Fundamentals of Nuclear Materials

Course Information NE/MSE J438/J538: Fundamentals of Nuclear Materials Course Information: Course Title: Course Number: Course Credits: Cross-Listing: Class Timing: Class Venue:

Fundamentals of Nuclear Materials MSE J438/J538 3 credits (lecture only) NE J438/J538 6:00 – 8:45 pm Pacific (Thursdays) JEB 26 (Moscow), TBD (Idaho Falls), Engineering Outreach (EO)

Instructor Information: Instructor: Dr. Indrajit Charit Office: McClure Hall, Room 405D Office Hours: Friday (12:30 – 2:30 PM) Telephone: 208-885-5964 Fax: 208-885-0154 E-mail: [email protected] Recommended Texts: a) Olander, Donald R., "Fundamental Aspects of Nuclear Reactor Fuel Elements," TID-26711-P1, Technical Information Center, Springfield, Virginia, March 1985 (a soft copy will be posted on the blackboard). A hard copy can be purchased online (the book is most probably not going to be available in the UI bookstore). b) Ma, Benjamin M., "Nuclear Reactor Materials and Applications," Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York, NY, 1983 (out-of-print, excerpts from the book will be posted on the blackboard. You may order a copy of the book on Amazon) c) Smith, Charles, O., “Nuclear Reactor Materials,” Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, 1967. Lecture notes, additional course handouts and resources will be posted in the UI Blackboard website (www.blackboard.uidaho.edu) on a regular basis. Course Prerequisites: MSE201 or equivalent is recommended, or instructor permission. Course Content Summary: This is a graduate level course introducing various forms of materials used in the nuclear reactor systems from a materials science point of view. The topics of the course will include different types of nuclear reactor systems, materials selection bases, fundamental materials characteristics such as crystal structure, crystal defects, diffusion, radiation damage processes etc. along with detailed discussions on reactor structural materials and nuclear fuels. Special emphasis will be given on matters related to ongoing national nuclear initiatives. This course aims to instill in students a strong fundamental understanding of materials science and how it applies to nuclear reactor applications so that they can effectively use the acquired knowledge in the design and development of nuclear reactor systems. Instructional Objectives: 1) To know about the various nuclear reactor systems and understand the materials selection bases 2) To understand the fundamental materials science principles behind materials used in nuclear reactors

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3) To know about both structural materials and nuclear fuels for reactors 4) To be aware of the important ongoing nuclear initiatives and advances in nuclear materials Tentative Class Calendar: Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Class Activity Introduction, overview of reactor systems, materials selection bases Fundamentals of materials science (crystal structure / defects) Fundamentals of materials science (diffusion) Radiation damage processes Dislocation theories Mechanical properties Mechanical properties / Thermophysical properties Mid-term exam, March 3 (closed book) Corrosion No class (spring recess) Consequences of radiation damage on properties Nuclear fuels (metallic) Nuclear fuels (ceramic) Reactor structural materials Reactor structural materials Advanced topics Make-up class / Review of exam topics Take-home exam

Grading: Homework Two Exams Term Project / Presentation

438 30% Exam 1: 30%, Exam 2: 40% -

538 20% Exam 1: 30%, Exam 2: 40% 10%

Grading rule: A ≥ 90%, B ≥ 80%, C ≥ 70%, D ≥ 60%, F