Nuclear Science and Engineering Institute presentations (MU)
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Items in this collection are public presentations made by Nuclear Science and Engineering Institute faculty, staff, and students, either alone or as co-authors, and which may or may not have been published in an alternate format. Items may contain more than one file type.
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Item Development and characterization of fluorescent dye-doped nanoparticles with enhanced fluorescence intensity and photostability [abstract](2010) Bok, Sangho, 1972-; Korampally, Venumadhav, 1972-; Mukherjee, Somik; Dasgupta, Purnendu K.; Gangopadhyay, Keshab; Gangopadhyay, Shubhra; Polo-Parada, Luis; Folk, William Robert; University of Missouri (System); Missouri Life Sciences Summit (2010: University of Missouri--Kansas City)We report the development of fluorescent dye doped organosilicate nanoparticles (DOSNPs) synthesized from poly-methylsilsesquioxane(PMSSQ), resulting in high fluorescence intensity and excellent photostability. The surface modified DOSNPs have hydrophilic surfaces and hydrophobic cores that enhance water-solubility and protect the dyes from oxidation and phtobleaching. These DOSNPs show superior properties over conventional dyes such as high fluorescence intensity due to approximately hundred dye molecules per particle and photostability demonstrating 7% and 76% fluorescence decay under continuous excitation for rhodamine 6G (R6G) DOSNP and R6G molecules, respectively, and have potential to be used in many areas, for example, imaging, sensing and solar cells. DOSNPs, when conjugated to anti-fibronectin antibodies, increased sensitivity of detection by approximately 600 fold relative to individual dye molecules conjugated to antibody. The DOSNPs are being applied to the development of diagnostic devices to be used in the detection of drugs, metabolites and pathogens.Item Albuterol metered dose inhaler performance under hyperbaric pressures(2010-02) Johnson, Garry A.; Gutti, Veera R.; Loyalka, S. K.; O'Beirne, Kenneth A.; Cochran, Steven K.; Dale, Hollis M.; Kracke, George Robert; University of Missouri (System); Missouri Life Sciences Summit (2010: University of Missouri--Kansas City)INTRODUCTION: The stimulus for this presentation was an asthma attack suffered on the first dive by a victim of a severe industrial electrical burn. The patient's response to albuterol metered dose inhaler (MDI) treatment given at depth was felt to have been poor. We thus wondered what the output of these devises (chlorofluorocarbon or CFC) was at therapeutic depth versus normobaria. As the current MDIs were being phased out of use we also wondered what the comparable output characteristics of the replacement MDIs (hydrofluoroalkane or HFA) would be. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dose and aerosol particle size and number delivered by MDIs were measured in a hyperbaric chamber at pressures ranging from one atmosphere absolute (1 ATA, 0 feet of seawater, fsw, 101 kPa) to three ATA (66 fsw, 304 kPa). Mass delivered was measured by a Sartorius B120 analytical balance, and particle size analysis by a TSI 3080L electrostatic classifier with a TSI 3776 ultrafine condensation particle counter. RESULTS: Dose delivery per actuation by CFC and long canister HFA powered MDIs was 13±1% and 12±1% less, respectively, at 3 ATA compared to 1 ATA. However, dose delivery by short canister HFA MDIs was not significantly changed with pressure. The geometric mean diameters of nano particles from the CFC and short canister HFA MDIs decreased from 50 nm at 0 fsw to 32 nm at 66 fsw whereas the long canister HFA aerosol diameters were not affected. The numbers of nanometer size particles delivered at 66 fsw were only 4-7% of those delivered at 0 fsw for the CFC and long canister HFA MDIs; whereas for the short canister HFAs it was 26%. CONCLUSIONS: The doses of albuterol and the sizes and numbers of aerosol particles emitted from albuterol MDIs actuated in a hyperbaric environment vary by canister type; CFC MDI loss is probably unimportant.Item Nuclear Energy Breakout Panel [sound recording](University of Missouri (System), 2009-04) Caruso, Anthony N.; Camp, Allen L.; Deem, Amy; Hermann, Timothy E.; Miller, William Hughes, 1941-; University of Missouri (System); Missouri Energy Summit (2009 : University of Missouri--Columbia); Missouri Energy Summit (2009 : University of Missouri--Columbia)This panel discussed using nuclear energy as an alternative energy source. Topics ranged from non-proliferation to tax credits to nuclear waste.Item A Research Program Nuclear Energy Conversion(2009-04) Prelas, Mark Antonio, 1953-; University of Missouri (System); Missouri Energy Summit (2009 : University of Missouri--Columbia)Direct conversion of nuclear energy to electricity has been a challenging problem since the inception of the generation of electricity from nuclear reactions. The development of wide bandgap, p-n junctions in materials such as diamond, gallium nitride, aluminum nitride, and silicon carbide is at the heart of this research. A p-n junction in materials with band-gaps greater than 3 eV can be used in nuclear energy conversion in multiple ways. For example, for direct conversion of the kinetic energy of particles from the decay of radioisotopes, a diamond p-n junction has some unique advantages. It is less susceptible to radiation damage than SiC, GaN, and AlN because, at high temperatures, it can self-anneal point defects caused by radiation damage. A method which eliminates the radiation damage problem is a Two-Step Photon Intermediate Direct Energy Conversion (PIDEC) method that uses the efficient generation of photons from the interaction of particulate radiation with fluorescer media. The photons are then transported to wide band-gap photovoltaic cells where electrical current is generated. PIDEC holds the promise of 40% energy conversion efficiency in a single cycle. PIDEC can be applied both to large power generation systems and to small scale nuclear batteries based on radioisotopes (Radioisotope Energy Conversion System-RECS). Students and faculty have built a test stand for the PIDEC and RECS concepts which tests the physics of fluorescence production from the interaction of radiation with various fluorescer media, the transport of photons, radiation shielding methods, photovoltaic conversion with wide band-gap photovoltaic cells, and conversion efficiencies. The technology is licensed to a Missouri company (US Semiconductor, Independence MO) and is helping to facilitate economic development in the State of Missouri.Item A Research Program on Very High Temperature Reactors(2009-04) Loyalka, S. K.; Ghosh, Tushar K., Dr.; Prelas, Mark Antonio, 1953-; Tompson, R. V. (Robert Vaughn), 1958-; Viswanath, Dabir S.; Al-Dahhan, Muthanna; Gardner, Robin P.; University of Missouri (System); Missouri Energy Summit (2009 : University of Missouri--Columbia)Prismatic and pebble bed very high-temperature reactors (VHTRs) are very attractive both from a thermodynamic efficiency viewpoint and hydrogen-production capability. This project addresses numerous challenges associated with the fuel cycle, materials, and complex fluid dynamics and heat transfer. The objectives of the project are to: i. Conduct physical experiments for fission product transport phenomena in the overcoating and compact structural graphite and transport through TRISO coating layers; ii. Develop improved sorption measurement techniques to measure the accumulation of condensable radionuclides (“plateout”) in the VHTR primary coolant circuit and obtain representative data; iii. Develop advanced computations of charged, radioactive dust (aerosol) transport in the VHTR coolant circuit and confinement by exploring direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) techniques for deposition and resuspension and conduct experiments to verify computational predictions; iv. Develop a program to measure emissivity for various VHTR component materials, both bare and oxidized, and obtain extensive data; v. Develop an experimental program to characterize gas, fission product, and particle flows in the complex geometries of pebble bed modular reactors (PBMRs) and help improve computational approaches and computer programs through experimental understandings. This project is leading to research training of about a dozen Ph D students at the participating universities. Upon graduation, these students will be able to contribute even more effectively to the future challenges in the global deployment of nuclear power generation and hydrogen technologies. We will discuss the VHTR technology and research challenges. We also describe progress on the project by the three Consortium participants.