Recent research accomplishments achieved by university programs included:
A detailed structural and chemical model of silicon carbide crystals was developed
using photoemission data collected at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)
Research on the use of positron annihilation to nondestructively identify material
defects continued. (Idaho State University)
The Equilibrium Operation Fuel Cycle Model was developed to provide a simple calculation
of key fuel cycle parameters (i.e., economics, heavy metal inventory, etc.) using an equilibrium operation
approximation for a nuclear park scenario consisting of two reactor types. (University of Michigan)
Rate-controlled sintering experiments using composite materials were performed to
identify conditions that minimize cracking and maximize density. (University of Florida)
A test facility that simulates heat transfer from used light water reactor fuel to the interior of shipping and storage casks is under development. Test results will be
used to benchmark computer codes that predict used fuel temperatures in casks. (University of Nevada, Reno)
Mini-photonuclear detectors were tested using U-238 under bremsstrahlung radiation.
(Idaho State University)
Uranium nitride with 97 percent purity was synthesized using zirconium metal as
an oxygen trap. (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)
Microstructures of irradiated and unirradiated zinc nitride and zinc carbide
were examined to determine their behavior as the matrix of advanced nuclear fuels. (University of Wisconsin)
Calculations of decay heat generation from residual deep burn isotopes were developed.
(University of Nevada, Las Vegas)
Three large-scale fire tests of rail casks were completed to collect data for modeling.
(University of Nevada, Reno)
