NSUF 12-379: Transmission Electron Microscopy Investigation of Ion Irradiated UO2

In order to create a physics-based model for thermal conductivity in nuclear fuel, it is imperative to investigate the damage structures within the same samples on which thermal diffusivity measurements are conducted. Currently, the system to investigate thermal diffusivity can take measurements on single crystal materials over temperatures ranging from sub-zero to high temperature. Irradiations have been performed using protons to create defect structures in single crystal UO2. The combination of information from the defect investigation and thermal diffusivity experiments will be incorporated into a model, which will eventually allow for thermal conductivity in fuels to be predicted and better fuel performance to be achieved. In this study, the defect structures will be investigated using the electron microscopy equipment at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES). Preparation of samples will be completed at the CAES facility using a focused ion beam to create transmission electron microscopy (TEM) foils, and subsequently, the TEM investigation will be performed. The samples used in this study have already undergone stoichiometric measurement using Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure measurements, and, after the CAES study, will be sent for thermal diffusivity measurements. A week of time at CAES in July/August would allow the other measurements, analysis, and modeling to be complete by the end of the year.

Additional Info

Field	Value
Abstract	In order to create a physics-based model for thermal conductivity in nuclear fuel, it is imperative to investigate the damage structures within the same samples on which thermal diffusivity measurements are conducted. Currently, the system to investigate thermal diffusivity can take measurements on single crystal materials over temperatures ranging from sub-zero to high temperature. Irradiations have been performed using protons to create defect structures in single crystal UO2. The combination of information from the defect investigation and thermal diffusivity experiments will be incorporated into a model, which will eventually allow for thermal conductivity in fuels to be predicted and better fuel performance to be achieved. In this study, the defect structures will be investigated using the electron microscopy equipment at the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES). Preparation of samples will be completed at the CAES facility using a focused ion beam to create transmission electron microscopy (TEM) foils, and subsequently, the TEM investigation will be performed. The samples used in this study have already undergone stoichiometric measurement using Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure measurements, and, after the CAES study, will be sent for thermal diffusivity measurements. A week of time at CAES in July/August would allow the other measurements, analysis, and modeling to be complete by the end of the year.
Award Announced Date	2012-08-31T00:00:00
Awarded Institution	Illinois Institute of Technology
Facility	Materials Research Collaborative Access Team (MRCAT)
Facility Tech Lead	Alina Zackrone, Jeff Terry, Yaqiao Wu
Irradiation Facility	None
PI	Kumar Sridharan
PI Email	[email protected]
Project Type	RTE
RTE Number	379