory will purchase a three-dimensional computed tomography system to perform high-resolution non-destructive imaging of unique sensors. | Infrastructure Awards | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Nuclear Fuels and Materials Characterization Enhancement at Idaho National Laboratory | Idaho National Laboratory | $592,783 | Idaho National Laboratory will upgrade the Materials and Characterization Suite by purchasing a Fischione 1040 NanoMill to improve the quality of sample preparation and a Topspin ASTAR system to provide phase mapping capabilities on an existing TEM. | Infrastructure Awards | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Environmental Cracking and Irradiation Resistant Stainless Steel by Additive Manufacturing | GE Global Research | $847,940 | Researchers will significantly enhance stress corrosion cracking resistance, irradiation resistance and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel (SS) used in core components by controlling the non-equilibrium microstructure during fabrication using direct metal laser melting (DMLM). The process will produce near net-shape components to save the deployment time. The improved material properties will reduce the overall life-cycle cost and improve plant reliability. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced Onsite Fabrication of Continuous Large-Scale Structures | Idaho National Laboratory | $800,000 | A joint US/UK team will develop a novel method for on-site fabrication of continuous large structures such as pressure or containment vessels for the nuclear industry. This project will investigate techniques and additive manufacturing methods to construct large-scale structures onsite from smaller format raw materials. This process could enable the domestic production of large structures at a much-reduced cost. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced surface plasma nitriding for development of corrosion resistance and accident tolerant fuel cladding | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will apply an advanced surface plasma nitriding technique to convert alloy surface layers into nitride layers for better structural integrity and compatibility with both coolants and nuclear fuels. The project will impact both the development of advanced methods for manufacturing and the development of advanced reactor in-core structural materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Prefabricated High-Strength Rebar Systems with High-Performance Concrete for Accelerated Construction of Nuclear Concrete Structures | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will reduce the field erection times and fabrication costs of reinforced concrete nuclear structures through high-strength steel reinforcing bars (rebar), prefabrication of rebar assemblies with headed anchorages, and high-performance concrete. The research will integrate cost-benefit analysis and optimization with structural design, analysis, and testing to validate feasibility, design criteria, and design tools for nuclear structures with high performance materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Nuclear Qualification Demonstration of a Cost Effective Common Cause Failure Mitigation in Embedded Digital Devices | Electric Power Research Institute | $991,341 | Researchers will investigate an alternate approach to CCF mitigation using embedded digital components that can be demonstrated to contain no additional capabilities or characteristics beyond those specially required for functional objectives. The project creates a new and alternate concept to design, fabricate, and validate embedded digital devices for safety-related applications. The concept offers a lower total cost and reduction in schedule risk by minimizing validation, analysis, and regulatory review overhead. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Development and Demonstration of a Model Based Assessment Process for Qualification of Embedded Digital Devices in Nuclear Power Applications | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an effective approach employing science-based methods to resolve concerns about common-cause failure (CCF) vulnerability that serve to inhibit deployment of advanced instrumentation (e.g., sensors, actuators, micro-controllers) with embedded digital devices in nuclear power applications. The project will advance the state of the art in the qualification of advanced instrumentation with embedded digital devices for nuclear power plant application. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Nanoprecipitates-Strengthened Advanced Ferritic-Martensitic Steels and Ferritic Alloys for Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop advanced ferritic-martensitic steels and ferritic alloys that favor the formation of a high number density of robust nanoprecipitates, leading to significant improvements in high temperature strength and radiation resistance. Microstructure, mechanical properties, and ion irradiation resistance of the advanced alloys will be assessed. The developed advanced alloys will benefit a variety of advanced reactor concepts. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2015 |
| Consequence Evaluations of Cyber-Attacks on Nuclear Power Plants Using Adaptive Sampling of Attack Scenarios | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $990,000 | Researchers will develop a methodology that will enable cyber-security analysts to identify digital systems in nuclear power plants that, if compromised, will lead to undesirable consequences. In collaboration with Westinghouse, researchers will demonstrate the methodology on a representative AP1000. The methodology is based on adaptive sampling of the input space to select inputs (e.g., control systems behavior) that will cause the plant to be in undesirable states. | R&D Award Abstracts | Cyber Security | Document | FY2015 |
| Wireless Non-Linear Ultrasonic Testing and Microstructural Evolution: Developing a Prognostic Damage Map For Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Researchers will integrate experiment and modeling to establish the relationship between ultrasonic signals and defect microstructures, and improve the capability of signal discrimination for the life prediction of a reactor component in simulated reactor conditions. The new capability could probe the relative healthiness of materials in real time or nearly real time, to better understand the safety limits and lifetimes of components. | R&D Award Abstracts | Nuclear Energy Related R&D | Document | FY2015 |
| X-ray Synchrotron Diffraction Tomography for Materials for Nuclear Energy Systems | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $624,600 | Brookhaven National Laboratory will provide a new user facility for X-ray Diffraction-Computed Tomography (XRD-CT) on materials for nuclear energy systems. Purchasing XRD-CT equipment for the X-ray Powder Diffraction (XPD) beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II (NSLS-II) will develop a unique, crosscutting tool that can address a gap in materials research. It will provide greater access to tomographic imaging coupled with crystallographic structural information to the entire nuclear community. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| Electron Beam Welder for Advanced Instrumentation Fabrication | Idaho National Laboratory | $438,200 | Idaho National Laboratory will procure a state-of-the-art electron-beam (EB) welder system (BEAMER 312 with a 12-inch cube chamber) from Electron Beam Engineering Services, LLC to enable researchers at the High Temperature Test Laboratory (HTTL) to fabricate unique sensors critical to advance nuclear technology and competiveness. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10181: Effects of High Dose on Laser Welded, Irradiated AISI 304SS | Boise State University | $500,000 | This project will investigate the microstructural and mechanical integrity of high irradiation fluence on laser weld repairs of previously-irradiated material. Studies will focus on neutron-irradiated AISI 304 stainless steel hex blocks, which contain high void number density and high helium concentration. These specimens will then be welded and subsequently ion irradiated to as high as 200 displacements per atom (dpa). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10584: Irradiation Performance Testing of Specimens Produced by Commercially Available Additive Manufacturing Techniques | Colorado School of Mines | $499,928 | The proposed project will collect first-ever irradiation and thermal aging performance data for stainless steel and Inconel specimens produced using a range of commercially available additive manufacturing techniques. Commercial suppliers will produce a set of tensile bar specimens using a representative range of additive manufacturing techniques and parameters for irradiation in the ATR and subsequent post-irradiation examination and comparison to as-fabricated and thermally-aged specimens. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10537: Enhancing Irradiation Tolerance of Steels via Nanostructuring by Innovative Manufacturing Techniques | Idaho State University | $500,000 | Researchers will perform neutron irradiation and post-irradiation examination of bulk nanostructured austenitic and ferritic/martensitic (F/M) steels that are anticipated to have enhanced irradiation tolerance. Two innovative, low-cost manufacturing techniques will be used to manufacture the samples: equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and high-pressure torsion (HPT). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10764: Radiation Enhanced Diffusion of Ag, Ag-Pd, Eu and Sr in Neutron Irradiated PyC/SiC Diffusion Couples | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $495,330 | Researchers will investigate diffusion of fission product elements in PyC/SiC substrates with near identical layer construction to TRISO fuel to supply accurate diffusion kinetics necessary to validate and provide input for fuel performance models. The effect of neutron radiation on fission product diffusion will be understood by investigating both thermally exposed diffusion couples and diffusion couples exposed to neutron radiation at temperature. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10696: Understand the Phase Transformation of Thermally Aged and Neutron Irradiated Duplex Stainless Steels Used in LWRs | University of Florida | $489,135 | To fundamentally understand the elemental evolution, segregation and precipitation in duplex stainless steels upon irradiation and thermal aging, Researchers will conduct systematic X-ray measurements including X-ray diffraction, Extended X-ray Absorption Fine structure spectroscopy and in-situ tensile testing using WXAS on existing irradiated cast stainless steels and welds. The study will also be augmented by microstructural characterization using TEM and APT. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10432: Fission Product Transport in TRISO Fuel | University of Michigan | $500,000 | Researchers will measure diffusion coefficients of fission product (FP) for irradiation performance at IPyC/SiC interface and in SiC via a set of separate effects tests that target the diffusion path, temperature, and irradiation conditions. The team will then use ab initio and molecular dynamics calculations to determine the atomistics associated with diffusion to provide a fundamental physics-based model of FP diffusion at IPyC/SuC and in SiC for use in PARFUME to predict FP release in TRISO fuel. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10393: Irradiation Testing of LWR Additively Manufactured Materials | GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy | $ - | Researchers will perform full irradiation/PIE on materials produced by Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) fabrication. It is desirable to test material fabricated in this manner because there are significant opportunities for implementation as reactor internal repair parts, fuel debris resistant filters, and fuel spacers in existing Light Water Reactors (LWRs). Advanced LWRs could also benefit from the use of additively manufactured materials in smaller complex parts. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10737: Correlative Atom Probe and Electron Microscopy Study of Radiation Induced Segregation at Low and High Angle Grain Boundaries in Steels | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $ - | Researchers will seek to better understand the phenomenon of radiation induced segregation to grain boundaries through the application of advanced microscopy techniques including scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and atom probe tomography. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10480: Role of Minor Alloying Elements on Long Range Ordering in Ni-Cr Alloys | Oregon State University | $ - | Researchers will seek to understand the role of different minor alloy elements in the formation of order phases in Ni-based alloys. Additionally, the range of stability of the ordered phase is investigated by changing the Ni-Cr stoichiometry. This work proposes ion/proton irradiation of commercial alloy 690 and model Ni-Cr-Fe-X alloys (where X=Si, P) to understand the role of minor elements and stoichiometry in the ordering phase transformation kinetics. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10834: Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nano-modified Concrete | Vanderbilt University | $ - | Access to the Gamma Irradiation Facility in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be granted for the development of a nano-modified concrete for next generation storage systems. The access will be used to subject concrete containing nano-sized and nano-structured particles to gamma radiations to simulate decades of radiation dose for subsequent characterization of the microstructure and mechanical properties. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10644: Investigating Grain Dynamics in Irradiated Materials with High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop new capabilities for in situ thermal-mechanical testing of neutron-irradiated specimens with 3D X-ray characterization techniques. These new capabilities will enable researchers to probe radiation damage and damage evolution within individual grains of mm-sized polycrystalline specimens. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10669: Transmission of Information by Acoustic Communication along Metal Pathways in Nuclear Facilities | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate methods for transmission of information in nuclear facilities by acoustic means along existing in-place metal infrastructure (e.g. piping). This innovative means of transmitting information overcomes physics hurdles that beset conventional communication methods. This project provides a cross-cutting solution for those areas in the plant where wired or wireless RF communication is not feasible, not reliable (accident conditions), or not secure. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10616: All-Position Surface Cladding and Modification by Solid-State Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing (FSAM) | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop/demonstrate a novel solid-state additive manufacturing process for both manufacturing individual components and cladding and surface modification to improve nuclear components and to support repair of failed components with low weldability. The new technique is expected to have a considerable reduction in cost while showing improvement in productivity and quality. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10570: The Use of Neutron Irradiation Preconditioning Followed by Self-Ion Irradiation to Accurately Characterize the Irradiation Response of Nuclear Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will establish the value of using neutron irradiation followed by heavy ion irradiation as a technique to accurately assess the effects of irradiation on nuclear reactor structural materials that are exposed to significant dose beyond what can be conveniently studied by neutron irradiations alone. The goal is to show how this technique compares to pure ion irradiations and pure neutron irradiations, both of which are used to study irradiation effects. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10884: Self-Powered Wireless Through-wall Data Communication for Nuclear Environments | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate an enabling technology for the data communications for nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities using radiation and thermal energy harvestings, through-wall ultrasound communication, and harsh environment electronics. The project will enable transmitting a great amount of data through the physical boundaries in the harsh nuclear environment in a self-powered manner. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10773: Wireless Reactor Power Distribution Measurement System Utilizing an In-Core Radiation and Temperature Tolerant Wireless Transmitter and a Gamma-Harvesting Power Supply | Westinghouse Electric Company LLC | $789,228 | Researchers will design, manufacture, and operate a wireless transmitter that uses highly radiation-and temperature-resistant vacuum micro-electronics technology that continuously broadcasts Vanadium self-powered neutron detector (SPND) signal measurements to receivers located outside a test reactor core. The power required to broadcast the wireless signal is generated by harvesting gamma radiation emitted by the reactor core and using an activated Co-60. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| Enhanced Micro-analytical Capabilities of Irradiated Materials | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $281,473 | Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will acquire a MEMS-based high-temperature, high mechanical stability in situ experimental system for TEM, as well as an on-axis tomography TEM holder for atom probe specimens. The project will also procure and install an advanced inventory tracking and laboratory information management system for irradiated materials. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Scanning Probe Microscope for Measuring Mechanical and Electromagnetic Properties of Irradiated Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will procure and install a multi-capability atomic force microscope for enabling atomic force, magnetic force, and piezo force microscopy. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Upgrade of the IVEM-Tandem User Facility | Argonne National Laboratory | $230,000 | Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) will make two enhancements to the IVEM-Tandem Facility: 1) establish dual-beam irradiation capability to enable the study of synergistic effects of heavy ion induced cascade damage and helium produced in nuclear environments; and 2) acquire an in situ heating stage dedicated to radioactive samples to meet the increased demand in nuclear fuel studies and high-dose irradiation of neutron-irradiated samples, permitting safe specimen handling and experimentation. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 17-12633: Integrated silicon/chalcogenide glass hybrid plasmonic sensor for monitoring of temperature in nuclear facilities | Boise State University | $890,000 | Researchers will develop a novel hybrid plasmonic sensor that is easier and less costly to manufacture, and which will continue to function properly after radiation exposure. Reusability is a significant feature that will further reduce cost; after reaching critical temperatures, the facility could quickly and easily reset and reuse the sensor for subsequent measurements. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12703: High temperature embedded/integrated sensors (HiTEIS) for remote monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems | North Carolina State University | $999,688 | Researchers will develop high temperature embedded/integrated sensors for wireless monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems. Existing sensing techniques for NPP structures are mostly challenged by the limitations at high temperatures, by the lack of radiation resistance, by the poor embed-ability because of the wired electric power supply and communication, and by unknown long-term performance under harsh environments. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12907: Ultrasonic Sensors for TREAT Fuel Condition Measurement and Monitoring | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design an ultrasonic sensor (and the associated instrumentation) for deploying at the TREAT reactor in support of transient testing of pre-irradiated nuclear fuel rods. The focus of the sensor design will be on high-speed (<1 ms) measurements of fuel deformation in-pile. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12744: Development of Low Temperature Powder Spray Process for Manufacturing Fuel Cladding and Surface Modification of Reactor Components | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a low temperature powder spray deposition process for: [i] the manufacture of fuel cladding of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels, and [ii] deposition of coatings (e.g., functionally-graded and multilayered coatings) to address corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and wear in reactor components. This technology is amenable to large-scale manufacturing and will lower costs. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12690: 3-D Chemo-Mechanical Degradation State Monitoring, Diagnostics and Prognostics of Corrosion Processes in Nuclear Power Plant Secondary Piping Structures | Vanderbilt University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a novel and generalizable 3-D sensor network and associated data analytics for the chemo-mechanical degradation state monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics of corrosive processes in representative secondary piping structures. This project will address current and future needs in nuclear power plants for cost-effectively maintaining the safety and operational performance of passive structural components. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-13022: Versatile Acoustic and Optical Sensing Platforms for Passive Structural System Monitoring | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a distributed acoustic fiber Bragg grating sensing (AFBGs) technology capable of monitoring multiple parameters, such as strain, temperature, pressure, and corrosion for structural health monitoring in nuclear facilities. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15141: Pulsed Thermal Tomography Nondestructive Examination of Additively Manufactured Reactor Materials and Components | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and demonstrate a novel pulsed thermal tomography (TT) non-destructive examination (NDE) method for in-service inspection of additively manufactured (AM) reactor components and materials. NDE capability developed in this project will accelerate deployment of components produced with AM techniques in commercial nuclear reactors. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15179: Process-Constrained Data Analytics for Sensor Assignment and Calibration | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will develop and demonstrate data-analytic methods to address the problem of how to assign a sensor set in a nuclear facility such that 1) a requisite level of process monitoring capability is realized, and in turn, 2) the sensor set is sufficiently rich to allow analytics to determine the status of the individual sensors with respect to their need for calibration. This approach will allow for automated calibration status, avoiding unneeded calibration activities in the facility. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15233: Analytics-at-scale of Sensor Data for Digital Monitoring in Nuclear Plants | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will apply advanced sensor technologies, particularly wireless sensor technologies, and data science-based analytic capabilities, to advance online monitoring and predictive maintenance in nuclear plants, and improve plant performance. The resulting technology is expected to improve plant economics by enabling the transition from periodic maintenance to predictive maintenance. Predictive maintenance will allow plants to better prepare for upcoming maintenance activities by optimizing allocation of resources including tools and labor. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15086: Development of Optical Fiber-based Gamma Thermometer and Its Demonstration in a University Research Reactor Using Statistical Data Analytic Methods to Infer Power Distributions from Gamma Thermometer Response | The Ohio State University | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to build and test an optical fiber based gamma thermometer (OFBGT) using two university research reactors, and to develop methods to process the data that is produced by OFBGTs to produce estimates of the power density in the volume of the reactor that surrounds the OFBGTs. The OFBGT sensor will be robust and resilient, and capable of producing 'big data' scale information, with the smallest possible sensor footprint in the core. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15251: Integrating Dissolvable Supports, Topology Optimization, and Microstructure Design to Drastically Reduce Costs in Developing and Post-Processing Nuclear Plant Components Produced by Laser-based Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and establish an innovative approach to drastically reduce development and post-processing costs associated with laser powder bed additive manufacturing (AM) of complex nuclear reactor components with internal cavities and overhangs. The proposed innovative approach integrates dissolvable supports, topology optimization, and microstructure design to achieve the project goal. Using optimally designed dissolvable supports, this research will make state-of-the-art nuclear components much cheaper, have minimal distortion, and could eliminate build failures altogether. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17045: Cost-Benefit Analyses through Integrated Online Monitoring and Diagnostics | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The objective of the project is to improve the economic competitiveness of advanced reactors through the optimization of cost and plant performance, which can be achieved by coupling intelligent online monitoring with asset management decision-making. This includes designing a sensor network that is optimized for both cost and diagnostic capabilities then utilizing the sensor network and the plant's risk profile during operation to perform supply chain and asset management planning. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17206: Laser Additive Manufacturing of Grade 91 Steel for Affordable Nuclear Reactor Components | Los Alamos National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The primary goal of this project is to determine the feasibility of laser additive manufacturing for producing reactor components of a ferritic/martensitic steel (Grade 91) with an engineered microstructure. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17435: Design of Risk Informed Autonomous Operation for Advanced Reactor | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $1,000,000 | The proposed research will deliver the foundation of integrated instrumentation and controls platform for advanced reactors and demonstrate the capability for autonomous operation. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17070: Acousto-optic Smart Multimodal Sensors for Advanced Reactor Monitoring and Control | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | This project will design and develop a multimodal sensor for measurements of critical process parameters in advanced non-light water-cooled nuclear power plants for the early detection and characterization of deviations from nominal operating condition. The focus will be to develop an integrated sensor concept that enables simultaneous measurements of temperature, pressure, and gas composition using a single sensor, thereby limiting the number of penetrations in the reactor vessel that would be needed. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19321: Design and Prototyping of Advanced Control Systems for Advanced Reactors Operating in the Future Electric Grid | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design and demonstrate and advanced control schemes for semi-autonomous and remote operation of advanced reactors to support integrated energy systems with energy storage technologies. The research will develop a control system architecture that will integrate with future changes to the grid, including highly variable grid demand. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19356: HIP Cladding and Joining to Manufacture Large Dissimilar Metal Structures for Modular and GEN IV Reactors | Auburn University | $1,000,000 | Researchers, using an integrated experimental and modeling approach, will develop, optimize and commercially demonstrate powder-based hot isostatic pressing (HIP) cladding and joining. This research will reduce the cost of manufacturing pressure retaining components in small modular and advanced reactors made from dissimilar metals. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19280: Adaptive Control and Monitoring Platform for Autonomous Operation of Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an artificial intelligence-based platform that can support autonomous control of advanced reactors. The platform will use and integrate information from multiple sensors and support systems to issue appropriate commands to plant systems to keep the reactor within a safe operating envelope and avoid unnecessary shutdown. The work will include a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the performance of the platform and the anticipated cost savings from its deployment. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-20021: Diffuse field ultrasonics for in situ material property monitoring during additive manufacturing using the SMART Platform | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, integrate, and test an ultrasound suite integrated into an additive manufacturing (AM) build plate to provide in-situ monitoring of the AM part being built. The sensing, based on microstructural sensitive diffuse ultrasonic scattering, provides information about the microstructure and associated material properties during the build. Research will focus on sensing material signatures prior to failure to allow for on-the-fly corrections to the AM build. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19888: Fiber Sensor Fused Additive Manufacturing for Smart Component Fabrication for Nuclear Energy | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a fiber sensor fused additive manufacturing technique for smart components and module fabrication for nuclear power systems. The proposed innovation will significantly lower installation costs of monitoring instruments, reduce the overall operational costs, and dramatically improve safety margins of nuclear power systems, thusincrease the economic viability of nuclear energy. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24729: Direct Production of ODS Ferritic Alloys for Long-life Reactor Fuel Bundles: Sheet Material for Ducts and Tubing Pre-forms for Cladding | Iowa State University | $999,000 | Researchers seek to exploit the inherent uniformity, reasonable compressibility, and thermally-activated sintering of gas atomization reaction synthesis (GARS) precursor oxide dispersoid strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel powder to produce full density powder compacts by conventional vacuum warm pressing. Resulting billets will be cold cross-rolled to sheet material for duct applications. Hollow preforms, with a dissimilar powder core that can be readily removed, will be produced for cladding applications. | Document | FY2021 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24446: Gallium Nitride-based 100-Mrad Electronics Technology for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Wireless Communications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $999,000 | The development and demonstration of a GaN HEMT based wireless communication system for near-core operation in existing and future nuclear reactor facilities is proposed. The design will be optimized for neutron, gamma, and temperature hardness, and will reach TRL4 by the project's end. Deliverables include the GaN wireless communications system design and test results, and the results of elevated temperature and gamma, neutron and combined gamma/neutron irradiation tests. | Document | FY2021 |
*Actual project funding will be established during the award negotiation phase.
FY 2014 Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies Research & Development and Infrastructure Awards
Through this program, the Department is announcing over $11 million to support 12 research projects led by 9 research institutions; comprised of 4 U.S. universities, 4 national laboratories, and 1 company. These awards will develop innovative solutions in the following fields: Advanced Methods for Manufacturing; Advanced Sensors and Instrumentation; and Reactor Materials.
The Department is also announcing approximately $1.2 million to a national laboratory to support nuclear energy enabling technology infrastructure improvements in the areas of advanced sensor and instrumentation and reactor materials, bolstering nuclear energy related R&D capabilities at DOE’s U.S. national laboratories.
A complete list of NEET R&D projects with their associated abstracts is listed below.
| Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Award Type | Category | Abstract | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing Microstructure-Property Correlation in Reactor Materials using in situ High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will demonstrate the applications of high energy X-ray measurements with in-situ thermal-mechanical loading to understand the microstructure-property relationship. The gained knowledge is expected to enable accurate predictions of mechanical performance of nuclear reactor materials subjected to extreme environments, and to further facilitate design and development of new materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Electronics Destined for Severe Nuclear Reactor Environments | Arizona State University | $399,674 | Researchers will develop radiation hard by design (RHBD) electronics using commercially available technology employing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices and present generation circuit fabrication techniques. This project will increase the radiation resilience of more sensitive electronics such that a robot could be employed for post-accident monitoring and sensing purposes as well as for long-term inspection and decontamination missions. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Automated Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction of Irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $979,200 | Researchers will develop an automated system to rapidly and safely acquire synchrotron data on radioactive samples. Data will be obtained on irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) steels, austenitic stainless steels and ferritic-martensitic steels that will improve the understanding and performance predictions of these materials in nuclear reactor environments. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Self-consolidating concrete construction for modular units | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop self-consolidating concrete ("self-compacting concrete" or SCC) mixtures so concrete placement can be made into steel plate composite (SC) modular structures without the need for continuous concrete placement. SCC mixtures will be developed and their use validated to ensure sufficient shear capacity across cold-joints while minimizing shrinkage and temperature increase during curing to enhance concrete bonding with the steel plates. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improvements in SMR Modular Construction through Supply Chain Optimization and Lessons Learned | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will advance methods for manufacturing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), improve modular construction techniques and develop best practices for designing and operating supply chains that take advantage of these techniques. The research will identify, address and resolve challenges and deficiencies in the current modular construction approach, thus enhancing the economic attractiveness of SMRs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Advanced 3D Characterization and Reconstruction of Reactor Materials | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use a coordinated effort to link advanced materials characterization methods and computational modeling approaches to better understand and predict the behavior of reactor materials that operate at extreme conditions. The project will address current characterization limitations and enhance recently developed advanced characterization and reconstruction capabilities to allow for efficient characterization of reactor microstructures reconstruction with numerical simulation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Measuring radiation damage dynamics by pulsed ion beam irradiation | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a novel experimental approach to access the dynamic regime of radiation damage formation processes in nuclear materials. Experimental data on defect interaction dynamics is essential for building physically sound models to describe the formation of stable radiation defects. If successful, this project will establish the pulsed ion beam method as the primary approach to study defect interaction dynamics in nuclear materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Predictive Characterization of Aging and Degradation of Reactor Materials in Extreme Environments | Northwestern University | $999,812 | Researchers will develop a suite of unique experimental techniques, augmented by a mesoscale computational framework, to understand and predict the long-term effects of irradiation, temperature and stress on material microstructures and their macroscopic behavior. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Circuitry Using Mask-Programmable Analog Arrays | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $400,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a general-purpose data acquisition system built from commercial or near-commercial radiation-hard analog arrays and digital arrays to be the building blocks of a family of future fieldable radiation-hard systems. The result will be a prototype rad-hard data acquisition system constructed and tested to demonstrate functionality and rad-hardness of the identified commercially available technology, as applied to a nuclear reactor environment. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| A Method for Quantifying the Dependability Attributes of Software-Based Safety Critical Instrumentation and Control Systems in Nuclear Power Plants | The Ohio State University | $399,990 | Researchers will address the lack of systematic science-based methods for quantifying the dependability attributes in software-based instrumentation and control systems in safety critical application. This research will lead to the development of hybrid causal maps, an advanced representation of knowledge, as well as to a more robust elicitation of causal maps which further enhance the science of elicitation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Use of Micro- and Meso-Scale Magnetic Characterization Methods to Study Degradation of Reactor Structural Material | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $896,983 | Researchers will use magnetic characterization methods at the micro-scale and meso-scale to evaluate the degradation of reactor materials at extreme conditions. These measurements will be correlated with measurements taken at a larger scale using established techniques. If successful, the research will result in the ability to use micro-scale magnetic measurements alone to provide diagnostic information about the materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Ultra-High Performance Concrete and Advanced Manufacturing Methods for Modular Construction | University of Houston | $399,999 | Researchers will develop cost-effective ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) products with 150 MPa (22 ksi) concrete compressive strength without special temperature and pressure treatment, high durability, large-scale process-ability with controlled quality, which can be rapidly prefabricated and assembled for modular construction of new nuclear power plants. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improving Weld Productivity and Quality by Means of Intelligent Real-Time Close-Looped Adaptive Welding Process Control through Integrated Optical Sensors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a novel close-looped adaptive welding quality control system that will enable real-time weld defect detection and adaptive adjustment to the welding process conditions to eliminate or minimize the formation of weld defects. The project will provide high-speed, high quality welds for factory and field fabrication to significantly reduce the cost and schedule of new nuclear plant construction. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Improvement of Design Codes to Account for Accident Thermal Effects on Seismic Performance | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will improve current design codes and standards by taking both accident thermal and seismic loading events. The project will resolve this issue by generating the requisite information, knowledge and guidance to facilitate regulation and actualize the licensing schedule desired for new designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Periodic Material-Based Seismic Base Isolators for Small Modular Reactors | University of Houston | $800,000 | Researchers will utilize past research on periodic material foundations and apply it on a larger scale for application in small modular reactors. The project will use large scale shake table test on a structure supported on a periodic-material foundation to verify and refine the analytical model and identify design parameters. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Nanostructured Bulk Thermoelectric Generator for Efficient Power Harvesting for Self-powered Sensor Networks | Boise State University | $980,804 | Researchers will develop high-efficiency and reliable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for self-powered sensors utilizing thermal energy from nuclear reactors or fuel cycle. The project will identify suitable hot surfaces for TEG implementation, develop a robust TEG prototype with shielded package, and study the radiation effect on TEG properties and performances. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detector (MPFD) for High Temperature Reactors | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, fabricate, and demonstrate the performance of enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors suitable for use as real-time reactor core neutron flux and temperature monitors in high-temperature advanced reactors. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Robust Online Monitoring Technology for Recalibration Assessment of Transmitters and Instrumentation | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will create the next generation of online monitoring technologies for sensor calibration interval extension and signal validation in nuclear systems. The project will develop advanced algorithms for monitoring sensor/system performance and enabling the use of plant data to derive information that currently cannot be measured. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| High Spatial Resolution Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensor Networks for Reactors and Fuel Cycle Systems | University of Pittsburgh | $987,676 | Researchers will develop radiation-hard, multi-functional, distributed fiber optical sensor networks to improve the ability for sensors to actively adjust its sensitivity and functionality in time. This research will address the critical technology gaps for monitoring advanced reactors and fuel cycle systems. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Functionally Gradient Transition Joint for Dissimilar Metal Welding Using Plasma Arc Lamps | Mesocoat, Inc. | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use high-density plasma arc lamp processing to build gradient transition joints for dissimilar metal welding. The project includes transition joint design, fabrication and characterization. Results from the study will validate the microstructure and composition of a gradient transition joint and improve stress corrosion cracking resistance of the joint. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Radiation Tolerance of Controlled Fusion Welds in High Temperature Oxidation Resistant FeCrAl Alloys for Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding Applications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will investigate the mechanical performance and microstructure of controlled fusion welds completed on high temperature oxidation resistant FeCrAl alloys after neutron irradiation using advance characterization techniques. The project will further the commercialization of FeCrAl alloys. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Extending The In-Service Life Of Welded Assemblies Through Low Energy Solid State Joining | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an optimized friction stir welding process with improvements over baseline fusion welding methods in prototypic fission reactor environments. The project will improve sound welds in residual stress, creep, creep/fatigue, and SCC susceptibility for alloys of interest to LWR, VHTR and SFR designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography for Advanced Instrumentation Imaging | Idaho National Laboratory | $635,910 | Idaho National Laboratory will purchase a three-dimensional computed tomography system to perform high-resolution non-destructive imaging of unique sensors. | Infrastructure Awards | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Nuclear Fuels and Materials Characterization Enhancement at Idaho National Laboratory | Idaho National Laboratory | $592,783 | Idaho National Laboratory will upgrade the Materials and Characterization Suite by purchasing a Fischione 1040 NanoMill to improve the quality of sample preparation and a Topspin ASTAR system to provide phase mapping capabilities on an existing TEM. | Infrastructure Awards | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Environmental Cracking and Irradiation Resistant Stainless Steel by Additive Manufacturing | GE Global Research | $847,940 | Researchers will significantly enhance stress corrosion cracking resistance, irradiation resistance and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel (SS) used in core components by controlling the non-equilibrium microstructure during fabrication using direct metal laser melting (DMLM). The process will produce near net-shape components to save the deployment time. The improved material properties will reduce the overall life-cycle cost and improve plant reliability. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced Onsite Fabrication of Continuous Large-Scale Structures | Idaho National Laboratory | $800,000 | A joint US/UK team will develop a novel method for on-site fabrication of continuous large structures such as pressure or containment vessels for the nuclear industry. This project will investigate techniques and additive manufacturing methods to construct large-scale structures onsite from smaller format raw materials. This process could enable the domestic production of large structures at a much-reduced cost. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced surface plasma nitriding for development of corrosion resistance and accident tolerant fuel cladding | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will apply an advanced surface plasma nitriding technique to convert alloy surface layers into nitride layers for better structural integrity and compatibility with both coolants and nuclear fuels. The project will impact both the development of advanced methods for manufacturing and the development of advanced reactor in-core structural materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Prefabricated High-Strength Rebar Systems with High-Performance Concrete for Accelerated Construction of Nuclear Concrete Structures | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will reduce the field erection times and fabrication costs of reinforced concrete nuclear structures through high-strength steel reinforcing bars (rebar), prefabrication of rebar assemblies with headed anchorages, and high-performance concrete. The research will integrate cost-benefit analysis and optimization with structural design, analysis, and testing to validate feasibility, design criteria, and design tools for nuclear structures with high performance materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Nuclear Qualification Demonstration of a Cost Effective Common Cause Failure Mitigation in Embedded Digital Devices | Electric Power Research Institute | $991,341 | Researchers will investigate an alternate approach to CCF mitigation using embedded digital components that can be demonstrated to contain no additional capabilities or characteristics beyond those specially required for functional objectives. The project creates a new and alternate concept to design, fabricate, and validate embedded digital devices for safety-related applications. The concept offers a lower total cost and reduction in schedule risk by minimizing validation, analysis, and regulatory review overhead. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Development and Demonstration of a Model Based Assessment Process for Qualification of Embedded Digital Devices in Nuclear Power Applications | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an effective approach employing science-based methods to resolve concerns about common-cause failure (CCF) vulnerability that serve to inhibit deployment of advanced instrumentation (e.g., sensors, actuators, micro-controllers) with embedded digital devices in nuclear power applications. The project will advance the state of the art in the qualification of advanced instrumentation with embedded digital devices for nuclear power plant application. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Nanoprecipitates-Strengthened Advanced Ferritic-Martensitic Steels and Ferritic Alloys for Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop advanced ferritic-martensitic steels and ferritic alloys that favor the formation of a high number density of robust nanoprecipitates, leading to significant improvements in high temperature strength and radiation resistance. Microstructure, mechanical properties, and ion irradiation resistance of the advanced alloys will be assessed. The developed advanced alloys will benefit a variety of advanced reactor concepts. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2015 |
| Consequence Evaluations of Cyber-Attacks on Nuclear Power Plants Using Adaptive Sampling of Attack Scenarios | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $990,000 | Researchers will develop a methodology that will enable cyber-security analysts to identify digital systems in nuclear power plants that, if compromised, will lead to undesirable consequences. In collaboration with Westinghouse, researchers will demonstrate the methodology on a representative AP1000. The methodology is based on adaptive sampling of the input space to select inputs (e.g., control systems behavior) that will cause the plant to be in undesirable states. | R&D Award Abstracts | Cyber Security | Document | FY2015 |
| Wireless Non-Linear Ultrasonic Testing and Microstructural Evolution: Developing a Prognostic Damage Map For Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Researchers will integrate experiment and modeling to establish the relationship between ultrasonic signals and defect microstructures, and improve the capability of signal discrimination for the life prediction of a reactor component in simulated reactor conditions. The new capability could probe the relative healthiness of materials in real time or nearly real time, to better understand the safety limits and lifetimes of components. | R&D Award Abstracts | Nuclear Energy Related R&D | Document | FY2015 |
| X-ray Synchrotron Diffraction Tomography for Materials for Nuclear Energy Systems | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $624,600 | Brookhaven National Laboratory will provide a new user facility for X-ray Diffraction-Computed Tomography (XRD-CT) on materials for nuclear energy systems. Purchasing XRD-CT equipment for the X-ray Powder Diffraction (XPD) beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II (NSLS-II) will develop a unique, crosscutting tool that can address a gap in materials research. It will provide greater access to tomographic imaging coupled with crystallographic structural information to the entire nuclear community. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| Electron Beam Welder for Advanced Instrumentation Fabrication | Idaho National Laboratory | $438,200 | Idaho National Laboratory will procure a state-of-the-art electron-beam (EB) welder system (BEAMER 312 with a 12-inch cube chamber) from Electron Beam Engineering Services, LLC to enable researchers at the High Temperature Test Laboratory (HTTL) to fabricate unique sensors critical to advance nuclear technology and competiveness. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10181: Effects of High Dose on Laser Welded, Irradiated AISI 304SS | Boise State University | $500,000 | This project will investigate the microstructural and mechanical integrity of high irradiation fluence on laser weld repairs of previously-irradiated material. Studies will focus on neutron-irradiated AISI 304 stainless steel hex blocks, which contain high void number density and high helium concentration. These specimens will then be welded and subsequently ion irradiated to as high as 200 displacements per atom (dpa). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10584: Irradiation Performance Testing of Specimens Produced by Commercially Available Additive Manufacturing Techniques | Colorado School of Mines | $499,928 | The proposed project will collect first-ever irradiation and thermal aging performance data for stainless steel and Inconel specimens produced using a range of commercially available additive manufacturing techniques. Commercial suppliers will produce a set of tensile bar specimens using a representative range of additive manufacturing techniques and parameters for irradiation in the ATR and subsequent post-irradiation examination and comparison to as-fabricated and thermally-aged specimens. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10537: Enhancing Irradiation Tolerance of Steels via Nanostructuring by Innovative Manufacturing Techniques | Idaho State University | $500,000 | Researchers will perform neutron irradiation and post-irradiation examination of bulk nanostructured austenitic and ferritic/martensitic (F/M) steels that are anticipated to have enhanced irradiation tolerance. Two innovative, low-cost manufacturing techniques will be used to manufacture the samples: equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and high-pressure torsion (HPT). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10764: Radiation Enhanced Diffusion of Ag, Ag-Pd, Eu and Sr in Neutron Irradiated PyC/SiC Diffusion Couples | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $495,330 | Researchers will investigate diffusion of fission product elements in PyC/SiC substrates with near identical layer construction to TRISO fuel to supply accurate diffusion kinetics necessary to validate and provide input for fuel performance models. The effect of neutron radiation on fission product diffusion will be understood by investigating both thermally exposed diffusion couples and diffusion couples exposed to neutron radiation at temperature. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10696: Understand the Phase Transformation of Thermally Aged and Neutron Irradiated Duplex Stainless Steels Used in LWRs | University of Florida | $489,135 | To fundamentally understand the elemental evolution, segregation and precipitation in duplex stainless steels upon irradiation and thermal aging, Researchers will conduct systematic X-ray measurements including X-ray diffraction, Extended X-ray Absorption Fine structure spectroscopy and in-situ tensile testing using WXAS on existing irradiated cast stainless steels and welds. The study will also be augmented by microstructural characterization using TEM and APT. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10432: Fission Product Transport in TRISO Fuel | University of Michigan | $500,000 | Researchers will measure diffusion coefficients of fission product (FP) for irradiation performance at IPyC/SiC interface and in SiC via a set of separate effects tests that target the diffusion path, temperature, and irradiation conditions. The team will then use ab initio and molecular dynamics calculations to determine the atomistics associated with diffusion to provide a fundamental physics-based model of FP diffusion at IPyC/SuC and in SiC for use in PARFUME to predict FP release in TRISO fuel. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10393: Irradiation Testing of LWR Additively Manufactured Materials | GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy | $ - | Researchers will perform full irradiation/PIE on materials produced by Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) fabrication. It is desirable to test material fabricated in this manner because there are significant opportunities for implementation as reactor internal repair parts, fuel debris resistant filters, and fuel spacers in existing Light Water Reactors (LWRs). Advanced LWRs could also benefit from the use of additively manufactured materials in smaller complex parts. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10737: Correlative Atom Probe and Electron Microscopy Study of Radiation Induced Segregation at Low and High Angle Grain Boundaries in Steels | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $ - | Researchers will seek to better understand the phenomenon of radiation induced segregation to grain boundaries through the application of advanced microscopy techniques including scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and atom probe tomography. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10480: Role of Minor Alloying Elements on Long Range Ordering in Ni-Cr Alloys | Oregon State University | $ - | Researchers will seek to understand the role of different minor alloy elements in the formation of order phases in Ni-based alloys. Additionally, the range of stability of the ordered phase is investigated by changing the Ni-Cr stoichiometry. This work proposes ion/proton irradiation of commercial alloy 690 and model Ni-Cr-Fe-X alloys (where X=Si, P) to understand the role of minor elements and stoichiometry in the ordering phase transformation kinetics. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10834: Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nano-modified Concrete | Vanderbilt University | $ - | Access to the Gamma Irradiation Facility in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be granted for the development of a nano-modified concrete for next generation storage systems. The access will be used to subject concrete containing nano-sized and nano-structured particles to gamma radiations to simulate decades of radiation dose for subsequent characterization of the microstructure and mechanical properties. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10644: Investigating Grain Dynamics in Irradiated Materials with High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop new capabilities for in situ thermal-mechanical testing of neutron-irradiated specimens with 3D X-ray characterization techniques. These new capabilities will enable researchers to probe radiation damage and damage evolution within individual grains of mm-sized polycrystalline specimens. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10669: Transmission of Information by Acoustic Communication along Metal Pathways in Nuclear Facilities | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate methods for transmission of information in nuclear facilities by acoustic means along existing in-place metal infrastructure (e.g. piping). This innovative means of transmitting information overcomes physics hurdles that beset conventional communication methods. This project provides a cross-cutting solution for those areas in the plant where wired or wireless RF communication is not feasible, not reliable (accident conditions), or not secure. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10616: All-Position Surface Cladding and Modification by Solid-State Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing (FSAM) | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop/demonstrate a novel solid-state additive manufacturing process for both manufacturing individual components and cladding and surface modification to improve nuclear components and to support repair of failed components with low weldability. The new technique is expected to have a considerable reduction in cost while showing improvement in productivity and quality. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10570: The Use of Neutron Irradiation Preconditioning Followed by Self-Ion Irradiation to Accurately Characterize the Irradiation Response of Nuclear Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will establish the value of using neutron irradiation followed by heavy ion irradiation as a technique to accurately assess the effects of irradiation on nuclear reactor structural materials that are exposed to significant dose beyond what can be conveniently studied by neutron irradiations alone. The goal is to show how this technique compares to pure ion irradiations and pure neutron irradiations, both of which are used to study irradiation effects. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10884: Self-Powered Wireless Through-wall Data Communication for Nuclear Environments | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate an enabling technology for the data communications for nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities using radiation and thermal energy harvestings, through-wall ultrasound communication, and harsh environment electronics. The project will enable transmitting a great amount of data through the physical boundaries in the harsh nuclear environment in a self-powered manner. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10773: Wireless Reactor Power Distribution Measurement System Utilizing an In-Core Radiation and Temperature Tolerant Wireless Transmitter and a Gamma-Harvesting Power Supply | Westinghouse Electric Company LLC | $789,228 | Researchers will design, manufacture, and operate a wireless transmitter that uses highly radiation-and temperature-resistant vacuum micro-electronics technology that continuously broadcasts Vanadium self-powered neutron detector (SPND) signal measurements to receivers located outside a test reactor core. The power required to broadcast the wireless signal is generated by harvesting gamma radiation emitted by the reactor core and using an activated Co-60. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| Enhanced Micro-analytical Capabilities of Irradiated Materials | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $281,473 | Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will acquire a MEMS-based high-temperature, high mechanical stability in situ experimental system for TEM, as well as an on-axis tomography TEM holder for atom probe specimens. The project will also procure and install an advanced inventory tracking and laboratory information management system for irradiated materials. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Scanning Probe Microscope for Measuring Mechanical and Electromagnetic Properties of Irradiated Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will procure and install a multi-capability atomic force microscope for enabling atomic force, magnetic force, and piezo force microscopy. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Upgrade of the IVEM-Tandem User Facility | Argonne National Laboratory | $230,000 | Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) will make two enhancements to the IVEM-Tandem Facility: 1) establish dual-beam irradiation capability to enable the study of synergistic effects of heavy ion induced cascade damage and helium produced in nuclear environments; and 2) acquire an in situ heating stage dedicated to radioactive samples to meet the increased demand in nuclear fuel studies and high-dose irradiation of neutron-irradiated samples, permitting safe specimen handling and experimentation. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 17-12633: Integrated silicon/chalcogenide glass hybrid plasmonic sensor for monitoring of temperature in nuclear facilities | Boise State University | $890,000 | Researchers will develop a novel hybrid plasmonic sensor that is easier and less costly to manufacture, and which will continue to function properly after radiation exposure. Reusability is a significant feature that will further reduce cost; after reaching critical temperatures, the facility could quickly and easily reset and reuse the sensor for subsequent measurements. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12703: High temperature embedded/integrated sensors (HiTEIS) for remote monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems | North Carolina State University | $999,688 | Researchers will develop high temperature embedded/integrated sensors for wireless monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems. Existing sensing techniques for NPP structures are mostly challenged by the limitations at high temperatures, by the lack of radiation resistance, by the poor embed-ability because of the wired electric power supply and communication, and by unknown long-term performance under harsh environments. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12907: Ultrasonic Sensors for TREAT Fuel Condition Measurement and Monitoring | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design an ultrasonic sensor (and the associated instrumentation) for deploying at the TREAT reactor in support of transient testing of pre-irradiated nuclear fuel rods. The focus of the sensor design will be on high-speed (<1 ms) measurements of fuel deformation in-pile. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12744: Development of Low Temperature Powder Spray Process for Manufacturing Fuel Cladding and Surface Modification of Reactor Components | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a low temperature powder spray deposition process for: [i] the manufacture of fuel cladding of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels, and [ii] deposition of coatings (e.g., functionally-graded and multilayered coatings) to address corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and wear in reactor components. This technology is amenable to large-scale manufacturing and will lower costs. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12690: 3-D Chemo-Mechanical Degradation State Monitoring, Diagnostics and Prognostics of Corrosion Processes in Nuclear Power Plant Secondary Piping Structures | Vanderbilt University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a novel and generalizable 3-D sensor network and associated data analytics for the chemo-mechanical degradation state monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics of corrosive processes in representative secondary piping structures. This project will address current and future needs in nuclear power plants for cost-effectively maintaining the safety and operational performance of passive structural components. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-13022: Versatile Acoustic and Optical Sensing Platforms for Passive Structural System Monitoring | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a distributed acoustic fiber Bragg grating sensing (AFBGs) technology capable of monitoring multiple parameters, such as strain, temperature, pressure, and corrosion for structural health monitoring in nuclear facilities. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15141: Pulsed Thermal Tomography Nondestructive Examination of Additively Manufactured Reactor Materials and Components | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and demonstrate a novel pulsed thermal tomography (TT) non-destructive examination (NDE) method for in-service inspection of additively manufactured (AM) reactor components and materials. NDE capability developed in this project will accelerate deployment of components produced with AM techniques in commercial nuclear reactors. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15179: Process-Constrained Data Analytics for Sensor Assignment and Calibration | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will develop and demonstrate data-analytic methods to address the problem of how to assign a sensor set in a nuclear facility such that 1) a requisite level of process monitoring capability is realized, and in turn, 2) the sensor set is sufficiently rich to allow analytics to determine the status of the individual sensors with respect to their need for calibration. This approach will allow for automated calibration status, avoiding unneeded calibration activities in the facility. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15233: Analytics-at-scale of Sensor Data for Digital Monitoring in Nuclear Plants | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will apply advanced sensor technologies, particularly wireless sensor technologies, and data science-based analytic capabilities, to advance online monitoring and predictive maintenance in nuclear plants, and improve plant performance. The resulting technology is expected to improve plant economics by enabling the transition from periodic maintenance to predictive maintenance. Predictive maintenance will allow plants to better prepare for upcoming maintenance activities by optimizing allocation of resources including tools and labor. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15086: Development of Optical Fiber-based Gamma Thermometer and Its Demonstration in a University Research Reactor Using Statistical Data Analytic Methods to Infer Power Distributions from Gamma Thermometer Response | The Ohio State University | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to build and test an optical fiber based gamma thermometer (OFBGT) using two university research reactors, and to develop methods to process the data that is produced by OFBGTs to produce estimates of the power density in the volume of the reactor that surrounds the OFBGTs. The OFBGT sensor will be robust and resilient, and capable of producing 'big data' scale information, with the smallest possible sensor footprint in the core. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15251: Integrating Dissolvable Supports, Topology Optimization, and Microstructure Design to Drastically Reduce Costs in Developing and Post-Processing Nuclear Plant Components Produced by Laser-based Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and establish an innovative approach to drastically reduce development and post-processing costs associated with laser powder bed additive manufacturing (AM) of complex nuclear reactor components with internal cavities and overhangs. The proposed innovative approach integrates dissolvable supports, topology optimization, and microstructure design to achieve the project goal. Using optimally designed dissolvable supports, this research will make state-of-the-art nuclear components much cheaper, have minimal distortion, and could eliminate build failures altogether. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17045: Cost-Benefit Analyses through Integrated Online Monitoring and Diagnostics | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The objective of the project is to improve the economic competitiveness of advanced reactors through the optimization of cost and plant performance, which can be achieved by coupling intelligent online monitoring with asset management decision-making. This includes designing a sensor network that is optimized for both cost and diagnostic capabilities then utilizing the sensor network and the plant's risk profile during operation to perform supply chain and asset management planning. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17206: Laser Additive Manufacturing of Grade 91 Steel for Affordable Nuclear Reactor Components | Los Alamos National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The primary goal of this project is to determine the feasibility of laser additive manufacturing for producing reactor components of a ferritic/martensitic steel (Grade 91) with an engineered microstructure. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17435: Design of Risk Informed Autonomous Operation for Advanced Reactor | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $1,000,000 | The proposed research will deliver the foundation of integrated instrumentation and controls platform for advanced reactors and demonstrate the capability for autonomous operation. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17070: Acousto-optic Smart Multimodal Sensors for Advanced Reactor Monitoring and Control | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | This project will design and develop a multimodal sensor for measurements of critical process parameters in advanced non-light water-cooled nuclear power plants for the early detection and characterization of deviations from nominal operating condition. The focus will be to develop an integrated sensor concept that enables simultaneous measurements of temperature, pressure, and gas composition using a single sensor, thereby limiting the number of penetrations in the reactor vessel that would be needed. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19321: Design and Prototyping of Advanced Control Systems for Advanced Reactors Operating in the Future Electric Grid | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design and demonstrate and advanced control schemes for semi-autonomous and remote operation of advanced reactors to support integrated energy systems with energy storage technologies. The research will develop a control system architecture that will integrate with future changes to the grid, including highly variable grid demand. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19356: HIP Cladding and Joining to Manufacture Large Dissimilar Metal Structures for Modular and GEN IV Reactors | Auburn University | $1,000,000 | Researchers, using an integrated experimental and modeling approach, will develop, optimize and commercially demonstrate powder-based hot isostatic pressing (HIP) cladding and joining. This research will reduce the cost of manufacturing pressure retaining components in small modular and advanced reactors made from dissimilar metals. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19280: Adaptive Control and Monitoring Platform for Autonomous Operation of Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an artificial intelligence-based platform that can support autonomous control of advanced reactors. The platform will use and integrate information from multiple sensors and support systems to issue appropriate commands to plant systems to keep the reactor within a safe operating envelope and avoid unnecessary shutdown. The work will include a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the performance of the platform and the anticipated cost savings from its deployment. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-20021: Diffuse field ultrasonics for in situ material property monitoring during additive manufacturing using the SMART Platform | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, integrate, and test an ultrasound suite integrated into an additive manufacturing (AM) build plate to provide in-situ monitoring of the AM part being built. The sensing, based on microstructural sensitive diffuse ultrasonic scattering, provides information about the microstructure and associated material properties during the build. Research will focus on sensing material signatures prior to failure to allow for on-the-fly corrections to the AM build. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19888: Fiber Sensor Fused Additive Manufacturing for Smart Component Fabrication for Nuclear Energy | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a fiber sensor fused additive manufacturing technique for smart components and module fabrication for nuclear power systems. The proposed innovation will significantly lower installation costs of monitoring instruments, reduce the overall operational costs, and dramatically improve safety margins of nuclear power systems, thusincrease the economic viability of nuclear energy. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24729: Direct Production of ODS Ferritic Alloys for Long-life Reactor Fuel Bundles: Sheet Material for Ducts and Tubing Pre-forms for Cladding | Iowa State University | $999,000 | Researchers seek to exploit the inherent uniformity, reasonable compressibility, and thermally-activated sintering of gas atomization reaction synthesis (GARS) precursor oxide dispersoid strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel powder to produce full density powder compacts by conventional vacuum warm pressing. Resulting billets will be cold cross-rolled to sheet material for duct applications. Hollow preforms, with a dissimilar powder core that can be readily removed, will be produced for cladding applications. | Document | FY2021 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24446: Gallium Nitride-based 100-Mrad Electronics Technology for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Wireless Communications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $999,000 | The development and demonstration of a GaN HEMT based wireless communication system for near-core operation in existing and future nuclear reactor facilities is proposed. The design will be optimized for neutron, gamma, and temperature hardness, and will reach TRL4 by the project's end. Deliverables include the GaN wireless communications system design and test results, and the results of elevated temperature and gamma, neutron and combined gamma/neutron irradiation tests. | Document | FY2021 |
*Actual project funding will be established during the award negotiation phase.
FY 2013 Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies Research and Development Awards
Through this program, the Department is announcing over $9 million to support 13 research projects led by 12 research institutions; comprised of 5 U.S. universities and 7 national laboratories. These awards will develop innovative solutions in the following fields: Advanced Methods for Manufacturing; Advanced Sensors and Instrumentation; and Reactor Materials.
A complete list of NEET R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.
| Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Award Type | Category | Abstract | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developing Microstructure-Property Correlation in Reactor Materials using in situ High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will demonstrate the applications of high energy X-ray measurements with in-situ thermal-mechanical loading to understand the microstructure-property relationship. The gained knowledge is expected to enable accurate predictions of mechanical performance of nuclear reactor materials subjected to extreme environments, and to further facilitate design and development of new materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Electronics Destined for Severe Nuclear Reactor Environments | Arizona State University | $399,674 | Researchers will develop radiation hard by design (RHBD) electronics using commercially available technology employing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) devices and present generation circuit fabrication techniques. This project will increase the radiation resilience of more sensitive electronics such that a robot could be employed for post-accident monitoring and sensing purposes as well as for long-term inspection and decontamination missions. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Automated Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction of Irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel Steels | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $979,200 | Researchers will develop an automated system to rapidly and safely acquire synchrotron data on radioactive samples. Data will be obtained on irradiated Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) steels, austenitic stainless steels and ferritic-martensitic steels that will improve the understanding and performance predictions of these materials in nuclear reactor environments. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Self-consolidating concrete construction for modular units | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop self-consolidating concrete ("self-compacting concrete" or SCC) mixtures so concrete placement can be made into steel plate composite (SC) modular structures without the need for continuous concrete placement. SCC mixtures will be developed and their use validated to ensure sufficient shear capacity across cold-joints while minimizing shrinkage and temperature increase during curing to enhance concrete bonding with the steel plates. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improvements in SMR Modular Construction through Supply Chain Optimization and Lessons Learned | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will advance methods for manufacturing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), improve modular construction techniques and develop best practices for designing and operating supply chains that take advantage of these techniques. The research will identify, address and resolve challenges and deficiencies in the current modular construction approach, thus enhancing the economic attractiveness of SMRs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Advanced 3D Characterization and Reconstruction of Reactor Materials | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use a coordinated effort to link advanced materials characterization methods and computational modeling approaches to better understand and predict the behavior of reactor materials that operate at extreme conditions. The project will address current characterization limitations and enhance recently developed advanced characterization and reconstruction capabilities to allow for efficient characterization of reactor microstructures reconstruction with numerical simulation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Measuring radiation damage dynamics by pulsed ion beam irradiation | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a novel experimental approach to access the dynamic regime of radiation damage formation processes in nuclear materials. Experimental data on defect interaction dynamics is essential for building physically sound models to describe the formation of stable radiation defects. If successful, this project will establish the pulsed ion beam method as the primary approach to study defect interaction dynamics in nuclear materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Predictive Characterization of Aging and Degradation of Reactor Materials in Extreme Environments | Northwestern University | $999,812 | Researchers will develop a suite of unique experimental techniques, augmented by a mesoscale computational framework, to understand and predict the long-term effects of irradiation, temperature and stress on material microstructures and their macroscopic behavior. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Radiation Hardened Circuitry Using Mask-Programmable Analog Arrays | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $400,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate a general-purpose data acquisition system built from commercial or near-commercial radiation-hard analog arrays and digital arrays to be the building blocks of a family of future fieldable radiation-hard systems. The result will be a prototype rad-hard data acquisition system constructed and tested to demonstrate functionality and rad-hardness of the identified commercially available technology, as applied to a nuclear reactor environment. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| A Method for Quantifying the Dependability Attributes of Software-Based Safety Critical Instrumentation and Control Systems in Nuclear Power Plants | The Ohio State University | $399,990 | Researchers will address the lack of systematic science-based methods for quantifying the dependability attributes in software-based instrumentation and control systems in safety critical application. This research will lead to the development of hybrid causal maps, an advanced representation of knowledge, as well as to a more robust elicitation of causal maps which further enhance the science of elicitation. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Use of Micro- and Meso-Scale Magnetic Characterization Methods to Study Degradation of Reactor Structural Material | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $896,983 | Researchers will use magnetic characterization methods at the micro-scale and meso-scale to evaluate the degradation of reactor materials at extreme conditions. These measurements will be correlated with measurements taken at a larger scale using established techniques. If successful, the research will result in the ability to use micro-scale magnetic measurements alone to provide diagnostic information about the materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Ultra-High Performance Concrete and Advanced Manufacturing Methods for Modular Construction | University of Houston | $399,999 | Researchers will develop cost-effective ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) products with 150 MPa (22 ksi) concrete compressive strength without special temperature and pressure treatment, high durability, large-scale process-ability with controlled quality, which can be rapidly prefabricated and assembled for modular construction of new nuclear power plants. | R&D Award Abstracts | Document | FY2013 | |
| Improving Weld Productivity and Quality by Means of Intelligent Real-Time Close-Looped Adaptive Welding Process Control through Integrated Optical Sensors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a novel close-looped adaptive welding quality control system that will enable real-time weld defect detection and adaptive adjustment to the welding process conditions to eliminate or minimize the formation of weld defects. The project will provide high-speed, high quality welds for factory and field fabrication to significantly reduce the cost and schedule of new nuclear plant construction. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Improvement of Design Codes to Account for Accident Thermal Effects on Seismic Performance | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will improve current design codes and standards by taking both accident thermal and seismic loading events. The project will resolve this issue by generating the requisite information, knowledge and guidance to facilitate regulation and actualize the licensing schedule desired for new designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Periodic Material-Based Seismic Base Isolators for Small Modular Reactors | University of Houston | $800,000 | Researchers will utilize past research on periodic material foundations and apply it on a larger scale for application in small modular reactors. The project will use large scale shake table test on a structure supported on a periodic-material foundation to verify and refine the analytical model and identify design parameters. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2014 |
| Nanostructured Bulk Thermoelectric Generator for Efficient Power Harvesting for Self-powered Sensor Networks | Boise State University | $980,804 | Researchers will develop high-efficiency and reliable thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for self-powered sensors utilizing thermal energy from nuclear reactors or fuel cycle. The project will identify suitable hot surfaces for TEG implementation, develop a robust TEG prototype with shielded package, and study the radiation effect on TEG properties and performances. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detector (MPFD) for High Temperature Reactors | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, fabricate, and demonstrate the performance of enhanced Micro-Pocket Fission Detectors suitable for use as real-time reactor core neutron flux and temperature monitors in high-temperature advanced reactors. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Robust Online Monitoring Technology for Recalibration Assessment of Transmitters and Instrumentation | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will create the next generation of online monitoring technologies for sensor calibration interval extension and signal validation in nuclear systems. The project will develop advanced algorithms for monitoring sensor/system performance and enabling the use of plant data to derive information that currently cannot be measured. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| High Spatial Resolution Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensor Networks for Reactors and Fuel Cycle Systems | University of Pittsburgh | $987,676 | Researchers will develop radiation-hard, multi-functional, distributed fiber optical sensor networks to improve the ability for sensors to actively adjust its sensitivity and functionality in time. This research will address the critical technology gaps for monitoring advanced reactors and fuel cycle systems. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Functionally Gradient Transition Joint for Dissimilar Metal Welding Using Plasma Arc Lamps | Mesocoat, Inc. | $1,000,000 | Researchers will use high-density plasma arc lamp processing to build gradient transition joints for dissimilar metal welding. The project includes transition joint design, fabrication and characterization. Results from the study will validate the microstructure and composition of a gradient transition joint and improve stress corrosion cracking resistance of the joint. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Radiation Tolerance of Controlled Fusion Welds in High Temperature Oxidation Resistant FeCrAl Alloys for Enhanced Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding Applications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will investigate the mechanical performance and microstructure of controlled fusion welds completed on high temperature oxidation resistant FeCrAl alloys after neutron irradiation using advance characterization techniques. The project will further the commercialization of FeCrAl alloys. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Extending The In-Service Life Of Welded Assemblies Through Low Energy Solid State Joining | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an optimized friction stir welding process with improvements over baseline fusion welding methods in prototypic fission reactor environments. The project will improve sound welds in residual stress, creep, creep/fatigue, and SCC susceptibility for alloys of interest to LWR, VHTR and SFR designs. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography for Advanced Instrumentation Imaging | Idaho National Laboratory | $635,910 | Idaho National Laboratory will purchase a three-dimensional computed tomography system to perform high-resolution non-destructive imaging of unique sensors. | Infrastructure Awards | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2014 |
| Nuclear Fuels and Materials Characterization Enhancement at Idaho National Laboratory | Idaho National Laboratory | $592,783 | Idaho National Laboratory will upgrade the Materials and Characterization Suite by purchasing a Fischione 1040 NanoMill to improve the quality of sample preparation and a Topspin ASTAR system to provide phase mapping capabilities on an existing TEM. | Infrastructure Awards | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2014 |
| Environmental Cracking and Irradiation Resistant Stainless Steel by Additive Manufacturing | GE Global Research | $847,940 | Researchers will significantly enhance stress corrosion cracking resistance, irradiation resistance and mechanical properties of 316L stainless steel (SS) used in core components by controlling the non-equilibrium microstructure during fabrication using direct metal laser melting (DMLM). The process will produce near net-shape components to save the deployment time. The improved material properties will reduce the overall life-cycle cost and improve plant reliability. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced Onsite Fabrication of Continuous Large-Scale Structures | Idaho National Laboratory | $800,000 | A joint US/UK team will develop a novel method for on-site fabrication of continuous large structures such as pressure or containment vessels for the nuclear industry. This project will investigate techniques and additive manufacturing methods to construct large-scale structures onsite from smaller format raw materials. This process could enable the domestic production of large structures at a much-reduced cost. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Advanced surface plasma nitriding for development of corrosion resistance and accident tolerant fuel cladding | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will apply an advanced surface plasma nitriding technique to convert alloy surface layers into nitride layers for better structural integrity and compatibility with both coolants and nuclear fuels. The project will impact both the development of advanced methods for manufacturing and the development of advanced reactor in-core structural materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Prefabricated High-Strength Rebar Systems with High-Performance Concrete for Accelerated Construction of Nuclear Concrete Structures | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will reduce the field erection times and fabrication costs of reinforced concrete nuclear structures through high-strength steel reinforcing bars (rebar), prefabrication of rebar assemblies with headed anchorages, and high-performance concrete. The research will integrate cost-benefit analysis and optimization with structural design, analysis, and testing to validate feasibility, design criteria, and design tools for nuclear structures with high performance materials. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Methods for Manufacturing | Document | FY2015 |
| Nuclear Qualification Demonstration of a Cost Effective Common Cause Failure Mitigation in Embedded Digital Devices | Electric Power Research Institute | $991,341 | Researchers will investigate an alternate approach to CCF mitigation using embedded digital components that can be demonstrated to contain no additional capabilities or characteristics beyond those specially required for functional objectives. The project creates a new and alternate concept to design, fabricate, and validate embedded digital devices for safety-related applications. The concept offers a lower total cost and reduction in schedule risk by minimizing validation, analysis, and regulatory review overhead. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Development and Demonstration of a Model Based Assessment Process for Qualification of Embedded Digital Devices in Nuclear Power Applications | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an effective approach employing science-based methods to resolve concerns about common-cause failure (CCF) vulnerability that serve to inhibit deployment of advanced instrumentation (e.g., sensors, actuators, micro-controllers) with embedded digital devices in nuclear power applications. The project will advance the state of the art in the qualification of advanced instrumentation with embedded digital devices for nuclear power plant application. | R&D Award Abstracts | Advanced Sensors & Instrumentation | Document | FY2015 |
| Nanoprecipitates-Strengthened Advanced Ferritic-Martensitic Steels and Ferritic Alloys for Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop advanced ferritic-martensitic steels and ferritic alloys that favor the formation of a high number density of robust nanoprecipitates, leading to significant improvements in high temperature strength and radiation resistance. Microstructure, mechanical properties, and ion irradiation resistance of the advanced alloys will be assessed. The developed advanced alloys will benefit a variety of advanced reactor concepts. | R&D Award Abstracts | Reactor Materials | Document | FY2015 |
| Consequence Evaluations of Cyber-Attacks on Nuclear Power Plants Using Adaptive Sampling of Attack Scenarios | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $990,000 | Researchers will develop a methodology that will enable cyber-security analysts to identify digital systems in nuclear power plants that, if compromised, will lead to undesirable consequences. In collaboration with Westinghouse, researchers will demonstrate the methodology on a representative AP1000. The methodology is based on adaptive sampling of the input space to select inputs (e.g., control systems behavior) that will cause the plant to be in undesirable states. | R&D Award Abstracts | Cyber Security | Document | FY2015 |
| Wireless Non-Linear Ultrasonic Testing and Microstructural Evolution: Developing a Prognostic Damage Map For Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Researchers will integrate experiment and modeling to establish the relationship between ultrasonic signals and defect microstructures, and improve the capability of signal discrimination for the life prediction of a reactor component in simulated reactor conditions. The new capability could probe the relative healthiness of materials in real time or nearly real time, to better understand the safety limits and lifetimes of components. | R&D Award Abstracts | Nuclear Energy Related R&D | Document | FY2015 |
| X-ray Synchrotron Diffraction Tomography for Materials for Nuclear Energy Systems | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $624,600 | Brookhaven National Laboratory will provide a new user facility for X-ray Diffraction-Computed Tomography (XRD-CT) on materials for nuclear energy systems. Purchasing XRD-CT equipment for the X-ray Powder Diffraction (XPD) beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II (NSLS-II) will develop a unique, crosscutting tool that can address a gap in materials research. It will provide greater access to tomographic imaging coupled with crystallographic structural information to the entire nuclear community. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| Electron Beam Welder for Advanced Instrumentation Fabrication | Idaho National Laboratory | $438,200 | Idaho National Laboratory will procure a state-of-the-art electron-beam (EB) welder system (BEAMER 312 with a 12-inch cube chamber) from Electron Beam Engineering Services, LLC to enable researchers at the High Temperature Test Laboratory (HTTL) to fabricate unique sensors critical to advance nuclear technology and competiveness. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2015 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10181: Effects of High Dose on Laser Welded, Irradiated AISI 304SS | Boise State University | $500,000 | This project will investigate the microstructural and mechanical integrity of high irradiation fluence on laser weld repairs of previously-irradiated material. Studies will focus on neutron-irradiated AISI 304 stainless steel hex blocks, which contain high void number density and high helium concentration. These specimens will then be welded and subsequently ion irradiated to as high as 200 displacements per atom (dpa). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10584: Irradiation Performance Testing of Specimens Produced by Commercially Available Additive Manufacturing Techniques | Colorado School of Mines | $499,928 | The proposed project will collect first-ever irradiation and thermal aging performance data for stainless steel and Inconel specimens produced using a range of commercially available additive manufacturing techniques. Commercial suppliers will produce a set of tensile bar specimens using a representative range of additive manufacturing techniques and parameters for irradiation in the ATR and subsequent post-irradiation examination and comparison to as-fabricated and thermally-aged specimens. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10537: Enhancing Irradiation Tolerance of Steels via Nanostructuring by Innovative Manufacturing Techniques | Idaho State University | $500,000 | Researchers will perform neutron irradiation and post-irradiation examination of bulk nanostructured austenitic and ferritic/martensitic (F/M) steels that are anticipated to have enhanced irradiation tolerance. Two innovative, low-cost manufacturing techniques will be used to manufacture the samples: equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and high-pressure torsion (HPT). | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10764: Radiation Enhanced Diffusion of Ag, Ag-Pd, Eu and Sr in Neutron Irradiated PyC/SiC Diffusion Couples | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $495,330 | Researchers will investigate diffusion of fission product elements in PyC/SiC substrates with near identical layer construction to TRISO fuel to supply accurate diffusion kinetics necessary to validate and provide input for fuel performance models. The effect of neutron radiation on fission product diffusion will be understood by investigating both thermally exposed diffusion couples and diffusion couples exposed to neutron radiation at temperature. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10696: Understand the Phase Transformation of Thermally Aged and Neutron Irradiated Duplex Stainless Steels Used in LWRs | University of Florida | $489,135 | To fundamentally understand the elemental evolution, segregation and precipitation in duplex stainless steels upon irradiation and thermal aging, Researchers will conduct systematic X-ray measurements including X-ray diffraction, Extended X-ray Absorption Fine structure spectroscopy and in-situ tensile testing using WXAS on existing irradiated cast stainless steels and welds. The study will also be augmented by microstructural characterization using TEM and APT. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10432: Fission Product Transport in TRISO Fuel | University of Michigan | $500,000 | Researchers will measure diffusion coefficients of fission product (FP) for irradiation performance at IPyC/SiC interface and in SiC via a set of separate effects tests that target the diffusion path, temperature, and irradiation conditions. The team will then use ab initio and molecular dynamics calculations to determine the atomistics associated with diffusion to provide a fundamental physics-based model of FP diffusion at IPyC/SuC and in SiC for use in PARFUME to predict FP release in TRISO fuel. | R&D Award Abstracts | Joint NEET/NEUP R&D with NSUF Access | Document | FY2016 |
| NEUP Project 16-10393: Irradiation Testing of LWR Additively Manufactured Materials | GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy | $ - | Researchers will perform full irradiation/PIE on materials produced by Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM) fabrication. It is desirable to test material fabricated in this manner because there are significant opportunities for implementation as reactor internal repair parts, fuel debris resistant filters, and fuel spacers in existing Light Water Reactors (LWRs). Advanced LWRs could also benefit from the use of additively manufactured materials in smaller complex parts. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10737: Correlative Atom Probe and Electron Microscopy Study of Radiation Induced Segregation at Low and High Angle Grain Boundaries in Steels | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $ - | Researchers will seek to better understand the phenomenon of radiation induced segregation to grain boundaries through the application of advanced microscopy techniques including scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and atom probe tomography. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10480: Role of Minor Alloying Elements on Long Range Ordering in Ni-Cr Alloys | Oregon State University | $ - | Researchers will seek to understand the role of different minor alloy elements in the formation of order phases in Ni-based alloys. Additionally, the range of stability of the ordered phase is investigated by changing the Ni-Cr stoichiometry. This work proposes ion/proton irradiation of commercial alloy 690 and model Ni-Cr-Fe-X alloys (where X=Si, P) to understand the role of minor elements and stoichiometry in the ordering phase transformation kinetics. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10834: Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nano-modified Concrete | Vanderbilt University | $ - | Access to the Gamma Irradiation Facility in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will be granted for the development of a nano-modified concrete for next generation storage systems. The access will be used to subject concrete containing nano-sized and nano-structured particles to gamma radiations to simulate decades of radiation dose for subsequent characterization of the microstructure and mechanical properties. | NSUF Access Only | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10644: Investigating Grain Dynamics in Irradiated Materials with High-Energy X-rays | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop new capabilities for in situ thermal-mechanical testing of neutron-irradiated specimens with 3D X-ray characterization techniques. These new capabilities will enable researchers to probe radiation damage and damage evolution within individual grains of mm-sized polycrystalline specimens. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10669: Transmission of Information by Acoustic Communication along Metal Pathways in Nuclear Facilities | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate methods for transmission of information in nuclear facilities by acoustic means along existing in-place metal infrastructure (e.g. piping). This innovative means of transmitting information overcomes physics hurdles that beset conventional communication methods. This project provides a cross-cutting solution for those areas in the plant where wired or wireless RF communication is not feasible, not reliable (accident conditions), or not secure. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10616: All-Position Surface Cladding and Modification by Solid-State Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing (FSAM) | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $800,000 | Researchers will develop/demonstrate a novel solid-state additive manufacturing process for both manufacturing individual components and cladding and surface modification to improve nuclear components and to support repair of failed components with low weldability. The new technique is expected to have a considerable reduction in cost while showing improvement in productivity and quality. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10570: The Use of Neutron Irradiation Preconditioning Followed by Self-Ion Irradiation to Accurately Characterize the Irradiation Response of Nuclear Reactor Structural Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will establish the value of using neutron irradiation followed by heavy ion irradiation as a technique to accurately assess the effects of irradiation on nuclear reactor structural materials that are exposed to significant dose beyond what can be conveniently studied by neutron irradiations alone. The goal is to show how this technique compares to pure ion irradiations and pure neutron irradiations, both of which are used to study irradiation effects. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10884: Self-Powered Wireless Through-wall Data Communication for Nuclear Environments | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop and demonstrate an enabling technology for the data communications for nuclear reactors and fuel cycle facilities using radiation and thermal energy harvestings, through-wall ultrasound communication, and harsh environment electronics. The project will enable transmitting a great amount of data through the physical boundaries in the harsh nuclear environment in a self-powered manner. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 16-10773: Wireless Reactor Power Distribution Measurement System Utilizing an In-Core Radiation and Temperature Tolerant Wireless Transmitter and a Gamma-Harvesting Power Supply | Westinghouse Electric Company LLC | $789,228 | Researchers will design, manufacture, and operate a wireless transmitter that uses highly radiation-and temperature-resistant vacuum micro-electronics technology that continuously broadcasts Vanadium self-powered neutron detector (SPND) signal measurements to receivers located outside a test reactor core. The power required to broadcast the wireless signal is generated by harvesting gamma radiation emitted by the reactor core and using an activated Co-60. | Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (NEET) | Document | FY2016 | |
| Enhanced Micro-analytical Capabilities of Irradiated Materials | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $281,473 | Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will acquire a MEMS-based high-temperature, high mechanical stability in situ experimental system for TEM, as well as an on-axis tomography TEM holder for atom probe specimens. The project will also procure and install an advanced inventory tracking and laboratory information management system for irradiated materials. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Scanning Probe Microscope for Measuring Mechanical and Electromagnetic Properties of Irradiated Materials | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $500,000 | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will procure and install a multi-capability atomic force microscope for enabling atomic force, magnetic force, and piezo force microscopy. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| Upgrade of the IVEM-Tandem User Facility | Argonne National Laboratory | $230,000 | Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) will make two enhancements to the IVEM-Tandem Facility: 1) establish dual-beam irradiation capability to enable the study of synergistic effects of heavy ion induced cascade damage and helium produced in nuclear environments; and 2) acquire an in situ heating stage dedicated to radioactive samples to meet the increased demand in nuclear fuel studies and high-dose irradiation of neutron-irradiated samples, permitting safe specimen handling and experimentation. | Infrastructure Awards | Document | FY2016 | |
| NEUP Project 17-12633: Integrated silicon/chalcogenide glass hybrid plasmonic sensor for monitoring of temperature in nuclear facilities | Boise State University | $890,000 | Researchers will develop a novel hybrid plasmonic sensor that is easier and less costly to manufacture, and which will continue to function properly after radiation exposure. Reusability is a significant feature that will further reduce cost; after reaching critical temperatures, the facility could quickly and easily reset and reuse the sensor for subsequent measurements. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12703: High temperature embedded/integrated sensors (HiTEIS) for remote monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems | North Carolina State University | $999,688 | Researchers will develop high temperature embedded/integrated sensors for wireless monitoring of reactor and fuel cycle systems. Existing sensing techniques for NPP structures are mostly challenged by the limitations at high temperatures, by the lack of radiation resistance, by the poor embed-ability because of the wired electric power supply and communication, and by unknown long-term performance under harsh environments. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12907: Ultrasonic Sensors for TREAT Fuel Condition Measurement and Monitoring | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design an ultrasonic sensor (and the associated instrumentation) for deploying at the TREAT reactor in support of transient testing of pre-irradiated nuclear fuel rods. The focus of the sensor design will be on high-speed (<1 ms) measurements of fuel deformation in-pile. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12744: Development of Low Temperature Powder Spray Process for Manufacturing Fuel Cladding and Surface Modification of Reactor Components | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a low temperature powder spray deposition process for: [i] the manufacture of fuel cladding of oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels, and [ii] deposition of coatings (e.g., functionally-graded and multilayered coatings) to address corrosion, stress corrosion cracking (SCC), and wear in reactor components. This technology is amenable to large-scale manufacturing and will lower costs. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-12690: 3-D Chemo-Mechanical Degradation State Monitoring, Diagnostics and Prognostics of Corrosion Processes in Nuclear Power Plant Secondary Piping Structures | Vanderbilt University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a novel and generalizable 3-D sensor network and associated data analytics for the chemo-mechanical degradation state monitoring, diagnostics and prognostics of corrosive processes in representative secondary piping structures. This project will address current and future needs in nuclear power plants for cost-effectively maintaining the safety and operational performance of passive structural components. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 17-13022: Versatile Acoustic and Optical Sensing Platforms for Passive Structural System Monitoring | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a distributed acoustic fiber Bragg grating sensing (AFBGs) technology capable of monitoring multiple parameters, such as strain, temperature, pressure, and corrosion for structural health monitoring in nuclear facilities. | Document | FY2017 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15141: Pulsed Thermal Tomography Nondestructive Examination of Additively Manufactured Reactor Materials and Components | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and demonstrate a novel pulsed thermal tomography (TT) non-destructive examination (NDE) method for in-service inspection of additively manufactured (AM) reactor components and materials. NDE capability developed in this project will accelerate deployment of components produced with AM techniques in commercial nuclear reactors. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15179: Process-Constrained Data Analytics for Sensor Assignment and Calibration | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will develop and demonstrate data-analytic methods to address the problem of how to assign a sensor set in a nuclear facility such that 1) a requisite level of process monitoring capability is realized, and in turn, 2) the sensor set is sufficiently rich to allow analytics to determine the status of the individual sensors with respect to their need for calibration. This approach will allow for automated calibration status, avoiding unneeded calibration activities in the facility. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15233: Analytics-at-scale of Sensor Data for Digital Monitoring in Nuclear Plants | Idaho National Laboratory | $1,000,000.00 | This project will apply advanced sensor technologies, particularly wireless sensor technologies, and data science-based analytic capabilities, to advance online monitoring and predictive maintenance in nuclear plants, and improve plant performance. The resulting technology is expected to improve plant economics by enabling the transition from periodic maintenance to predictive maintenance. Predictive maintenance will allow plants to better prepare for upcoming maintenance activities by optimizing allocation of resources including tools and labor. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15086: Development of Optical Fiber-based Gamma Thermometer and Its Demonstration in a University Research Reactor Using Statistical Data Analytic Methods to Infer Power Distributions from Gamma Thermometer Response | The Ohio State University | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to build and test an optical fiber based gamma thermometer (OFBGT) using two university research reactors, and to develop methods to process the data that is produced by OFBGTs to produce estimates of the power density in the volume of the reactor that surrounds the OFBGTs. The OFBGT sensor will be robust and resilient, and capable of producing 'big data' scale information, with the smallest possible sensor footprint in the core. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 18-15251: Integrating Dissolvable Supports, Topology Optimization, and Microstructure Design to Drastically Reduce Costs in Developing and Post-Processing Nuclear Plant Components Produced by Laser-based Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000.00 | This project aims to develop and establish an innovative approach to drastically reduce development and post-processing costs associated with laser powder bed additive manufacturing (AM) of complex nuclear reactor components with internal cavities and overhangs. The proposed innovative approach integrates dissolvable supports, topology optimization, and microstructure design to achieve the project goal. Using optimally designed dissolvable supports, this research will make state-of-the-art nuclear components much cheaper, have minimal distortion, and could eliminate build failures altogether. | Document | FY2018 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17045: Cost-Benefit Analyses through Integrated Online Monitoring and Diagnostics | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The objective of the project is to improve the economic competitiveness of advanced reactors through the optimization of cost and plant performance, which can be achieved by coupling intelligent online monitoring with asset management decision-making. This includes designing a sensor network that is optimized for both cost and diagnostic capabilities then utilizing the sensor network and the plant's risk profile during operation to perform supply chain and asset management planning. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17206: Laser Additive Manufacturing of Grade 91 Steel for Affordable Nuclear Reactor Components | Los Alamos National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | The primary goal of this project is to determine the feasibility of laser additive manufacturing for producing reactor components of a ferritic/martensitic steel (Grade 91) with an engineered microstructure. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17435: Design of Risk Informed Autonomous Operation for Advanced Reactor | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $1,000,000 | The proposed research will deliver the foundation of integrated instrumentation and controls platform for advanced reactors and demonstrate the capability for autonomous operation. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 19-17070: Acousto-optic Smart Multimodal Sensors for Advanced Reactor Monitoring and Control | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | This project will design and develop a multimodal sensor for measurements of critical process parameters in advanced non-light water-cooled nuclear power plants for the early detection and characterization of deviations from nominal operating condition. The focus will be to develop an integrated sensor concept that enables simultaneous measurements of temperature, pressure, and gas composition using a single sensor, thereby limiting the number of penetrations in the reactor vessel that would be needed. | Document | FY2019 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19321: Design and Prototyping of Advanced Control Systems for Advanced Reactors Operating in the Future Electric Grid | Argonne National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will design and demonstrate and advanced control schemes for semi-autonomous and remote operation of advanced reactors to support integrated energy systems with energy storage technologies. The research will develop a control system architecture that will integrate with future changes to the grid, including highly variable grid demand. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19356: HIP Cladding and Joining to Manufacture Large Dissimilar Metal Structures for Modular and GEN IV Reactors | Auburn University | $1,000,000 | Researchers, using an integrated experimental and modeling approach, will develop, optimize and commercially demonstrate powder-based hot isostatic pressing (HIP) cladding and joining. This research will reduce the cost of manufacturing pressure retaining components in small modular and advanced reactors made from dissimilar metals. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19280: Adaptive Control and Monitoring Platform for Autonomous Operation of Advanced Nuclear Reactors | Brookhaven National Laboratory | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop an artificial intelligence-based platform that can support autonomous control of advanced reactors. The platform will use and integrate information from multiple sensors and support systems to issue appropriate commands to plant systems to keep the reactor within a safe operating envelope and avoid unnecessary shutdown. The work will include a cost-benefit analysis to evaluate the performance of the platform and the anticipated cost savings from its deployment. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-20021: Diffuse field ultrasonics for in situ material property monitoring during additive manufacturing using the SMART Platform | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop, integrate, and test an ultrasound suite integrated into an additive manufacturing (AM) build plate to provide in-situ monitoring of the AM part being built. The sensing, based on microstructural sensitive diffuse ultrasonic scattering, provides information about the microstructure and associated material properties during the build. Research will focus on sensing material signatures prior to failure to allow for on-the-fly corrections to the AM build. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 20-19888: Fiber Sensor Fused Additive Manufacturing for Smart Component Fabrication for Nuclear Energy | University of Pittsburgh | $1,000,000 | Researchers will develop a fiber sensor fused additive manufacturing technique for smart components and module fabrication for nuclear power systems. The proposed innovation will significantly lower installation costs of monitoring instruments, reduce the overall operational costs, and dramatically improve safety margins of nuclear power systems, thusincrease the economic viability of nuclear energy. | Document | FY2020 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24729: Direct Production of ODS Ferritic Alloys for Long-life Reactor Fuel Bundles: Sheet Material for Ducts and Tubing Pre-forms for Cladding | Iowa State University | $999,000 | Researchers seek to exploit the inherent uniformity, reasonable compressibility, and thermally-activated sintering of gas atomization reaction synthesis (GARS) precursor oxide dispersoid strengthened (ODS) ferritic steel powder to produce full density powder compacts by conventional vacuum warm pressing. Resulting billets will be cold cross-rolled to sheet material for duct applications. Hollow preforms, with a dissimilar powder core that can be readily removed, will be produced for cladding applications. | Document | FY2021 | ||
| NEUP Project 21-24446: Gallium Nitride-based 100-Mrad Electronics Technology for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Wireless Communications | Oak Ridge National Laboratory | $999,000 | The development and demonstration of a GaN HEMT based wireless communication system for near-core operation in existing and future nuclear reactor facilities is proposed. The design will be optimized for neutron, gamma, and temperature hardness, and will reach TRL4 by the project's end. Deliverables include the GaN wireless communications system design and test results, and the results of elevated temperature and gamma, neutron and combined gamma/neutron irradiation tests. | Document | FY2021 |
*Actual project funding will be established during the award negotiation phase.
FAQ
Search commonly asked questions about NE funding opportunities.
Documents
Find documents and forms for applications and post-award reporting.
Open Funding Opportunities
Look for available NE funding opportunities announcements.
Funded Projects
Browse information on NEUP funded projects dating back to 2009.