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August 24–27, 2026
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Texas A&M welcomes uranium conversion research
The Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) has signed a research agreement with Quantum Leap Energy (QLE) “to advance and de-risk the commercial production of high-purity uranium hexafluoride (UF6).”
QLE is an Austin, Texas–based subsidiary of ASP Isotopes (ASPI), which is developing an isotope enrichment platform for applications in nuclear energy, nuclear medicine, and semiconductors. QLE specializes in the uranium conversion step of the nuclear fuel cycle—the conversion of yellowcake uranium concentrate (U3O8) into UF6 prior to enrichment.
Takashi Hirai, Shin Nakatani, Motoyasu Sato
Nuclear Science and Engineering | Volume 200 | Number 2 | February 2026 | Pages 357-365
Regular Research Article | doi.org/10.1080/00295639.2025.2486899
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
This study explores neutron energy attenuation in reactors using helium as a coolant. Helium’s interaction with neutrons is pivotal, reducing their energy and assimilating them into the background system. Unlike typical Maxwell-Boltzmann behavior, neutron scattering off helium results in a distinct nonthermal distribution, characterized by deviations in energy components defined as nonthermal energy. This paper highlights the significance of entropy in these interactions, noting that components with nonthermal energy exhibit higher entropy levels even at constant temperatures. Nonthermal energy not only prompts an immediate rise in temperature, but can also be directly measured through precise experiments. This phenomenon holds both scientific intrigue and substantial engineering relevance, offering insights into neutron dynamics within helium-cooled systems. A thorough analysis of nonthermal energy elucidates its accumulation within the system and its impact on energy balance, advancing our understanding of neutron interactions in such environments.