CX-020915: Radiation-induced Swelling in Advanced Nuclear Fuel – University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The University of Tennessee (UT), in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), proposes to investigate the effects of radiation exposure on the microstructure of advanced fuel materials under normal and accident scenarios. UT will utilize state-of the-art ion-beam experiments coupled with synchrotron X-ray characterization primarily at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory (requiring only microgram samples) to obtain detailed nanoscale information on defect formation through volumetric swelling and microstrain, as well as defect kinetics and recovery at high temperatures. The tasks associated with this project are (1) Sample synthesis (ORNL lead); (2) Irradiation experiments (planned for GSI Helmholtz Center in Darmstadt, Germany); (3) Advanced characterization; and (4) Annealing and reactivity studies. Existing laboratory facilities will be used.