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Title: Radiation Effects in Nuclear Waste Materials

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/833736· OSTI ID:833736

The objective of this project is to develop a fundamental understanding of radiation effects in glasses and ceramics, as well as the influence of solid-state radiation effects on aqueous dissolution kinetics. This study will provide the underpinning science to develop improved glass and ceramic waste forms for the immobilization and disposition of high-level tank waste, excess plutonium, plutonium residues and scrap, other actinides, and other nuclear waste streams. Furthermore, this study will develop predictive models for the performance of nuclear waste forms and stabilized nuclear materials. The research focuses on the effects of alpha and beta decay on defect production, defect interactions, diffusion, solid-state phase transformations, and dissolution kinetics. Plutonium incorporation, ion-beam irradiation, and electron-beam irradiation are used to simulate the effects of alpha decay and beta decay on relevant glasses and ceramics in experimental studies. Computer simulation methods are used to provide an atomic-level interpretation of experimental data and continuum-level modeling.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab., Richland, WA; The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM) (US)
DOE Contract Number:
FG07-01ER63152
OSTI ID:
833736
Report Number(s):
EMSP-73750-2001; R&D Project: EMSP 73750; TRN: US0406759
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 1 Jun 2001
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English