This SBIR Phase I award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (CFDA 47.084) program provides $275,000 to Genalpha Nuclear Technologies LLC to develop a metal foam-based neutron sensor for use in advanced nuclear reactor instrumentation. The goal is to create a sensor that can withstand the harsh, high-temperature and radiation-intensive environments of next-generation nuclear reactors. This novel sensor concept aims to generate and contain a nuclear-excited low-temperature plasma to extract high-density electrical current, potentially exceeding the performance of existing neutron sensor technologies. If successful, the Phase I research will validate the sensor's feasibility and set the stage for further development and commercialization. The project has broad applicability beyond nuclear power, with potential uses in medical diagnostics, radiation detection, and various industrial processes.
Generated 1/28/25, 8:16 AM