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Title: Cellular structures with interconnected microchannels

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1418838
; ;

A method for fabricating a cellular tritium breeder component includes obtaining a reticulated carbon foam skeleton comprising a network of interconnected ligaments. The foam skeleton is then melt-infiltrated with a tritium breeder material, for example, lithium zirconate or lithium titanate. The foam skeleton is then removed to define a cellular breeder component having a network of interconnected tritium purge channels. In an embodiment the ligaments of the foam skeleton are enlarged by adding carbon using chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) prior to melt-infiltration. In an embodiment the foam skeleton is coated with a refractory material, for example, tungsten, prior to melt infiltration.

Research Organization:
Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
SC0007495
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California (Oakland, CA); Ultramet (Pacoima, CA)
Patent Number(s):
9,881,699
Application Number:
14/486,938
OSTI ID:
1418838
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: 2014 Sep 15
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (15)

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Composite foam structures patent August 2005
Tubular hydrogen permeable metal foil membrane and method of fabrication patent April 2006
Method of making carbon fiber-carbon matrix reinforced ceramic composites patent November 2007
Spherical fuel element and production thereof for gas-cooled high temperature pebble bed nuclear reactors (HTR) patent August 2012
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Brittle Biocompatible Composites And Methods patent-application January 2014
Breeder foam: an innovative low porosity solid breeder material journal February 2006
Micro-engineered first wall tungsten armor for high average power laser fusion energy systems journal December 2005
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