| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Accelerated Qualification of Nuclear Materials Integrating Experiments, Modeling, and Theories
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| Presentation Title |
Irradiation-induced Helium Evolution and Damage Effects in REBCO Coated Conductors Used for Compact Fusion |
| Author(s) |
Christopher Richard Reis, Chase Gesteland, Hamilton Parrish, Mehdi Balooch, Lee Bernstein, Soren Prestemon, Peter Hosemann |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Christopher Richard Reis |
| Abstract Scope |
Nuclear fusion is an enticing alternative to current sources of energy, with multilayered Rare-Earth Barium Copper Oxide (REBCO) coated conductors favorites to making an expedited path toward commercially viable, high-field tokamak reactors. Recently solder-impregnated cables, such as MIT’s PIT-VIPER cables, have gained momentum for electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. In this study we investigate the radiation effects anticipated at the magnet location in these proposed compact fusion reactors. Specifically, gas production was simulated using TALYS and SRIM before being emulated using helium-implantation on both superconductor and candidate low-temperature solders. These solders exhibited phase-preferential bubbling, of special concern in magnets which would be thermally cycled from 77 Kelvin to room temperature for maintenance and thus at risk for rupture due to expansion. Implantation on each layer of the REBCO revealed staggering differences in swelling rates as a function of dose, especially concerning since delamination is an issue for these conductors. Finally, a reimagination of fusion-grade REBCO is proposed with these effects in mind to assist in addressing these issues in the race for near-term commercial fusion. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |