DOE to fund advanced nuclear materials consortium led by U-M
October 15, 2007
ANN ARBOR, Mich.
A U-M led cooperative research project in advanced nuclear energy systems has been selected to receive part of $30.7 million in grants from the Department of Energy.
The research, “Cladding and Structural Materials for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems”, is the only project focused on materials selected for funding. Gary S. Was and Lumin Wang, professors of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences and materials sciences and engineering, are primary investigators on the project.
The research aims to identify the most promising materials for use in sodium-cooled fast reactors and very high temperature gas reactors, both in terms of efficiency and safety. A better understanding of material response to high temperature and irradiation is critical to the viability of the concepts and can improve efficiency and safety.
DOE will provide $3 million three years for the first phase of the project, which is renewable. Due to the scale of the problem, it will be difficult to solve in three years. Work in the first phase will focus on using ion irradiation to simulate damage created by neutrons in the reactor. Subsequent phases of the study will look at the effects of in-reactor irradiation using test reactors.
DOE’s Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (NERI) focuses on developing advanced nuclear energy systems and providing state-of-the-art research concerning nuclear science and technology. NERI grants engage university professors and their students in advanced nuclear fuel cycle research and development and support President Bush’s Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP).
“This project speaks directly to GNEP,” says Was. “It will increase energy security through improved reactor systems with closed fuel cycles and reduced waste production.”
Was and Wang will be working with Todd Allen from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Arthur Motta from Pennsylvania State University, Brian Wirth from the University of California – Berkeley, Anthony Evans from the University of California – Santa Barbara and Daryush Ila from Alabama A&M University.
About MMPEI
The Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute is charting a path to a clean, secure and affordable energy future by developing and coordinating energy research and education in the physical and social sciences at the University of Michigan. For more information, please visit www.mmpei.umich.edu.
