Innovative materials for energy generation, transportation and storage

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The proposed research is a continuation of our program on innovative materials-based solutions for energy generation, transportation and storage. This research is focused on three areas: A) Accident tolerant nuclear fuels (ATFs) for future nuclear reactors, B) Advanced pipeline steels with improved resistance to failure for oil and gas transportation, C) Hydrogen-based energy storage system for the future clean energy economy. A) Accident Tolerant Fuels. The development of the future nuclear reactors, to a large extent, depends on the design of ATFs. We have already done a lot of work in ThO2- and UO2-based fuels and obtained greatly improved thermal conductivity. In this proposal, we will study the structure and the thermo-mechanical properties of advanced doped ThO2 pellets. Novel spark plasma sintering technique will be used for manufacturing pellets with nearly 100% theoretical densities. The novel experimental techniques will be used for the first time to study the influence of microstructural characteristics on the properties of pellets. Also, the computational simulation will be used to provide prediction of the thermo-mechanical properties of pellets during operation and accident. This study will contribute to the development of new fuels and understanding of properties of such fuels under high temperature and irradiation damage. B) Advanced Pipeline Steels. Hydrogen-induced cracking (HIC), stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and deterioration of low-temperature toughness are important concerns for the safe transport of natural gas and oil by pipelines. We proposed novel texture-engineered pipeline steel that can mitigate HIC and SCC. In this proposal, we will develop thermo-mechanical control processing that enhances favorable texture, refine microstructure, modify the phase composition of X100 steels, and strengthen the mechanical properties and the resistance to HIC and SCC. We will collaborate with the manufacturer of pipeline steels Evraz and Canmet Laboratory. In addition to financial losses, failure of pipelines has immense consequences for the environment, and this research targets improvement of the resistance to failure. C) Hydrogen-based Energy Storage Systems. We have developed novel metal-graphene nanostructures that allow the storage of hydrogen in amounts that double the capacity of the gravimetric target announced by the U.S. Department of Energy for 2019. In this proposal, we expect to develop inexpensive hydrogen storage media using nanocellulose as a replacement of carbon nanotube and graphene. Novel system will be used for the incorporation of metal nanoparticles on the surface of nanostructured cellulose, synchrotron-based technique will be used for electronic structure characterization, and the computational simulation will be used to investigate the interaction of the metal with nanocellulose and hydrogen atoms and molecules. This study targets the ultimate aim, the realization of a sustainable hydrogen-based economy.