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At least 1,135 records · Page 63

Printing transferable components using microstructured elastomeric surfaces with pressure modulated reversible adhesion

In a method of printing a transferable component, a stamp including an elastomeric post having three-dimensional relief features protruding from a surface thereof is pressed against a component on a donor substrate with a first pressure that is sufficient to mechanically deform the relief features and a region of the post between the relief features to contact the component over a first contact area. The stamp is retracted from the donor substrate such that the component is adhered to the stamp. The stamp including the component adhered thereto is pressed against a receiving substrate with a second pressure that is less than the first pressure to contact the component over a second contact area that is smaller than the first contact area. The stamp is then retracted from the receiving substrate to delaminate the component from the stamp and print the component onto the receiving substrate. Related apparatus and stamps are also discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Ceramic radiation detector device and method

A ceramic lithium indium diselenide or like radiation detector device formed as a pressed material that exhibits scintillation properties substantially identical to a corresponding single crystal growth radiation detector device, exhibiting the intrinsic property of the chemical compound, with an acceptable decrease in light output, but at a markedly lower cost due to the time savings associated with pressing versus single crystal growth.

Preston, Jeffrey R.↗

Energy Efficient, Incrementally Scalable, Continuous Basalt Fiber Manufacturing Process (Final Technical Report)

This project focused on new materials, bushing materials, that had the ability to produce continuous basalt or glass fiber. The original scope of the project was designed to identify bushing materials and produce fiber, but that scope did change during the program. The team put significant work into bushing material development in the place of producing fiber. The final bushing materials had to be able to produce fiber and the final sets of the project saw single strands of fiber be produced. The final materials selected was a unique MMC bushing composition. Using advanced chemistry, the interface chemistry was tailored between metallic and ceramic powders. Powders and fibers were consolidated using cold isostatic pressing and electrified ceramic hot pressing to form a near net shape composite bushing.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Ceramic radiation detector device and method

A ceramic lithium indium diselenide or like radiation detector device formed as a pressed material that exhibits scintillation properties substantially identical to a corresponding single crystal growth radiation detector device, exhibiting the intrinsic property of the chemical compound, with an acceptable decrease in light output, but at a markedly lower cost due to the time savings associated with pressing versus single crystal growth.

Preston, Jeffrey R.↗

Forming Complex Nuclear Fuel Shapes in High-Loaded Silicide Surrogates

This work provides proof of the concept that high silicide loading nuclear fuel meat surrogates with complicated geometries can be produced with uniform density through an application of cold isostatic pressing (CIP). Dispersion fuels with high volumetric loading of U_3 Si_2 have challenges in fabrication. Fabrication involves a series of processes including powder compaction, rolling pack assembly, and roll forming. PNNL has undertaken extensive experimental work using MoSi2 and WSi2 as surrogates for U3Si2 to explore the feasibility of reducing or eliminating the issues through the application of CIP in the powder pressing step prior to rolling pack assembly. The composites were prepared at >40 vol% silicide loading, which was representative of 4.8 gU/cm^3 and formed via CIP at 50 KSI (Kilopound per Square Inch) pressure. The CIP mold design was taken through a design process which aimed to reduce defects and increase precision. The application of CIP here provides a broad strategy for producing highly loaded dispersion fuels with complex geometries and uniform density.

Clelland, Dustin T.↗

Integrated Operations for Nuclear: Work Reduction Opportunity Demonstration

Integrated Operations for Nuclear: Work Reduction Opportunity Demonstration The DI BCA document also identifies specific, digitally enabled WRO categories for further study. These were selected as most relevant by Reference Plant personnel from a larger list of WRO areas identified across the nuclear industry as captured INL/RPT-21-64134, “Process for Significant Nuclear Work Function Innovation Based on Integrated Operations Concepts.” This ION WRO demonstration report was developed to provide illustrative, specific, and actionable direction for intertwined PTPG changes associated with digital modernization efforts. The coordinated changes in these areas are intended to maximize safe plant operational and economic performance. This includes enabling WROs associated with detailed configuration, implementation, and use of digital systems and how they are supported over their lifecycle. Illustrating this direction through a minimum set of advanced technology examples establishes a model PTPG framework that can be leveraged across the spectrum of nuclear plant digital modernization efforts going forward. This document addresses many related concepts. To promote an integrated understanding of the topics that make up this work, this document contains an extensive set of internal hyperlinks. This set includes hyperlinks to page numbers in the table of contents, section numbers, items in lists, figures, tables, and references to other documents within the report. When hovering the cursor above hyperlinked text in Adobe, the cursor will change from “ ” to “ .” When the “ ” appears, a left mouse click will take the reader to the referenced location in the document. To return to the original location in the document, the reader need only press and hold the “alt” button on the keyboard and then simultaneously press the “<” directional key on the keyboard.

42 ENGINEERING↗

ELECTRIC FIELD-ASSISTED DIFFUSION WELDING TO FABRICATE ALLOY 617 COMPACT HEAT EXCHANGERS

Compact heat exchangers are of interest for a number of applications including advanced reactors. Alloy 617 is one of the top candidate materials for the gas-cooled reactor intermediate heat exchanger. Previous endeavors to diffusion weld Alloy 617 utilized hot pressing (HP). It was reported that grain boundary migration across the interface was hindered by extensive precipitation. Bonds of this nature have been observed to reduce the elevated-temperature mechanical properties compared to the wrought-product form. It was hypothesized that the electric current applied during electric-field-assisted sintering (EFAS) can overcome these challenges, resulting in improved diffusion welding (DW). This study investigated DW of Alloy 617 via EFAS. Stacks composed of three sheets that were 20 mm in diameter were welded using EFAS. Specimens were welded with an applied electric current, a pressure of 30 MPa, hold time of 30 min, and temperatures of 1050°C, 1100°C, and 1150°C. DW using HP as the zero-current analog of EFAS was also performed at the most promising EFAS conditions. Results revealed that both the applied electric current and temperature played a key role in precipitation and grain boundary migration in diffusion-welded Alloy 617. Precipitates were observed at the interface of the hot-pressed samples which limited grain boundary migration. Electric current was found to prevent precipitate formation along the interface at 1150°C. The electric current coupled with a temperature of 1150°C during EFAS resulted in significant grain boundary migration across the interface.

36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Technology Selections for Cylindrical Compact Fabrication

A variety of process approaches are available and have been used historically for manufacture of cylindrical fuel compacts. The jet milling, fluid bed overcoating, and hot press compacting approach being adopted in the U.S. AGR Fuel Development Program for scale-up of the compacting process involves significant paradigm shifts from historical approaches. New methods are being pursued because of distinct advantages in simplicity, yield, and elimination of process mixed waste. Recent advances in jet milling technology allow simplified dry matrix powder preparation. The matrix preparation method is well matched with patented fluid bed powder overcoating technology recently developed for the pharmaceutical industry and directly usable for high density fuel particle matrix overcoating. High density overcoating places fuel particles as close as possible to their final position in the compact and is matched with hot press compacting which fully fluidizes matrix resin to achieve die fill at low compacting pressures and without matrix end caps. Overall the revised methodology provides a simpler process that should provide very high yields, improve homogeneity, further reduce defect fractions, eliminate intermediate grading and QC steps, and allow further increases in fuel packing fractions.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

A comparative study of TiN and TiC: Oxidation resistance and retention of xenon at high temperature and under degraded vacuum

Dense TiN and TiC samples were prepared by hot pressing using micrometric powders. Xenon species (simulating rare gas fission products) were then implanted into the ceramics. The samples were annealed for 1 h at 1500 deg. C under several degraded vacuums with P{sub O{sub 2}} varying from 10{sup -6} to 2x10{sup -4} mbars. The oxidation resistance of the samples and their retention properties with respect to preimplanted xenon species were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, grazing incidence x-ray diffraction, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and nuclear backscattering spectrometry. Results indicate that TiC is resistant to oxidation and does not release xenon for P{sub O{sub 2{<=}}}6x10{sup -6} mbars. When P{sub O{sub 2}} increases, geometric oxide crystallites appear at the surface depending on the orientation and size of TiC grains. These oxide phases are Ti{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Ti{sub 3}O{sub 5}, and TiO{sub 2}. Apparition of oxide crystallites is associated with the beginning of xenon release. TiC surface is completely covered by the oxide phases at P{sub O{sub 2}}=2x10{sup -4} mbars up to a depth of 3 {mu}m and the xenon is then completely released. For TiN samples, the results show a progressive apparition of oxide crystallites (Ti{sub 3}O{sub 5} mainly) at the surface when P{sub O{sub 2}} increases. The presence of the oxide crystallites is also directly correlated with xenon release, the more oxide crystallites are growing the more xenon is released. TiN surface is completely covered by an oxide layer at P{sub O{sub 2}}=2x10{sup -4} mbars up to 1 {mu}m. A correlation between the initial fine microstructure of TiN and the properties of the growing layer is suggested.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Finite element modelling of process-integrated powder coating by radial axial rolling of rings

The process-integrated powder coating by radial axial rolling of rings represents a new hybrid production technique applied in the manufacturing of large ring-shaped work pieces with functional layers. It is thought to break some limitations that come along with the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) which is used nowadays to apply the powdery layer material onto the rolled substrate ring. Within the new process the compaction of the layer material is integrated into the ring rolling and HIP becomes dispensable. Following this approach the rolling of such compound rings brings up some new challenges. The volume of a solid ring stays nearly constant during the rolling. This behaviour can be exploited to determine the infeed of the rollers needed to reach the desired ring shape. Since volume consistency cannot be guaranteed for the rolling of a compound ring the choice of appropriate infeed of the rollers is still an open question. This paper deals with the finite element (FE) simulation of this new process. First, the material model that is used to describe the compaction of the layer material is shortly reviewed. The main focus of the paper is then put on a parameterized FE ring rolling model that incorporates a control system in order to stabilize the process. Also the differences in the behaviour during the rolling stage between a compound and a solid ring will be discussed by means of simulation results.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of preparation procedure and nanostructuring on the thermoelectric properties of the lead telluride-based material system AgPb{sub m}BiTe{sub 2+m} (BLST-m)

We report on the preparation and thermoelectric properties of the quaternary system AgPb{sub m}BiTe{sub 2+m} (Bismuth-Lead-Silver-Tellurium, BLST-m) that were nanostructured by mechanical alloying. Nanopowders of various compositions were compacted by three different methods: cold pressing/annealing, hot pressing, and short term sintering. The products are compared with respect to microstructure and sample density. The thermoelectric properties were measured: thermal conductivity in the temperature range from 300 K to 800 K and electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient between 100 K and 800 K. The compacting method and the composition had a substantial impact on carrier concentration and mobility as well as on the thermoelectric parameters. Room temperature Hall measurements yielded carrier concentrations in the order of 10{sup 19 }cm{sup −3}, slightly increasing with increasing content of the additive silver bismuth telluride to the lead telluride base. ZT values close to the ones of bulk samples were achieved. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed macroscopically homogeneous distributions of the constituting elements inside the nanopowders ensembles, indicating a solid solution. However, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) revealed disorder on the nanoscale inside individual nanopowders grains.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Milestone Report - M3FT-15OR03120215 - Recommend HIP Conditions for AgZ

The purpose of this study was to continue research to determine if HIPing could directly convert I-Ag 0 Z into a suitable waste form. Fiscal year (FY) 2015 work completed studies of Phase IIA, IIB, and IIC samples. Product consistency testing (PCT) of Phase IIA samples resulted in iodine release below detection limit for six of twelve samples. This is promising and indicates that a durable waste form may be produced through HIPing even if transformation of the zeolite to a distinct mineral phase does not occur. From PCT results of Phase IIA samples, it was determined that future pressing should be conducted at a temperature of 900°C. Phase IIC testing continued production of samples to examine the effects of multiple source materials, compositional variations, and an expanded temperature range. The density of each sample was determined and x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were obtained. In all cases, there was nothing in the XRD analyses to indicate the creation of any AgI-containing silicon phase; the samples were found to be largely amorphous.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Enabling High-Performance NASICON-Based Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries Towards Practical Conditions

Solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs) are promising next-generation high-energy rechargeable batteries. However, the practical energy densities of the reported SSLMBs have been significantly overstated due to the use of thick solid-state electrolytes, thick lithium (Li) anodes, and thin cathodes. Here, a high-performance NASICON-based SSLMB using a thin (60 µm) Li 1.5 Al 0.5 Ge 1.5 (PO 4 ) 3 (LAGP) electrolyte, ultrathin (36 µm) Li metal, and high-loading (8 mg cm -2 ) LiFePO 4 (LFP) cathode is reported. The thin and dense LAGP electrolyte prepared by hot-pressing exhibits a high Li ionic conductivity of 1 × 10 -3 S cm -1 at 80 °C. The assembled SSLMB can thus deliver an increased areal capacity of ≈1 mAh cm -2 at C/5 with a high capacity retention of ≈96% after 50 cycles under 80 °C. Furthermore, it is revealed by synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy and in situ high-energy X-ray diffraction that the side reactions between LAGP electrolyte and LFP cathode are significantly suppressed, while rational surface protection is required for Ni-rich layered cathodes. This study provides valuable insights and guidelines for the development of high-energy SSLMBs towards practical conditions.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Investigation of thermal damage in explosive bridgewire detonators via discrete element method simulations

Exploding bridgewire (EBW) detonators are used to rapidly and reliably initiate energetic reactions by exploding a bridgewire via Joule heating. While the mechanisms of EBW detonators have been studied extensively in nominal conditions, comparatively few studies have addressed thermally damaged detonator operability. We present a mesoscale simulation study of thermal damage in a representative EBW detonator, using discrete element method (DEM) simulations that explicitly account for individual particles in the pressed explosive powder. We use a simplified model of melting, where solid spherical particles undergo uniform shrinking, and fluid dynamics are ignored. The subsequent settling of particles results in the formation of a gap between the solid powder and the bridgewire, which we study under different conditions. In particular, particle cohesion has a significant effect on gap formation and settling behavior, where sufficiently high cohesion leads to coalescence of particles into a free-standing pellet. This behavior is qualitatively compared to experimental visualization data, and simulations are shown to capture several key changes in pellet shape. We derive a minimum and maximum limit on gap formation during melting using simple geometric arguments. In the absence of cohesion, results agree with the maximum gap size. With increasing cohesion, the gap size decreases, eventually saturating at the minimum limit. In conclusion, we present results for different combinations of interparticle cohesion and detonator orientations with respect to gravity, demonstrating the complex behavior of these systems and the potential for DEM simulations to capture a range of scenarios.

cohesive powders↗

Effects of Thermo-Mechanical Processes in the 110 K Phase of Bi{sub 2−x}Pb{sub x}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} (x = 0.3–0.6) Superconductors

In this study, the effects of thermo-mechanical processes on the 110 K phase of Bi{sub 2−x}Pb{sub x}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} (x = 0.3–0.6) superconductors have been studied. In order to investigate the effects of thermo-mechanical processes, the samples were prepared in three groups with different sintering temperatures having intermediate grindings and pressings. The superconducting and structural properties of BPSCCO system were characterized by R(T), χ(T), and J{sub c} measurements; XRD; and SEM analysis. The thermo-mechanical processes were investigated to explain how they affect T{sub c} and metallic properties of the samples. According to the analysis, we obtained that the 110 K phase of BPSCCO samples was significantly affected by these thermal and mechanical processes. The preparation conditions were optimized in order to obtain a BPSCCO system having dominant phase of 110 K with the superior superconducting properties.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Ex Situ Spark Plasma Sintering of Short Powder-in-Tube MgB{sub 2} Tapes with Open and Closed Ends

Short powder-in-tube tapes of MgB{sub 2} in the Fe sheath were fabricated by ex situ route from a commercial powder containing some free Mg and MgO impurity phases. The final heat treatment was performed by spark plasma sintering (SPS). Tapes were with open (OT) or closed (CT) endings. Closed endings were made by folding and pressing. The MgB{sub 2} core of the OT sample has shown a higher low-field critical current density, a higher maximum pinning force, a slightly higher disorder, smaller average MgB{sub 2} crystallite size, a weak contact between Fe and MgB{sub 2} core, and more macro-flux jumps. The upper and irreversibility fields were similar for OT and CT samples. In the center of the MgB{sub 2} cores, the detected impurity phase is MgO, while at the interface with Fe, MgB{sub 4} also occurs. Impurity phases found at interface, MgO and MgB{sub 4}, are present in the center of the bulk SPSed samples. Reactions and pinning-force-related parameters are discussed with respect to Mg behavior influenced by condition of endings. It is inferred that the presence of free Mg in the raw MgB{sub 2} powder has an important contribution to observed differences, and its removal or control is recommended.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of 0.970(0.95(K{sub 0.485}Na{sub 0.515})NbO{sub 3}–0.05LiSbO{sub 3})–0.015CuO–0.015Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}/PVDF 0–3 composite reinforced with two kinds of ZnO powder

0.970(0.95(K{sub 0.485}Na{sub 0.515})NbO{sub 3}–0.05LiSbO{sub 3})–0.015CuO–0.015Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} (KNNLS–CA) ceramic powder obtained through the conventional solid state reaction. The ZnO nanoparticles (denoted as ZnO1) and poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) were supplied from commercial companies. The self-synthesized ZnO powder (denoted as ZnO2) were prepared by hydrothermal method using Zn (CH{sub 3}COO){sub 2}·2H{sub 2}O and NaOH. Subsequently, the two kinds of composites were fabricated by hot-pressing process using KNNLS–CA ceramic powder, two kinds of ZnO powder and PVDF polymer. The effects of the ZnO on the crystalline structures, morphology, thermal stability, densities and electric properties of composites were studied systemically. The KNNLS–CA ceramic possesses a perovskite phase with orthorhombic symmetry and peaks from the second phase of K{sub 3}Li{sub 2}Nb{sub 5}O{sub 15} (PDF#52-0157) are detected by X-ray diffraction. PVDF polymer mainly possesses α, β and γ phases. Two kinds of ZnO all possess hexagonal wurtzite structures without any impurity phase. It is worth noting that the ZnO particles have great impacts on lattice constants, strain and crystallinity. In addition, the ZnO particles can enhance the relative fraction of β phase in PVDF and improve the thermal stability of the composite. Interestingly, the dielectric and piezoelectric properties are also found to be improved with the increase of ZnO content. Especially, when 10 wt.% ZnO2 is doped, the dielectric permittivity reaches the value of 586.4 (100 Hz) at room temperature and the piezoelectric constant is 64 pC/N. After 30 days of aging test, it is obvious that all the composites present a good stability of piezoelectric property.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Evaluating the SWAT Model for Hydrological Modeling in the Xixian Watershed and A Comparison with the XAJ Model

Already declining water availability in Huaihe River, the 6th largest river in China, is further stressed by climate change and intense human activities. There is a pressing need for a watershed model to better understand the interaction between land use activities and hydrologic processes and to support sustainable water use planning. In this study, we evaluated the performance of SWAT for hydrologic modeling in the Xixian River Basin, located at the headwaters of the Huaihe River, and compared its performance with the Xinanjiang (XAJ) model that has been widely used in China

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗