Efficient Additive Manufacturing for Advanced U-X Nuclear Fuel Alloys

The Department of Energy is seeking partners to license and commercialize a patented additive manufacturing technology for producing advanced U-X nuclear fuel alloys. The technology employs a Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) process to directly fabricate U-X alloys and compounds, offering several advantages over traditional methods, including reduced complexity, lower costs, enhanced safety, and improved thermal conductivity. The technology has potential applications in commercial nuclear reactors, research reactors, and defense and space exploration. • The LENS process uses a localized melt pool to blend multiple powder sources, ensuring uniform chemical composition and properties. • The method accommodates gas/solid and solid/solid reactions, enabling the production of various fuel types. • The technology minimizes variability and simplifies the workflow, eliminating intermediate steps such as powder preparation and pressing. • The technology enables precise control over alloy composition, supporting tailored solutions for diverse reactor needs.