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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.
Akihiro Oto, Nobuyuki Naohara, Masayoshi Ishida, Toshitaka Kuroki, Kenji Katsuki, Ryouji Kumazawa
Nuclear Technology | Volume 110 | Number 2 | May 1995 | Pages 159-167
Technical Paper | Fission Reactor | doi.org/10.13182/NT95-A35115
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
A sodium-immersed, self-cooled electromagnetic (EM) pump was recently studied as a prospective innovative technology to simplify a fast breeder reactor plant system. The EM pump for a primary pump, a double-stator center-return annular linear-induction pump type, was designed, and the structural concept and the system performance were clarified. For the flow control method, a constant voltage/frequency method was preferable from the point of view of pump performance and efficiency. The insulation life was tested on a large-scale coil at high temperature as part of the development of a large-capacity EM pump. Mechanical and electrical damage were not observed, and the insulation performance was quite good. The insulation system could also be applied to large-scale coils.