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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Recent Developments and Findings of Heat Pipe Experiments for Microreactor Applications

Microreactor technologies are required to provide reliable carbon-free power generation in remote applications. The heat pipe–cooled microreactor concept, in particular, offers notable advantages due to the passive operation of heat pipes, enabling increased reliability and simplicity in a more compact form factor. There is a significant need for experimental work to aid and expedite the deployment of heat pipe microreactors due to their unique technological characteristics. Thus, there has been increased interest in heat pipe experiments by numerous institutions in order to support these efforts. Finally, the present work is a comprehensive review of recent heat pipe experiments from six major institutions, describing their designs, instruments, methods, and results. In addition, this paper also presents a background on heat pipe experiments along with discussions on instrumentation, accident scenarios, wick enhancement, and proposed future directions.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Heat Pipe Cooled Microreactors

Microreactor technologies are required to provide reliable carbon-free power generation in remote applications. The heat pipe cooled microreactor concept in particular offers notable advantages due to the passive operation of heat pipes enabling increased reliability and simplicity in a more compact form factor. There is a significant need for experimental work to aid and expedite the deployment of heat pipe microreactors due to their unique technological characteristics. Thus, there has been increased interest in heat pipe experiments by numerous institutions in order to support these efforts. The present work is a comprehensive review of heat pipe experiments, describing instrumentation, methods, phenomena of interest, and recent developments. In addition, legacy work on the operation of high-temperature heat pipes under irradiation is reviewed and discussed. Furthermore, the verification and validation efforts for the flagship heat pipe simulation code Sockeye are reviewed and requirements for future experiments are outlined. Lastly, future directions are proposed for heat pipe experimentation.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Nonlinear analog processing with anisotropic nonlinear films

Digital signal processing is the cornerstone of several modern-day technologies, yet in multiple applications it faces critical bottlenecks related to memory and speed constraints. Thanks to recent advances in metasurface design and fabrication, light-based analog computing has emerged as a viable option to partially replace or augment digital approaches. Several light-based analog computing functionalities have been demonstrated using patterned flat optical elements, with great opportunities for integration in compact nanophotonic systems. So far, however, the available operations have been restricted to the linear regime, limiting the impact of this technology to a compactification of Fourier optics systems. In this paper, we introduce nonlinear operations to the field of metasurface-based analog optical processing, demonstrating that nonlinear optical phenomena, combined with nonlocality in flat optics, can be leveraged to synthesize kernels beyond linear Fourier optics, paving the way to a broad range of new opportunities. As a practical demonstration, we report the experimental synthesis of a class of nonlinear operations that can be used to realize broadband, polarization-selective analog-domain edge detection.

analog image processing↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Detailed Vehicle Modeling & Simulation Study Quantifying Energy Consumption and Cost Reduction of Advanced Vehicle Technologies Through 2050

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) aim to develop sustainable, affordable, and efficient technologies for transportation of goods and people. Translating investments in advanced transportation component technologies and powertrains to estimate vehicle-level fuel savings potential is critical for understanding DOE’s impact. In this work, we simulated technologies funded by VTO and HFTO for light duty vehicles. The simulations were performed across: (1) Multiple powertrain configurations (conventional, power-split, extended-range electric vehicle, battery electric drive, and fuel-cell vehicles); (2) Vehicle classes (compact car, midsize car, small sport utility vehicle [SUV], midsize SUV, and pickup trucks); and (3) Fuels (gasoline, diesel, natural gas, hydrogen, and battery electricity). These various technologies are assessed for six different timeframes: laboratory years 2015 (reference), 2020, 2025, 2030, and 2045. A delay of five years is assumed between laboratory year and model year (the year the technology is introduced into production).

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2026

Hygrothermal aging effects on polyimide and acrylate-based adhesive materials in high-performance flat-flex cable assemblies

Flat-flex assemblies are widely used across a diverse range of technologies, including consumer electronics, automotive systems, aerospace and defense applications, and medical devices, due to their compact form factor and flexibility. However, environmental stressors like temperature and humidity are known to degrade performance over time, though the main mechanisms for degradation remain unknown. Here, in this work, we examined the aging behavior of copper/polyimide/adhesive laminate systems under varying temperature and humidity conditions, focusing on material degradation and its effects on mechanical and dielectric properties. Results show that peel strength and breakdown voltage decrease with exposure time, temperature, and humidity; spectroscopic characterization revealed that the adhesive, and not the polyimide, is the weak link in the material stack-up. The adhesive, identified as a butyl acrylate-acrylonitrile (BA-AN) copolymer, exhibited age-related spectral changes that correlated with exposure severity and duration. Hydrolysis at BA ester and AN nitrile groups was identified as the primary degradation mechanism, producing amides, acids, and alcohols. We developed a mechanistic model that connects kinetic parameters for BA-AN spectral band decay to peel strength and breakdown voltage, and implicates hydrolysis at the AN moiety, not BA, in performance decrements. Modeling predictions at ambient conditions indicate faster decline in peel strength than dielectric strength at early times, followed by plateauing of both properties at longer times. These findings provide critical insights into laminate aging mechanisms and highlight the importance of addressing BA-AN degradation to improve the long-term reliability of these systems in high-humidity environments.

organic↗
DOE OSTI2022

The ultrafast pixel array camera system and its applications in high energy density physics

Diagnostics in high energy density physics, shock physics, and related fields are primarily driven by a need to record rapidly time-evolving signals in single-shot events. These measurements are often limited by channel count and signal degradation issues on cable links between the detector and digitizer. Here we present the Ultrafast Pixel Array Camera (UPAC), a compact and flexible detector readout system with 32 waveform-recording channels at up to 10 Gsample/s and 1.8 GHz analog bandwidth. The compact footprint allows the UPAC to be directly embedded in the detector environment. A key enabling technology is the PSEC4A chip, an eight-channel switch-capacitor array sampling device with up to 1056 samples/channel. The UPAC system includes a high-density input connector that can plug directly into an application-specific detector board, programmable control, and serial readout, with less than 5 W of power consumption in full operation. We present the UPAC design and characterization, including a measured timing resolution of ~20 ps or better on acquisitions of sub-nanosecond pulses with minimal system calibrations. Example applications of the UPAC are also shown to demonstrate operation of a solid-state streak camera, an ultrafast imaging array, and a neutron time-of-flight spectrometer.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2020

First demonstration of a cryocooler conduction cooled superconducting radiofrequency cavity operating at practical cw accelerating gradients

Abstract We demonstrate practical accelerating gradients on a superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) accelerator cavity with cryocooler conduction cooling, a cooling technique that does not involve the complexities of the conventional liquid helium bath. A design is first presented that enables conduction cooling an elliptical-cell SRF cavity. Implementing this design, a single cell 650 MHz Nb 3 Sn cavity coupled using high purity aluminum thermal links to a 4 K pulse tube cryocooler generated accelerating gradients up to 6.6 MV m −1 at 100% duty cycle. The experiments were carried out with the cavity-cryocooler assembly in a simple vacuum vessel, completely free of circulating liquid cryogens. We anticipate that this cryocooling technique will make the SRF technology accessible to interested accelerator researchers who lack access to full-stack helium cryogenic systems. Furthermore, the technique can lead to SRF based compact sources of high average power electron beams for environmental protection and industrial applications. A concept of such an SRF compact accelerator is presented.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development of a high current density, high temperature superconducting cable for pulsed magnets

Abstract A low AC loss Rare Earth Barium Copper Oxide (REBCO) cable, based on the VIPER cable technology has been developed by Commonwealth Fusion Systems for use in high field, REBCO based tokamaks. The new cable is composed of partitioned and transposed copper ‘petals’ shaped to fit together in a circular pattern with each petal containing a REBCO tape stack and insulated from each other to reduce AC losses. A stainless steel jacket adds mechanical robustness—also serving as a vessel for solder impregnation—while a tube runs through the middle for cooling purposes. Additionally, fiber optic sensors are placed under the tape stacks for quench detection. To qualify this design, a series of experiments were conducted as part of the SPARC tokamak Central Solenoid Model Coil program—to retire the risks associated with full scale, fast ramping, high flux HTS Central Solenoid (CS) and Poloidal Field (PF) coils for tokamak fusion power plants and net energy demonstrators. These risk study and risk reduction experiments include (1) AC loss measurement and model validation in the range of ~5 T/s, (2) an IxB electromagnetic loading of over 850 kN/m at the cable level and up to 300 kN/m at the stack level, (3) a transverse compression resilience of over 350 MPa, (4) manufacturability at tokamak relevant speeds and scales, (5) cable to cable joint performance, (6) fiber optic based quench detection speed, accuracy, and feasibility, and (7) overall winding pack integration and magnet assembly. The result is a cable technology, now referred to as PIT VIPER, with AC losses that measure fifteen times lower (at ~5 T/s) than its predecessor technology; a 2% or lower degradation of critical current (Ic) at high IxB electromagnetic loads; no detectable Ic degradation up to 570 MPa of transverse compression on the cable unit cell; end to end magnet manufacturing, consistently producing Ic values within 7% of the model prediction; cable to cable joint resistances at 20 K on the order of ~15 nΩ; and fast, functional quench detection capabilities that do not involve voltage taps. This cable technology will be tested comprehensively in a Central Solenoid Model Coil to prove its readiness for compact, high field tokamak operation.

Sanabria, Charlie (ORCID:0000000150175309)↗
DOE OSTI2024

Multiple Beam Triode Driven RF Sources for Accelerator Applications Phase I Final Report

Calabazas Creek Research, Inc, (CCR), in collaboration with Microwave Power Products, Inc. (MPP), formerly Communications & Power Industries, LLC (CPI,) and JP Accelerator Works, Inc. (JPAW), embarked on a program to develop multiple beam triodes to produce RF power from 350 – 800 MHz with an average power exceeding 200 kW. The effort was motivated by the performance of a triode-based RF source which produces 25 kW of UHF power at 90% efficiency. The CCR effort focused on implementing this technology into a multiple beam device to increase the output power while retaining the low cost, compact size, and high efficiency. The program performed extensive simulations indicating that the goals could be achieved, and a prototype multiple beam triode was built, baked, and tested. Unfortunately, a grid to cathode short terminated the testing before the tube could generate RF power. Nevertheless, the effort demonstrated that a multiple beam triode could be designed, built, baked, and energized to high voltage. The multiple beam triode used oxide cathodes, which are only capable of pulsed operation. The multiple beam triode will be rebuilt using dispenser cathodes, which will allow high duty or continuous operation. The grids were also modified to be more robust to avoid previous issues. The MB triode will provide the beam power for RF generation. The RF is generated by surrounding the triode with input and output cavities to convert beam power to RF power. RF cavities to generate 200 kW CW at 350-450 MHz using the MB triode with dispenser cathodes was assembled during the program. The next Phase of this effort is to assemble the multiple beam triode using the subassemblies built in the Phase I program and test with the RF cavities. The Phase I program also initiated design of a higher frequency, higher power multiple beam triode. That design is forecast to produce approximately 500 kW CW from 350 - 500 MHz.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Employing MACS/ViBRANT as a Surrogate MARVEL Reactor for Startup Reactivity Tuning and Supervisory Control Processes

Advanced nuclear reactors are a key part of the future of nuclear energy both in the United States and globally. They offer unique benefits for various energy-demanding applications, including use in remote locations, compact size, modular manufacturing, remote monitoring, low and/or variable power rating operation, and reliance on novel technologies to enhance operational safety. To achieve economic feasibility, advanced reactors must significantly reduce their workforces in comparison with the current fleet. Achieving this reduction will occur through reducing staff workloads using technology to achieve autonomous or semi-autonomous operations, demonstrated by comprehensive testing and validation activities. These operations will require both software and hardware platforms during the design and testing phases. While simulations are useful during the design phase, their performance can significantly deviate during actual deployment on hardware. This report presents the outcomes of a collaborative technical initiative between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Microreactor Program (MRP) and Advanced Sensors and Instrumentation (ASI) Program. The collaboration utilized the Microreactor Automated Control System (MACS) hardware platform to bridge the gap between theoretical reactor design and actual startup and control operations. Two key use cases were investigated: facilitating the startup testing period and demonstrating supervisory control. The first use case details the key Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) reactor startup physics testing activities conducted using the MACS platform. These activities included drum worth measurements, shutdown margin assessment, temperature feedback analysis, and scram time evaluation, as well as unique testing that would apply to the MARVEL reactor to demonstrate the testing methodologies in a low-risk environment. The MACS platform, serving as a surrogate representation of the MARVEL reactor, proved instrumental in performing these tests. The exercise revealed aspects that led to optimized processes, refined hardware design, and enhanced base software capabilities. By maturing methods and technologies in this manner, the initiative promises to reduce wasted time in the actual on-site reactor deployment effort, thereby saving significant time and resources. The second use case focuses on the development and implementation of supervisory control methods aimed at managing core tilt, which can result from asymmetrical operations or manufacturing imperfections in fuel rods or reactivity control devices. A key objective was to assess and compare the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for supervisory control. The effort aimed to define the role of supervisory control to enhance performance without risking control instability. This effort explored three distinct approaches: rules-based (RB) methods, optimization techniques, and reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms. Each approach was evaluated for its ease of implementation, its usability, and its effectiveness in responding to asymmetries in neutron flux. Comparative analysis of these approaches provided valuable insights into their applicability and effectiveness, offering a robust framework for advanced reactor operations. Together, these two use cases highlight the potential of hardware test beds to help streamline the design, operation, and control of advanced nuclear reactors. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of continued innovation and experimentation in achieving the next generation of safe, reliable, and economically viable nuclear energy solutions.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Development of a High-Efficiency Hybrid Dry Cooler System for sCO 2 Power Cycles in CSP Applications

This project addressed a major gap in supercritical CO 2 (sCO 2 ) power cycle research by focusing on the pre-cooler, a component that had received little attention despite its significant impact on cycle efficiency and plant economics. The team developed a compact dry cooler using brazed/diffusion-bonded microchannel passages paired with formed air-side fins, advancing the technology from TRL-2 toward commercial readiness. Compared to conventional fin-tube coolers, the design cuts installation footprint by roughly half for 10+ MWth systems while achieving better heat transfer and lower approach temperatures, translating into a projected LCOE reduction from 6.04 ¢/kWh to between 5.85 and 5.94 ¢/kWh. While fabrication of an aluminum MW-scale prototype revealed brazing and sealing challenges at larger scales, lessons learned informed a subsequent 1 MWth unit that was successfully built and delivered for integration into Sandia's Gen3 Particle Pilot Plant, advancing the technology to TRL-7 with a path toward TRL-8 pending successful testing.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Development of an MCP-Based Timing Layer for the LHCb ECAL Upgrade-2

The increase in instantaneous luminosity during the high-luminosity phase of the LHC represents a significant challenge for future detectors. A strategy to cope with high-pileup conditions is to add a fourth dimension to the measurements of the hits, by exploiting the time separation of the various proton–proton primary collisions. According to LHCb simulation studies, resolutions of about 10–20 picoseconds, at least an order of magnitude shorter than the average time span between primary interactions, would be greatly beneficial for the physics reach of the experiment. Microchannel plate (MCP) photomultipliers are compact devices capable of measuring the arrival time of charged particles with the required resolution. The technology of large-area picosecond photodetectors (LAPPDs) is under investigation to implement a timing layer that can be placed within a sampling calorimeter module with the purpose of measuring the arrival time of electromagnetic showers. LAPPD performances, using a Gen-I tile with a delay-line anode and a Gen-II with a capacitively coupled anode, have been measured thoroughly both with laser (wavelength of 405 nm and pulse width of 27.5 ps FWHM) and high-energy electron (1–5.8 GeV) beams. Time resolutions of the order of 30 ps for single photoelectrons and 15 ps for electromagnetic showers initiated by 5-GeV electrons, as measured at the shower maximum, are obtained.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Advanced Reactor Control and Operations (ARCO): A University Research Facility for Developing Optimized Digital Control Rooms

The Advanced Reactor Control and Operations (ARCO) facility was constructed in January 2018 to serve as a test bed for advanced reactor control rooms and operator support systems. Since then, it has supported human-machine interface user experience research, fault detection and mitigation technology development, control room concept of operations development, and remote operations research. ARCO serves as the control room for the Compact Integral Effects Test (CIET) facility, which replicates the primary-side flow paths and thermal-hydraulic behavior of a fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (FHR) using simulant fluids and scaling principles. New reactor designs feature different operating conditions and scenarios than those in existing reactors. ARCO supports the research and development of digital tools for operator communications, intuitive real-time data analysis, online health monitoring and prognostics, and control room cybersecurity. By integrating these different technologies, ARCO acts as a prototypical control system to iteratively develop methods and tools of operation in advanced small modular nuclear reactors. This paper describes the features of and challenges to operating advanced small modular reactors underlying the design basis for ARCO and its operator support systems.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Review of the Research and Development of Brayton Cycle Technology in Nuclear Power Applications with a Focus on Compressor Technology

This study reviews the integration of Brayton Cycle (BC) systems in nuclear power generation, emphasizing their potential to enhance thermal efficiency and operational flexibility over traditional Rankine Cycle (RC) systems. Key working fluids, such as helium (He), supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO 2 ), nitrogen (N 2 ), and air, are evaluated for their performance, efficiency, and compatibility with nuclear systems. He is recognized for its high thermal conductivity and inertness at elevated temperatures, while sCO 2 demonstrates advantages in compactness and efficiency in midrange temperatures. This article also highlights the importance of compressor designs in optimizing BC performance and reviews, available compressor technologies. Axial and centrifugal compressor designs enable efficient gas compression while managing the thermal and mechanical stresses associated with high-pressure operations in nuclear systems. Combined with variable geometry components and advanced materials, these technologies address the challenges posed by varying load conditions. Despite the promising features of BC systems, several challenges persist, including high leakage rates and material degradation under extreme conditions, which necessitate robust sealing technologies and thorough testing. The insights gained from operational experiences at facilities, such as the Oberhausen II plant and the High-Temperature He Test Facility (HHV), underscore the complexities involved in designing high-temperature gas turbines for nuclear applications. This review concludes that as the nuclear industry evolves, BC systems hold significant promise for contributing to a sustainable energy future, particularly in the context of small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors. Further exploration of combined cycle configurations that combine BCs with RCs may enhance overall efficiency and flexibility in power generation.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Overview of recent results from the ST40 compact high-field spherical tokamak

ST40 is a compact, high-field ($B_{\mathrm{T0}}\unicode{x2A7D} 2.1\,\,\,\textrm{T}$) spherical tokamak (ST) with a mission to expand the physics and technology basis for the ST route to commercial fusion. The ST40 research programme covers confinement and stability; solenoid-free start-up; high-performance operating scenarios; and plasma exhaust. In 2022, ST40 obtained central deuterium ion temperatures of $9.6 \pm 0.4\ \textrm{keV}$, demonstrating for the first time that pilot plant relevant ion temperatures can be reached in a compact, high-field ST. Analysis of these high-ion temperature plasmas is presented, including a summary of confinement, transport and microstability characteristics, and energetic particle instabilities. Recent scenario development activities have focused on establishing diverted H-mode plasmas across a range of toroidal fields and plasma currents, along with scenarios with high non-inductive current fractions. In future operations, beginning in 2025, a 1 MW dual frequency (104/137 GHz) electron cyclotron (EC) system will be installed to enable the study of EC and electron Bernstein wave plasma start-up and current drive. Predictive modelling of the potential performance of these systems is presented.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Modeling and Analysis of a Polyphase Wireless Power Transfer System for EV Charging Applications

Extreme fast charging is an emerging technology targeting to significantly decrease charging times of electric vehicles to 10–20 minutes, similar to an interstate gas refueling practice. High-power wireless power transfer (WPT) systems with polyphase electromagnetic couplers can be an attractive solution for these applications due to the very high surface power density of polyphase coils with reduced ripple current characteristics on both the primary and secondary sides that result in more compact designs with reduced dc bus bar capacitor requirements. In addition, WPT systems offer automated charging process, which can be an enabling technology for connected and automated vehicles, with high-efficiency, convenience, safety, and flexibility. This study presents a matrix representation of a mathematical model for a three-phase WPT system with series-series connected three-phase resonant compensation networks. Nonzero interphase mutual inductances between the same side phase windings are considered for tuning to obtain a circuit model for parametric sensitivity. Simulation and experimental results presented for a 50-kW experimental prototype to demonstrate the operation of the polyphase WPT system.

Zeng, Rong↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Comprehensive Simulation Study to Evaluate Future Vehicle Energy and Cost Reduction Potential

Under the umbrella of EERE’s Office of Sustainable Transportation, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) seek to develop sustainable, affordable, and efficient technologies for transportation of goods and people. Translating investments in advanced transportation component technologies and powertrains to estimate the potential for vehicle-level fuel savings is critical to understanding DOE’s impact and success in this mission For this study, Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne) simulated technologies funded by VTO and HFTO for light-duty vehicles across the following: Powertrain configurations (conventional, power-split hybrid electric vehicle, extended-range electric vehicle, battery electric drive, and fuel-cell vehicles); Vehicle classes (compact car, mid-size car, small sport utility vehicle [SUV], mid-size SUV, and pickup truck); Fuels (gasoline, diesel, natural gas, hydrogen, and battery electricity). We assessed each technology for five different timeframes: laboratory years 2015 (reference), 2020, 2025, 2030, and 2045. We assumed a delay of 5 years between laboratory year and model year (i.e., the year the technology is introduced into production). Finally, we included uncertainties for both technology performance and cost by considering two cases (note that these cases are not intended as predictions of future performance): Low case , aligned with DOE technology manager estimates of expected original equipment manufacturer (OEM) improvements based on business as usual regulatory and market environments; High case , aligned with aggressive technology advancements based on research and development (R&D) targets developed through support by VTO and HFTO. We estimated the energy and cost impact of different technologies using Autonomie (Argonne undated), a state-of-the-art vehicle system simulation tool developed by Argonne and used to assess the energy consumption, performance, and cost of multiple advanced vehicle technologies. The tool comprises a complete set of vehicle models to assess impacts across a wide range of classes (from light- to heavy-duty), powertrain configurations (from conventional to hybrid electric vehicles [HEVs], fuel cell electric vehicles [FCEVs], plug-in hybrid electric vehicles [PHEVs], and battery electric vehicles [BEVs]), components, and control strategies, including vehicle-level and component-level controls developed and calibrated using dynamometer test data. Autonomie has been used to support a wide range of studies: analyzing various component technologies, sizing powertrain components to meet different vehicle requirements, comparing the benefits of powertrain configurations, optimizing both heuristic and route-based vehicle energy control, and predicting transportation energy use when paired with a traffic modeling tool such as POLARIS. This report documents the assumptions made and the vehicle-level energy consumption benefits and associated technology costs estimated for various types of light-duty vehicles. Details regarding vehicle assumptions and simulation results are available in the spreadsheets accompanying this report.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2020

Multiple monoenergetic gamma radiography (MMGR) with a compact superconducting cyclotron

Smuggling of special nuclear materials and nuclear devices through borders and ports of entry constitutes a major risk to global security. Technologies are needed to reliably screen the flow of commerce for the presence of high-Z materials such as uranium and plutonium. Here, we present an experimental proof-of-concept of a technique that uses inelastic (p,p') nuclear reactions to generate monoenergetic photons, which provide means to measure the areal density and the effective-Z (Z eff ) of an object with an accuracy surpassing that achieved by current methods. We use an ION-12 SC superconducting 12 MeV proton cyclotron to produce 4.4, 6.1, 6.9, and 7.1 MeV photons from a variety of nuclear reactions. Using these photons in a transmission mode, we show that we are able to accurately reconstruct the areal densities and Zeff of a test object. This methodology could enable mobile applications to screen commercial cargoes with high material specificity, providing a means of distinguishing common cargo materials from high-Z materials that include uranium and plutonium.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗