2404863
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
SBIR Phase I: Development of metal foam-based neutron sensors for advanced nuclear reactor instrumentation.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a metal foam electrode-based neutron sensor that can withstand the harsh, high-temperature and radiation-suffused environments of advanced nuclear reactors.
Such a product does not yet exist on the market.
Advanced nuclear reactors could become a major contributor to our planet’s clean energy solution in the coming decades.
Since their safety and performance rely on instrumentation and control systems, advanced reactors’ successful deployment is contingent on developing commercially viable, adaptable high-temperature and high-sensitivity neutron sensors.
Currently, domestic and global market sizes for neutron sensors are approximately $12 million and $50 million per year respectively; both these figures are expected to double over the next two decades.
More broadly, the sensors being developed could find numerous applications in other industries, including medical diagnostics and treatments, medical isotope production, sterilization, space radiation effects, national security/nonproliferation, manufacturing, industrial processes, oil and gas, and direct (electric) energy conversion power devices.
Any situation requiring radiation detection and measurement, in any environment, is a potential target market for the proposed sensors.
The intellectual merit of this project lies in gaining an understanding of the complex physics occurring in open-cell metal foams when subjected to nuclear radiation.
Under these conditions, these structures both generate and contain a nuclear-excited low-temperature plasma through which an electrical current – at high densities – can be extracted.
The goal of this project is to understand how nuclear-excited low-temperature plasmas in metal foams are affected by various parameters including: radiation type and intensity, foam composition, and foam porosity.
The team will execute a research campaign using a nuclear reactor which characterizes these parameters’ effects on sensor performance at both ambient and high temperatures.
The experimental findings, validated by modeling and simulation methods, will test the sensor electrodes’ performance.
If successful, the Phase I outcomes are expected to show sensor performance that will significantly exceed that offered by state-of-the-art competing devices, ultimately validating this novel concept.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are planned for this award.
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a metal foam electrode-based neutron sensor that can withstand the harsh, high-temperature and radiation-suffused environments of advanced nuclear reactors.
Such a product does not yet exist on the market.
Advanced nuclear reactors could become a major contributor to our planet’s clean energy solution in the coming decades.
Since their safety and performance rely on instrumentation and control systems, advanced reactors’ successful deployment is contingent on developing commercially viable, adaptable high-temperature and high-sensitivity neutron sensors.
Currently, domestic and global market sizes for neutron sensors are approximately $12 million and $50 million per year respectively; both these figures are expected to double over the next two decades.
More broadly, the sensors being developed could find numerous applications in other industries, including medical diagnostics and treatments, medical isotope production, sterilization, space radiation effects, national security/nonproliferation, manufacturing, industrial processes, oil and gas, and direct (electric) energy conversion power devices.
Any situation requiring radiation detection and measurement, in any environment, is a potential target market for the proposed sensors.
The intellectual merit of this project lies in gaining an understanding of the complex physics occurring in open-cell metal foams when subjected to nuclear radiation.
Under these conditions, these structures both generate and contain a nuclear-excited low-temperature plasma through which an electrical current – at high densities – can be extracted.
The goal of this project is to understand how nuclear-excited low-temperature plasmas in metal foams are affected by various parameters including: radiation type and intensity, foam composition, and foam porosity.
The team will execute a research campaign using a nuclear reactor which characterizes these parameters’ effects on sensor performance at both ambient and high temperatures.
The experimental findings, validated by modeling and simulation methods, will test the sensor electrodes’ performance.
If successful, the Phase I outcomes are expected to show sensor performance that will significantly exceed that offered by state-of-the-art competing devices, ultimately validating this novel concept.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Subawards are planned for this award.
Awardee
Funding Goals
THE GOAL OF THIS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY, "NSF SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR)/ SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAMS PHASE I", IS IDENTIFIED IN THE LINK: HTTPS://WWW.NSF.GOV/PUBLICATIONS/PUB_SUMM.JSP?ODS_KEY=NSF23515
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding / Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Traverse City,
Michigan
49684-3403
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Genalpha Nuclear Technologies was awarded
Project Grant 2404863
worth $275,000
from National Science Foundation in September 2024 with work to be completed primarily in Traverse City Michigan United States.
The grant
has a duration of 1 year and
was awarded through assistance program 47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity NSF Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I Programs.
SBIR Details
Research Type
SBIR Phase I
Title
SBIR Phase I: Development of Metal Foam-based Neutron Sensors for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Instrumentation
Abstract
This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a metal foam electrode-based neutron sensor that can withstand the harsh, high-temperature and radiation-suffused environments of advanced nuclear reactors. Such a product does not yet exist on the market. Advanced nuclear reactors could become a major contributor to our planet’s clean energy solution in the coming decades. Since their safety and performance rely on instrumentation and control systems, advanced reactors’ successful deployment is contingent on developing commercially viable, adaptable high-temperature and high-sensitivity neutron sensors. Currently, domestic and global market sizes for neutron sensors are approximately $12 million and $50 million per year respectively; both these figures are expected to double over the next two decades. More broadly, the sensors being developed could find numerous applications in other industries, including medical diagnostics and treatments, medical isotope production, sterilization, space radiation effects, national security/nonproliferation, manufacturing, industrial processes, oil and gas, and direct (electric) energy conversion power devices. Any situation requiring radiation detection and measurement, in any environment, is a potential target market for the proposed sensors.
The intellectual merit of this project lies in gaining an understanding of the complex physics occurring in open-cell metal foams when subjected to nuclear radiation. Under these conditions, these structures both generate and contain a nuclear-excited low-temperature plasma through which an electrical current – at high densities – can be extracted. The goal of this project is to understand how nuclear-excited low-temperature plasmas in metal foams are affected by various parameters including: radiation type and intensity, foam composition, and foam porosity. The team will execute a research campaign using a nuclear reactor which characterizes these parameters’ effects on sensor performance at both ambient and high temperatures. The experimental findings, validated by modeling and simulation methods, will test the sensor electrodes’ performance. If successful, the Phase I outcomes are expected to show sensor performance that will significant exceed that offered by state-of-the-art competing devices, ultimately validating this novel concept.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
Topic Code
IH
Solicitation Number
NSF 23-515
Status
(Complete)
Last Modified 9/17/24
Period of Performance
9/1/24
Start Date
8/31/25
End Date
Funding Split
$275.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$275.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
2404863
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Funding Office
491503 TRANSLATIONAL IMPACTS
Awardee UEI
E8U6F53MD5W9
Awardee CAGE
9FYT6
Performance District
MI-01
Senators
Debbie Stabenow
Gary Peters
Gary Peters
Modified: 9/17/24