NSUF 18-1213: Investigation of gas bubble behavior in metals using in-situ Ne, Ar and Kr ion irradiation
The development of He and Xe bubbles in structural and fuel materials could have large impact on material and fuel performance. It continues to be the active research in those areas for improved understanding of the gas bubble behavior and the effect on performance. However, the effects on inert gas atom size on the formation of gas bubble superlattice (GBS) have not been systematically studied. In this rapid turnaround work, we propose to use the Intermediate Voltage Electron Microscopy (IVEM)-Tandem Facility at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), through special experimental design, achieve the irradiation objectives of developing the GBS with Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar) and Krypton (Kr) ions for selected metals. Ne, Ar and Kr ions with various energies (30 keV to 1 MeV) and irradiation temperatures ranging from room temperature to 600C will be tested on selected metals (Fe, Mo and W) with various anisotropies. GBS is a highly desired microstructural feature particularly for nuclear fuels. A fundamental study in collaboration with modeling could lead to in-depth knowledge and better design for nuclear fuel which could have a broad impact to the DOE nuclear energy program. Optimal irradiation conditions for gas bubble self-organization will be indicated by the bubble alignment in TEM bright field imaging and the presence of satellite spots associated with the major spots in the selected area diffraction pattern. Once the GBS is established, the irradiation condition will be modified to investigate the effects of irradiation condition on GBS development. The thermal stability of the GBS will also be investigated using the TEM in-situ heating holder. The experimental microstructure characterization is to provide a fundamental foundation for the atomic-level modeling at Idaho National Laboratory. We will use a combination of state-of-the-art experimental and computational approaches to compare the differences for formation of GBSs in these specially selected metals. Using this approach, we expect that we will elucidate the role of anisotropy on self-organization of GBSs. The knowledge gained from this work would help us use irradiation as a tool to tune materials microstructures and design materials with desired properties in a controllable way through a “materials-by-design” approach. This rapid turnaround project includes in situ TEM observation using IVEM-Tandem facility at ANL, experimental data analysis and final report, which will take about 6 months in total. The proposed research will be performed within 10 days at ANL.
Additional Info
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abstract | The development of He and Xe bubbles in structural and fuel materials could have large impact on material and fuel performance. It continues to be the active research in those areas for improved understanding of the gas bubble behavior and the effect on performance. However, the effects on inert gas atom size on the formation of gas bubble superlattice (GBS) have not been systematically studied. In this rapid turnaround work, we propose to use the Intermediate Voltage Electron Microscopy (IVEM)-Tandem Facility at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), through special experimental design, achieve the irradiation objectives of developing the GBS with Neon (Ne), Argon (Ar) and Krypton (Kr) ions for selected metals. Ne, Ar and Kr ions with various energies (30 keV to 1 MeV) and irradiation temperatures ranging from room temperature to 600C will be tested on selected metals (Fe, Mo and W) with various anisotropies. GBS is a highly desired microstructural feature particularly for nuclear fuels. A fundamental study in collaboration with modeling could lead to in-depth knowledge and better design for nuclear fuel which could have a broad impact to the DOE nuclear energy program. Optimal irradiation conditions for gas bubble self-organization will be indicated by the bubble alignment in TEM bright field imaging and the presence of satellite spots associated with the major spots in the selected area diffraction pattern. Once the GBS is established, the irradiation condition will be modified to investigate the effects of irradiation condition on GBS development. The thermal stability of the GBS will also be investigated using the TEM in-situ heating holder. The experimental microstructure characterization is to provide a fundamental foundation for the atomic-level modeling at Idaho National Laboratory. We will use a combination of state-of-the-art experimental and computational approaches to compare the differences for formation of GBSs in these specially selected metals. Using this approach, we expect that we will elucidate the role of anisotropy on self-organization of GBSs. The knowledge gained from this work would help us use irradiation as a tool to tune materials microstructures and design materials with desired properties in a controllable way through a “materials-by-design” approach. This rapid turnaround project includes in situ TEM observation using IVEM-Tandem facility at ANL, experimental data analysis and final report, which will take about 6 months in total. The proposed research will be performed within 10 days at ANL. |
| Award Announced Date | 2018-02-01T14:15:45.83 |
| Awarded Institution | Center for Advanced Energy Studies |
| Facility | Microscopy and Characterization Suite |
| Facility Tech Lead | Alina Zackrone, Wei-Ying Chen, Yaqiao Wu |
| Irradiation Facility | None |
| PI | Jian Gan |
| PI Email | [email protected] |
| Project Type | RTE |
| RTE Number | 1213 |