Novel Materials Design for Future Energy System

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The proposed research targets improvements in the safety and reliability of energy supplies by design of novel, materials-based solutions. We propose projects in three research areas: A) the materials for future Gen IV nuclear power reactors and nuclear fusion reactors; B) hydrogen fuel generation, storage and detection for a future hydrogen economy; C) innovatively textured pipeline steels for improvement of the safety and reliability of oil and gas transport. A. NUCLEAR ENERGY. Atomic Energy of Canada is engaged in the design of novel Gen IV supercritical water reactors; in addition, Canadian company, General Fusion, plans to develop a model fusion reactor within the next 10 years. We will use microstructural and textural design, including concepts of grain boundary engineering, to developed novel structures in materials that are more resistant to failure at high temperatures and have improved thermal and mechanical properties for use in environments that are severely corrosive and under neutron flux and stress. We will employ ab-initio calculation to predict the structural and thermal properties of nuclear fuels at very high temperatures. B. HYDROGEN ENERGY. Hydrogen is a clean and sustainable source of energy. We will improve the efficiency of hydrogen production from the reaction of aluminum with water by optimizing the high-energy ball-milling process and the structure of aluminum particles. We will develop a novel, graphene-based storage system for generated hydrogen. To improve the safety of hydrogen-based energy systems, we will also develop and test novel, nanostructured palladium wire sensors. C. PIPELINE STEELS. Canada’s energy policy depends on the development of a reliable, safe and sustainable system to transport and distribute crude oil and gas. Pipelines are the core element of this system. Our recent findings have indicated that some special textures of steel (for example {111} texture) along with engineered grain-boundary structure can simultaneously improve resistance to hydrogen-induced cracking and stress-corrosion cracking. This presents a completely unexplored opportunity to manufacture a new generation of pipeline steels with highly improved resistance to two major types of failure.