DESC0022585
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Metal additive manufacturing of functionally graded materials for roller bearings in high temperature sodium systems.
Awardee
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding Agency
Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Worcester,
Massachusetts
01610-1703
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Related Opportunity
Multiscale Systems was awarded
Project Grant DESC0022585
worth $200,000
from the Office of Science in June 2022 with work to be completed primarily in Worcester Massachusetts United States.
The grant
has a duration of 9 months and
was awarded through assistance program 81.049 Office of Science Financial Assistance Program.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity FY 2022 SBIR/STTR Phase I Release 2.
SBIR Details
Research Type
SBIR Phase I
Title
Metal additive manufacturing of functionally graded materials for roller bearings in high temperature sodium systems
Abstract
The rising demand for renewable energy requires a reinvestment of American effort into nuclear power. Next gen-eration liquid metal-cooled reactors can operate at higher temperatures, leading to enhanced efficiencies and overall reduction in the levelized cost of energy. Further reduction in costs can be achieved by using advanced robotic systems to handle refueling, but substantial technical challenges associated with thermal expansion and corrosion prevent this technology from moving forward. Advances in material science and advanced manufacturing are being deployed into the nuclear energy sector to support the technical challenge of refueling systems. The overarching objective for this Small Business Innovation Research effort is to evaluate the feasibility of functionally graded metamaterial solutions for roller bearings in so-dium reactor fuel handling systems. The proposed approach uses additively manufactured metal alloys, and will involve alloy design, product prototyping, and coupon characterization to validate the results. In Phase I of this effort, the team will determine the range of technical requirements necessary for roller bearing solutions tailored to the needs of high temperature liquid sodium reactors. Computational design work will identify optimal compositions with the highest likelihood of survivability in the harsh sodium environment. Rapid prototyp-ing, testing, and validation activities will lead to an analysis of the technical performance and commercial viability. If the proposed technology is feasible, future efforts will seek to mature the fuel handling system’s operational concept, design integrated prototype products, and perform field testing by qualified customers or stakeholders. The technical effort will lead to commercial insertion of the technology into customer systems in the nuclear en-ergy industry, supporting domestic energy, environmental, and economic needs. Overall, the proposed effort sup-ports the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy’s goals by enabling deployment of advanced nuclear reactors and maintaining domestic leadership in nuclear energy technology.
Topic Code
C54-36e
Solicitation Number
None
Status
(Complete)
Last Modified 8/22/22
Period of Performance
6/27/22
Start Date
3/26/23
End Date
Funding Split
$200.0K
Federal Obligation
$0.0
Non-Federal Obligation
$200.0K
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
DESC0022585
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Small Business
Awarding Office
892430 SC CHICAGO SERVICE CENTER
Funding Office
892401 SCIENCE
Awardee UEI
PTQ7MDFLADJ6
Awardee CAGE
83SG9
Performance District
02
Senators
Edward Markey
Elizabeth Warren
Elizabeth Warren
Representative
James McGovern
Budget Funding
Federal Account | Budget Subfunction | Object Class | Total | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|---|
Science, Energy Programs, Energy (089-0222) | General science and basic research | Grants, subsidies, and contributions (41.0) | $200,000 | 100% |
Modified: 8/22/22