48
Enabling Materials for Magnetic Fusion Energy--Ultramet, 12173 Montague Street, Pacoima, CA 91331-2210; 818-899-0236
Mr. Brian E. Williams, Principal Investigator
Mr. Craig N. Ward, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-99ER82913
Amount: $99,996
The potential economic, environmental, and strategic benefits associated with the development of magnetic fusion energy (MFE) are numerous. However, practical application will not be realized until advanced materials are developed that allow operation under the high heat flux conditions necessary for cost-competitive electric energy generation. In this project, innovative materials and material systems will be developed and demonstrated to allow extended fusion energy system operation at heat flux levels greater than 10 MW/m2. This will be accomplished by using chemical vapor deposition/infiltration to produce refractory materials and structures that cannot be fabricated by conventional processing techniques. In Phase I, a heat exchanger, composed of thin tungsten facesheets integrally bonded to an open-cell tungsten foam core, will be fabricated. The tungsten foam core will provide both the primary mechanical structure as well as extremely efficient coolant channels for thermal control. A modeling effort will be used to evaluate thermo-mechanical durability and heat transfer characteristics.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Fusion energy is ideal for large-scale energy generation and offers a replacement for increasingly scarce fossil fuel energy sources. Practical application is absolutely dependent on the development of advanced materials.