Conducting R&D in the 21st Century, the Advanced Test ReactorNational Scientific User Facility Model
Todd AllenDeputy Laboratory Director for Science and TechnologyMarch 2014
Possible Structure to Support Innovation in National Energy Programs
EnduringPrograms
Success
Direct input
Reject
Filter
Competed Programs
Twentieth Century Research & Development
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Technology
Facility Idea
Skill1
As seen in creation of National Laboratories
Twenty-First Century Research & Development
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User Facilities Idea
Technology
Skill1
Skill2
As seen today in the energy innovation hubs, Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs), and National User Facilities.
Distributed Capability
Information Technology
How to Catch a Fish
March 2014
Todd AllenDeputy Laboratory Director for Science and Technology
Catching a Fish in The Early Days:
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• Inefficient Process• Requires trying many different fish• Expert base process
Edisonian Approach
Catching A Fish in The 21st Century: Science-base Approach
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• Use modern computational tools to limit the number of experiments
• Model is a complex engineering problem and includes fish property definition, fish culinary desires, fluid flow, angler arm action, actions of other fishermen, etc.
• Models need validation
http://www-phys.llnl.gov/Research/Metals_Alloys/Methods/
Multiscale Modeling
Multiscale Modeling
http://www-phys.llnl.gov/Research/Metals_Alloys/Methods/
Bottoms Up Approach
• Start by building a fish model from the atomic level• Once the fish is understood, then model the river• Move up to understanding the system of fish,
stream, man, and beer• Eventually would have perfect understanding but
very time consuming to finish the exercise and the fishing funding agency might lose interest
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Top Down Approach
• Start with a system level model• Focus on most important variables (e.g., man
and beer) and drive to limit uncertainty using modeling and measurement tools as necessary
• Continuous improvement in system model improves the fishing
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Top Down Approach-Advantages
• Allows for eliminating things that aren’t relevant
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Local Conditions
Fish Availability
Stupid people between you and
some immobile fish
Disposition of the fishermen
Organizing The Advanced Fishing Modeling Team
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FDU
Example: Conducting R&D
Simulation
Domain Expertise
Collaboration
Internal Facility
External Facility
Characterization
Testing
Fabrication
Databases & Documentation
Smart Search Engines
Data Reduction Software
Access by DOE Laboratories, Universities,
Industry, NRC
VA
LID
AT
ION
OF
M&
S T
OO
LS
NationalKnowledge Center
International Data Centers
Measurement
What are User Facilities?
There are currently 48 DOE user facilities in the U.S. – Advanced scientific computing research – High flux synchrotron and neutron sources – Electron beam characterization – Nano-scale science – Biological and environmental research – High energy and nuclear physics – Fusion energy science
……But before 2007 there were no user facilities to address the unique challenges of nuclear energy!
Advanced Photon Source (ANL)
Spallation Neutron Source (ORNL)
Regional, national or international facilities with unique experimental capabilities. Access is typically cost free through a competitive proposal process. The goal is to connect good ideas with the capability regardless of geographical separation
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Meeting Nuclear Research NeedsTo perform the research required to
support nuclear energy development requires specialized (expensive) and
increasingly rare capabilities– High flux reactors– Hot cells– Support infrastructure (shipping
casks, test fabrication, etc.)But also intellectual capital
– Universities– Nuclear industry– Innovative small businesses– National laboratories
The ATR National Scientific User Facility merges the national nuclear research infrastructure with intellectual capital to pair the best ideas with needed capability
Initial Vision for ATR NSUF
Advanced Test Reactor INL Post Irradiation Examination (PIE) Facilities Materials & Fuels Complex (MFC)
Allow the research community access to test reactor space and existing post irradiation examination facilities
Expanding the User Facility Scope
Because test reactor space and capability for examining radioactive
materials are limited at INL, a network of capability across the U.S. has been added to the ATR
NSUF that includes both national laboratory and university capability
ATR National Scientific User Facility
Test reactors and critical facilities (ATR, ATRC, HFIR, MITR, PULSTAR)
Examination facilities (INL MFC, NCSU, ORNL, PNNL, UC Berkeley, Michigan, Purdue, UNLV, IIT, Wisconsin)
Other National User Facilities (APS, SHaRE, NIST, LANSCE)
An active and engaged user community
Provides the nuclear energy research community access to the capability required to conduct cutting edge research and
development
ATR National Scientific User FacilityPrototyping the Laboratory of the Future
Discovery through Collaboration
Support through Infrastructure Development through Learning
Capability through Partnerships
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MOOSE: M&S Capability
LWR ATR
MaterialScience
ChemistryUsed Fuel
Geomechanics
BES SciDAC
NuclearFuel
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Example: A Hub for Nuclear Fuel R&D
Simulation
Domain Expertise
Collaboration
ATR National Scientific User
Facility
Other Scientific User Facility
Characterization
Out-of-Pile Testing
Irradiation Testing
Post-Irradiation Examination (PIE)
Fuel Fabrication
Databases & Documentation
Smart Search Engines
Data Reduction Software
Access by DOE Laboratories, Universities,
Industry, NRC
VA
LID
AT
ION
OF
M&
S T
OO
LS
NationalKnowledge Center
International Data Centers
Measurement
Happy Fishing Researchers
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The National Nuclear LaboratoryThe National Nuclear Laboratory