System and method for nuclear reactor fuel having freeze-cast matrix impregnated with nucleotide-rich material

Patent · Tue Jun 11 00:00:00 EDT 2019

OSTI ID:1568442

Wegst, Ulrike G. K.; Hunger, Philipp; Allen, Todd

A multiphase composite, formed by freeze-casting, lyophilization, and sintering, has sintered particles forming a scaffold having at least one region of aligned porosity; and a second phase formed in pores of the scaffold. In a particular embodiment, the second phase is a nuclear fuel, in another, the first phase is a nuclear fuel, and in others, both phases are nuclear fuels. In some embodiments, the first phase is a ceramic, and in other embodiments a metal such as stainless steel. In other embodiments, the second phase is a metal, and in other embodiments a ceramic. In some embodiments the second phase is positioned in a subset of pores of the scaffold, at least some additional pores being filled with a third phase. In embodiments, the second phase is also sintered.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517; DE015633; NEUP10-848
• Assignee: Trustees of Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH); Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (Madison, WI)
• Patent Number(s): 10,315,246
• Application Number: 14/196,883
• OSTI ID: 1568442
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 03/04/2014
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English