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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.
Wencheng Wu, Chaung Lin
Nuclear Technology | Volume 106 | Number 2 | May 1994 | Pages 216-224
Technical Paper | Reactor Control | doi.org/10.13182/NT94-A34977
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
An optimal reliable control system has been designed to control the steam generator’s water level in a pressurized water reactor. The control system uses a multiple-controller configuration so that even if part of the controller fails, the control system still functions well. The value of the controller parameters is obtained by means of an optimization algorithm, thus guaranteeing the performance of the controller under normal operation or a partially failed condition. The simulation results clearly demonstrate the performance of the controller, and this success encourages application of the method to the other crucial control systems in nuclear power plants.