Chemical complexity promises improved structural alloys for next-gen nuclear energy
Friday, October 30, 2015 - 13:00
in Physics & Chemistry
Researchers are investigating ways to design structural materials that develop fewer, smaller flaws under irradiation. Radiation can harm spacecraft, nuclear power plants and high-energy accelerators. Nuclear reactions produce energetic particles -- ions and neutrons -- that can damage materials as their energy disperses, causing the formation of flaws that evolve over time. Advanced structural materials that can withstand radiation are a critical national need for nuclear reactor applications.