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DOE OSTI2023

Final CRADA Report: Accelerated Burn-up Accumulation Test of Clean Core Thorium Energy Designated ANEEL Fuel

Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE), LLC, located in Oak Brook, Illinois, is committed to the development of alternative nuclear fuels. CCTE is focused on leveraging the inherent benefits of thorium to create a novel nuclear fuel solution for our worlds growing power demand. Unlike some other fuel cycles proposing to use thorium in advanced reactors, CCTE is focused on deploying solid fuel designs (ceramic pellets in metallic cladding) in existing pressurized heavy-water reactors (PHWRs) and Canada deuterium uranium (CANDU) reactors. CCTE’s fuel design, referred to as Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life (ANEEL), uses mixed thorium-uranium oxide ((Th,U)O2) to enhance reactor operational strategies while producing significantly low attractiveness material in terms of nuclear proliferation. The overall project objective is to investigate the performance of high burnup ANEEL fuel via an irradiation experiment to be performed in the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The scope of work for this CRADA was specifically aimed at performing conceptual design and analysis to support development of an irradiation test rig, development of a fuel fabrication process for the experiment pellets, fabrication and qualification of the pellets, and shipment of the pellets to INL so they can be used to construct experiment rodlets.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Report on the Integration of Experimental and Modeling Data for Initial Equivalence Study of Mechanical Performance in Irradiated LPBF 316 Stainless Steel

To ensure the rapid development, deployment, and use of advanced nuclear technologies, faster qualification approaches are needed. Typically, the primary pathway uses traditional data packages consistent with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, which does not consider the environmental effects the material will experience such as corrosion and radiation damage. Examining radiation effects requires a significant amount of space in US facilities at the Advanced Test Reactor and the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and suffers from natural gradients in temperature and neutron flux profiles. Ion irradiation may enable rapid assessment of radiation-induced damage to a material and is proposed as part of an accelerated materials qualification framework through the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies program. To enhance the utility of ion irradiation as an examination tool, this report provides the initial assessment of engineering-relevant properties of microstructures produced from ion irradiation in the near-surface volume. Nanoindentation, Vickers hardness, and known tensile properties were brought together with simple mathematical models and experimental data for an initial equivalence study of the mechanical performance of irradiated laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) 316 stainless steels across length scales. Direct observation of the calculated ion irradiation yield stress and measured neutron irradiation yield stress at 2 dpa showed that both datasets exhibit the same trend with irradiation temperature and overlap within an acceptable band of stress values. Ion irradiations at 10 dpa serve as a prediction of properties to compare to postirradiation examination of HFIR-irradiated LPBF 316H further in the program. This work is a significant demonstration of the Licensing Approach with Ions and Neutrons, which uses ion irradiations to generate mechanical property information more rapidly than through neutron irradiations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NASA NTRS2018

The Hayabusa2 Sample Return Mission and Its Small Carry-On Impactor Experiment

On December 3, 2014 the Hayabusa2 Spacecraft was launched by JAXA to investigate and return samples from carbonaceous Asteroid (162173) Ryugu. The spacecraft's payload contains several remote sensing instruments that are designed to characterize the asteroid's surface and to help identify scientifically interesting locations from which samples can be obtained safely. The data collected by these instruments will also help place any obtained samples in context with respect to the global characteristics of Ryugu. In addition to the suite of remote sensing instruments and the sampling device, Hayabusa2 also includes a small carry-on impactor (SCI) payload experiment, which is designed to impact the surface of the asteroid and excavate fresh material for subsequent collection. The SCI consists of a 30 cm diameter 2 kg copper disk that is accelerated by an explosive charge into the surface of Ryugu at approximately 2 km/s. The resultant crater formed during this experiment is estimated to be approximately between 2 - 10 meters in diameter with an ejecta blanket extending to 10 - 100 meters on the asteroid. Hayabusa2 will not be able to observe the impact experiment directly due to considerations of spacecraft safety since there is some risk of collisions with debris from the explosion and ejecta from the crater. However, prior to moving safely away, the spacecraft will deploy a small imaging system called Deployable Camera 3 (DCAM3). DCAM3 will detach from Hayabusa2 just before the detonation of the SCI and will image the moment of impact, crater formation, and ejecta propagation. These data will be transmitted to Hayabusa2 and will help constrain the near-surface properties of Ryugu and also impact scaling laws for small bodies in low gravity environments. These data could also be useful for gaining insights into determining asteroid physical properties from higher velocity impact events (e.g., DART and HERA data of Didymos).

Abell, Paul A.↗

DOE OSTI2025

Chemical Activation of Frontal Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

In this study, we present an innovative approach to frontal ring-opening metathesis polymerization (FROMP) through chemical activation. By locally concentrating Grubbs-type initiators, we accelerate exothermic polymerization at the activation site. Sufficient thermal energy initiates a polymerization front that travels through the remainder of the sample even with reduced initiator concentrations in the bulk resin. Initiation location and timing are controlled by adjusting the initiator reactivity, the properties of the transport solvent, and the air–resin interface. Our technique enables multipoint front activation, either through synchronized injection or by timing the relative reactivity of various initiators. This accessible method of chemical activation enables on-demand production of polymer and composite materials using only the thermal energy generated by the reaction, removing the need for external power sources and enabling deployment in remote or infrastructure-limited environments.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2018

Licensing Modernization Project for Advanced Reactor Technologies: FY 2018 Project Status Report

The promise of new nuclear technology and the future of commercial power in the United States (U.S.) are linked to the existence of an efficient and safety-focused regulatory review and licensing process. With an appropriate regulatory framework, reactor suppliers and regulators can design, license, build, and export advanced reactor units more effectively and efficiently and thereby help meet the growing need for clean and reliable energy. To help address the challenge of maintaining compatibility between the regulatory environment and new commercial nuclear plant designs, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is supporting an industry-led effort called the Licensing Modernization Project (LMP). This cost-shared initiative, started in 2016 and scheduled to continue through mid-2019, targets amendment to key elements of the U.S. nuclear power reactor regulatory framework to specifically address licensing barriers in advanced-reactor concepts. The project is focused on updating guidance for certain technical licensing requirements that are largely incompatible with non-light-water reactors (non-LWR) and establish a new pathway for design-safety evaluations and license-application development. Upon completion, the project will have created a new pathway, founded on modern probabilistic assessment techniques, that offers developers, suppliers, regulators, and owner/operatorowner-operators greater clarity and assurance in design and licensing decisions. The LMP employs a team of advanced reactor technology and licensing subject matter experts working closely with U.S. regulators, affected industries, and interested members of the public. The project is managed by Southern Company and supported through a cost share arrangement with DOE. Technical contributions are also provided to the project from the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Regulatory Development area, the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The LMP identified a suite of high priority issues that provided significant uncertainty within the regulated non-LWR community. It was determined that much of this uncertainty could be retired by issuing updated licensing guidance founded on safety performance demonstrations and modern probabilistic methodologies. The success criteria for the project were established as: • Generate sets of technology inclusive (TI), risk-informed, and performance-based (TI-RIPB) technical requirements, recommendations, and proposals that could be reviewed, amended, and adopted for use by both NRC staff and industry. The proposals would create an optional-use regulatory framework without imposing additional (i.e., mandatory) requirements. • Support LMP the recommended updates of LMP such that they can be finalized, endorsed by NRC, and used by applicants within 5 years. This also supports the DOE advanced- reactor development and deployment goal of completing licensing reviews for technically mature non-LWR concepts sufficient to allow construction to proceed by the early 2030’s. • Further overall programmatic objectives established by DOE’s Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) initiative by resolving technology-inclusive policy issues that adversely impact regulatory reviews, siting, permitting, and/or licensing of non-LWRs. This would provide significantly more regulatory certainty for advanced reactor developers.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Cement and concrete as carbon sinks: Transforming a climate challenge into a carbon storage opportunity

Cement and concrete, while traditionally recognized as the main contributors to anthropogenic CO 2 emissions, also have untapped capacity to serve as substantial and scalable carbon sinks. This perspective examines how engineered mineral carbonation can transform cement-based materials into functional carbon storage systems, generating both environmental and economic value. We review the fundamental mechanisms of CO 2 uptake in cementitious systems, highlighting current limitations in reaction kinetics, phase control, and durability under varying environmental conditions. Emphasis is placed on the utilization of alkaline industrial residues and emerging magnesium-based cements, which offer synergistic pathways for carbon sequestration and circular resource use. We further assess the performance trade-offs associated with CO 2 uptake and the feasibility of deploying these technologies on industrial scales. A strategic roadmap is proposed that integrates scientific innovation, regulatory alignment, and carbon accounting in the life cycle to accelerate the adoption of carbon-storing concrete. This perspective provides a comprehensive framework to advance cement and concrete as engineered carbon sinks and supports the transition to a climate-positive construction industry.

Carbon storage↗

DOE OSTI2021

Accelerated Beta Radiation Aging of Interlayer Titanium Nitride in Gallium Nitride Contacts

Research conducted under the Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, a multiprogram national laboratory operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy. An NNSS author co-authored this paper, and portions of this work were supported by the Mission Support and Test Services, LLC, under Contract No. DE-NA0003624 with the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, NA-10 USDOE NA Office of Defense Programs (NA-10). PNNL-SA-163618 Currently, there is no good way to determine the influence of radiation on the aging of betavoltaic electrical contacts. This work tested a method to accelerate the aging of the contacts inside a betavoltaic by enhancing energy deposition within the interfacial region of interest. An electrical contact of gold-titanium on gallium nitride was aged by exposure to tritium betas and electrons in a beamline. The interface stoichiometry was compared to the electrical performance of the contact. The method to age the betavoltaic component could help predict the lifetime performance of the internal electrical contacts and provide assurance of deployment reliability.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Aerosol‐Jet‐Printable Covalent Organic Framework Colloidal Inks and Temperature‐Sensitive Nanocomposite Films

Abstract With molecularly well‐defined and tailorable 2D structures, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as leading material candidates for chemical sensing, storage, separation, and catalysis. In these contexts, the ability to directly and deterministically print COFs into arbitrary geometries will enable rapid optimization and deployment. However, previous attempts to print COFs have been restricted by low spatial resolution and/or post‐deposition polymerization that limits the range of compatible COFs. Here, these limitations are overcome with a pre‐synthesized, solution‐processable colloidal ink that enables aerosol jet printing of COFs with micron‐scale resolution. The ink formulation utilizes the low‐volatility solvent benzonitrile, which is critical to obtaining homogeneous printed COF film morphologies. This ink formulation is also compatible with other colloidal nanomaterials, thus facilitating the integration of COFs into printable nanocomposite films. As a proof‐of‐concept, boronate‐ester COFs are integrated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to form printable COF‐CNT nanocomposite films, in which the CNTs enhance charge transport and temperature sensing performance, ultimately resulting in high‐sensitivity temperature sensors that show electrical conductivity variation by 4 orders of magnitude between room temperature and 300 °C. Overall, this work establishes a flexible platform for COF additive manufacturing that will accelerate the incorporation of COFs into technologically significant applications.

2D materials↗

DOE OSTI2017

Robust resistive memory devices using solution-processable metal-coordinated azo aromatics

Non-volatile memories will play a decisive role in the next generation of digital technology. Flash memories are currently the key player in the field, yet they fail to meet the commercial demands of scalability and endurance. Resistive memory devices, and in particular memories based on low-cost, solution-processable and chemically tunable organic materials, are promising alternatives explored by the industry. However, to date, they have been lacking the performance and mechanistic understanding required for commercial translation. Here we report a resistive memory device based on a spin-coated active layer of a transition-metal complex, which shows high reproducibility (~350 devices), fast switching (≤30 ns), excellent endurance (~10 12 cycles), stability (>10 6 s) and scalability (down to ~60 nm 2 ). In situ Raman and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy alongside spectroelectrochemistry and quantum chemical calculations demonstrate that the redox state of the ligands determines the switching states of the device whereas the counterions control the hysteresis. This insight may accelerate the technological deployment of organic resistive memories.

Goswami, Sreetosh↗

DOE OSTI2018

Accelerating the discovery of materials for clean energy in the era of smart automation

The discovery and development of novel materials in the field of energy are essential to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy. Bringing recent technological innovations in automation, robotics and computer science together with current approaches in chemistry, materials synthesis and characterization will act as a catalyst for revolutionizing traditional research and development in both industry and academia. This Perspective provides a vision for an integrated artificial intelligence approach towards autonomous materials discovery, which, in our opinion, will emerge within the next 5 to 10 years. The approach we discuss requires the integration of the following tools, which have already seen substantial development to date: high-throughput virtual screening, automated synthesis planning, automated laboratories and machine learning algorithms. In addition to reducing the time to deployment of new materials by an order of magnitude, this integrated approach is expected to lower the cost associated with the initial discovery. Furthermore, the price of the final products (for example, solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles) will also decrease. This in turn will enable industries and governments to meet more ambitious targets in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions at a faster pace.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2021

Final Technical Report-WestSmart EV: Western Smart Plug-in Electric Vehicle Community Partnership

The WestSmartEV (WSEV) project has accelerated adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) throughout the PacifiCorp/Rocky Mountain Power’s (RMP) service territory in the intermountain west by developing a large-scale, sustainable PEV charging infrastructure network with coordinated PEV adoption programs. The project objectives have strategically deployed 79 DC fast charging to create two primary electric interstate highway corridors along I-15 and I-80; incentivized installation of Level 2 AC chargers at workplace locations; incentivized the purchase of PEVs; provided all electric solutions for first-mile and last-mile trips, including electrified mobility service; provided centralized data collection, analysis, modeling, and tool development to inform investment and policy decisions; and developed education outreach materials and conducted workshops across the WSEV region.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

NASA NTRS2005

Genesis Field Recovery

The Genesis mission returned to Earth on September 8, 2004 after a nearly flawless three-year mission to collect solar matter. The intent was to deploy a drogue chute and parafoil high over the Utah desert and to catch the fragile payload capsule in mid-air by helicopter. The capsule would then be opened in a clean-room constructed for that purpose at UTTR, and a nitrogen purge was to be installed before transporting the science canister to JSC. Unfortunately, both chutes failed to deploy, causing the capsule to fall to the desert floor at a speed of nearly 200 MPH. Still, Genesis represents a milestone in the US space program, comprising the first sample return since the Apollo Missions as well as the first return of materials exposed to the space environment outside of low Earth orbit and beyond the Earth s magnetosphere for an extended period. We have no other comparable materials in all of our collections on Earth. The goal of the Genesis Mission was to collect a representative sample of the composition of the solar wind and thus, the solar nebula from which our solar system originated. This was done by allowing the naturally accelerated species to implant shallowly in the surfaces of ultra-pure, ultra-clean collector materials. These collectors included single crystal silicon (FZ and CZ), sapphire, silicon carbide; those materials coated with aluminum, silicon, diamond like carbon, and gold; and isotopically enriched polycrystalline diamond and amorphous carbon. The majority of these materials were distributed on five collector arrays. Three of the materials were housed in an electrostatic concentrator designed to increase the flux of low-mass ions. There was also a two-inch diameter bulk metallic glass collector and a gold foil, polished aluminum, and molybdenum coated platinum foil collector. An excellent review of the Genesis collector materials is offered in reference [1].

McNamara, K. M.↗

DOE OSTI2024

SMR Current Status: Development Needs and Global Perspectives

Defined as nuclear reactors with a power output up to 300 megawatts electrical (MWe) by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and targeted for multipurpose applications, small modular reactors (SMRs) have been recognized as a very promising, clean, affordable, and sustainable energy source by many countries. At present, more than 80 SMRs are under design, development, demonstration, deployment, and beyond (4D+) phases worldwide. This study focuses on the current world status of SMRs and focuses on the necessary developments to accelerate the process of adopting SMRs as a major energy source globally. SMRs are not a new concept, but they do represent a new vision for older concepts if the challenges inherent within them are mitigated with strategic and realistic solution approaches. The major challenges for SMRs 4D+ like any new reactors are: (a) qualifying the advanced fuel-to-reactor design; (b) supporting rapid scaled/prototypic experimentations; (c) maintaining local and global codes, standards, and licensing; (d) supply chain issues;(e) effective cradle-to-grave nuclear fuel cycle and fuel material transportation, and (f) mitigating financial and environmental risks. These upfront challenges can be mitigated with a synergistic solution approach among the various stakeholders: industry, academia, research, government, and international entities.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Presentation: SMR Current Status: Development Needs and Global Perspectives

Defined as nuclear reactors with a power output up to 300 megawatts electrical (MWe) by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and targeted for multipurpose applications, small modular reactors (SMRs) have been recognized as a very promising, clean, affordable, and sustainable energy source by many countries. At present, more than 80 SMRs are under design, development, demonstration, deployment, and beyond (4D+) phases worldwide. This paper focuses on the current world status of SMRs and focuses on the necessary developments to accelerate the process of adopting SMRs as a major energy source globally. SMRs are not a new concept, but they do represent a new vision for older concepts if the challenges inherent within them are mitigated with strategic and realistic solution approaches. The major challenges for SMRs 4D+ like any new reactors are: (a) qualifying the advanced fuel-to-reactor design; (b) supporting rapid scaled/prototypic experimentations; (c) maintaining local and global codes, standards, and licensing; (d) supply chain issues; (e) effective cradle-to-grave nuclear fuel cycle and fuel material transportation, and (f) mitigating financial and environmental risks. These upfront challenges can be mitigated with a synergistic solution approach among the various stakeholders: industry, academia, research, government, and international entities.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2024

SMR Current Status: Development Needs and Global Perspectives

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2019

Application of Electronics Packaging Fundamentals to Photovoltaic Interconnects and Packaging

The energy capacity of photovoltaic (PV) installations worldwide has increased significantly in the last decade, increasing the demand for rigorous investigation of the physical phenomena causing degradation and failures in PV modules. As PV reliability science develops, established methods and approaches from longer-standing industries can inform and expedite PV reliability advances. This work demonstrates how thermomechanical solder bond fatigue models derived for electronics packaging applications can be applied to both standard and emerging PV interconnect designs. This expertise cannot be directly translated to PV however, as target PV module lifetimes are significantly longer than most electronics and the modules must withstand the natural climate wherever they are deployed. Verification of analytical reliability models is then an additional challenge, due to model size, test time, and climate variability. Furthermore, unconventional materials, such as low-temperature solders, are now being integrated into PV designs, for which appropriate material models must be selected and material parameters derived. In this paper, the current state of PV interconnect research is explored, with an emphasis on the experimental and simulation approaches and models being used for this work. Recent results for standard module architectures as well as emerging interconnect schemes are discussed.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2014

Neutron response characterization for an EJ299-33 plastic scintillation detector

Organic scintillation detectors have shown promise as neutron detectors for characterizing special nuclear materials in various arms-control and homeland security applications. Recent advances have yielded a new plastic scintillator - EJ299-33 - with pulse-shape-discrimination (PSD) capability. Plastic scintillators would have a much expanded range of deployment relative to liquids and crystals. Here in this paper, we present a full characterization of pulse height response to fission-energy neutrons for an EJ299-33 detector with 7.62-by-7.62-cm cylindrical active volume, and compare with an EJ309 liquid scintillator in the same assembly. Scintillation light output relations, energy resolutions, and response matrices are presented for both detectors. A Continuous spectrum neutron source, obtained via the bombardment of 27 Al with 7.44-MeV deuterons at the Edwards Accelerator Facility at Ohio University, was used for the measurement. A new procedure for evaluating and comparing PSD performance is presented which accounts for the effect of the light output relation on the ability to detect low energy neutrons. The EJ299-33 is shown to have considerable deficit in matrix condition, and in PSD figure of merit when compared to EJ309, especially when neutron energy is taken into account. Furthermore the EJ299 is likely to bring a modest PSD capability into a array of held applications that are not accessible to liquids or crystals.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2015

Note: Establishing α-particle radiation damage experiments using the Dalton Cumbrian Facility’s 5 MV tandem pelletron

Evaluating the radiation stability of mineral phases is a vital research challenge when assessing the performance of the materials employed in a Geological Disposal Facility for radioactive waste. This report outlines the setup and methodology for efficiently allowing the determination of the dose dependence of damage to a mineral from a single ion irradiated sample. The technique has been deployed using the Dalton Cumbrian Facility’s 5 MV tandem pelletron to irradiate a suite of minerals with a controlled α-particle ({sup 4}He{sup 2+}) beam. Such minerals are proxies for near-field clay based buffer material surrounding radioactive canisters, as well as the sorbent components of the host rock.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗