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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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At least 271 records · Page 15

New method for analysis of X-ray computed tomography scans of TRISO fuel forms

X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is a powerful characterization tool that has been used for examination of both tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) coated particles and fuel forms. Rapid, nondestructive imaging of complete specimens by XCT provides significant characterization advantages in both speed and comprehensiveness over traditional materialographic methods. This paper discusses a method that has been developed to analyze XCT images of pebble fuel forms containing ~18,000 TRISO particles each. The XCT images are three-dimensional with contrast based on relative x-ray transparency. In the case of TRISO fuel forms, XCT image intensity distinguishes between the high-density kernel, the medium-density SiC, and the low-density matrix and carbon layers. Image analysis software has been developed to process XCT data sets to extract spatial distribution information, including particle nearest-neighbor distances, local packing fraction, and fuel-free zone thickness in TRISO fuel forms. Finally, although this type of high-resolution XCT analysis is likely not feasible as a quality control measurement for commercial TRISO fuel, it is highly useful in generating feedback for the development of fuel form fabrication processes.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Design and construction of a point-contact spectroscopy rig with lateral scanning capability

The design and realization of a cryogenic rig for point-contact spectroscopy measurements in the needle-anvil configuration is presented. Thanks to the use of two piezoelectric nano-positioners, the tip can move along the vertical (z) and horizontal (x) direction and thus the rig is suitable to probe different regions of a sample in situ. Moreover, it can also form double point-contacts on different facets of a single crystal for achieving, e.g., an interferometer configuration for phase-sensitive measurements. For the later purpose, the sample holder can also host a Helmholtz coil for applying a small transverse magnetic field to the junction. A semi-rigid coaxial cable can be easily added for studying the behavior of Josephson junctions under microwave irradiation. The rig can be detached from the probe and thus used with different cryostats. The performance of this new probe has been tested in a Quantum Design PPMS system by conducting point-contact Andreev reflection measurements on Nb thin films over large areas as a function of temperature and magnetic field.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Parametric Finite Element Analysis of Naturally Corroded Steel Specimens Using 3D Surface Laser Scans

Corrosion is considered a uniform thickness reduction design guideline of the maritime industry. However, additionally, the corroded and irregular morphology of the surface affects the steel's load-bearing capacity and its impact on the strength and elongation behaviour of the steel is not yet fully understood. These effects on the local behaviour of steel structures under tensile loading were investigated with tensile tests on naturally corroded steel specimens and nonlinear finite element simulations including the corroded surface morphology with a uniform surface idealation. The models also include the deformed specimen shape. The developed approach led to highly accurate parametric finite element models predicting the ultimate tensile strength and longitudinal position of fracture. The results show that all included aspects are essential for accurate simulations, while solely the maximum available surface resolution was not as decisive.

corrosion↗

A novel method for experimental characterization of large-angle scattered particles in scanned carbon-ion therapy

Purpose: It is essential to consider large-angle scattered particles in dose calculation models for therapeutic carbon-ion beams. However, it is difficult to measure the small dose contribution from large-angle scattered particles. In this paper, the authors present a novel method to derive the parameters describing large-angle scattered particles from the measured results. Methods: The authors developed a new parallel-plate ionization chamber consisting of concentric electrodes. Since the sensitive volume of each channel is increased linearly with this type, it is possible to efficiently and easily detect small contributions from the large-angle scattered particles. The parameters describing the large-angle scattered particles were derived from pencil beam dose distribution in water measured with the new ionization chamber. To evaluate the validity of this method, the correction for the field-size dependence of the doses, “predicted-dose scaling factor,” was calculated with the new parameters. Results: The predicted-dose scaling factor calculated with the new parameters was compared with the existing one. The difference between the new correction factor and the existing one was 1.3%. For target volumes of different sizes, the calculated dose distribution with the new parameters was in good agreement with the measured one. Conclusions: Parameters describing the large-angle scattered particles can be efficiently and rapidly determined using the new ionization chamber. The authors confirmed that the field-size dependence of the doses could be compensated for by the new parameters. This method makes it possible to easily derive the parameters describing the large-angle scattered particles, while maintaining the dose calculation accuracy.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗