Advanced materials development for nuclear systems is currently a time and resource intensive process relying on many iterations of material exposure and destructive testing. There exist few methods for characterizing irradiated material performance in situ, during exposure. Techniques such as in situ TEM or in situ Raman spectroscopy can provide local structural information during irradiation, but no current methods can continuously monitor bulk thermal and mechanical properties. Such a tool would provide the ability to map dose-property relationships at a resolution not previously possible, enhancing mechanistic understanding of irradiation-induced evolution. These methods could also be used to identify the onset of emergent irradiation-induced effects such as the transition from incubation to steady-state void swelling. For this purpose, we have identified transient grating spectroscopy (TGS) as an appropriate technique to obtain these dose-property relationships during irradiation. This method, by optically inducing and monitoring monochromatic surface acoustic waves on materials under investigation, is able to determine the elastic and thermal transport properties of a microns-thick layer at the surface of a sample, the same depth to which ion beams can impose damage. First, we demonstrated that this method is sensitive enough to measure changes in material properties induced by radiation. Afterwards, we designed new optical geometries which enable second-scale time-resolved TGS measurements on dynamically changing materials. In addition, we developed new analytical methods through which multiple material properties, acoustic wave speed and thermal transport properties, may be extracted simultaneously from single-shot measurements. As proof-of-principle experiments, ion irradiation-induced property changes have been measured post-irradiation on pure, single crystal copper. In these copper samples, TGS measurements indicate the presence of volumetric void swelling, which is confirmed with scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). These developments together show that TGS is capable of capturing irradiation-induced evolution in real time and motivate the design and commissioning of an in situ experiment for ion beam irradiation and TGS monitoring. To this end, an in situ TGS beamline experiment for concurrent ion beam irradiation and property monitoring has been developed on the 6 MV tandem accelerator at the Ion Beam Laboratory at Sandia National Laboratories. The in situ ion irradiation TGS (I3TGS) facility has the ability to monitor material evolution at high temperatures in real time under ion bombardment. Using high-energy self-ions, we are studying radiation damage effects on the thermomechanical properties of pure metals. In these experiments, irradiation-induced void swelling has been monitored at an orders-of-magnitude finer dose resolution than is possible with traditional methods. This tool has allowed the onset of swelling to be pinpointed in applied dose, a key consideration when developing new materials for use in nuclear systems, on the timescale of days rather than months or years. We are now able to provide the type of rapid, engineering-relevant data necessary to speed the innovation cycle in nuclear materials development. Moving forward, these methods can be used as a screening tool to expedite the design and testing process for advanced nuclear materials.

This book from MRS discusses the evolution of a material's microstructure as a result of its interaction with energetic particles such as ions, neutrons or electrons. The book is inter-disciplinary and emphasizes all classes of materials including metals, intermetallic compounds, ceramics, polymers, superconductors, semiconductors and insulators. A strong focus is placed on experimental techniques for measuring and quantifying damage and microstructure changes, and on computer simulation techniques for predicting and understanding this phenomena. Topics include: ion-implantation damage in semiconductors; radiation damage in metals; radiation damage in ceramics; radiation effects in polymers and beam-induced effects.

Characterization of Radiation Damage by Transmission Electron Microscopy details the electron microscopy methods used to investigate complex and fine-scale microstructures, such as those produced by fast-particle irradiation of metals or ion implantation of semiconductors. The book focuses on the methods used to characterize small point-defect clusters, such as dislocation loops, because the coverage in general microscopy textbooks is limited and omits many of the problems associated with the analysis of these defects. The book also describes in situ, high-resolution, and analytical techniques. Techniques are illustrated with examples, providing a solid overview of the contribution of TEM to radiation damage mechanisms. The book is most useful to researchers in, or entering into, the field of defect analysis in materials.

The complexity of radiation damage effects in materials that are used in various irradiation environments stems from the fundamental particle–solid interactions and the subsequent damage recovery dynamics after the collision cascades, which involves multiple length and time scales. Adding to this complexity are the transmuted impurities that are unavoidable from accompanying nuclear processes. Helium is one such impurity that plays an important and unique role in controlling the microstructure and properties of materials used in fast fission reactors, plasma-facing and structural materials in fusion devices, spallation neutron target designs, actinides, tritium-containing materials, and nuclear waste. Their ultra-low solubility in virtually all solids forces He atoms to self-precipitate into small bubbles that become nucleation sites for further void growth under radiation-induced vacancy supersaturations, resulting in material swelling and high-temperature He embrittlement, as well as surface blistering under low-energy and high-flux He bombardment. This Special Issue, “Radiation Damage in Materials—Helium Effects”, contains review articles and full-length papers on new irradiation material research activities and novel material ideas using experimental and/or modeling approaches. These studies elucidate the interactions of helium with various extreme environments and tailored nanostructures, as well as their impact on microstructural evolution and material properties.

This handbook comprehensively covers the cutting-edge trends and techniques essential for the integration of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) into the changing face of the modern industrial landscape. In particular, it delves into the marriage of NDE with new techniques in e.g. data mining, cloud computing and autonomous operation, highlighting the potential for cyber-physical controlled production and discussing the myriad possible applications across many different industries. The Handbook of NDE 4.0 centers around the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 – the next generation of industrial production encompassing all aspects of networking across all industrial areas. It discusses the adaptation of existing NDE techniques to emerging new technological areas, such as 3D printing, via the introduction of cyber systems into the inspection and maintenance processes. In addition, the handbook covers topics such as the management and processing of big data with respect to real-time monitoring of structural integrity and reliable inspection of individual components. Remote NDE to include competence not available on-site will be a potential technique to increase reliability of NDE inspections by integrating additional specialist inputs into the decision process by methods such as telepresence, thereby better leveraging the scarce resources of senior inspectors into industrial inspections at multiple sites. The handbook houses a wealth of essential information to help academics, industry professionals and entrepreneurs navigate through this burgeoning new field. The material in this handbook is presented with the intention of ultimately improving human safety through reliable inspections and dependable maintenance of critical infrastructure, while also enhancing business value through reduced downtime, affordable maintenance, and talent optimization.

This book covers in detail the various aspects of joining materials to form parts. A conceptual overview of rapid prototyping and layered manufacturing is given, beginning with the fundamentals so that readers can get up to speed quickly. Unusual and emerging applications such as micro-scale manufacturing, medical applications, aerospace, and rapid manufacturing are also discussed. This book provides a comprehensive overview of rapid prototyping technologies as well as support technologies such as software systems, vacuum casting, investment casting, plating, infiltration and other systems. This book also: Reflects recent developments and trends and adheres to the ASTM, SI, and other standards Includes chapters on automotive technology, aerospace technology and low-cost AM technologies Provides a broad range of technical questions to ensure comprehensive understanding of the concepts covered

Overview of diffraction methods applied to the analysis of the microstructure of materials. Since crystallite size and the presence of lattice defects have a decisive influence on the properties of many engineering materials, information about this microstructure is of vital importance in developing and assessing materials for practical applications. The most powerful and usually non-destructive evaluation techniques available are X-ray and neutron diffraction. The book details, among other things, diffraction-line broadening methods for determining crystallite size and atomic-scale strain due, e.g. to dislocations, and methods for the analysis of residual (macroscale) stress. The book assumes only a basic knowledge of solid-state physics and supplies readers sufficient information to apply the methods themselves.

This fully corrected second impression of the classic 2006 text on microscopy runs to more than 1,000 pages and covers up-to-the-minute developments in the field. The two-volume work brings together a slew of experts who present comprehensive reviews of all the latest instruments and new versions of the older ones, as well as their associated operational techniques. The chapters draw attention to their principal areas of application. A huge range of subjects are benefiting from these new tools, including semiconductor physics, medicine, molecular biology, the nanoworld in general, magnetism, and ferroelectricity. This fascinating book will be an indispensable guide for a wide range of scientists in university laboratories as well as engineers and scientists in industrial R&D departments.

Retaining its proven concept, the second edition of this ready reference specifically addresses the need of materials engineers for reliable, detailed information on modern material characterization methods. As such, it provides a systematic overview of the increasingly important field of characterization of engineering materials with the help of neutrons and synchrotron radiation. The first part introduces readers to the fundamentals of structure-property relationships in materials and the radiation sources suitable for materials characterization. The second part then focuses on such characterization techniques as diffraction and scattering methods, as well as direct imaging and tomography. The third part presents new and emerging methods of materials characterization in the field of 3D characterization techniques like three-dimensional X-ray diffraction microscopy. The fourth and final part is a collection of examples that demonstrate the application of the methods introduced in the first parts to problems in materials science. With thoroughly revised and updated chapters and now containing about 20% new material, this is the must-have, in-depth resource on this highly relevant topic.