The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) awarded a $299,492 Project Grant under the Stewardship Science Grant Program (CFDA 81.112) to Purdue University. The purpose of this 3-year award, with a period of performance from March 2025 to March 2028, is to conduct experimental observations of individual cerium particles reacting in hydrogen gas. The research aims to close knowledge gaps in the fundamental cerium hydride particle reactions, which currently have highly speculative models that do not align with measured radiative temperatures. Purdue University will use unique experimental setups, including electrodynamic levitation and Joule-heated wires, to capture the evolving particle sizes, hydride crust dynamics, particle temperatures, and gas-phase thermal boundary layers. The combined experimental results will be used to validate current models and derive improvements to better capture the observed behavior.
Generated 4/1/25, 4:36 AM