NEUP Funded Projects
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Projects by Year
FY 2024 Research and Development Awards
DOE is awarding more than $44 million through NEUP to support 25 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects in 22 states. NEUP seeks to maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear research across the country by providing top science and engineering faculty and their students with opportunities to develop innovative technologies and solutions for civil nuclear capabilities.
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2023 Research and Development Awards
DOE is awarding more than $41.2 million through NEUP to support 43 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects in 22 states. NEUP seeks to maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear research across the country by providing top science and engineering faculty and their students with opportunities to develop innovative technologies and solutions for civil nuclear capabilities.
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below. ​
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2022 Research and Development Awards
DOE is awarding more than $24.3 million through NEUP to support thirty-eight university-led nuclear energy research and development projects in twenty-one states. NEUP seeks to maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear research across the country by providing top science and engineering faculty and their students with opportunities to develop innovative technologies and solutions for civil nuclear capabilities.
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2021 Research and Development Awards
DOE is awarding more than $48.8 million through NEUP to support 69 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects in 27 states. NEUP seeks to maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear research across the country by providing top science and engineering faculty and their students with opportunities to develop innovative technologies and solutions for civil nuclear capabilities.
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2020 Research and Development Awards
DOE is awarding more than $38.6 million through NEUP to support 57 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects in 24 states. NEUP seeks to maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear research across the country by providing top science and engineering faculty and their students with opportunities to develop innovative technologies and solutions for civil nuclear capabilities.Â
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.  Â
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2019 Research and Development Awards
DOE is awarding more than $28.5 million through its Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) to support 40 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects in 23 states. NEUP seeks to maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear research across the country by providing top science and engineering faculty and their students with opportunities to develop innovative technologies and solutions for civil nuclear capabilities.
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.    Â
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2018 Research and Development Awards
DOE is awarding $47 million through its Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) to support 63 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects in 29 states. NEUP seeks to maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear research across the country by providing top science and engineering faculty and their students opportunities to develop innovative technologies and solutions for civil nuclear capabilities.
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.    Â
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2017 Research and Development Awards
DOE is awarding over $31 million through its Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP) to support 32 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects in 23 states. NEUP seeks to maintain U.S. leadership in nuclear research across the country by providing top science and engineering faculty and their student’s opportunities to develop innovative technologies and solutions for civil nuclear capabilities.
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2016 Research and Development Awards
The Energy Department is awarding over $35.5Â million through its Nuclear Energy University Programs (NEUP) to support 48Â university-led nuclear energy research and development projects to develop innovative technologies and solutions. These projects will be led by 31Â U.S. universities in 24Â states.
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2015 Research and Development Awards
The Energy Department is awarding over $30 million through its Nuclear Energy University Programs (NEUP) to support 43 university-led nuclear energy research and development projects to develop innovative technologies and solutions. These projects will be led by 31 U.S. universities in 23 states.
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2014 Research and Development Awards
The Department of Energy is awarding $30 million in support of the Nuclear Energy University Programs for 44 nuclear energy research and development projects focused on developing innovative solutions in the following fields: Fuel Cycle Technologies; Reactor Concepts Research; Development & Demonstration; and Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling & Simulation.
These projects, selected for negotiation of award, are led by 30 American universities and colleges in 29 states and the District of Columbia. Other universities, industry leaders and National Laboratories will serve as collaborators and research partners.
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2013 Research and Development Awards
The Department of Energy is awarding $42 million in support of the Nuclear Energy University Programs for 61 nuclear energy research and development projects focused on developing innovative solutions in the following fields: Fuel Cycle Technologies; Reactor Concepts Research; Development & Demonstration; and Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling & Simulation.
These projects, selected for negotiation of award, are led by 38 American universities and colleges in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Other universities, industry leaders and National Laboratories will serve as collaborators and research partners.
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2012 Research and Development Awards
The Department of Energy is awarding $37.9 million in support of the Nuclear Energy University Programs for 48 nuclear energy research and development projects focused on four fields: Fuel Cycle Research & Development; Reactor Concepts Research, Development & Demonstration; Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling & Simulation; and Transformative Research.Â
These projects, selected for negotiation of award, are led by 33 American universities and colleges in more than 22 states and the District of Columbia. Other universities, industry leaders and National Laboratories will serve as collaborators and research partners.
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2011 Research and Development Awards
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2010 Research and Development Awards
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
FY 2009 Research and Development Awards
A complete list of R&D projects with their associated abstracts is available below.
Title | Institution | Estimated Funding* | Project Description | Abstract | Project Type | Fiscal Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutron Damage and MAX Phase Ternary Compounds | Drexel University | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Atomistic Calculations of the Effect of Minor Actinides on Thermodynamic and Kinetic Properties of UO2+x | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Maximum Fuel Utilization in Fast Reactors without Chemical Reprocessing | University of California, Berkeley | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Developing a High Thermal Conductivity Fuel with Silicon Carbide Additives | University of Florida | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Fabrication of Tungsten-Rhenium Cladding Materials via Spark Plasma Sintering for Ultra High Temperature Reactor Applications | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Ionic Liquid and Supercritical Fluid Hyphenated Techniques for Dissolution and Separation of Lanthanides, Actinides, and Fission Products | University of Idaho | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved Fission Neutron Data Base for Active Interrogation of Actinides | University of Michigan | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Utilization of Methacrylates and Polymer Matrices for the Synthesis of Ion Specific Resins | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Improved LWR Cladding Performance by EPD Surface Modification Technique | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | IIR | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Models of LWR Pressure Vessel Embrittlement for Low Flux-High Fluence Conditions | University of California, Santa Barbara | Document | LWRS | FY2009 | ||
Irradiation Creep in Graphite | Boise State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling the Stress Strain Relationships and Predicting Failure Probabilities For Graphite Core Components | Cleveland State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
TRISO-Coated Fuel Durability Under Extreme Conditions | Colorado School of Mines | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
An Innovative and Advanced Coupled Neutron Transport and Thermal Hydraulic Method (Tool) for the Design, Analysis and Optimization of VHTR/NGNP Prismatic Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Removal of 14C from Irradiated Graphite for Graphite Recycle and Waste Volume Reduction | Idaho State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Millimeter-Wave Thermal Analysis Development and Application to Gen IV Reactor Materials | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Accurate Development of Thermal Neutron Scattering Cross Section Libraries | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Creep Mechanisms in Graphite with Experiments, Multiscale Simulations, and Modeling | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of the Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Actinide Oxide Fuel Materials | University of Michigan | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Verification & Validation of High-Order Short-Characteristics-Based Deterministic Transport Methodology on Unstructured Grids | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Adsorptive Separation and Sequestration of Krypton, I and C14 on Diamond Nanoparticles | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Microscale Heat Conduction Models and Doppler Feedback | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fundamental Understanding of Ambient and High-Temperature Plasticity Phenomena in Structural Materials in Advanced Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Alternative Technetium Waste Forms | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Optimizing Neutron Thermal Scattering Effects in Very High Temperature Reactors | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Elastic/Inelastic Nuclear Data Development Project | Idaho State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Heterogeneous Recycling in Fast Reactors | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Quantification of UV-Visible and Laser Spectroscopic Techniques for Materials Accountability and Process Control | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Multiaxial Creep-Fatigue and CreepRatcheting Failures of Grade 91 and Haynes 230 Alloys Toward Addressing Design Issues of Gen IV Nuclear Power Plants | North Carolina State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermodynamic Development of Corrosion Rate Modeling in Iron Phosphate Glasses | Missouri University of Science and Technology | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Development of Subspace-Based Hybrid Monte Carlo-Deterministic Algorithms for Reactor Physics Calculations | North Carolina State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
High-Fidelity Space-Time Adaptive Multiphysics Simulations in Nuclear Engineering | University of Nevada, Reno | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Improvements to Nuclear Data and Its Uncertainties by Theoretical Modeling | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation of Countercurrent Helium-air Flows in Air-ingress Accidents for VHTRs | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Sharp Interface Tracking in Rotating Microflows of Solvent Extraction | State University of New York at Stony Brook | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Bulk Nanostructured FCC Steels with Enhanced Radiation Tolerance | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Simulations of Failure via Three-Dimensional Cracking in Fuel Cladding for Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of Texas, Dallas | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Testing of Performance of Optical Fibers Under Irradiation in Intense Radiation Fields, When Subjected to Very High Temperatures | Ohio State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fuel Performance Experiments and Modeling: Fission Gas Bubble Nucleation and Growth in Alloy Nuclear Fuels | Texas A&M University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
SiC Schottky Diode Detectors for Measurement of Actinide Concentrations from Alpha Activities in Molten Salt Electrolyte | The Ohio State University | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Computational Design of Advanced Nuclear Fuels | University of California, Davis | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Advanced Mesh-Enabled Monte Carlo Capability for Multi-Physics Reactor Analysis | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Data Collection Methods For Validation of Advanced Multi-Resolution Fast Reactor Simulations | University of Idaho | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
A Distributed Fiber Optic Sensor Network for Online 3-D Temperature and Neutron Fluence Mapping in a VHTR Environment | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Ab Initio Enhanced Calphad Modeling of Actinide Rich Nuclear Fuels | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Investigation on the Core Bypass Flow in a Very High Temperature Reactor | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Development of Diffusion Barrier Coatings and Deposition Technologies for Mitigating Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
CFD Model Development and Validation for High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) Applications | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Thermal Properties of LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | AFCI | FY2009 | ||
Study of Air ingress across the duct during the accident conditions | Texas A&M University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Verification of the CENTRM Module for Adaptation of the SCALE Code to NGNP Prismatic and PBR Core Designs | University of Arizona | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Integral and Separate Effects Tests for Thermal Hydraulics Code Validation for Liquid-Salt Cooled Nuclear Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Mechanisms Governing the Creep Behavior of High Temperature Alloys for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
ALD Produced B2O3, Al2O3 and TiO2 Coatings on Gd2O3 Burnable Poison Nanoparticles | University of Colorado, Boulder | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Study and Computational Simulations of Key Pebble Bed Thermomechanics Issues for Design and Safety | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Prediction and Monitoring Systems of Creep-Fracture Behavior of 9Cr-1Mo Steels for Reactor Pressure Vessels | University of Idaho | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Understanding Fundamental Material Degradation Processes in High Temperature Aggressive Chemomechanical Environments | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Multi-Scale Multi-physics Methods Development for the Calculation of Hot-Spots in the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Corrosion and Creep of Candidate Alloys in High Temperature Helium and Steam Environments for the NGNP | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Creation of a Full-Core HTR Benchmark with the Fort St. Vrain Initial Core and Validation of the DHF Method with Helios for NGNP Configurations | University of Michigan | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Fission Product Sorptivity in Graphite | University of Missouri, Columbia | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Identifying and Understanding Environment-Induced Crack Propagation Behavior in Ni-Based Superalloy INCONEL 617 | University of Nevada, Las Vegas | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Graphite Oxidation Simulation in HTR Accident Conditions | University of New Mexico | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Non Destructive Thermal Analysis and In Situ Investigation of Creep Mechanism of Graphite and Ceramic Composites using Phase-sensitive THz Imaging & Nonlinear Resonant Ultrasonic Spectroscopy | University of Rochester | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Tritium Sequestration in Gen IV NGNP Gas Stream via Proton Conducting Ceramic Pumps | University of South Carolina | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Materials, Turbomachinery and Heat Exchangers for Supercritical CO2 Systems | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Experimental Studies of NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Water | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Assessment of Embrittlement of VHTR Structural Alloys in Impure Helium Environments | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Modeling Fission Product Sorption in Graphite Structures | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Liquid Salt Heat Exchanger Technology for VHTR Based Applications | University of Wisconsin, Madison | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on Creep Rupture Properties of Grade 91 Steel Heavy Section Welds | Utah State University | Document | NGNP | FY2009 | ||
Alpha Radiolysis of Nuclear Solvent Extraction Ligands used for An(III) and Ln(III) Separations | California State University, Long Beach | $1,390,252 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Predictive Maturity of Multi-Scale Simulation Models for Fuel Performance | Clemson University | $614,690 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Freeze-casting as a Novel Manufacturing Process for Fast Reactor Fuels | Drexel University | $1,149,327 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Fuel Performance Experiments on the Atomistic Level, Studying Fuel Through Engineered Single Crystal UO2 | Idaho State University | $650,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of A Self Biased High Efficiency Solid-State Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $810,141 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Development of a Innovative High Thermal Conductivity UO 2 Ceramic Composites Fuel Pellets with Carbon Nano-Tubes Using Spark Plasma Sintering | University of Florida | $894,042 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Exploration and Modeling of Structural Changes in Waste Glass under Corrosion | Pennsylvania State University | $1,377,444 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Evaluation of materials for interim storage of spent fuel for more than 100 years | University of Michigan | $931,603 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Implementation of On-the-Fly Doppler Broadening in MCNP5 for Multiphysics Simulation of Nuclear Reactors | University of Michigan | $406,712 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Methods and tools to allow molecular flow simulations to be coupled to higher level continuum descriptions of flows in porous/fractured media and aerosol/dust dynamics | University of Missouri-Columbi | $541,286 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Characterization and Modeling of Materials for Kr-Xe Separations | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $989,800 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Modeling Solute Thermokinetics in LiCl-KCl Molten Salt for Nuclear Waste Separation | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $616,073 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Advanced Aqueous Separation Systems for Actinide Partitioning: Develop Fundamental Understanding of An(III)/Ln(III) Separation | Washington State University | $1,451,784 | Document | FCR&D | FY2010 | |
Consistent Multigroup Theory Enabling Accurate Coarse-Group Simulation of GenIV Reactors | Georgia Institute of Technology | $1,046,277 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Studies of Deteriorated Heat Transfer in Prismatic Cores Stemming from Irradiation-Induced Geometry Distortion | Idaho State University | $1,287,921 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Carbide Coatings for Nickel Alloys, Graphite, and Carbon/Carbon Composites to be Used in Fluoride Salt Valves | Johns Hopkins University | $1,183,239 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Design, Testing, and Modeling of the Direct Reactor Auxiliary Cooling System for AHTRs | Ohio State University | $1,366,627 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Monitoring microstructural evolution of Alloy 617 with nonlinear acoustics for remaining useful life prediction; multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting | Pennsylvania State University | $1,000,000 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Validation of Multidimensional Models of Supercritical CO 2 Energy Conversion Systems for Nuclear Power Reactors | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | $475,005 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Multiscale Concrete Modeling for Aging Degradation | Mississippi State University | $345,941 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term and Elevated Temperature Irradiation: Modeling and Experimental Investigation | University of California-Berkeley | $1,320,667 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development of an advanced computational fluid dynamics technology for the next-generation nuclear reactor system analysis and safety margin characterization code | North Carolina State University | $418,199 | Document | LWRS | FY2010 | |
Development of Barrier Layers for the Protection of Candidate Alloys in the VHTR | University of California-Santa Barbara | $995,232 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Precursor Derived Nanostructured Si-C-X Materials for Nuclear Applications | University of Washington | $899,518 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Investigation of a Novel NDE Method for Monitoring Thermo-Mechanical Damage and Microstructure Evolution in Ferritic-Martensitic Steels for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems | University of Cincinnati | $833,109 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Development and Testing of an Open-Loop Oscillator for Small Reactivity Worth Samples | Idaho State University | $597,252 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Fission Product Transport in TRISO Particle Layers under Operating and Off-Normal Conditions | University of Michigan | $966,581 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Understanding the Irradiation Behavior of Zirconium Carbide | Pennsylvania State University | $870,613 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Microstructure and Property Evolution in Advanced Cladding and Duct Materials Under Long-Term Irradiation at Elevated Temperature: Critical Experiments | University of Michigan | $1,181,379 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Modeling investigation of the stability and irradiation-induced evolution of nanoscale precipitates in advanced structural materials | University of Tennessee-Knoxville | $380,653 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Three-dimensional NDE of VHTR Core Components via Simulation-based Testing | University of Minnesota | $1,366,163 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Investigation of Laser Shock Peening for Enhancing Fatigue and Stress Corrosion Cracking Resistance of Nuclear Energy Materials | University of Cincinnati | $1,242,019 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Failure Predictions for VHTR Core Components using a Probabilistic Continuum Damage Mechanics Model | University of Minnesota | $854,542 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Irradiation Accelerated Corrosion of Reactor Core Materials | University of Michigan | $798,943 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of a Scanning Microscale Fast Neutron Irradiation Platform for Examining the Correlation Between Local Neutron Damage and Graphite Microstructure | University of Missouri-Columbia | $703,064 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Study of Interfacial Interactions using Thin Film Surface Modification: Radiation and Oxidation Effects in Materials | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $538,032 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Development of Thermal Transient Flow Rate Sensors for High Temperature, Irradiation, Corrosive Environment | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $451,269 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Novel Engineered Refractory Materials for Advanced Reactor Applications | North Carolina State University | $1,129,304 | Document | MRIIR | FY2010 | |
Novel Methods of Tritium Sequestration: High Temperature Gettering and Separation Membrane Materials Discovery for Nuclear Energy Systems | University of South Carolina | $1,366,626 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Heat Transfer Salts for Nuclear Reactor Systems - Chemistry Control, Corrosion Mitigation, and Modeling | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,352,040 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Pulsed Magnetic Welding for Advanced Core and Cladding Steels | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $525,206 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Corrosion in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: Materials, Environmental Purity, Surface Treatments, and Flow Issues | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $651,447 | Document | GEN IV | FY2010 | |
Quantification of Cation Sorption to Engineered Barrier Materials Under Extreme Conditions | Clemson University | $1,171,380 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
In-Pile Instrumentation Multi-Parameter System Utilizing Photonic Fibers and Nanovision | Idaho State University | $1,199,990 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Plasmonically Cloaked Nanoparticles | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fission Product Transmutation in Mixed Radiation Fields | Idaho State University | $800,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Life Prediction of Spent Fuel Storage Canister Material | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $899,826 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Active Interrogation using Photofission Technique for Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability | Oregon State University | $900,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Anisotropic Azimuthal Power and Temperature Distribution on Fuel Rod: Impact of Hydride Distribution | Pennsylvania State University | $631,956 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Preparation and Development of Polymer-Supported Extractants | City College of New York, Hunter | $363,716 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Microemulsions and Aggregation Formation in Extraction Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel: Thermodynamics and Structural Studies | University of California, Irvine | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
One-Dimensional Nanostructures for Neutron Detection | North Carolina State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Optimized Processing Fabrication Paths for Larger Heats of Nanostructured Ferritic Alloys | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Feasibility and Safety Assessment for Advanced Reactor Concepts Using Vented Fuel | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Basic Physics Data: Measurement of Neutron Multiplicity from Induced Fission | University of Michigan | $973,364 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of an Efficient Meso-Scale Multi-Phase Flow Solver in Nuclear Applications | City College of New York | $505,858 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
High Temperature Transducers for Online Monitoring of Microstructure Evolution | Pennsylvania State University | $455,628 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Radionuclide Incorporation and Long Term Performance of Apatite Waste Forms | University of Michigan | $862,500 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Multiscale Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Fuel Performance | Colorado State University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Laser-Arc Hybrid Welding of Thick Section Ni-base Alloys- Advanced Modeling and Experiments | Pennsylvania State University | $536,117 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Actinide Foil Production for MPACT Research | University of Nevada-Las Vegas | $156,897 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Fundamental Studies of the Role of Grain Boundaries on Uniform Corrosion of Advanced Nuclear Reactor Materials | Drexel University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Correlates of Sensitive Technologies | Texas A&M University | $509,467 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Enriched Boron-Doped Amorphous Selenium Based Position-Sensitive Solid-State Thermal Neutron Detector for MPACT Applications | University of South Carolina | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Phenomena-based Uncertainty Quantification in Predictive Coupled-Physics Reactor Simulations | Texas A&M University | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Improved Safety Margin Characterization of Risk from Loss of Offsite Power | Texas A&M University | $600,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development of Advanced High Uranium Density Fuels for Light Water Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,000,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Characterization of Modeling of Grain Boundary Chemistry Evolution in Ferritic Steels Under Irradiation | University of Michigan | $1,098,250 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
Diffusion, Thermal Properties and chemical Compatibilities of Select MAX Phases with Materials for Advanced Nuclear Systems | Drexel University | $535,927 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
A High Temperature-Tolerant and Radiation-Resistant In-Core Neutron Sensor for Advanced Reactors | The Ohio State University | $455,629 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Developing the User Experience for a Next Generation Nuclear Fuel Cycle Simulator | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,200,000 | Document | FCR&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Multiscale Materials Modeling Techniques and Coarse-Graining Strategies for Predicting Materials Degradation in Extreme Irradiation Environments | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $750,000 | Document | NEAMS | FY2011 | |
A New Light Weight Structural Material for Nuclear Structures | North Carolina State University | $399,490 | Document | NEET | FY2011 | |
Pathway Aggregation in the Risk Assessment of Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection (PR&PP) of Nuclear Energy Systems | The Ohio State University | $534,471 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Experimental Investigation of Convection and Heat Transfer in the Reactor Core for a VHTR | City College of New York | $1,118,856 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Preparation of High Purity, High Molecular-Weight Chitin from Ionic Liquids for Use as an Adsorbate for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Alabama | $338,260 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Graphite Microstructural Characterization Using Time-Domain and Correlation-Based Ultrasonics | Johns Hopkins University | $1,199,997 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Selectivity in Ligand Binding to Uranyl Compounds: A Synthetic, Structural, Thermodynamic and Computational Study | University of California-Berkeley | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Methodology Development for Passive Component Reliability Modeling in a Multi-Physics Simulation Environment | The Ohio State University | $533,457 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Seismic Isolation Systems Using Periodic Materials | University of Houston | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Pebble Fuel Handling and Reactivity Control for Salt-Cooled High Temperature Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $612,721 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium from Seawater | University of Idaho | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Self-Sustaining Thorium Boiling Water Reactors | University of California, Berkeley | $1,145,932 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Austenitic ODS Strengthened Alloys for Very High Temperature Applications | University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign | $538,154 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
High Fluency Low Flux Embrittlement Models of LWR Reactor Pressure Vessel Embrittlement and a Supporting Database from the UCSB ATR-2 Irradiation Experiment | University of California, Santa Barbara | $1,199,607 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Enhancement of the Extraction of the Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
A Research Program for Fission Product/Dust Transport in HTGR's | University of Missouri-Columbia | $1,157,367 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Safety Analysis of Fast Spectrum TRU Burning LWR with Internal Blankets | University of Michigan | $599,475 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Development and Validation of a Lifecycle-based Prognostics Architecture with Test Bed Validation | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $846,315 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Development of Novel Sorbents for Uranium Extraction from Seawater | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill | $400,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
In-situ Condition Monitoring of Components in Small Modular Reactors Using Process and Electrical Signature Analysis | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $650,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Radiation Behavior of High-Entropy Alloys for Advanced Reactors | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | $538,159 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Technical Development for S-CO2 Advanced Energy Conversion | University of Wisconsin | $815,000 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Rapid Computer Aided Ligand Design and Screening of Precious Metal Extractants from TRUEX Raffinate with Experimental Validation | Washington State University | $500,000 | Document | MSTR | FY2011 | |
Ag Transport Through Non-Irradiated and Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,055,456 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Critical Heat Flux Phenomena at High Pressure and Low Mass Fluxes: Tests and Models | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,781 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Modeling and Test Validation of a Reactor Cavity Cooling System with Air | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $1,199,988 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Transient Mixed Convection Validation for NGNP | Utah State University | $635,860 | Document | RCRD&D | FY2011 | |
Alternative High-Performance Ceramic Waste Forms | Alfred University | $840,000 | This project aims to advance fundamental understanding of the kinetics of structural evolution of crystalline ceramic waste forms. The structure/property relationships will be identified and will reveal new formulations, improved processing routes, and strategies for improved performance or ceramic waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Surface Layer Bulk Glass Interface Evolution with Aqueous Corrosion | Alfred University | $880,000 | This project will investigate the links between the morphology, structure and chemistry of surface layer-bulk glass interface and the long-term corrosion-reaction kinetics using in-situ and ex-situ experiments. The understanding will result in improved models for long-term predictive behavior of high-level-waste (HLW) glasses under repository conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Improved Accident Tolerance of Austenitic Stainless Steel Cladding through Colossal Supersaturation with Interstitial Solutes | Case Western Reserve University | $850,000 | This project aims to develop new case-hardened austenitic stainless steels by saturating them with materials that improve their mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and radiation resistance. This project, if successful, will result in safer, longer-lasting, and more accident tolerant fuel claddings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Optimization of Deep Borehole Systems for HLW Disposal | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $850,000 | Researchers aim to carry out a comprehensive evaluation of the deep borehole option for disposal of used nuclear fuel and high livel waste. The models developed will predict potential movement of water through natural and engineered barriers and release of radionuclides to the biosphere which will aide in site selection. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Scholarship for Nuclear Communications and Methods for Evaluation of Nuclear Project Acceptability | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $800,000 | Researchers will work to develop a model to characterize the factors affecting social acceptance of nuclear projects with potential stakeholders. The resultant model will strengthen the ability to design and implement large projects more efficiently, leading to higher rates of success of future nuclear projects. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Accurate Holdup Calculations with Predictive Modeling and Data Integration | North Carolina State University | $875,000 | Researchers will develop and use state-of-the-art radiation transport codes to account accurately for the fissile material in a nuclear materials processing facility. An accurate estimation of the materials will allow for ensured radiological safety, security, waste management and efficient plant operation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides | Northwestern University | $760,000 | Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of chalcogenide based materials design novel metal sulfides to effectively capture and store of radioisotopes released during reprocessing of used nuclear fuel. This project will focus on understanding structure-property relationships to enable refined and direct synthesis approaches for improved and cost-efficient nuclear waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Diagnosis and Prognosis of ASR Damage in Dry Cask Storage | Northwestern University | $885,000 | Researchers aim to use nondestructive damage characterization methods to detect, manage and mitigate the degradation/damage mechanisms of dry cask storage systems for nuclear fuels. This project, if successful, will provide tools that will allow the prediction of the reliability and the safety of concrete structures in dry cask storage systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Prototype Demonstration of Gamma-Blind Tensioned Metastable Fluid Neutron/Multiplicity/Alpha Detector- Real Time Methods for Advanced Fuel Cycle Applications | Texas A&M University | $875,000 | This project aims to create a prototype demonstration of a novel neutron/alpha detector based on a technology that is blind to gamma field used fuel. The prototype, if successful, will enhance instrumentation for monitoring real-time material balance during various stages of the nuclear cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Testing of Sapphire Optical Fiber and Sensors in Intense Radiation Fields, when Subjected to Very High Temperatures | The Ohio State University | $885,000 | The researchers on this project will investigate the performance of sapphire optical fibers and sensors in reactor environments. The project, if successful, will result in improved instrumentation to understand the behavior and predict performance of nuclear fuel systems at the microstructural level. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Concrete Materials with Ultra-High Damage Resistance and Self-Sensing Capacity for Extended Nuclear Fuel Storage Systems | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers aim to design a new class of multifunctional concrete materials. This project, if successful, will result in a novel multifunctional concrete material that possesses inherent degradation monitoring capability and is suitable for an extended storage system for the used nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development of Innovative Accident Tolerant High Thermal Conductivity UO2 Fuel Pellets with a Diamond Dopant | University of Florida | $800,000 | Researchers will evaluate the use of diamond nanoparticles composite material in innovative accident tolerant fuel pellets. This could significantly improve both the thermal conductivity of fuel pellets and light water reactors' efficiency safety. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Probabilistic Multi-Hazard Assessment of Dry Cask Structures | University of Houston | $865,000 | This project aims to investigate the performance of dry cask storage systems under multiple hazard systems (earthquake, tornados, combined with aging effects) using a probabilistic multi-hazard framework. This framework will be validated based on experimental research and will provide improved models for safety and reliability of spent nuclear fuels during storage and transportation. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Measurement of Irradiated Pyroprocessing Samples via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy | University of Idaho | $820,000 | This project aims to use advanced characterization techniques to investigate microstructural changes and the micromechanisms related to irradiation induced damage in used nuclear fuels and waste forms. This project, if successful, will result in enhanced models to predict the structural and chemical response of used fuel and waster forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Elastic/Inelastic Measurement Project | University of Kentucky | $880,523 | Researchers will measure nuclear data for elastic/inelastic scattered neutrons on coolants and structural materials. The data generated, will be useful for future R&D programs that will study innovative next generation LWR and future fast systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Electrochemical Corrosion Studies for Modeling Metallic Waste Form Release Rates | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $790,000 | This project aims to use advanced electrochemical methods to investigate the corrosion related degradation of metal alloys used for housing fission products. The data obtained from this study will allow for the prediction of the long-term behavior of the metallic host phase materials over geological time-scales. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Thermodynamic and Microstructural Mechanisms in the Corrosion of Advanced Ceramic Tc-bearing Waste Forms and Thermophysical Properties | University of Nevada- Las Vegas | $795,000 | This project team will harvest thermodynamic and microstructural data on the evolution of ceramic based waste forms. The data will be used to advance the current state-of-the-art methodology used for isolation and stabilization of fission products and improve on nuclear fuel recycling processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Development and Experimental Benchmark of Simulations to Predict Used Nuclear Fuel Cladding Temperatures during Drying and Transfer Operations | University of Nevada- Reno | $745,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to investigate and develop advanced computational models of heat transfer in post-pool-storage drying operations. This project, if successful, will result in tools that can be used to design efficient drying processes to as to ensure suitability for dry-cask systems for long-term storage and transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Better Radiation Response and Accident Tolerance of Nanostructured Ceramic Fuel Materials? | University of Tennessee | $815,000 | Researchers will use novel experimental methods to investigate the links between microstructure, phase stability and damage evolution in nanostructured ceramic fuel materials. The project will study fuel materials at temperatures and irradiation conditions relevant to operation and accidental scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Radiation and Thermal Effects on Used Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Forms | University of Tennesssee | $770,000 | This project aims to investigate the structural and chemical response of used nuclear fuel and waste forms during interim storage and permanent disposal. If successful, this project will generate models that will allow the prediction of structural evolution and hence the radiological safety and security of nuclear fuel and waste forms. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Seismic Performance of Dry Casks Storage for Long-Term Exposure | University of Utah | $873,319 | Researchers will evaluate the mechanical performance of dry-cask storage under seismic loading for mid-term operational periods. Simulations will include scenarios for freestanding, anchored, and vaulted casks. The experimental tests will also evaluate the dynamic seismic response of freestanding and anchored dry-cask storage prototypes, providing recommendations for optimal Interim Spent Fuel Storage Installations (ISFSIs) design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Validation Experiments for Spent-Fuel Dry-Cask In-Basket Convection | Utah State University | $690,000 | Researchers in this project aim to conduct experiments that generate data on natural convection through a fuel assembly. The data will be used to validate the computational models being developed for nuclear safety and design. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Re-Branding the Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Virginia Commonwealth University | $850,000 | This project will create a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of alternative fuel cycle systems that will be used to identify and analyze key elements related to long-term management of nuclear fuels , with the ultimate goal to develop a communications strategy to reach stakeholders. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Characterization of Molecular Interactions in TALSPEAK-like Separations Systems | Washington State University | $875,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization techniques (experimental and computational) to improve understanding of the molecular level processes/interactions during separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. The understanding of these interactions will be used to develop more robust and streamlined separation processes for advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Coupling of Nuclear Waste Form Corrosion and Radionuclide Transport in Presence of Relevant Repository Sediments | Washington State University | $885,000 | Researchers will conduct experiments to understand the mechanisms responsible for the corrosion of nuclear waste forms in realistic chemical environments. The data generated from these experiments will enable increased reliability of the models used to predict the waste form performance in repository environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2012 |
Stationary Liquid Fuel Fast Reactor (SLFFR) Concept for TRU Burning | Purdue University | $450,000 | Reasearchers will investigate a new type of molten metallic fuel reactor concept that will consume hazardous transuranic waste. The liquid fuel alloy has several advantages over solid fuel fast reactors that are used for the same purpose. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
ABR for TRU Transmutation with Breed & Burn Thorium Blanket for Improved Economics and Resource Utilization | University of California- Berkeley | $450,000 | The research team will use detailed neutronic analysis for a new Advanced Burner Reactor concept with low conversion ratio. The concept will use a new core shape to improve the utilization of neutrons to perform breed and burn. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
New Materials for High Temperature Thermoelecric Power Generation | University of California, Davis | $450,000 | Reasearchers will work to develop nanostructured and other new materials to support the development of higher efficiency thermoelectric devices. These devices convert thermal energy to electricity with no moving parts. The new materials will operate at higher efficiencies and over a wider temperature range than those currently available--an important quality for future nuclear-powered deep space exploration. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Microscopic Fuel Particles Produced by Self-Assembly of Actinide Nanoclusters on Carbon Nanomaterials | University of Notre Dame | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop the mechanisms, conditions and protocols to prepare uranium-carbon nanocomposite materials to make them more flexible. This could result in the generation of wholesale electricity, providing process heat, and providing power for households. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
High Hydrogen Content Graphene Hydride Compounds & High Cross-Section Cladding Coatings for Fast Neutron Detection | University of South Carolina | $430,000 | This project will exploit recent breakthroughs to grow epitaxial graphene on commercial SiC wafers. This will allow researchers to develop a new detection method for fast neutrons. In addition, it will lead to better and more compact neutron detection system. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Reducing Actinide Production Using Inert Matrix Fuels | University of Texas- Austin | $435,000 | Reasearchers will perform a neutronic analysis, a thermal-hydraulic analysis and a simulation of fuel decay heat as a functionof fuel burnup, to determine if inert matrix fuel in coventional reactors will continue to be licensable. If successful, the inert matrix fuel mixtures will reduce harmful transuranic components in the fuel discharge streams at a level comparable to a fast reactcor burner. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
An Integrated Fuel Depletion Calculator for Fuel Cycle Options Analysis | University of Texas- Austin | $395,000 | Reasearchers use new analysis techniques to better predict nuclear fuel behavior. The new model will allow improved fuel cycle for a larger number of users. | Document | MSTR | FY2012 |
Atomic-Scale to Meso-Scale Simulation Studies of Thermal Ageing and Irradiation Effects in Fe-Cr Alloys | Boston University | $874,997 | Reasearchers will develop predictive, multi-scale simulation tools for iron-chromium alloys, which are expected to be key components of advanced steels envisioned as fuel cladding and structural components for Generation IV reactors. Such modeling is necessary to avoid resource intensive and costly thermal and neutron irradiation experiments to obtain required performance data. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Validation Data and Model Development for Fuel Assembly Response to Seismic Loads | George Washington University | $862,435 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments that will provide comprehensive data characterizing the dynamics of the fluid and the structure in Pressurized Water Reactors (PWR) fuel assemblies under seismic loads (earthquakes and loss of coolant accidents). Completion of their project will greatly benefit the safety of existing and future nuclear reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Uncertainty Quantification and Management for Multiscale Nuclear Materials Modeling | Georgia Institute of Technology | $743,444 | Reasearchers will address the question of uncertainty propogation and error estimates associated with model prediction of material behavior under irradiation. Their work will facilitate a better understanding of the connection of various unit processes to collective responses in a multiscale model chain enabling the development of high strength and high ductility materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2012 |
Fuel and Core Design Options to Overcome the Heavy Metal Loading Limit and Improve Performance and Safety of Liquid Salt Cooled Reactors | Georgia Insitute of Technology | $784,689 | Reasearchers will examine new options for fuel and core designs in liquid salt cooled reactors where the current standard of TRISO type fuel has limitations due to loading characteristics. The research could enable new, more feasible fuel-core-reload options that will improve safety and performance parameters. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Nonlinear Ultrasonic Techniques to Monitor Radiation Damage in RPV and Internal Components | Georgia Institute of Technology | $877,000 | Reasearchers will explore new nondestructive materials evaluation and monitoring techniques utilizing nonlinear ultrasonic measurements . This technique will allow researchers to assess remaining useful life of select reactor components. Breakthroughs in this area will lead to the ability to characterize radiation damage in reactor pressure vessels and other components-leading to a clearer definition of reactor safety margins. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Intergral Reactor Containment Condensation Model and Experimental Validation | Oregon State University | $871,119 | Reasearchers will conduct experiments to enhance the safety and efficiency of small modular reactors (SMRs). This project will assess the impact of high-pressure steam condensation on steel containment vessels to be used for SMR deigns. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Investigation of Natural Circulation Instability and Transients in Passively Safe Small Modular Reactors | Purdue University | $871,100 | Reasearchers will perform scaled experiments to study the thermal-hydraulic instabilities that can occur in Small Modular Reactors (SMR) which rely on natural circulation cooling during normal operation and accident conditions. Their work will not only improve our understanding of general natural circulation instability but also lead to the development of stability criteria and predictability in the operation of SMRÕs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Thermoelectric-Driven Sustainable Sensing and Actuation Systems for Fault-Tolerant Nuclear Incidents | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $599,802 | Reasearchers will examine the use of solid-state thermoelectric generators to produce electricity to sense and opeate during both normal and abnormal situations. This will provide indefinite monitoring of key components during power outages or station blackouts. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors | Texas A&M University | $713,051 | Reasearchers will model the internal coolant flow of a prismatic core very high temperature reactor (VHTR) by using large eddy simulation tools. This method will enable more accurate prediction of flow field characteristics and better evaluation of VHTR behavior under operational and accidental conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Demonstrating Hybrid Heat Transport and Energy Conversion System Performance Characterization Using Intelligent Control Systems | University of Idaho | $877,000 | Reasearchers will demonstrate an intelligent control systems in a hybrid energy conversion loop for a next generation nuclear power plant. Hybrid energy systems are a method of optimizing the use of natural resources for energy production. Hybrid systems present an opportunity to develop domestic energy sources to improve energy security. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Reactor-Intermediate Heat Exchanger (IHX) Coupling: Theoretical Modeling and Experimental Validation | University of Idaho | $869,997 | Reasearchers will model the behavior of the Advanced Reactor Intermediate Heat Exchanger Chemical Process system and develop advanced control techniques that take into account abnormal scenarios. The data and information obtained will assist in the development of intelligent control systems for next generation nuclear reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Irradiation Performance of Fe-Cr Base Alloys | University of Illinois- Urbana Champaign | $876,332 | Reasearchers will perform post-radiation analysis and develop tools for future development and application of the Fe-Cr class of alloys. The results of this research will lead to better modeling of performance and development of an alloy designated as the primary choice for reactor fuel cladding and structural applications in advanced systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Accelerated Irradiations for High Dose Microstructures in Fast Reactor Alloys | University of Michigan | $831,876 | Reasearchers will determine the extent to which high dose rate irradiation can be used as an irradiation damage tool to understand microstructure evolution at high doses and temperatures relevant to advanced fast reactors. The project will provide fundamental understanding of the effectiveness of this process and thus of microstructure development in irradiated materials. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mitigating IASCC of Reactor Core Internals by Post-Irradiation Annealing Advanced Mitigation Strategies | University of Michigan | $876,985 | Reasearchers will determine the optimum Post-irradiation annealing (PIA)-driven mitigation strategy to extend the potential lifetime of light water reactors. Samples that have already been irradiated in a light water reactor will be used to test PIA treatments to understand IASCC initiation and propoagation, annealing kinetics, the role of microstructure features in irradation hardening and localized deformation, and the optimum mitigation strategy based on PIA. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Experimentally Validated Numerical Models for Effects of Non-Isothermal Turbulent Mixing on Wall Stresses in High Temperature Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $876,422 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive experimentally validated computational framework for the turbulent mixing in the lower plenum of a very high temperature reactor (VHTR). Through CFD modeling and experimental validation, the results from this project will lay the groundwork for future stress analysis, failure and fatigue studies, and uncertainty quantification for the VHTR system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Role of Defects in Swelling and Creep of Irradiated SiC | University of Wisconsin- Madison | $875,350 | Reasearchers will study mechanisms controlling both radiation swelling and radiation creep in silicon carbide. These two effects are crucial to understanding the issues associated with the brittle silicon carbide composite. Success in this project will ground progress in the adoption of silicon carbide for reactor solutions, particularly as fuel cladding. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $877,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the benefits of utilizing advanced Brayton cycles with supercritical carbon dioxide in new reactor systems and components. Benefits of this research include improvement of analysis and performance of components currently utilizing these cycles as well as the potential for a large scale advanced CO2 power system. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2012 |
Mechanical Behavior of UO2 at Sub-grain Length Scales: Quantification of Elastic, Plastic and Creep Properties via Microscale Testing | Arizona State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop techniques to measure properties at sub-grain scales using depleted Uranium Oxide samples. The project will provide a framework to measure sub-grain scale mechanical properties, as well as provide experimental data to improve the understanding of advanced oxide fuels. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
The Impacts of Pore-Scale Physical and Chemical Heterogeneities on the Transport of Radionuclide-Carrying Colloids | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Reasearchers will identify the dominant transport mechanisms to develop models that predict radionuclide distribution in porous materials. Experimental and computational models will be created that couple pore-scale geometric and interfacial structures. Simulators such as these are a necessary step towards fully predictive models for field-scale applications in the future. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Polymer-Supported Aminophosphinates as Selective Extractants | Hunter College, CUNY | $399,999 | Reasearchers will prepare a polymer-supported extractant for the recovery of uranium from seawater. The project will focus on primary amines that could provide a 3-fold increase in uranium capture capacity than current methods. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
In-pile Thermal Conductivity Characterization with Single-laser Heating/Time Resolved Raman | Iowa State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop a time-resolved Raman-based thermal conductivity measurement system to improve remote in-pile thermal conductivity measurement. These measurements will provide new insights into the behavior of materials exposed to extreme radiation and temperature environments. Understanding the behavior of materials at the microstructural level will support optimized fuel designs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Organic Speciation and Interactions in ALSEP - One Step Partitioning Process of Minor Actinides, Lanthanides, and Fission Products | Oregon State University | $600,000 | Reasearchers will investigate the Actinide-Lanthanide Separation (ALSEP) process organic phase prior to aqueous phase separation and after aqueous separation phases of bare and metal-loaded acids. Quantifying these effects can be used to determine how an engineering scale process will perform and generate an accurate chemical model for the system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Glass Composition and Solution Speciation Effects on Stage III Dissolution | Pennsylvania State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will study the chemical and structural triggers of long-term vitrified nuclear waste form behavior. They will study a range of waste glass compositions in corrosive environments. The study will improve understanding of the long-term residual rate and may provide new options for environmental control of glass dissolution rates. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Correlating Thermal, Mechanical, and Electrical Coupling Based Multiphysics Behavior of Nuclear Materials Through In-Situ Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use in-situ experimental techniques to monitor the influence of extreme conditions on fuel cladding. The project will establish an in-situ experimental setup that can predict change in thermal properties and their correlation with mechanical properties and correlate such changes to changes in microstructural and chemical features. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Creation of a Geant4 Muon Tomography Package for Imaging of Nuclear Fuel in Dry Cask Storage | Purdue University | $440,000 | Reasearchers will develop a simulation and analysis package to aid in the non-destructive assessment of sealed used nuclear fuel dry casks using cosmic ray muons. Cosmic ray muon tomography allows for non-destructive assessment that can independently verify and identify weapons grade material sealed within dense dry casks. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Two-stage Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Options for Optimum Resource Utilization and Waste Management | Purdue University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will evaluate the two different two-stage fast reactor fuel cycle options that will offer efficient use of uranium resources and the ability to burn actinides and long-live fission products. Evaluation of these fast fuel cycle options will serve as a useful complement to the options currently being considered in the Fuel Cycle Options Campaign. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Mixed Metal Phosphonate-Phosphate Resins for Separation of Lanthanides from Actinides | Texas A&M University | $650,000 | Reasearchers will use ion exchangers to cleanly separate lanthanides and curium from reusable actinides. The study will assist in the development of an inexpensive, simple way in which to separate lanthanides from actinides found in used nuclear fuel rods and to recover a large portion of the usable fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Safeguards in Pyroprocessing: an Integrated Model Development and Measurement Data Analysis | The Ohio State University | $626,151 | Reasearchers will develop a comprehensive and effective safeguards approach for a pyroprocessing facility to support safeguards for future fuel cycles in the United States. The new approach and design will focus directly on the special nuclear materials in the electrorefiner where actinides are separated from fission products through electrochemical process. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Using Ionic Liquids for the Development of Renewable Biopolymer-Based Adsorbents for the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater and Testing Under Marine Conditions | University of Alabama | $400,000 | Reasearchers will explore the fundamental engineering parameters for a renewable high-performance adsorbent for the extraction of uranium from sweater based on a recently proven ionic liquid (IL)-chitin platform. The project will use the platform to develop a versatile, modifiable adsorbent and characterize its performance and degradation in marine conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Developing Ultra-Small Scale Mechanical Testing Methods and Microstructural Investigation Procedures for Irradiated Materials. | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop new small-scale mechanical testing techniques to allow for the estimation or direct measurement of bulk properties. The combined experiments and modeling will significantly enhance the statistics and information that can be obtained on small radioactive archived samples, as well as new ion beam irradiated specimens. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improved Delayed-Neutron Spectroscopy Using Trapped Ions | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop innovative spectroscopy techniques to measure the decay of fission fragments. The resulting data from these new techniques will be used to better understand reactor kinetics under accident conditions and failure scenarios. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Thermally and Chemically Responsive Nanoporous Materials for Efficient Capture of Fission Product Gases | University of California, Davis | $750,000 | Reasearchers will create new nanoporous materials that will be highly effective at capturing fission product gases. These materials would be relevant to both reactor fuels applications and reprocessing operations. Tests will be performed in carbon based and nitride based nanostructures, with the most promising materials from the modeling perspective undergoing further testing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Multiphase Nanocrystalline Ceramic Concept for Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $800,000 | Researchers will study the use of nanoparticles and nanostructured ceramics to create new materials that can extend the service life and increase efficiency for nuclear fuel. Multiphase nanocrystalline ceramics will be used to design simulated nuclear fuel that can provide added plasticity, better radiation tolerance and improved thermal conductivity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Novel Porous Sorbents for Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Chicago | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a highly porous sorbent for the extraction of uranium from seawater. Previous research has established sorbent performance. This project will use past foundational studies to design and investigate a new nanocomposites that will be processed into tacks or braids for field tests in seawater tests. The technology may also be used for other metals. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Microwave Readout Techniques for Very Large Arrays of Nuclear Sensors | University of Colorado, Boulder | $799,937 | Reasearchers will develop a powerful readout technique based on microwave transmission and reflection. The technique will enable very large arrays of diverse sensor types for nuclear materials quantification and tracking. It will provide more accurate data on material composition and quantity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
BiI3 Gamma-Ray Spectrometers for Reliable Room-Temperature Nuclear Materials Safeguarding | University of Florida | $799,999 | Reasearchers will develop gamma-ray spectrometers based on BiI3 single crystals for MPACT applications such as burnup validation quantification, improved assay of plutonium, determination of uranium enrichment and overall monitoring spent fuel within the fuel cycle. The project will improve energy resolution, efficiency and environmental performance with this new gamma-ray detector. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Coating of Nanostructured Vanadium Carbide on the F/M Cladding Tube Inner Surface for Mitigating the Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions | University of Florida | $760,276 | Researchers will develop barrier coatings on the inner surface of fuel cladding tubes to improve performance of materials at elevated temperatures and high neutron exposures in fast reactors. The project will develop and test a low temperature coating process of nanostructured vanadium carbide that will provide a benchmark for use in future studies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Doubling the Life of Concrete Structures | University of Idaho | $800,000 | Reasearchers will use nanoscale techniques to develop methods for doubling the service life of concrete structures. They will study the effect of temperature load and temperature cycling (freezing and thawing) on the durability of concrete with nanoscale viscosity modifiers. The project will benefit from non-destructive evaluation of concrete performance through electrochemical techniques. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Off-Gas Treatment: Evaluation of Nano-structured Sorbents for Selective Removal of Contaminants | University of Idaho | $785,910 | Reasearchers will evaluate nanostructured sorbent materials for their effectiveness in removing and immobilizing radionuclides for the off-gas treatment from used nuclear fuel recycling operations. The project aims at achieving near-zero emissions of radionuclides by capturing them from the off-gas of recycling operations, allowing for the development of advanced fuel cycles. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Innovative Elution Processes for Recovering Uranium and Transition Metals from Amidoxime-Based Sorbents | University of Idaho | $399,864 | Reasearchers will develop a new two-step elution process to achieve total recovery of uranium and effective recycling of the sorbent. The extraction process would selectively remove uranium from the sorbent with little or no damage. The process would then remove transition metals and regenerate the sorbent for repeated use, making uranium extraction from seawater economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Performance of a Steel/Oxide Composite Waste Form for Combined Waste Streams from Advanced Electrochemical Processes over Geologic Time Scales | University of Illinois at Chicago | $700,000 | Reasearchers will develop and validate a mechanistically-based corrosion model for cermet-type waste forms, creating a testing protocol and modeling approach for predicting long-term performance. The study will apply novel electrochemical testing and modeling methods to the behavior of metal/oxide phase boundaries to evaluate waste form performance. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhancement of the Extraction of Uranium from Seawater | University of Maryland, College Park | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop and optimize novel adsorbents for uranium recovery from seawater. The team will use radiation-induced grafting of organic phosphates onto polymers. The experiments will use ocean water, with mechanistic analysis, to provide a solid basis for large-scale demonstration of the performance of the new adsorbents in ocean environments. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Improving the Understanding of the Coupled Thermal-Mechanical-Hydrologic Behavior of Consolidating Granular Salt | University of New Mexico | $800,000 | Reasearchers will increase the understanding of granular salt seal materials for shafts, drifts and boreholes. By coupling thermal, mechanical and hydrological responses, the study will result in greater confidence in granular salt consolidation as a principal strategy for closure and isolation of long-term waste repositories. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Fission Fragment Yield Data in Support of Advanced Reactor Technology | University of New Mexico | $399,816 | Reasearchers will produce a highly accurate data set for thermal fission. These precision data are necessary for high-accuracy simulations of nuclear criticality, transmutation rates, radiation effects and heating as well as for nuclear fuel, material accounting and identification needs. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Molecular dynamics-based simulations of bulk/interfacial structures and diffusion behaviors in nuclear waste glasses | University of North Texas | $700,000 | Reasearchers will generate accurate atomic structural models for use in Monte Carlo simulations of the dissolution of nuclear waste glasses. Large-scale molecular dynamics-based computer simulations will be used to investigate self-diffusion behaviors, interfacial structure, and other structures formed during dissolution of these glasses. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
U3Si2 Fabrication and Testing for Implementation into the BISON Fuel Performance Code | University of South Carolina | $800,000 | Reasearchers will fabricate, test and model a high uranium density, advanced nuclear fuel that operates at a much lower temperature and stores less energy. The work will deliver key research data on creep and grain growth, improving economics, through possible power uprates, and advancing accident tolerant fuels research. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of South Carolina | $738,618 | Reasearchers will develop a nuclear structural health monitoring system based on a sensing technology that monitors material degradation and aging for dry cask storage systems. The low-cost, low-profile sensors will perform on-demand monitoring of the structural integrity of individual components as well as the entire system. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
ORIGEN-based Nuclear Fuel Depletion Module for Fuel Cycle Assessment | University of Tennessee at Knoxville | $755,181 | Reasearchers will develop a flexible reactor analysis module for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator based on established tools for reactor fuel depletion and decay. They will use ORIGEN, a mature and experimentally validated code, affording greater flexibility and allowing for accurate evaluations of impacts of both present and future fuel cycle options. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Cost and System Analysis of Innovative Fuel Resources Concepts | University of Texas at Austin | $295,960 | _This project will develop and test braided polymer fiber adsorbents that surpass the sorption capacity, selectivity and durability of the best existing technology to recover uranium from seawater. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Risk Assessment of Structural Integrity of Transportation Casks | University of Utah | $789,296 | Reasearchers will assess the loss of structural integrity of transportation casks and fuel cladding after extended storage. This risk assessment will conduct experimental tests and simulations to evaluate the structural performance of fuel, fuel assemblies and cask components when subjected to vibration and impact loads during transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Market-Based and System-Wide Fuel Cycle Optimization | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $612,731 | Reasearchers will create market and economic optimizers to improve calculations for the CYCLUS fuel cycle simulator. The team will leverage existing optimization software frameworks within the simulator to resolve top level policy questions. The optimizations will allow CYCLUS to move beyond static material compositions, providing a holistic view of the fuel cycle system. | FCR&D | FY2013 | |
Optical Fiber Based System for Multiple Thermophysical Properties for Glove Box, Hot Cell and In-Pile Applications | Utah State University | $799,975 | Reasearchers will use a small pressure vessel to develop a robust technique for the measurement of multiple thermophysical properties at very high temperatures. The technique will lead to a system design moving toward the eventual measurement of irradiated fuels in a glovebox and/or hot cell with all sensors and electronics outside of the glovebox and/or hot cell. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of a Nano-Modified Concrete for Next Generation of Storage Systems | Vanderbilt University | $796,268 | Reasearchers will use nano-sized and nano-structured particles based on enhanced reactivity to develop a superior concrete for the long-term storage of used nuclear fuel. The project will use state-of-the-art experimental chemical and mechanical characterizations and computation analysis to assess the performance of nano-modified concretes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Development of Fuel Cycle Data Packages for Thorium Fuel Cycle Options | Vanderbilt University | $797,995 | Reasearchers will develop six fuel cycle data packages for multi-stage, thermal fuel cycles which incorporate thorium. These new fuel cycle data packages will provide the opportunity to examine fuel cycle options beyond those which have traditionally been considered. A thorium fuel cycle database will also be assembled as a basis for thorium literature for future evaluations of the thorium fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Enhanced Shielding Performance of HLW Storage Packages via Multi-Component Coatings | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $796,947 | Reasearchers will develop a multi-layer composite that will enhance long-term storage and facilitate safe transport of storage packages. This novel multi-layer, multi-component coating would create an outer shield material that is resistant to the corrosion, radiation, diffusion and thermal cycling processes that affect fuel packages during long term storage. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Managing Zirconium Chemistry and Phase Compatibility in Combined Process Separations for Minor Actinide Partitioning | Washington State University | $700,000 | Reasearchers will address unique challenges for combining TRUEX and TALSPEAK processes for partitioning of lanthanides and minor actinides. The project will develop improved information on the thermodynamics of fission product zirconium and develop a framework for an organic phase solvation model. Combined process development could streamline separations processes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
Advances in the Recovery of Uranium from Seawater: Studies Under Real Ocean Conditions | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution | $398,882 | Reasearchers will provide infrastructure and expertise for marine testing of currently available adsorbents in real ocean conditions. The team will move adsorbent research from the lab to field testing in order to quantify sorptive properties and uranium uptake. The project will provide valuable field data that will show the potential of large scale applications of these technologies. | Document | FCR&D | FY2013 |
NEUP Project 20-19172: Irradiation of Sensors and Adhesive Couplants for Application in LWR Primary Loop Piping and Components | $497,881 | Reasearchers paln to attach ultrasonic transducers to substrates using various adhesive couplants that will be irradiated at elevated temperature to simulate LWR primary loop conditions at the PULSTAR reactor at North Carolina State University. Ultrasonic data will be taken in-situ. Subsequently, the sensors and couplant interfaces will be characterized using the LAMDA facility at ORNL. The results will be used to benefit a parallel EPRI project on online monitoring of cracks in LWR primary loop piping._ | Document | R&D NSUF | FY2013 | |
NEUP Project 20-19404: Extension of MSTDB to Provide a High-Quality, Validated Thermochemical Database for Predicting/Simulating Corrosion in Molten Salt Reactor SystemsUniversity of South Carolina | $600,000 | Reasearchers will generate a validated, consistent database of initial fuel compositions and potential corrossion products of fluoride and chloride salts, allowing for important phenomena predictions in molten salt reactors to guide confident decisions. The database will be integral to the currently being developed Molten Salt Thermochemical Database (MSTDB), structured to allow use by commercial and open source codes._ | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 | |
Lower Length Scale Characterization and Validation of Formation and Stability of Helium Bubbles in Nano-structured Ferritic Alloys under Irradiation | Clemson University | $399,870 | Reasearchers will provide a fundamental knowledge about the formation and stability of ultra-fine helium bubbles within 14YWT after neutron/ion irradiation for further design of new advanced structural materials with a characteristic high density nanoparticles feature which can increase the mechanical strength, hardness, irradiation resistance and the operational temperature range of materials. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Three-Dimensional Fuel Pin Model Validation by Prediction of Hydrogen Distribution in Cladding and Comparison with Experiment | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will validate important three-dimensional aspects of the fuel pin modeling by using specialized numerical modeling techniques coupled with laboratory experiments to validate existing models for predicting fuel performance in light water reactors. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Collocation-Based Surrogate Models for Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of Coupled, Multiphysics Fuel Performance Simulation Tools | University of Michigan | $596,835 | Reasearchers will provide the necessary high fidelity, coupled, multiphysics fuel performance simulator for computational modeling and develop surrogates which will accelerate and focus the validation of the coupled codes. This will be achieved by utilizing the high fidelity coupled fuel performance, thermal-hydraulics and neutronics codes BISON/STAR-CCM+/MPACT and an innovative collocation-based surrogate methodology. | Document | NEAMS | FY2013 |
Multi-Resolution In-Situ Testing and Mutliscale Simulation for Creep Damage Fatigue Damage Analysis of Alloy 617 | Arizona State University | $800,000 | This project will develop novel testing and experimentally validated prediction methodologies for micro-structural damage mechanisms of structural materials for advanced reactor systems. The investigations will focus on the characterization and testing of specific metal alloys, but the proposed testing and life-prediction methodologies are applicable to other structural materials as well. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Novel High Temperature and Radiation Resistant Infrared Glasses and Optical Fibers for Sensing in Advanced Small Modular Reactors | Clemson University | $800,000 | Clemson University, in partnership with the Iowa State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, will develop novel optical materials with improved heat and radiation exposure resistance in order to enable in-vessel fiber optic sensing for advanced Small Modular Reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Validation Data Acquisition in HTTF during PCC Events | George Washington University | $800,000 | Reasearchers at the George Washington University and Oregon State University will collaborate with NASA Langley Research Center to measure flow velocities in a high temperature test facility. This work supports the development of very-high temperature reactors with passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced High Temperature Inspection Capabilities for Small Modular Reactors | Iowa State University | $790,822 | The objective of this project is to develop non-destructive evaluation techniques for advanced small modular reactors. The research will provide key enabling inspection technologies needed to support the design and the reactor component performance validation process for advanced small modular reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Experimental and Computational Investigations of Plenum-to-Plenum Heat Transfer under Natural Circulation in a Prismatic Very High Temperature Reactor | Missouri University of Science and Technology | $799,999 | Reasearchers will perform experimental and computational investigations to study heat transfer and natural circulation phenomena in very-high temperature reactors. The study will assist in the ability to predict and analyze passive safety systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
New Mechanistic Models of Creep-Fatigue Crack Growth Interactions for Advanced High Temperature Reactor Components | Oregon State University | $790,790 | Reasearchers will create and validate a robust, multi-scale, numerical model to predict material degradation in nickel-based reactor alloys. If successful, this project will provide better numerical tools for reactor designers and greatly improve their capability to design against material failures for reactor alloys in the long term. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Self-Powered Wireless Dual-mode Langasite Sensor for Pressure/Temperature Monitoring of Nuclear Reactors | State University of New York, Stony Brook | $800,000 | This research will develop a novel self-powered wireless hybrid sensor that can accurately monitor both pressure and temperature using a single device without requiring external electricity, even in extreme harsh environments. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Testing for Advanced Nuclear Reactors and Advanced Power Cycles | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | The goal of this project is to investigate optimal heat exchanger designs for advanced reactors. The research will study the optimization of printed circuit heat exchangers for specific fluids under a variety of conditions as well as perform numerical modeling. Experiments will focus on thermal performance and heat stress during extreme conditions. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Fundamental Understanding of Creep-Fatigue Interactions in 9Cr-1MoV Steel Welds | The Ohio State University | $798,000 | This project will advance the state of knowledge and fundamental understanding of deforming materials and welds under loading conditions. Specifically, new integrated testing procedures will be evaluated and applied for conditions that are most detrimental to material stability leading to improved predictions of life expectancy for reactor steels and welds. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced Mechanistic 3D Spatial Modeling and Analysis Methods to Accurately Represent Nuclear Facility External Event Scenarios | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Reasearchers will develop three-dimensional characterization uncertainty analysis for commercial power plants. The project will involve combining experts from the fields of seismic structural modeling and advanced methods of risk assessment. This effort is expected to result in next generation tools that can be used for assessment of seismic risks. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Tritium Mitigation/Control for Advanced Reactor Systems | The Ohio State University | $400,000 | Reasearchers will develop a fluoride salt cooled high-temperature reactor featuring a specialized system to control tritium production. If successful, this will result in a significant reduction in size and cost in comparison to other reactor designs. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A Pebble-Bed Breed and Burn Reactor | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Reasearchers will assess the feasibility of designing a type of metal cooled reactor able to establish and maintain operation when fueled with depleted uranium. If successful, this reactor will offer at least a 30-fold increase in the uranium ore utilization versus that achieved in contemporary light water reactors without the need for fuel reprocessing and recycling. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Investigation of Thermal Aging Effects on the Evolution of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Cast Duplex Stainless Steels | University of Maryland, College Park | $799,966 | This research will provide a better understanding of the microstructural evolution and simultaneous change in mechanical response during aging. The results of the research will provide data that can be used to estimate degraded mechanical properties for an 80-year service life of light water reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Model validation using CFD-grade experimental database for NGNP Reactor Cavity Cooling Systems with water and air | University of Michigan | $799,348 | Reasearchers will use advanced innovative instrumentation to build a high-resolution experimental database and to use the novel experimental data to assess and further develop the predictive capabilities of computer codes for thermal hydraulics and computational fluid dynamics. The improved models developed by this project will also have the direct benefit of improving the predictive capability of the passive systems of third generation light water reactors and small modular reactor systems. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Long-Term Prediction of Emissivity of Structural Material for High Temperature Reactor Systems | University of Missouri | $799,117 | Reasearchers will study specific types of emissivity driven cooling from a variety of materials that are relevant to nuclear reactors. The research will provide a basis for numerical modeling to support reactor development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Advanced I&C for Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Small Modular Reactors | University of Pittsburgh | $800,000 | The purpose of this research is to develop advanced instrumentation and control techniques for supervisory control of advanced small modular reactors. This research supports the operational goals of small modular reactor concepts through the development of improved oversight and surveillance techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Corrosion of Structural Materials for Advanced Supercritical Carbon-Dioxide Brayton Cycle | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,672 | Reasearchers will study a variety of materials for corrosion resistance under conditions that improve power conversion. In addition to studying the corrosion resistance of the materials, researchers will study the effect of additives to mitigate corrosion. Development of corrosion theories and modeling aimed at prediction of long-term corrosion will be the underlying theme throughout the project. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
Component and Technology Development for Advanced Liquid Metal Reactors | University of Wisconsin-Madison | $798,920 | In support of liquid metal cooled reactors, the University of Wisconsin, Madison will evaluate advanced alloys and ceramics that come in contact with liquid metals. Additionally, a robust oxygen sensor and for use in liquid metals will be developed in order to better evaluate corrosion profiles in support of diagnostic testing. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2013 |
A New Paradigm for Understanding Multi-phase Ceramic Waste Form Performance | Clemson University | $800,000 | Researchers will use advanced characterization tools to develop 3-D microstructural data that can be incorporated into computer-based simulations in order to predict the performance of waste forms. Materials system modeling will incorporate elemental release and the interconnected microstructural network of phases to better understand performance and degradation, which will accelerate waste form acceptance in repository settings. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Controlling Hexavalent Americium: A Centerpiece to a Compact Nuclear Fuel Cycle | Colorado School of Mines | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and exploit the fundamental chemistry of Americium to enable an industrially viable means to co-recover the major and minor actinide elements from used nuclear fuel. The results would be a significant step forward in the development of aqueous separations approaches designed to recover the U-Am actinides based on the availability of the hexavalent oxidation state. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Zeolite Membranes for Krypton/Xenon Separation from Spent Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing Off-Gas | Georgia Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a high-performance, lower-cost zeolitic membrane process for Kr/Xe separations during spent nuclear fuel processing. Current separation methods are not considered economical and a membrane process would have relatively lower cost, equipment size, and ambient operating temperature. The process would form a sound basis for further development of this transformative separation technology for the nuclear fuel cycle. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Optimizing Polymer-Grafted Amidoxime-based Adsorbents for Uranium Uptake from Seawater | Georgia Institute of Technology | $399,999 | Researchers will work to increase the adsorbent capacity and selectivity toward uranium by optimizing the adsorbent morphology, synthesis variables, and conditioning parameters and by investigating the rate-limiting variables through transport and reaction modeling. A novel adsorption/partition concept that has the potential to substantially increase the adsorbent capacity will be tested, making uranium from seawater extraction more economically viable. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Extraction of Uranium from Seawater: Design and Testing of a Symbiotic System | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a seawater uranium extraction system that will work symbiotically with an offshore windmill by utilizing the structure, mooring and power of the windmill, while increasing the energy harvested by the installation. Uranium will be extracted by an adsorbent polymer belt, which will be cycled through the seawater and an elution plant located at the base of the windmill tower. Increasing the frequency of harvesting could overcome current economic barriers to seawater uranium extraction. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Imaging a Dry Storage Cask with Cosmic Ray Muons | Oregon State University | $799,871 | Researchers will develop an imaging system to monitor the content of a dry storage cask with cosmic ray muons. A very large amount of plutonium under nuclear safeguards is contained in used fuel assemblies stored in dry storage casks. Muon imaging will allow a cost effective and reliable way to evaluate dry storage cask content and integrity before transport. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Apatite and sodalite based glass-bonded waste forms for immobilization of 129I and mixed halide radioactive wastes | Rutgers University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop advanced and chemically durable waste forms for immobilizing 129I (aqueous based reprocessing of fuel) and mixed-halide wastes (molten-salt processing of fuel) by low temperature synthesis. Halide-containing sodalite and calcium phosphate-based apatite minerals will be synthesized, consolidated and tested for chemical durability. The project will provide needed baseline data for the development of advanced waste forms for immobilization of iodine and mixed-halide wastes. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Sorption Modeling and Verification for Off-Gas Treatment | Syracuse University | $350,000 | Researchers will develop modeling tools supported by experiments for off-gas capture from future nuclear-fuel recycling facilities. Target species include tritium, iodine, krypton, and xenon. The models are intended to provide path forward recommendations to develop off-gas treatment adsorption processes. The project will contribute to the evaluation of options for environmentally acceptable recycle systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of high performance ODS alloys | Texas A&M University | $800,000 | Researchers will study swelling, radiation hardening and changes in mechanical properties of ODS alloys to develop two sets of advanced ODS alloys. Two sets of first-round candidate alloys that have already undergone extensive development and testing will evaluate irradiation performance. The study will meet the need for high strength, radiation-tolerant cladding and core components that have enhanced resistance to void swelling. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Rare Earth Electrochemical Property Measurements and Phase Diagram Development in a Complex Molten Salt Mixture for Molten Salt Recycle | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will investigate rare earth (RE) properties in complex molten salt mixtures. In a molten salt recycle approach, the RE drawdown by electrolysis is a key step in which REs are separated from salt containing other fission products. Investigation of RE electrolysis must consider the electrochemical properties of the REs. We propose to conduct studies of detailed experiments and corresponding models to provide the physical properties and phase diagrams required to predict the performance of RE drawdown for processing complex molten salts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Studies of Lanthanide Transport in Metallic Nuclear Fuels | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the redistribution of lanthanides and migration of lanthanides to the fuel surface. The mechanisms of lanthanide transport in metallic fuel based on the novel discovery of a Ôliquid-likeÕ transport mechanism will be studied analytically and experimentally. The project will develop a fundamental understanding of lanthanide fission product migration and redistribution in advanced metallic nuclear fuels, and theory and data to mitigate fuel-cladding chemical interactions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Computational and Experimental Studies of Microstructure-Scale Porosity in Metallic Fuels for Improved Gas Swelling Behavior | University of Arkansas | $796,823 | Researchers will study the microstructure of metallic uranium alloy fuels, and their resistance to densification, to minimize in-pile irradiation swelling through bimodal pore size distribution. The project will develop a predictive approach to design metallic fuel microstructures for optimal swelling resistance and fission gas retention. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Improved Hybrid Modeling of Spent Fuel Storage Facilities | University of California, Berkeley | $645,393 | Researchers will develop a variance reduction method for computational transport that will improve the ability to design and operate monitoring systems for interim used fuel installations through enhanced modeling and simulation. This new tool will demonstrate that modeling calculations can be done more accurately in less time than with current tools and will perform studies characterizing how changes in material, cask configurations, and number of casks could impact monitoring systems. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Selective ligands for uranyl via combinatorial peptoid libraries: A synthetic, structural, thermodynamic and computational study | University of California, Berkeley | $400,000 | Researchers will study how donor ligands bind to the uranyl ion, UO22+, with the longer-term goal of using this information to tackle selective recognition of uranyl in aqueous solution. The study will impact underlying approaches to controlling the behavior of uranium in these systems. The actinide separation technology could be used in several areas including uranium extraction from seawater, nuclear waste remediation and nuclear materials. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Combining Experiments and Simulations of Extraction Kinetics and Thermodynamics in Advanced Separation Processes for Used Nuclear Fuel | University of California, Irvine | $799,938 | Researchers will study how the kinetics and thermodynamics of metal ion extraction in advanced separation processes for used nuclear fuel can be described by molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and how the simulations can be validated by experimental data. The project would have broad impacts on several separations processes including advanced TALSPEAK, ALSEP and GANEX by increasing the confidence and accuracy of computer modeling of metal ion extraction._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Effect of Metallic Li on the Behavior of Metals in Molten Salts | University of Nevada, Reno | $458,250 | Researchers will identify the effect of metallic lithium on materials that are used in molten salt recycling. The study will try to understand how the presence of Li(0) in molten salts affects the degradation of alloys. Studying these changes will help accurately predict container material behavior and longevity. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Assessment of Corrosion Resistance of Promising Accident Tolerant Fuel Cladding under Reactor Conditions | University of Notre Dame | $800,000 | Researchers will assess the corrosion behavior of accident tolerant fuel candidate iron-based alloys under normal LWR operating conditions consisting of high temperature, relevant water chemistry and irradiation. The assessment will produce data about possible irradiation-accelerated corrosion rates of iron-based alloys, and the mechanisms by which such corrosion rates are accelerated. The project will advance the selection of appropriate replacements for Zircaloy cladding. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Functionalized Porous Organic Polymers as Uranium Nano-Traps for Efficient Recovery of Uranium from Seawaterr | University of South Florida | $399,000 | Researchers will develop functionalized porous organic polymers, or Ônano-trapsÕ for extraction of uranium from seawater. This technique allows for increased surface area and custom-designed pore size and chemistry to fit specific parameters. The adsorbent materials have high efficiency and effectiveness for uranium recovery from seawater, providing a potential supply for nuclear fuel. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Enhanced Accident-Tolerant Fuel Performance and Reliability for Aggressive iPWR/SMR Operation | University of Tennessee | $799,967 | To develop a process that evaluates operational and safety performance of reactor-and-fuel combinations by integrating whole-core 3D neutronics with MOOSE/BISON fuel performance assessments via explicit time and space dependent fuel rod operational power histories. The project will be valuable in analyzing and evaluating accident tolerant fuel concepts and furthering the understanding of reactor physics and fuel performance aspects of key accident tolerant fuel concepts. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Nuclear Technology R&D Strategies in an Era of Energy Price Uncertainty | University of Texas, Austin | $799,112 | Researchers will identify nuclear technology options that are competitive over a wide range of plausible future business environments. No single nuclear technology or business practice will be the best choice across all or even most future conditions. The study will focus on hybrid nuclear-fossil technologies, energy storage and conversion, which will result in an identification of nuclear strategies that can succeed under future market conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development and Optimization of Voltammetric Methods for Real Time Analysis of Electrorefiner Salt with High Concentrations of Actinides and Fission Products | University of Utah | $621,612 | Researchers will develop an advanced voltammetry method to pursue the objective of real time monitoring of actinide concentrations in electrorefiner salt. This will include experimental measurement of key parameters such as activity coefficients and exchange current density. It will also involve simulation of voltammetry processes based on first principles. The project will allow for real time measurements that could support the commercialization of pyroprocessing. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Development of Self-Healing Zirconium-Silicide Coatings for Improved Performance of Zirconium-Alloy Fuel Cladding | University of Wisconsin, Madison | $798,621 | Researchers will study the deposition of self-healing zirconium-silicide coatings on zirconium-alloy fuel cladding material to improve corrosion resistance under normal and accident conditions. Under these conditions, Zr-Si coating evolves into a highly protective functionally-graded multilayered system. The study will lead to improved performance of zirconium-alloy fuels._ | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Thermal Conductivity in Metallic Fuels | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,837 | Researchers will calculate the thermal conductivity of metallic uranium and neptunium alloys, including the effects of noble gasses, using density functional theory. The experiments will validate the calculated effective thermal conductivity using the MARMOT code and by helping determine DFT simulation parameters. The study works to improve fuel lifetime by understanding its thermal behavior. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
SiC-ODS Alloy Gradient Nanocomposites as Novel Cladding Materials | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $799,998 | Researchers will combine nuclear nanomaterial design, processing, testing, and characterization efforts to develop revolutionary materials that can withstand neutron irradiation for long period of time using nanostructured SiC and oxide dispersion strengthened steel. The ultimate objective is to offer new cladding materials with increased corrosion resistance, strength, and creep resistance in both steady state and accident conditions. | Document | FCR&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Breeder Reactor II Benchmark Evaluation | Idaho State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop a benchmark evaluation of the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II). During nearly 30 years of operation numerous experiments were conducted at EBR-II. The most significant of these experiments were conducted in 1986 demonstrating inherent safety features in loss of flow without reactor scram and loss of heat sink without reactor scram. Benchmark evaluation will be valuable for the reactor design efforts in the United States and South Korea. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Integral full core multi-physics PWR benchmark with measured data | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $400,000 | Researchers will introduce BEAVRS, a new multi-cycle full-core Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) depletion benchmark based on two operational cycles of a commercial nuclear power plant. This project aims at addressing the uncertainty quantification of the measured data and on making this benchmark a true non-proprietary international benchmark for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics computational tools. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
Benchmark Evaluation of PROTEUS Gas-Cooled Reactor Experiments | University of Florida | $400,000 | Researchers will create International Reactor Physics Experiment Evaluation Project (IRPhEP) benchmarks using data from 1970s experiments of the neutronics of gas-cooled fast reactor (GCFR) designs investigated in the PROTEUS reactor. The GCFR-PROTEUS experiments fill a gap in current integral benchmark data. These experiments can provide validation of computational models and nuclear data for next generation reactors. | Document | MSNE | FY2014 |
An Investigation To Establish Multiphysical Property Dataset Of Nuclear Materials Based On In-Situ Observations And Measurements | Purdue University | $800,000 | Researchers will create an in-situ measurement based experimental approach to develop experimental validation dataset for NEAMS based code validation. Particular emphasis is on supplying data set for multiphysics simulations in extreme conditions as a function of material microstructure. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Experimental Validation of UO2 Microstructural Evolutions for NEAMS tool MARMOT | University of Florida | $798,000 | Researchers will experimentally validate MARMOT for predicting the microstructural evolutions of UO2 oxide fuel under the driving forces of high temperatures and large temperature gradient in reactors. By performing the experiments and simulations simultaneously using precisely defined initial conditions, the experiment data will provide direct benchmarking of the MARMOT code. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
High-resolution time-resolved experiments on mixing and entrainment of buoyant jets in stratified environments | University of Michigan | $799,983 | Researchers will study high spatial and time-resolution experimental data of the fluid dynamics phenomena of flow jets interacting with a stratified layer. The issue plays an important role in the safety of several reactor designs, including sodium-cooled reactors. The data addresses the NEAMS needs for the validation of high fidelity computational fluid dynamics methodologies. | Document | NEAMS | FY2014 |
Fundamental study of key issues related to advanced S-CO2 Brayton Cycle: prototypic HX development and Cavitation | Georgia Institute of Technology | $799,000 | Researchers will study scientific and operational issues pertinent to compact heat exchanger systems and turbo-machinery. The project will work to resolve issues with the fabrication of diffusion bonded compact heat exchangers, alternate heat exchange technology for recuperators, and resolution of issues with cavitation and fluid instabilities. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Advanced Models for Nondestructive Evaluation of Aging Nuclear Power Plant Cables | Iowa State University | $787,291 | Researchers will develop advanced models that relate environmentally induced microstructural and chemical changes in cable insulation polymers to their macroscopic electrical parameters. These parameters will be measured and modeled over a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, covering several potential nondestructive evaluation techniques, enabling identification of the most sensitive techniques for future development. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Development of Novel Functionally Graded Transition Joints for Improving the Creep Strength of Dissimilar Metal Welds in Nuclear Applications | Lehigh University | $800,000 | Researchers will develop graded transition joints and improved creep life models for increasing the life of dissimilar metal welds (DMWs) in nuclear reactors. The research represents the first application of functionally graded material concepts for solving the problem of DMW failures through an integrated approach of additive manufacturing, modeling, microstructural characterization, and advanced strain-sensing techniques. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Feasibility Assessment of a Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) | North Carolina State University | $400,000 | Researchers will develop an innovative compact reactor concept that integrates power production, power conversion and electricity generation in a single unit: the Micro Modular Reactor (MMR). It is designed to be absolutely melt-down proof (MDP) under all circumstances including complete loss of coolant scenarios with no possible release of radioactive material, to have a cycle length of greater than 10 years, and to be highly proliferation resistant. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Scaling Studies for Advanced Gas Reactor Concepts | Oregon State University | $681,834 | Researchers will expand the utilization of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) to validate a broader range of advanced high temperature reactors and events. The facility will be revised to add a detailed scaling analysis of additional gas reactor concepts including advanced gas-cooled, molten salt, and sodium cooled reactors. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fluid Stratification Separate Effects Analysis, Testing and Benchmarking | Oregon State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study fluid stratification in high temperature gas reactors. Coolant stratification is the result of incomplete mixing of one or more fluids, leading to a density gradient, which may or may not dissipate under diffusive or convective effects. This combined analytical and experimental project seeks to investigate stratification driven by diffusive and convective mechanisms and is expected to yield insight into this phenomenon. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Probabilistic Economic Valuation of Safety Margin Management Analysis | Oregon State University | $795,364 | Researchers will use RAVEN and develop a companion software package to facilitate economic analysis of safety margins. The project is a proof of concept that will use techniques to examine the cost of improving safety margins vs. the risk of accidents from not improving safety margins. This analysis can be used to evaluate the economic viability of various plant upgrades. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Novel Dissimilar Joints Between Alloy 800H and 2.25%Cr and 1%Mo Steel | Pennsylvania State University | $800,000 | Researchers will fabricate and test dissimilar metal joints between a nickel base alloy and a steel with gradual variations of chemical composition, microstructure and properties in a manner that reduces abrupt thermal expansion mismatch and the resulting residual stresses. Data on structure and properties will serve as valuable inputs for the initiation of an ASME code case. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Multi-Phase Model Development to Assess RCIC System Capabilities under Severe Accident Conditions | Texas A&M University | $564,246 | Researchers will develop physics-based models of the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) System and incorporating them into a multi-phase code for validation. The project will tackle the current major challenges in RCIC System analysis and enable evaluation of two-phase thermodynamic aspects. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Experimental Investigation and CFD Analysis of Steam Ingress Accidents in HTGRs | The Ohio State University | $800,000 | Researchers will study the steam ingress scenario for HTGRs. The study will investigate thermal-hydraulic behavior and graphite oxidation of stream ingress phenomena to validate predictive CFD models. This work will resolve concerns about possible steam generator tube ruptures in a HTGR He-Steam Rankine cycle. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Coiled Tube Gas Heaters For Nuclear Gas-Brayton Power Conversion | University of California, Berkeley | $800,000 | Researchers will develop heat exchangers for Brayton-cycle power conversion in reactors using sodium, NaK, or salt as intermediate coolants. The proposed coiled tube gas heaters (CTGHs) are expected to have excellent power density, thermal shock/creep, in-service inspection, and reparability characteristics. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Fundamental Studies of Irradiation-Induced Modifications in Microstructural Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Advanced Alloys | University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign | $800,000 | Researchers will develop and test a mechanism for predicting neutron irradiation performance for optimized Grade 92 and Alloy 709 for applications in advanced reactor systems. The work will employ ion irradiations and available information from neutron irradiations of related alloys to develop a basis for predicting the neutron irradiation performance of the optimized alloys. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Integrated Computational and Experimental Study of Radiation Damage Effects in Grade 92 Steel and Alloy 709 | University of Tennessee | $800,000 | Researchers will develop a mechanistic understanding and predictive models of irradiation-induced microstructural evolution and resulting mechanical properties in optimized ferritic-martensitic Grade 92 steel and austenitic alloy 709 using multiscale simulations coupled with rigorous experimental validation. The project will provide insights into the correlation between ion irradiation and fast neutron damage. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
Meta-Level Design Guidance and Operator Performance Measures for Hybrid Control Rooms | Vanderbilt University | $799,869 | Researchers will apply human factors engineering methods and relevant expertise from non-nuclear high-risk high-consequence domains toward the measurement of operator performance in analog, digital, and hybrid main control rooms. Performance measures will be developed for evaluating the situation awareness and decision-making proficiencies to support the transition to digital or hybrid control room displays. | Document | RCRD&D | FY2014 |
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