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DTRA’s advancements in nuclear and radiological detection
A new, more complex nuclear age has begun. Echoing the tensions of the Cold War amid rapidly evolving nuclear and radiological threats, preparedness in the modern age is a contest of scientific innovation. The Research and Development Directorate (RD) at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is charged with winning this contest.
Daniel K. Sluder, Bryon J. Curnutt, Lorenzo Vega-Montoto, Joshua D. Orchard, Matthew D. Horkley, Trevor J. Skeen, Dean A. Stewart
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 200 | Number 1 | January 2026 | Pages 123-135
Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2024.2406714
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This paper presents an overview of ongoing work to qualify the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) driver fuel elements that have been affected by irradiation-degraded polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) flux wands. Irradiation testing was performed on PMMA material in contact with aluminum clad material. The cladding was prefilmed with a boehmite oxide layer, an important feature of the ATR driver fuel. The effects on the boehmite layer due to gamma irradiation of the PMMA-aluminum clad system were investigated. PMMA embrittlement, followed by softening and degradation, occurred at high radiation levels. Adhesion between the cladding and irradiated PMMA was observed. Flow testing at prototypic ATR flow rates demonstrated the effective removal of the adhered material. Measurements of the boehmite layer thickness were performed, and Raman spectroscopy was utilized to detect the presence of boehmite in the irradiated PMMA material.