About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Solid-State Processing and Manufacturing for Nuclear Applications: Integrating Insights and Innovations
|
| Presentation Title |
Process Optimization for Hydride Fuel Fabrication |
| Author(s) |
Jennifer Watkins, Adrian R. Wagner, Adrianna Lupercio, Joshua Zelina |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Jennifer Watkins |
| Abstract Scope |
Uranium-zirconium hydride (U-ZrHx) has a long history in nuclear fuel applications and ZrHx for reactor moderators. Currently, U-ZrHx is only used for Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics (TRIGA®) reactors. This fuel type was pursued based on its inherent safety features such as its prompt negative temperature coefficient of reactivity and high heat capacity. Despite the fuel’s attractiveness for advanced reactor designs and space nuclear applications, the difficult and protracted fabrication process has prohibited it from being pursued for commercial applications.
At Idaho National Laboratory, researchers are exploring the use of novel solid-state sintering techniques to fabricate and advance the fabrication of U-ZrHx.
An overview of data collected to date on the novel solid-state sintering of U-ZrHx will be presented including material characterization: optical imaging, SEM, and XRD. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |