RadIAEM:Analytical Electron Microscope with in situ capability for beta, gamma active materials
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Materials
Abstract
This project is related to the ambition for the UK low C future. Nuclear energy is a dependable low-C source for UK energy needs, and considerable research is in progress to develop improved advanced reactors to fill the increasing demand for power. Materials research and development is an essential part of advanced reactor system designs, and it is this area that is addressed in RadIAEM. The ability to study and optimize materials used in nuclear power systems requires the detailed analysis of the effects of neutron radiation on the nano-scale microstructure of materials, since the microstructure controls the materials behaviour. RadIAEM is an advanced Analytical Electron Microscope (AEM) dedicated for neutron-irradiated materials with the unique ability to view in real time nanoscale and microscale changes that can occur in the samples at elevated temperatures and also in a variety of gas environments. With RadIAEM (Radioactive In situ AEM) it will be possible to perform world-leading research that is essential to understand the microstructural effects of neutron irradiation on materials for advanced nuclear fission and fusion reactors. This type of research cannot be performed in universities as the samples of interest must be studied in a special laboratory, so we will establish a national RadIAEM user facility located at the UKAEA Materials Research Facility. RadIAEM will enable us to study nanoscale irradiation-induced features that cause hardening and changes in toughness as well as identify ways that we can tailor microstructures to provide improved performance. The novel in-situ capability permit specimens to be heated up to 1000C as the research scientist studies the change in nanoscale microstructure and the nanoscale changes in composition. The reaction of irradiated materials (steels, nickel alloys, graphite and other materials) with various gaseous environments of interest in advanced reactors can also be investigated in RadIAEM. RadIAEM will benefit from the wealth of electron microscopy and in situ Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) expertise at the Universities of Manchester, Birmingham, Oxford and Sheffield as well as from the major experts at UKAEA, electron Physical Science Imaging Centre (ePSIC) and SuperSTEM. It will also be possible to study a wide range of materials using a variety of AEM-based techniques using RadIAEM, and also provide the ability to work with various types of TEM samples. RadIAEM will also provide advanced training in TEM diffraction-based analysis of irradiation-induced defects, general AEM training, and training in the unique and exciting in situ techniques to nuclear materials scientists, especially the young researchers, who will be tomorrow's nuclear scientists and engineers.
| Description | RadIAEM is part of the National Nuclear Users Facilities (NNUF) and will provide the UK nuclear energy research community with access to high resolution electron microscopes capable of in situ examination of beta and gamma active materials. Commissioning of this facility is still in progress but we are hoping for the first external users by autumn of 2023. Three activities should be highlighted from the past reporting period: 1) procurement of the Protochips Atmosphere elevated temperature gas reaction in situ system for the JOEL NEOARM analytical electron microscope has been completed 2) delivery of the Atmosphere in situ gas reaction cell system to the UKAEA Materials Research Facility has occurred and installation / commissioning is underway 3) a workshop for possible RADIAEM users is schedlued for the last Thursday and Friday in June of 2023 |
| Exploitation Route | RadIAEM will be an open facility for use of the UK nuclear energy research community as part of the EPSRC led National Nuclear Users Facility (NNUF). We hipe to have our first external users in the autumn of 2023. |
| Sectors | Education,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | RadIAEM, once commissioned, will be part of EPSRC's National Nuclear Research Facilities. Procurement, installation and commissioning is on-going and we hope to have external users in autmn of 2023. This project is related to the ambition for the UK low C future. Nuclear energy is a dependable low-C source for UK energy needs, and considerable research is in progress to develop improved advanced reactors to fill the increasing demand for power. Materials research and development is an essential part of advanced reactor system designs, and it is this area that is addressed in RadIAEM. The ability to study and optimize materials used in nuclear power systems requires the detailed analysis of the effects of neutron radiation on the nano-scale microstructure of materials, since the microstructure controls the materials behaviour. RadIAEM is an advanced Analytical Electron Microscope (AEM) dedicated for neutron-irradiated materials with the unique ability to view in real time nanoscale and microscale changes that can occur in the samples at elevated temperatures and also in a variety of gas environments. With RadIAEM (Radioactive In situ AEM) it will be possible to perform world-leading research that is essential to understand the microstructural effects of neutron irradiation on materials for advanced nuclear fission and fusion reactors. This type of research cannot be performed in universities as the samples of interest must be studied in a special laboratory, so we will establish a national RadIAEM user facility located at the UKAEA Materials Research Facility. RadIAEM will enable us to study nanoscale irradiation-induced features that cause hardening and changes in toughness as well as identify ways that we can tailor microstructures to provide improved performance. The novel in-situ capability permit specimens to be heated up to 1000C as the research scientist studies the change in nanoscale microstructure and the nanoscale changes in composition. The reaction of irradiated materials (steels, nickel alloys, graphite and other materials) with various gaseous environments of interest in advanced reactors can also be investigated in RadIAEM. RadIAEM will benefit from the wealth of electron microscopy and in situ Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) expertise at the Universities of Manchester, Birmingham, Oxford and Sheffield as well as from the major experts at UKAEA, electron Physical Science Imaging Centre (ePSIC) and SuperSTEM. It will also be possible to study a wide range of materials using a variety of AEM-based techniques using RadIAEM, and also provide the ability to work with various types of TEM samples. RadIAEM will also provide advanced training in TEM diffraction-based analysis of irradiation-induced defects, general AEM training, and training in the unique and exciting in situ techniques to nuclear materials scientists, especially the young researchers, who will be tomorrow's nuclear scientists and engineers. |
| Sector | Education,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | International Organising Committee for Materials in Nuclear Power Systems (International Conference) - November 2021 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This conference is focused on a broad range of materials issues in advanced nuclear power systems. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Invited Lecture - Advanced Microscopy for Structural Alloys for Nuclear Power Applications - Joint INL-CNL-Canadian Centre for EM International Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 3 Day International Workshop, jointly hosted by Idaho National Laboratory (INL, Dr.ColinJudge), Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL, Dr.BradPayne), and the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy (CCEM, Dr.Nabil Bassim), on the use of electron microscopy techniques, and surface analytical tools to characterize nuclear material, nuclear fuels, and degradation processes. International speakers have been invited to present their work and discuss the use of electron, ion, and X-ray microscopy and spectroscopy techniques in the context of analyzing materials and fuels for nuclear applications. The talks include background on each characterization technique, but the focus will be on applications- materials presented include various alloys and irradiated fuels, and the use of the microscopy techniques to analyze oxidation and corrosion processes, and irradiation damage within these materials. Talk resulted in several international queries to Prof. Burke concerning advice and guidance for research efforts on-going at CNL and at several US laboratories. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://ccem.mcmaster.ca/outreach-and-events/ |
| Description | OECD/NEA Expert Group on Innovative Structural Materials - High entropy alloys for advanced nuclear applications Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The NEA Expert Group on Innovative Structural Materials (EGISM) organised a workshop together with the Spanish Center for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (CIEMAT) on the development, potential uses, opportunities and limitations of high entropy alloys for nuclear applications. Held virtually on 19-21 October 2021, the event attracted 120 participants from 11 countries who exchanged the latest developments and innovations in the field of high entropy materials and complex concentrated alloys. The workshop opened with an overview on research and development initiatives in this field with perspectives from the People's Republic of China, the European Union and the United States. The discussions then addressed numerical design and computational approaches to develop high entropy alloys, as well as fabrication and manufacturing and microstructures and mechanical properties of high entropy alloys. Irradiation resistance of high entropy alloys and their compatibility with corrosive environments were also explored. Participants agreed on the importance of collaboration at the international level to support the acceleration of high entropy materials development for use in the nuclear industry. A broad consensus was also expressed on the need to accumulate both theoretical and experimental data on the behaviour of these materials in conditions that simulate nuclear reactor conditions. Considering the broad variety of systems included in this class of materials, efforts will be also needed to collect and systematise data in a consistent way as they are produced - especially considering the fact that research in this field heavily involves the use of machine learning techniques for both material design and material modelling purposes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.oecd-nea.org/jcms/pl_61782/high-entropy-alloys-for-advanced-nuclear-applications |