effects of radiation on materials in a nuclear reactor amy ging van vleck high school / van vleck...

Effects of Radiation on Materials in a Nuclear Reactor

Amy GingVan Vleck High School / Van Vleck ISD

Dr. Lin ShaoDepartment of Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear Reactor

Effects of Radiation on Steel in the Reactor Vessel

Steel under radiation Irradiation Assisted Stress Corrosion Cracking (IASCC) Radiation + Stress + Environment

From the Lab to the Classroom

In the lab, we are measuring the resistance and resistivity of materials before they are exposed to radiation and after they are exposed to radiation

Resistivity is a measure of how many defects radiation has caused in the material that it has come in contact with

In the classroom, we will perform the same experiments and calculate the resistance and resistivity of provided samples

The Plan…Day One

Introduction / Overview What is radiation? How does it affect us in our daily lives? Radiation Applications – medical,

electricity Tie in with IPC class discussion on the

periodic table and radioactive elements

Day Two

What is the South Texas Project? What do they do out there? How much? Who uses it? Why do we care? What are the concerns?

Diagram of Plant Pictures of Damage

Homework will be a research project over nuclear power in the United States.

Nuclear Reactor

Effects of Radiation on Steel in the Reactor Vessel

Steel under radiation Irradiation Assisted Stress Corrosion Cracking (IASCC) Radiation + Stress + Environment

Day Three

Introduction to Resistance and Resistivity

Resistance V=I R Resistivity ρ=2πsR Homework over both equations, with

information provided, solving for one variable

Day Four

Hands – On Day (in IPC lab) Looking at periodic table, which sample should

react the least to radiation? Is this material a good choice for use in a reactor?

Use Four Point Probe to measure resistance of provided samples

Work at least one example together as a class Homework over both equations again, this time

over results found in the lab

Day Five

Review of Resistance and Resistivity Activity

What did the results mean? Which sample would react least to radiation?

Conclusion of Information Career opportunities at STP Education necessary for those careers Salary information for careers Possible speaker from STP on this day

Algebra I TEKS and TAKS Covered

a(2) – Algebraic thinking and symbolic reasoning

a(3) – Function concepts a(4) – Relationship between equations and

functions b(1)B – Gather and record data b(1)D – Represent relationships b(1)E – Interpret and make decisions b(3)A – Use symbols to represent unknowns

Sample Pre-Test Questions

Use the following equation to solve problems 4-5, A=l * w

4. Solve the equation for l.

a. l=A*w c. l=A/w

b. l * w= A d. l=w/A

5. Solve the equations for w.

a. w=A/l c. w=l * A

b. l= A/w d. w= l/A

What did I learn this summer?

A very broad understanding of the engineering field

A very narrow understanding of nuclear engineering, particle acceleration and the effects of radiation on materials

And most importantly…

Research is a slow process, filled with ups and downs, starts and stops, successes and failures.

But there is no such thing as failure in research, because we learn from every failure.

Acknowledgements

My family My co-workers and administration E3 Nuclear Power Institute National Science Foundation Chevron Texas Workforce Commission

BIG Thanks to….

Dr. Lin Shao Mark Hollander Michael Martin, Di Chen, Assel

Aitkaliyeva Drew Mitchell, Josh Willis, Josey

Wallace, Ethan Windsor, McIan Amos, Michael General, Alvaro Aranibar, Danny Galicki