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Conference Spotlight
Nuclear Energy Conference & Expo (NECX)
September 8–11, 2025
Atlanta, GA|Atlanta Marriott Marquis
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The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Latest News
Nano Nuclear wins Air Force contract for Kronos MMR
New York City–based advanced nuclear technology developer Nano Nuclear Energy has been awarded a Direct-to-Phase II Small Business Innovation Research contract for its Kronos micro modular reactor (MMR) by AFWERX, the innovation and venture arm of the U.S. Air Force. The contract calls for AFWERX, with the 11th Civil Engineering Squadron, to explore the feasibility of deploying the Kronos MMR Energy System at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) in Washington, D.C.
J. J. Hancke, G. T. Van Rooyen, J. P. R. De Villiers
Nuclear Technology | Volume 182 | Number 1 | April 2013 | Pages 49-56
Technical Paper | Fission Reactors/Fuel Cycle and Management | doi.org/10.13182/NT13-A15825
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
The crushing strength (load at fracture) of coated particles was measured by compression between soft metal anvils. The method requires no sample preparation and can be used as a quality control method as well as a valuable tool for comparing different coating conditions during the manufacture of TRISO particles. Batches of coated particles manufactured with different coating parameters were prepared and tested. Batches prepared under different conditions exhibited significant differences in crushing strength. Higher argon concentrations in the coater gas mixture resulted in higher crushing strength. Anomalies in the crushing strength of particles are related to defects and possibly residual stresses produced during coating. The influence of annealing at 1950°C on crushing strength was also investigated. The average crushing strength of batches of particles decreased with annealing. Different preparation methods showed a marked difference in the level of deterioration of the particles with annealing. Batches produced with 80% argon gas mixture at 1300°C showed the greatest reduction in crushing strength. An inverse correlation was found between the crushing strength and the uranium that is leached from batches. The particles with the lowest crushing strength would also be more susceptible to mechanical damage during handling and consequently also to leaching of the uranium during leach tests.