“The goal of the research project is to develop additives that can eliminate the damage and cracking concrete typically experience when exposed to radiation,” Dr. Ferraro states that the increased productivity will lead to a decrease in production costs and maintenance costs of nuclear power plants resulting in lowered dependence on foreign energy. His research is leading the wave of next-generation civil materials design and application, with an emphasis on increased durability, broader implementation and reduced carbon footprint,” said ESSIE director Kirk Hatfield, Ph.D.ĭr. Ferraro’s national reputation as an expert in cementitious materials. “This award is an impressive testament to Dr.
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Developed as part of the DELTA program, this portable system uses a smart nozzle to track users’ movements and direct cool or warm air where needed. His research supports the current mission of the DOE’s Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program by providing a scientific basis for the design of newly constructed nuclear reactors beyond 60 years. The ARPA-E University of Maryland team's RoCo, one of the world’s first personal air conditioning systems.
#ARPA E PROGRAM LICENSE#
“If the boron proves to reduce or eliminate the expansion caused by radiation, it would mean that nuclear power plants using this technology would be much more likely to continue operation beyond their current 40-year license period,” Dr. Ferraro, civil engineering assistant professor in the Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment (ESSIE) and principal investigator, seeks to explore ways to improve the concrete’s strength and extend its life span.Ĭurrently, the majority of nuclear power plants housed in the United States are under a renewed 40-year license. This project will investigate a unique solution involving the conversion of boron and lithium which will be used to increase concrete’s durability and mitigate structural failure.ĭr. Welcome to Innovation Magazine Online Innovation, America’s Journal of Technology Commercialization, is a quarterly magazine (digital only, starting 1st quarter 2016) published by Technology Ventures.
When concrete is exposed to radiation, like it is in nuclear reactors, the aggregates within have potential to expand which ultimately leads to cracking and failing. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators. ARPA-E can be goal-oriented, flexible, yet possible to start, stop and sustain programs and projects according to their promise and performance. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) program has awarded $1.1 million to Christopher Ferraro, Ph.D., P.E., to perform research on the prevention of damage on concrete used to house nuclear reactors.