| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
Materials in Nuclear Energy Systems (MiNES) 2021
|
| Symposium
|
Materials in Nuclear Energy Systems (MiNES) 2021
|
| Presentation Title |
The Challenges of α-uranium: Fundamental Understanding of a Past and Future Nuclear Fuel Material |
| Author(s) |
Andrea Jokisaari, Benjamin Beeler, Michael Tonks, Fidelma di Lemma, Khadija Mahbuba, Aashique Rezwan, Yuhao Wang, Tiankai Yao |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Andrea Jokisaari |
| Abstract Scope |
Metallic uranium is one of the first materials ever used as nuclear fuel; yet it displays complex irradiation behaviors that are still not well understood today. These complex behaviors make the material challenging to use in modern metallic nuclear fuels, but provides a rich arena to investigate the fundamental, multi-scale mechanisms of irradiation damage. Most open research into the irradiation behavior of uranium ceased during the 1960s, while experimental and computational techniques have continued to progress. We apply modern investigation techniques, such as molecular dynamics, phase field modeling, crystal plasticity, and in-situ TEM experiments, to study the fundamental behaviors of α-uranium with and without irradiation. We investigate the properties of point defects, their collection into extended defects and interaction with microstructural sinks as well as mesoscale phenomena such as grain growth, irradiation growth, and plasticity. Recently gained insights also highlight potential avenues of future work. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Undecided |