Showing papers by "Chalk River Laboratories published in 2018"

First results from the DEAP-3600 dark matter search with argon at SNOLAB

Abstract: This paper reports the first results of a direct dark matter search with the DEAP-3600 single-phase liquid argon (LAr) detector. The experiment was performed 2 km underground at SNOLAB (Sudbury, Canada) utilizing a large target mass, with the LAr target contained in a spherical acrylic vessel of 3600 kg capacity. The LAr is viewed by an array of PMTs, which would register scintillation light produced by rare nuclear recoil signals induced by dark matter particle scattering. An analysis of 4.44 live days (fidicial exposure of 9.87 tonne days) of data taken during the initial filling phase demonstrates the best electronic recoil rejection using pulse-shape discrimination in argon, with leakage <1.2X107 (90% C.L.) between 15 and 31 keVee. No candidate signal events are observed, which results in the leading limit on WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross section on argon, <1.21044 cm2 for a 100 GeV/c2 WIMP mass (90% C.L.).

Gamma Prime Precipitate Evolution During Aging of a Model Nickel-Based Superalloy

Abstract: The microstructural stability of nickel-based superalloys is critical for maintaining alloy performance during service in gas turbine engines. In this study, the precipitate evolution in a model polycrystalline Ni-based superalloy during aging to 1000 hours has been studied via transmission electron microscopy, atom probe tomography, and neutron diffraction. Variations in phase composition and precipitate morphology, size, and volume fraction were observed during aging, while the constrained lattice misfit remained constant at approximately zero. The experimental composition of the γ matrix phase was consistent with thermodynamic equilibrium predictions, while significant differences were identified between the experimental and predicted results from the γ′ phase. These results have implications for the evolution of mechanical properties in service and their prediction using modeling methods.

Neutron scattering in the biological sciences: progress and prospects

Abstract: The scattering of neutrons can be used to provide information on the structure and dynamics of biological systems on multiple length and time scales. Pursuant to a National Science Foundation-funded workshop in February 2018, recent developments in this field are reviewed here, as well as future prospects that can be expected given recent advances in sources, instrumentation and computational power and methods. Crystallography, solution scattering, dynamics, membranes, labeling and imaging are examined. For the extraction of maximum information, the incorporation of judicious specific deuterium labeling, the integration of several types of experiment, and interpretation using high-performance computer simulation models are often found to be particularly powerful.

An experimental and computational study of CO2 adsorption in the sodalite-type M-BTT (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu) metal–organic frameworks featuring open metal sites

Abstract: We present a comprehensive investigation of the CO2 adsorption properties of an isostructural series of metal-organic frameworks, M-BTT (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu; BTT3- = 1,3,5-benzenetristetrazolate), which exhibit a high density of open metal sites capable of polarizing and binding guest molecules. Coupling gas adsorption measurements with in situ neutron and X-ray diffraction experiments provides molecular-level insight into the adsorption process and enables rationalization of the observed adsorption isotherms. In particular, structural data confirms that the high initial isosteric heats of CO2 adsorption for the series are directly correlated with the presence of open metal sites and further reveals the positions and orientations of as many as three additional adsorption sites. Density functional theory calculations that include van der Waals dispersion corrections quantitatively support the observed structural features associated with the primary and secondary CO2 binding sites, including CO2 positions and orientations, as well as the experimentally determined isosteric heats of CO2 adsorption.

Tumor metabolism regulating chemosensitivity in ovarian cancer

Abstract: Elevated metabolism is a key hallmark of multiple cancers, serving to fulfill high anabolic demands. Ovarian cancer (OVCA) is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women with a high mortality rate (45%). Chemoresistance is a major hurdle for OVCA treatment. Although substantial evidence suggests that metabolic reprogramming contributes to anti-apoptosis and the metastasis of multiple cancers, the link between tumor metabolism and chemoresistance in OVCA remains unknown. While clinical trials targeting metabolic reprogramming alone have been met with limited success, the synergistic effect of inhibiting tumor-specific metabolism with traditional chemotherapy warrants further examination, particularly in OVCA. This review summarizes the role of key glycolytic enzymes and other metabolic synthesis pathways in the progression of cancer and chemoresistance in OVCA. Within this context, mitochondrial dynamics (fission, fusion and cristae structure) are addressed regarding their roles in controlling metabolism and apoptosis, closely associated with chemosensitivity. The roles of multiple key oncogenes (Akt, HIF-1α) and tumor suppressors (p53, PTEN) in metabolic regulation are also described. Next, this review summarizes recent research of metabolism and future direction. Finally, we examine clinical drugs and inhibitors to target glycolytic metabolism, as well as the rationale for such strategies as potential therapeutics to overcome chemoresistant OVCA.

Fast prediction of thermal distortion in metal powder bed fusion additive manufacturing: Part 2, a quasi-static thermo-mechanical model

Abstract: The additive manufacturing (AM) process metal powder bed fusion (PBF) can quickly produce complex parts with mechanical properties comparable to that of wrought materials. However, thermal stress accumulated during Metal PBF may induce part distortion and even cause failure of the entire process. This manuscript is the second part of two companion manuscripts that collectively present a part-scale simulation method for fast prediction of thermal distortion in Metal PBF. The first part provides a fast prediction of the temperature history in the part via a thermal circuit network (TCN) model. This second part uses the temperature history from the TCN to inform a model of thermal distortion using a quasi-static thermo-mechanical model (QTM). The QTM model distinguished two periods of Metal PBF, the thermal loading period and the stress relaxation period. In the thermal loading period, the layer-by-layer build cycles of Metal PBF are simulated, and the thermal stress accumulated in the build process is predicted. In the stress relaxation period, the removal of parts from the substrate is simulated, and the off-substrate part distortion and residual stress are predicted. Validation of part distortion predicted by the QTM model against both experiment and data in literature showed a relative error less than 20%. This QTM, together with the TCN, offers a framework for rapid, part-scale simulations of Metal PBF that can be used to optimize the build process and parameters.

Interfacial and Bulk Water in Ultrathin Films of Nafion, 3M PFSA, and 3M PFIA Ionomers on a Polycrystalline Platinum Surface

Abstract: Water at the interface and in the bulk of ultrathin ionomer films confined to platinum surfaces affects the electrochemical activity and proton transport in electrochemical devices, yet it is littl...

Microstructure Optimization of Mg-Alloys by the ECAP Process Including Numerical Simulation, SPD Treatments, Characterization, and Hydrogen Sorption Properties.

Abstract: Both numerical simulation and hardness measurements were used to determine the mechanical and microstructural behavior of AZ31 bulk samples when submitted to the Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) technique. Billets of this representative of Mg-rich alloys were submitted to different numbers of passes for various ECAP modes (anisotropic A, isotropic BC). The strain distribution, the grain size refinement, and the micro-hardness were used as indicators to quantify the effectiveness of the different processing routes. Structural characterizations at different scales were achieved using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), micro-analysis, metallography, Small Angle Neutron Scattering SANS, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and texture determination. The grain and crystallite size distribution and orientation as well as defect impacts were determined. Anelastic Spectroscopy (AS) on mechanically deformed samples have shown that the temperature of ECAP differentiate the fragile to ductile regime. MgH2 consolidated powders were checked for using AS to detect potential hydrogen motions and interaction with host metal atoms. After further optimization, the different mechanically-treated samples were submitted to hydrogenation/dehydrogenation (H/D) cycles, which shows that, for a few passes, the BC mode is better than the A one, as supported by theoretical and experimental microstructure analyses. Accordingly, the hydrogen uptake and (H/D) reactions were correlated with the optimized microstructure peculiarities and interpreted in terms of Johnson-Avrami- Mehl-Kolmogorov (JAMK) and Jander models, successively.

Magnetic ground state and magnon-phonon interaction in multiferroic h-YMnO3

Abstract: Inelastic neutron scattering has been used to study the magnetoelastic excitations in the multiferroic manganite hexagonal YMnO3. An avoided crossing is found between magnon and phonon modes close to the Brillouin zone boundary in the (a,b) plane. Neutron polarization analysis reveals that this mode has mixed magnon-phonon character. An external magnetic field along the c axis is observed to cause a linear field-induced splitting of one of the spin-wave branches. A theoretical description is performed, using a Heisenberg model of localized spins, acoustic phonon modes, and a magnetoelastic coupling via the single-ion magnetostriction. The model quantitatively reproduces the dispersion and intensities of all modes in the full Brillouin zone, describes the observed magnon-phonon hybridized modes, and quantifies the magnetoelastic coupling. The combined information, including the field-induced magnon splitting, allows us to exclude several of the earlier proposed models and point to the correct magnetic ground state symmetry, and provides an effective dynamic model relevant for the multiferroic hexagonal manganites.

In vivo animal studies help achieve international consensus on standards and guidelines for health risk estimates for chronic exposure to low levels of tritium in drinking water.

Abstract: Existing and future nuclear fusion technologies involve the production and use of large quantities of tritium, a highly volatile, but low toxicity beta-emitting isotope of hydrogen Tritium has received international attention because of public and scientific concerns over its release to the environment and the potential health impact of its internalization This article provides a brief summary of the current state of knowledge of both the biological and regulatory aspects of tritium exposure; it also explores the gaps in this knowledge and provides recommendations on the best ways forward for improving our understanding of the health effects of low-level exposure to it Linking health effects specifically to tritium exposure is challenging in epidemiological studies due to high uncertainty in tritium dosimetry and often suboptimal cohort sizes We therefore argued that limits for tritium in drinking water should be based on evidence derived from controlled in vivo animal tritium toxicity studies that use realistically low levels of tritium This article presents one such mouse study, undertaken within an international collaboration, and discusses the implications of its main findings, such as the similarity of the biokinetics of tritiated water (HTO) and organically bound tritium (OBT) and the higher biological effectiveness of OBT This discussion is consistent with the position expressed in this article that in vivo animal tritium toxicity studies carried out within large, multi-partner collaborations allow evaluation of a great variety of health-related endpoints and essential to the development of international consensus on the regulation of tritium levels in the environment Environ Mol Mutagen 59:586-594, 2018 © 2018 The Authors Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc on behalf of Environmental Mutagen Society

Mechanical properties and microstructures in zirconium deposited by injected powder laser additive manufacturing

Abstract: The use of laser additive manufacturing based on melting of injected zirconium powder under localized shielding was evaluated in terms of microstructures and mechanical properties of thin wall structures. The material was characterized in both the laser travel and the build directions. The microstructures, tensile properties and fracture behavior were assessed for deposits made using as-received and recycled powder. Electron backscattered diffraction and transmission electron microcopy revealed a fine structure of Zr-α laths with nano-scale iron-rich precipitates at the lath interfaces. The properties of the fabricated components, which were made using new as-received powder were comparable to a Zr-2.5Nb alloy substrate, with yield strengths of over 569 MPa and uniform strains up to the ultimate tensile stress ranging from 8.5 to 9.9%. However, when recycled powder was used, the ductility dropped with total strains to failure of 1.0–7.5%, as a result of porosity and unmelted powder particles serving as brittle inclusions in the deposited material.

Simulations of Pressure-Tube–Heavy-Water Reactor Cores Fueled with Thorium-Based Mixed-Oxide Fuels

Abstract: Thorium, a fertile nuclear fuel which is nearly three times as abundant as uranium, represents a long-term energy resource that could complement uranium by making the current nuclear fuel cycle more sustainable. With the expected refurbishment and new construction of pressure-tube–heavy-water reactors (PT-HWRs) within the international community, there is a good opportunity to gain experience with thorium-based fuels and to start the transition phase toward use of thorium as part of the nuclear fuel cycle. Previous studies have shown that in the near term (10 to 15 years), small amounts of thorium could be introduced into conventional 37-element fuel bundles made with natural uranium (NU) or slightly enriched uranium for use in PT-HWRs, which could help improve performance and safety characteristics relative to the use of NU alone. This work is an evaluation of various types of thorium-based oxide fuels in 35-element bundles that could potentially be implemented in current PT-HWRs to enable the tr...

Speciation analysis of inorganic and organic arsenic in Canadian seafoods by chemical separation and neutron activation

Abstract: A new method consisting of methanol–methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)–water extraction and open-column cation exchange chromatography followed by HPLC was developed for the separation of total, residual, lipid-soluble, and five water soluble arsenic species including AsB, MMA, DMA, As(III), and As(V) in selected Canadian seafood samples. The mass fractions of arsenic were determined by neutron activation analysis with a detection limit of less than 20 µg kg−1. The method was validated by analyzing reference materials. The MIBK phase contained most of the lipid-soluble arsenic and indicated a linear relationship between the lipid content and lipid-soluble arsenic.

Kinetic and equilibrium studies of Cs(I), Sr(II) and Eu(III) adsorption on a natural sandy soil

Abstract: Abstract Radioactive cesium, strontium and europium can be released as fission products during nuclear incidents and pose a major concern to contamination control because of their biological activity and long decay half-lives. Experiments were performed to study the kinetics and equilibrium of the adsorption of inactive Cs(I), Sr(II) and Eu(III) ions on a natural sandy soil. It was found that the adsorption of Cs(I), Sr(II) and Eu(III) had a second order reaction kinetics and generally reached equilibrium within 7 days. The adsorption equilibria of Cs(I) follows a Freundlich isotherm, while those of Sr(II) and Eu(III) follows a Langmuir isotherm. Adsorption increases with increasing pH for these cations studied at temperatures from 25 to 50°C. In general, the temperature effect on cation adsorption is small under these test conditions suggesting that the enthalpy change for adsorption is not significant. Tests of mixed Cs(I) and Sr(II) adsorption suggested that these cations likely adsorb on different sites on the surface of sandy soil. The desorption tests in NaCl and CaCl2 solutions show that Eu(III) and Cs(I) are more tightly bound and less mobile in natural sandy soil than Sr(II) under the same test conditions. Tests of Cs(I), Sr(II) and Eu(III) in a column under a flowing condition revealed that these cations mainly adsorbed within the depth of 2 cm below the surface of sandy soil.