Radiation shielding for nuclear-fission powered human-based Mars missions

As multinational space programs progress towards establishing permanent human settlements beyond Earth, radiation shielding and damage continue to pose significant challenges. A fascinating recent paper discussing radiation shielding in the context of future nuclear-fission-powered Mars missions has been published in Nuclear Science and Technology Open Research. Bendoyro AC, Thomas LD, Cassibry J and Emrich W. … Continue reading Radiation shielding for nuclear-fission powered human-based Mars missions

Metal Hydrides will Enable Space Exploration

I am glad to share with the community our newest paper on the fabrication of pure and bulk delta-phase Zirconium Hydride for use as moderators in microreactors. 50 days' free access here: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1hv1X_UwYx0wLC Hydride moderators are envisaged for use in nuclear reactors for neutron thermalization, i.e., to reduce the kinetic energy of fast-born neutrons. This … Continue reading Metal Hydrides will Enable Space Exploration

The influence of He bubble in strengthening of Copper

It is good to see that scientists are working hard to better evaluate the effect of He bubbles in metals and alloys! Sharing a very interesting new article showing unequivocally the influence of He bubbles in the strengthening behavior of Copper! By using shock loading, Lear et al. discovered that He bubbles totally collapse, leaving … Continue reading The influence of He bubble in strengthening of Copper

Discovery of FeCo nanomagnets under irradiation in a high-entropy alloy

A modified version of the well-known Cantor's alloy, the nanocrystalline CoCrCuFeNi high-entropy alloy was subjected to heavy-ion irradiation in situ within a TEM in our most recent study within the field of potential new nuclear materials. The stability of the alloy was investigated in a broad range of irradiation doses and temperature, revealing the nucleation … Continue reading Discovery of FeCo nanomagnets under irradiation in a high-entropy alloy