Thermoelectric power generation in the core of a nuclear reactor

Kempf, Nicholas; Saeidi‐Javash, Mortaza; Xu, Haowei; Cheng, Sheng; Dubey, Megha; Wu, Yaodong; Daw, Joshua; Li, Ju; Zhang, Yanliang

doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2022.115949

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 38 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Combining insights from experiments and computations, one can see that atomic‐scale free volume, either with or without constitutional vacancies, [ 16 ] can significantly decrease He embedding energy

{\mathcal{E}}_{\mathrm{emb}}

. Given the matrix phase typically have either BCC or face‐centered cubic (FCC) structures with low free volume (see the left portion of Figure a before the graph break), we expect that secondary phases are necessary to introduce such atomic‐scale free volume (see the right portion of Figure 5a after the graph break).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The screening criteria used are 1) low neutron absorption and activation, 2) relatively large elastic moduli, and 3) atomic‐scale free volume that can accommodate one or more He clusters, such as “constitutional vacancies” in some crystal lattices. [ 16 ] To that end, we first illustrate that atomic‐scale free volume/pores are hallmarks of low

{\mathcal{E}}_{\mathrm{emb}}

. Then combining experiments and calculations, we demonstrate that

{\mathcal{E}}_{\mathrm{emb}}

is, in turn, a good ab initio predictor for our He diversion strategy in order to avoid He damage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Materials Genomics Search for Possible Helium‐Absorbing Nano‐Phases in Fusion Structural Materials

Kim

Chen

et al. 2022

Advanced Science

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Civilian fusion demands structural materials that can withstand the harsh environments imposed inside fusion plasma reactors. The structural materials often transmute under 14.1 MeV fast neutrons, producing helium (He), which embrittles the grain boundary (GB) network. Here, it is shown that neutron‐friendly and mechanically strong nano‐phases with atomic‐scale free volume can have low He‐embedding energy scriptEemb${\mathcal{E}}_{\mathrm{emb}}$ and >10 at.% He‐absorbing capacity, and can be especially advantageous for soaking up He on top of resisting radiation damage and creep, provided they have thermodynamic compatibility with the matrix phase, satisfactory equilibrium wetting angle, as well as a high enough melting point. The preliminary experimental demonstration proves that scriptEemb${\mathcal{E}}_{\mathrm{emb}}$ is a good ab initio predictor of He shielding potency in nano‐heterophase materials, and thus, scriptEemb${\mathcal{E}}_{\mathrm{emb}}$ is used as a key feature for computational screening. In this context, a list of viable compounds expected to be good He‐absorbing nano‐phases is presented, taking into account scriptEemb${\mathcal{E}}_{\mathrm{emb}}$, the neutron absorption and activation cross‐sections, the elastic moduli, melting temperature, the thermodynamic compatibility, and the equilbrium wetting angle of the nano‐phases with the Fe matrix as an example.

show abstract

{\mathcal{E}}_{\mathrm{emb}}

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

{\mathcal{E}}_{\mathrm{emb}}

. Then combining experiments and calculations, we demonstrate that

{\mathcal{E}}_{\mathrm{emb}}

is, in turn, a good ab initio predictor for our He diversion strategy in order to avoid He damage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Materials Genomics Search for Possible Helium‐Absorbing Nano‐Phases in Fusion Structural Materials

Kim

Chen

et al. 2022

Advanced Science

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A comparison about the harvesting of energy from solar, thermal, mechanical, and biochemical for illustrating their merits, demerits, and possible practical applications . Reproduced with permission from refs − . Copyright 2016 Elsevier, 2022 Elsevier, 2014 John Wiley and Sons, and 2016 Elsevier.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Evaluation, Principles, and Technology of Wearable Electromagnetic Harvesters

Zhou

Zhang

Liu

et al. 2023

ACS Appl. Electron. Mater.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IOT), and metaspace technology, smart wearables have become increasingly prevalent. These devices incorporate a variety of sensors, actuators, and signal transmission devices, making the energy supply a critical factor. It is essential to consider energy sources within the human body or in the surrounding environment. Mechanical energy harvesters play a crucial role in the energy supply of smart wearable devices based on piezoelectric, triboelectric, and electromagnetic effects. By exploring different modes of mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion, electromagnetic generators (EMGs) were focused on in this study due to their high conversion efficiency along with the ability to generate high current at low voltage and resistive impedance. The study covered the physical principles, evaluation, and current designs of electromagnetic generators (EMGs) used to convert human body motion into electric energy. However, it is worth noting that despite the advantages of EMGs, their heavy weight, large size, and complexity have limited their application in wearable electronic devices. This highlights the need for a future vision of smart wearable energy harvesters: a miniaturized, high-output, and flexible EMG. Such advancements would address the current limitations and contribute to the development of more efficient and practical wearable electronic devices. The concept of a miniaturized, high-output, and flexible EMG aligns with the demands of current development and emerging technologies like nanogenerators.

show abstract

“…A thermoelectric generator comprised of bulk nanostructured half-Heusler thermoelectric materials was tested in a reactor core to a fast neutron fluence of 1.5 × ×10 20⁰ n/cm − 2 (>1.0 MeV). 7 Despite a significant decrease in thermoelectric performance due to radiation damage sustained at relatively low temperatures, it was found that the thermoelectric generator can provide stable power in the reactor core if operated at a sufficiently high temperature. The n-type lead telluride material Pb 0.975 Ga 0.025 Te–0.25% ZnTe studied in this work was exposed to the unprecedented fast neutron fluences of 2.0 × ×10 20 n/cm −2 (>1.0 MeV) and 4.2 × ×10 20 n/cm −2 (>0.1 MeV) with a thermal neutron fluence of 1.3 × ×10 20 n/cm −2 (<1.0 eV).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent years, the efficiency of thermoelectric materials has undergone tremendous improvement, especially using the nanostructuring strategy. 8–24 However, apart from the study on the half-Heusler thermoelectric generator mentioned above, 7 advanced nanostructured thermoelectric materials have not been tested in the extreme environment of a nuclear reactor core. Thermoelectric (TE) generators are solid-state devices that convert heat in the form of a temperature gradient into electrical power.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermoelectric properties of high-performance n-type lead telluride measured insitu in a nuclear reactor core

et al. 2022

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Thermoelectric power generation in the core of a nuclear reactor

Cited by 12 publications

References 38 publications

Materials Genomics Search for Possible Helium‐Absorbing Nano‐Phases in Fusion Structural Materials

Materials Genomics Search for Possible Helium‐Absorbing Nano‐Phases in Fusion Structural Materials

A Review of Evaluation, Principles, and Technology of Wearable Electromagnetic Harvesters

Thermoelectric properties of high-performance n-type lead telluride measured insitu in a nuclear reactor core

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About