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INL reports findings on unusual quantum behavior of plutonium
Scientists at Idaho National Laboratory have discovered that plutonium hexaboride (PuB6) displays a type of unusual quantum property called a topological Kondo insulating state. Materials with this property are neither typical electricity conductors nor regular insulators. Rather, they have exterior surfaces that strongly conduct electricity and interiors that block electricity.
Lih-Yih Liao
Nuclear Technology | Volume 97 | Number 3 | March 1992 | Pages 282-293
Technical Paper | Nuclear Reactor Safety | doi.org/10.13182/NT92-A34636
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Cracks have been observed in the welds of the shroud support access hole cover plates at Peach Bottom Unit 3 as well as at the Chinshan nuclear power plant. The cracks could potentially result in complete weld failure and, as a consequence, a coreflow bypass. Analysis of the postulated complete weld failure of the Chinshan nuclear power plant shroud support access hole cover plate is performed with RETRAN-02/MOD3. The results show that some confusing phenomena could be observed. The reactor operator should be aware of the phenomena to avoid the likelihood of misoperation. Also, a special procedure needs to be established to deal with this event.