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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 OSTI2019

EUV Lithography

The year 2019 will mark the entry of extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) into high-volume production of advanced semiconductor chips after 35 years of development. Although synchrotron sources are not being used for the commercial deployment of EUVL, synchrotron facilities have played and continue to play a vital role in the development and commercialization of EUVL. Modern EUVL, previously referred to as soft-X-ray projection lithography, was first demonstrated by H. Kinoshita of NTT in 1986 using synchrotron radiation and achieving 4 μm resolution. Parallel development efforts were also in place at AT&T, which in 1990 demonstrated patterning down to 50 nm, again using synchrotron radiation. Spurred by these promising results, worldwide research and development in EUVL greatly accelerated, and today we have commercial tools powered by 250 W laser-produced plasma sources capable of pattering 145 300-mm wafers per hour at resolutions supporting the 7 nm node. Despite EUVL entering high-volume production this year with 0.33 numerical aperture tools, many challenges remain to ensure the long-term extension of the technology to even higher resolution with numerical apertures of 0.55 and possibly wavelengths shorter than 13.5 nm. Synchrotron facilities will continue to play an essential research and development role as the community seeks to address these challenges. In this special issue, we provide highlights from three synchrotron facilities currently most active in EUVL research: the Advanced Light Source at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, NewSUBARU at the University of Hyogo, and the Swiss Light Source at the Paul Scherrer Institut. Certainly, there are many other crucial development efforts in place around the world, but in this special issue we specifically focus on synchrotron facility efforts. A broad description of the technology and the global efforts can be conveniently found in a variety of textbooks and EUVL conference proceedings.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

First Ever Polymer Flood Field Pilot - A Game Changer to Enhance the Recovery of Heavy Oils on Alaska’s North Slope

The development pace of Alaska’s vast, 20-25 billion barrels, heavy oil resources has been very slow due to high development costs and low oil recovery using conventional waterflood, and the impracticality of deploying thermal methods due to the presence of continuous permafrost. Although, polymer flooding has attracted attention and has become a promising EOR technique in heavy oil reservoirs due to the extensive application of horizontal wells and advancement of polymer flooding technology, no field tests have been performed to date in Alaska’s underdeveloped heavy oil reservoirs. The overall objective of this research is to perform a field experiment to validate the use of polymer flooding for extracting heavy oil in Alaska’s challenging environment. Two pre-existing pairs of horizontal injection and production wells in an isolated fault block of the Schrader Bluff heavy oil reservoir at the Milne Point Field are currently being used for the field experiment. Hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) polymer injection started on August 28, 2018 at 600 ppm (4 cP viscosity) concentration ramping up to 1,800 ppm (45 cP viscosity) over a three week time period, and has been maintained at an average concentration of ~1,800 ppm. Current injection rates in the two horizontal injectors are ~2,200 and 600 bwpd. Laboratory experiments to determine the polymer retention, optimum water salinity, synergistic effects of water salinity and polymer, and handling of produced fluids, in support of the field experiment, are currently ongoing. Similarly, reservoir simulation of coreflood behavior and history match of previous waterfloods to predict polymer flood performance in the project area are also conducted in parallel. The field data and scientific knowledge that have been collected since the start of the injection indicates that the field pilot is performing as predicted. To date, no unexpected injectivity issues or polymer breakthrough have been encountered, and the two horizontal producers are showing positive response to the polymer injection, resulting in incremental increase in oil production rate. Since the research is still in its early stages, selected field, laboratory and simulation results are presented and discussed to highlight the integrative approach adopted in this first ever polymer flood field pilot in Alaska.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2012

Large Scale Computing and Storage Requirements for Nuclear Physics Research

The National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) is the primary computing center for the DOE Office of Science, serving approximately 4,000 users and hosting some 550 projects that involve nearly 700 codes for a wide variety of scientific disciplines. In addition to large-scale computing resources NERSC provides critical staff support and expertise to help scientists make the most efficient use of these resources to advance the scientific mission of the Office of Science. In May 2011, NERSC, DOE’s Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) and DOE’s Office of Nuclear Physics (NP) held a workshop to characterize HPC requirements for NP research over the next three to five years. The effort is part of NERSC’s continuing involvement in anticipating future user needs and deploying necessary resources to meet these demands. The workshop revealed several key requirements, in addition to achieving its goal of characterizing NP computing. The key requirements include: 1. Larger allocations of computational resources at NERSC; 2. Visualization and analytics support; and 3. Support at NERSC for the unique needs of experimental nuclear physicists. This report expands upon these key points and adds others. The results are based upon representative samples, called “case studies,” of the needs of science teams within NP. The case studies were prepared by NP workshop participants and contain a summary of science goals, methods of solution, current and future computing requirements, and special software and support needs. Participants were also asked to describe their strategy for computing in the highly parallel, “multi-core” environment that is expected to dominate HPC architectures over the next few years. The report also includes a section with NERSC responses to the workshop findings. NERSC has many initiatives already underway that address key workshop findings and all of the action items are aligned with NERSC strategic plans.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Performance Excellence Lean Six Sigma

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) organization at Y-12 sponsors the deployment of Performance Enterprise System (PES) and provides continuous improvement facilitation and training for the Y-12 site. Six- Question Survey was issued to 100 Y-12 employees at random, with the option to report one’s organization. Goals included: To gain an insight of Y-12 employees knowledge of PES & the Lean Six Sigma group • Generate employee desire to take PES class • Generate employee desire to perform continuous improvement.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2020

ION Engineering Commercial Carbon Capture Design & Costing (C3DC) (Final Report)

ION Engineering LLC (ION) has coupled its proven, solvent-based CO 2 capture technology with an exceptionally qualified design and engineering team to complete a pre FEED for a 300-megawatt equivalent commercial-scale CO 2 capture plant for Gerald Gentleman Station’s (GGS) Generation Unit 2 (GGS2). The remarkable team was comprised of ION, Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), Sargent & Lundy (S&L) with continued support from Koch Modular Process Systems (KMPS), and Siemens. The overall objective of the project was to provide the engineering design and cost estimate at an American Association of Cost Engineers (AACE) Class 3 estimate, resulting in accuracy ranges of -20 to +30% for the capital cost estimate. The project team was successful in completing this objective and was able to overcome the challenges that were presented during the process. A conservative interest rate of 7.0% with a financing term of 20 years was used based on interest rates utilized by S&L for this level of study. The resulting annualization factor is multiplied by the total EPC cost to calculate an annualized capital expenditure. It is estimated that the carbon capture facility treating a 300 MWe slipstream will capture 1.9 million tonnes per year of CO 2 at a capacity factor of 85%. The resulting cost of capture for the CO 2 island was determined to be $\$$36.55/tonne. Utilizing an interest rate of 4.5%, supported by historical rates for previous large capital projects in the power industry, reduces the cost of capture to $32.52/tonne. These cost of capture numbers continue to further ION’s case for commercial deployment of ION’s solvent technology.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Large-Scale Hydrogen Storage Cyber Risk Assessment

Hydrogen storage systems are becoming more widely deployed throughout the country, and as their presence continues to grow, it is possible that individual and interconnected systems will be exposed to cyber-attacks. These events can cause physical and financial harm to employees, people in the vicinity, and to the company that owns the facility. The two main mechanisms malicious actors may access information or control from a hydrogen storage facility are through information technology and operations technology devices, the former of which refers to data and information from networked devices and the latter of which refers to onsite controls for the physical system. Both types of entryways into the system should be considered when facility managers conduct cyber risk assessments and when regulators develop or revise relevant codes and standards. This report analyzes cybersecurity risks applicable to a wide variety of hydrogen storage systems by outlining the system's purpose and the importance of its cybersecurity. The hydrogen storage system architecture and communication protocols are provided to understand potential cyber vulnerabilities. Later, an event tree analysis is performed on hydrogen operation to identify system weaknesses by outlining potential attack scenarios. This report also identifies critical cyber assets related to different hydrogen operations followed by an examination of potential threats, and the impact of cyber assets on those operational assets.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2017

Uncertainty in counting ice nucleating particles with continuous flow diffusion chambers

Abstract. This study investigates the measurement of ice nucleating particle (INP) concentrations and sizing of crystals using continuous flow diffusion chambers (CFDCs). CFDCs have been deployed for decades to measure the formation of INPs under controlled humidity and temperature conditions in laboratory studies and by ambient aerosol populations. These measurements have, in turn, been used to construct parameterizations for use in models by relating the formation of ice crystals to state variables such as temperature and humidity as well as aerosol particle properties such as composition and number. We show here that assumptions of ideal instrument behavior are not supported by measurements made with a commercially available CFDC, the SPectrometer for Ice Nucleation (SPIN), and the instrument on which it is based, the Zurich Ice Nucleation Chamber (ZINC). Non-ideal instrument behavior, which is likely inherent to varying degrees in all CFDCs, is caused by exposure of particles to different humidities and/or temperatures than predicated from instrument theory of operation. This can result in a systematic, and variable, underestimation of reported INP concentrations. We find here variable correction factors from 1.5 to 9.5, consistent with previous literature values. We use a machine learning approach to show that non-ideality is most likely due to small-scale flow features where the aerosols are combined with sheath flows. Machine learning is also used to minimize the uncertainty in measured INP concentrations. We suggest that detailed measurement, on an instrument-by-instrument basis, be performed to characterize this uncertainty.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Cleaning Contaminated Water at Fukushima

Crystalline Silico-Titanates (CSTs) are synthetic zeolites designed by Sandia National Laboratories scientists to selectively capture radioactive cesium and other group I metals. They are being used for cleanup of radiation-contaminated water at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan. Quick action by Sandia and its corporate partner UOP, A Honeywell Company, led to rapid licensing and deployment of the technology in Japan, where it continues to be used to clean up cesium contaminated water at the Fukushima power plant.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2022

Is the Adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Solar Photovoltaics (PVs) Interdependent or Independent? An Integrated EVs-PVs Modeling Framework

Transportation and residential energy consumption account for more than one-half of the overall energy consumption in the United States. Adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) can play a key role in decarbonizing the transportation sector, while the adoption of renewable energy sources (e.g., solar photovoltaics or PVs) could bring similar benefits to the residential energy sector and in turn support transport electrification. Although the market share for both EVs and PVs continue to grow, both these emerging technologies are deployed rather disjoint without considering the existence of potential similarities among users who own (or aspire to own) EVs and PVs. This might be due to lack of understanding of the behavioral interdependence in consumer preferences towards these technologies. To fill this gap in knowledge, this study utilizes data from the 2018 WholeTraveler Transportation Behavior Study to develop an integrated model system that explores EV and PV adoption behaviors. A structural equations model (SEM) is employed that incorporates direct effects as well as error correlations among the adoption behaviors for EVs and PVs. Model results indicate that the adoption behavior for both these technologies is indeed interconnected and significantly influenced by attitudes, values and personality traits. Findings from this research suggest that incentives (e.g., subsidies) that drive 'bundled' adoption of EVs and PVs could accelerate the adoption of both these sustainable technologies. The results highlights the need to consider transport and building energy efficient technology adoption behavior in a single integrated structure.

ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS,ENERGY PLANNING, POLIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

Trends in Cybersecurity Threats to Clean Energy

As deployments of clean energy generation and storage assets continue to grow, the increased attack surface creates a greater risk for cyber threats, but is clean energy truly a target for cyber adversaries? This poster will present research on the trends in cyber incidents that have affected clean energy companies and assets as well as the trends in disclosed and exploited vulnerabilities. From a series of ransomware attacks on European wind manufacturers, to vulnerabilities exploited in solar assets to turn controllers into botnets, to attacks on communication infrastructure that have resulted in extended outages of remote control and monitoring, we explore the techniques used and the impacts to the clean energy sector. Key takeaways include understanding of how OT-focused malware is becoming more flexible and more destructive, how known vulnerabilities are being exploited, the growing number of IT and OT attacks that use built in tools and functionalities. Additionally, we highlight the presumed motivations and targeted sectors for various identified cyber adversaries. Viewers will leave with an understanding of how recent headlines fit into the development of cyberattack trends and what preventions they may need to take to protect against increasingly popular tactics.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Stabilizing a strongly nonlinear structure through shaker dynamics in fixed frequency voltage control tests

Bifurcations are commonly encountered during force controlled swept and stepped sine testing of nonlinear structures, which generally leads to the so-called jump-down or jump-up phenomena between stable solutions. There are various experimental closed-loop control algorithms, such as control-based continuation and phase-locked loop, to stabilize dynamical systems through these bifurcations, but they generally rely on specialized control algorithms that are not readily available with many commercial data acquisition software packages. A recent method was developed to experimentally apply sequential continuation using the shaker voltage that can be readily deployed using commercially available software. By utilizing the stabilizing effects of electrodynamic shakers and the force dropout phenomena in fixed frequency voltage control sine tests, this approach has been demonstrated to stabilize the unstable branch of a nonlinear system with three branches, allowing for three multivalued solutions to be identified within a specific frequency bandwidth near resonance. Recent testing on a strongly nonlinear system with vibro-impact nonlinearity has revealed jumping behavior when performing sequential continuation along the voltage parameter, like the jump phenomena seen during more traditional force controlled swept and stepped sine testing. Here, this paper investigates the stabilizing effects of an electrodynamic shaker on strongly nonlinear structures in fixed frequency voltage control tests using both numerical and experimental methods. The harmonic balance method is applied to the coupled shaker-structure system with an electromechanical model to simulate the fixed voltage control tests and predict the stabilization for different parameters of the model. The simulated results are leveraged to inform the design of a set of experiments to demonstrate the stabilization characteristics on a fixture-pylon assembly with a vibro-impact nonlinearity. Through numerical simulation and experimental testing on two different strongly nonlinear systems, the various parameters that influence the stability of the coupled shaker-structure are revealed to better understand the performance of fixed frequency voltage control tests.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Design-to-Deployment Continuum Platform for Microscopes and Computing Ecosystems

Science ecosystems with networked computing systems and physical instruments are increasingly being deployed with a goal to achieve the productivity promised by AI-supported remote automation. In support of these efforts, the virtual infrastructure twins (VITs) have been successfully utilized to develop the orchestration codes for these ecosystems without requiring physical access to expensive instruments, such as electron microscopes. Currently, the utility of such a VIT is severely limited by the computing capacity and capability of the computing system used as its host. Furthermore, codes developed on the VIT typically need to be transferred and refactored for production use, particularly, on high-performance systems with accelerators. In response, we develop a design-to-deployment continuum platform wherein a VIT runs natively on the ecosystem's own computing system, and thereby facilitates the continual in-situ testing and transition of codes for production use. Here, we describe the development and testing of software for remote microscope steering and GPU-based image reconstruction using this platform on a multi-GPU computing system networked to Nion microscopes. We demonstrate a continual transition of steering and reconstruction codes developed under VIT platform to production ecosystem deployment.

Al-Najjar, Anees [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (O↗
DOE OSTI2023

Office of Nuclear Verification FY 2023 Quarterly Report TSVT Q1

This project encompasses the continued development and training of a U.S. operational team, the Test Site Verification Team (TSVT), supporting verification of nuclear testing activities. TSVT builds on decades of U.S. nuclear testing history and nuclear explosion monitoring experience. The Team maintains readiness to deploy internationally on short notice to provide field-based support of verification of declared or undeclared nuclear testing and associated activities, as well as follow-on activities including monitoring and capability disablement and dismantlement, as established by negotiated agreement or treaty. The roles and structure of the TSVT are integrated with other NA-243 deployable verification teams and the interagency. FY23 TSVT activities focus on continued capability buildup within the team, including Team trainings and exercises with a focus on missions in confined spaces (e.g., tunnels, mines, other underground facilities), increased familiarity with foreign nuclear weapons testing programs, demonstration of Team capacity to deploy, train, and practice sustained OPSEC in non-western locations, establishment of sustainable storage and maintenance of equipment, specification and procurement of additional equipment to support field observations, further evolution of concepts of operation documents (CONOPs), and mission coordination with Headquarters and associated Stakeholders. Activities will culminate with a full-scale domestic team exercise at the end of FY23 focusing on underground activities signatures/observations and safety including advanced outdoor safety and familiarity in working around explosive test environments. In addition, we will be further articulating approaches and capacity relevant to the identification of nuclear tests, as well as monitoring of nuclear testing activities and/or dismantlement of nuclear test sites and anticipate developing additional equipment requests in support of this evolution. The TSVT Team Leads will also coordinate with its Senior Advisor, the TSVT Logistics and Readiness (L&R) Training Lead, and NNSA Headquarters to draft a five-year TSVT training and exercise plan, that strategically and incrementally builds capacity and expertise in key areas of significance for the continuum of nuclear and nuclear-related testing activities that fall within the team’s mission space.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2016

Reactor Physics Analysis of Transitioning to a Thorium Fuel Cycle with Molten Salt Reactors

Commercial power reactors operating in the United States are light-water reactors (LWRs) fueled with low-enriched uranium (LEU) in a once-through fuel cycle; the important fissile isotopes are {sup 235}U, {sup 239}Pu, and {sup 241}Pu. In a thorium fuel cycle, the fertile isotope {sup 232}Th is converted into {sup 233}U, a fissile isotope that is not naturally occurring. In transitioning from the once-through fuel cycle to the thorium fuel cycle, the availability of man-made {sup 233}U presents a challenge: without it, the initial fissile material fueling the first reactors built in this transition is not the fissile isotope that the reactor is breeding. The transition requires an alternate fissile material until enough surplus {sup 233}U is available to start up additional reactors. In liquid-fueled molten salt reactors (MSRs), the fuel is dissolved into molten salt, which is continuously circulated through the core, simultaneously undergoing irradiation, chemical treatments and separations, and feeds. MSRs are an attractive technology in which the thorium fuel cycle can be deployed, as the {sup 233}U bred from {sup 232}Th is continuously being recycled back through the core. The bred fissile material is immediately available to fuel the core without processing or fuel fabrication. After start-up, only a fertile {sup 232}Th feed is necessary to sustain criticality in the MSR. But, in single-fluid MSRs, the initial fissile and fertile materials are mixed into the same molten fuel salt, complicating separations of initial and bred fissile materials. In solid-fuel systems, these materials are often separate. This analysis herein builds on previous work modeling thorium-fueled MSR start-up. It is based on unit cell representations of the graphite-moderated, 2250 MWt Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Molten Salt Breeder Reactor (MSBR). This paper discusses the start-up of the first MSR in the transition to a thorium fuel cycle and identifies challenges and limitations of fuel cycle deployment with this reactor technology. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Preliminary Logistics Modeling of the Integrated Wash Aid Treatment Emergency Reuse System - 19495

We employed Analysis of Mobility Platform (AMP) and GoldSim software to model the logistics of deploying materials to implement the Integrated Wash Aid Treatment Emergency Reuse System (IWATERS) in a hypothetical cesium-contamination scenario covering a four-block strip of downtown Chicago, IL. In this deployment of IWATERS, buildings were washed down via fire-hosing and contaminated wash solution was collected in the city's waste/stormwater collection system. The contaminated wash water was treated to remove Cs via ad hoc sand/clay filtration beds, and the treated wash solution was recycled during continuing decontamination operations. A detailed task timeline for the IWATERS deployment and information (or assumptions) on the availability and location of required resources for operations provided input parameters, as well as a framework, to enable the AMP and GoldSim simulations. From the decision to deploy IWATERS to the end of operations, including the completion of processing all contaminated wash water, took 49 days with decontamination teams active for 35 days and treatment bed teams active for 37 days. The modeling results showed the availability of vermiculite clay (based on data supplied by its commercial vendors/distributors) as the limiting factor for deploying treatment bed teams and, consequentially, the recycling rate of wash water and the timeline for decontamination operations. These simulations represent the first attempt at understanding the material and personnel requirements for large-scale IWATERS operation. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experimental driving performance evaluation of battery-powered medium and heavy duty all-electric vehicles

As the push to reduce air pollutants and carbon dioxide for global warming continues, there is increasing interest in the development and deployment of battery electric vehicles for heavy-duty applications as one of the critical and challenging steps of a broader effort to fully electrify the transportation sector. This study evaluated and quantified the energy consumption rates and energy regeneration rates for three heavy-duty battery electric vehicles (a step van, a yard tractor, and a class 8 truck) using driving cycle tests with a heavy-duty vehicle chassis dynamometer. Information in this area is currently very limited, and yet it is critical to understanding how effective heavy-duty battery electric vehicles will be for a wide range of applications as the electrification of the heavy-duty vehicle market continues to expand. Energy consumption rates ranged from 0.37 and 2.71 kWh/km for most vehicle/cycle combinations. On a diesel liter energy-equivalent basis, the heavy-duty vehicles had approximately 3 to 6 times better energy consumption rates compared to comparable diesel vehicles, with weight normalized energy consumption rates also comparing favorably to the current and future greenhouse gas/fuel economy standards for equivalent diesel vehicles. Based on battery capacities ranging from 80 to 215 kWh, the vehicle ranges varied from 38.18 km to 171.2 km, with ranges of 115.9 km to 171.2 km for most types of driving and lower ranges of 38.18 to 42.20 km for sustained grade cycles. Overall, the advantage of improved energy consumption rates coupled with improvements that can be expected for battery technology and vehicle range, provide promise for expanded use of heavy-duty vehicles going into the future.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2011

Deployment of ITS: A Summary of the 2010 National Survey Results (Final report)

This report presents summary results of the 2010 ITS Deployment Tracking survey, the most recent survey conducted by the ITS Deployment Tracking Project. The U.S. Department of Transportation and its member agencies, including the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, have pursued a research and development agenda, the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Program, designed to integrate the latest in information technologies to improve the safety, mobility, and reliability of surface transportation modes. Within metropolitan areas, implementation of these advanced technologies has been accomplished by a variety of state and local transportation and emergency management agencies as well as the private sector. In order to measure the rate of ITS deployment within the nation's largest metropolitan areas, the ITS Deployment Tracking Project has conducted a nationwide survey of state and local transportation and emergency management agencies nearly every year since 1997. The results presented in this report are intended to be a summary of the entire database from the 2010 survey. Access to the complete survey results and previous national surveys are available on-line at http://www.itsdeployment.its.dot.gov. The website also provides access to survey results in the form of downloadable reports, including a survey summary for each survey type and fact sheets. Nearly 1,600 surveys were distributed to state and local transportation agencies in 2010. A total of seven (7) survey types were distributed including: Freeway Management, Arterial Management, Transit Management, Transportation Management Center (TMC), Electronic Toll Collection (ETC), Public Safety Law Enforcement, and Public Safety Fire/Rescue. Among other things, the data collection results indicate that ITS has moved from being experimental to mainstream and interest in continuing investments in ITS continues to be very strong. When asked about future deployment plans, one-third to three-fourths of the different agency types report they will expand current deployments and about half are planning to invest in new technologies over the next three years.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2012

Overview of the GTRI Fuel Fabrication Capability

The Global Threat Reduction Initiative’s (GTRI) Fuel Fabrication Capability (FFC) has been tasked with the establishment and deployment of a fabrication process for the low-enriched uranium-molybdenum (LEU-Mo) monolithic fuel that is currently under development for supply to the U.S. research and test reactor community. The FFC has been designed to bridge fuel fabrication scope and interest between industry (both national and international), the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, multiple U.S. national laboratories, and reactor operators and stakeholders. Currently, the FFC is focusing much of its efforts on technology maturation and scale-up of reference processes that have been defined by the GTRI Fuel Development project. This emphasis revolves around three key criteria: (i) establishing the ability to meet throughput demands, (ii) keeping costs as low as reasonably possible, and (iii) ensuring a quality product. At present, the effect of changing fuel fabrication variables on U-Mo monolithic fuel performance is not fully understood. Furthermore, it is likely that the foil production process will continue to evolve with scale-up and commercial deployment. This paper will address the areas that the FFC is focusing on to better understand the impacts of fuel fabrication variables on the resultant fuel plate characteristics, based upon a traditional approach to fuel design qualification and licensing.

Burkes, Douglas↗