ARPA-E: Boron Concrete to Mitigate Neutron-Induced Expansion

ARPA-E: Boron Concrete to Mitigate Neutron-Induced Expansion

About the Project

The focus of this project is to research methods to improve the durability of concrete exposed to nuclear radiation. By reducing the radiation exposure of a concrete structure, in new construction applications the potential for durability issues (such as Alkali-Silica reaction) to occur would be reduced. This system could also be applied to retrofit applications, where a thin-layered cementitious system could be placed in high-risk areas to ask as a neutron absorber, thus protecting the concrete underneath.

Goals

The objective of this project was to develop a cementitious system that could effectively shield concrete from neutron radiation. 

Sponsor

  • U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)

Graduate Assistants

News Articles

https://www.essie.ufl.edu/arpa-e-supports-ferraro-1-1-million-to-research-boron-concrete-to-mitigate-neutron-induced-expansion/