August 18, 2011 — Sporian Microsystems received a US Department of Energy (DOE) contract to evaluate advanced materials, sensor designs and packaging for Generation IV nuclear reactor use.
Recycled reactor fuels could be used to power Gen IV reactors. The technology is still in development, with proliferation and physical protection (from terrorist attacks, for example) as major design elements, as well as improved nuclear safety and reliability.
Sporian will develop materials and sensor technology that withstand harsh environments like high temperatures and high pressures, exposure to liquid sodium, fast helium flow, gamma and neutron radiation. The company will develop micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS), polymer derived ceramic materials (PDCs), and electronics packaging technologies to acheive this.
Sporian originally developed harsh-environment sensors for coal and natural gas-based generating turbines and for propulsion turbines. It also makes sensors for other applications, like drinking water control. It will leverage the same technology for Gen IV reactors, reports Sporian principal investigator Dr. Yiping Liu.
Sporian will provide a subcontract to Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland, WA to assist with the evaluation of this technology.
Sporian Microsystems Inc. develops, markets, manufactures and sells a family of novel sensors, multiple sensor-suites, sensor-subsystems and sensor data-loggers. For more information, visit www.sporian.com