Pyrochemical Reprocessing of Weapons Plutonium as Nuclear Fuel for Power Reactors

Experimental work on transferring compact weapons plutonium by pyrochemical methods into its compounds was generalized. Powdered plutonium dioxide was obtained by interaction with moist air at 480–500°C. PuH₃ was synthesized by interaction of the metal with hydrogen at 280°C. PuF₃ was formed in an interaction of dioxides with HF and H₂. The reaction of plutonium hydride with HF also resulted in plutonium trifluoride. PuF₄ was synthesized by interaction of PuO₂ with HF.In summary, compact plutonium can be transfered by water-free methods into its powdered compounds, which can be used in investigations for developing new types of fuel elements for power reactors. 6 figures, 2 tables, 16 references.     

Design and performance evaluation of low-voltage/high-current DC/DCon-board modules

The topology selection, design, and performance evaluation of an on-board DC/DC converter, which delivers power from a 48 V input to a 1.2-1.65 V/70 A microprocessor load, are presented. It was shown that the symmetrical half-bridge topology with the current doubler and synchronous rectifiers is a suitable approach for this application. The measured full-load efficiency of a 200 kHz experimental half-bridge converter was higher than 82% in the entire output and input voltage range     

Design considerations for 12-V/1.5-V, 50-A voltage regulatormodules

The paper presents design considerations for a 12-V/1.5-V, 50-A voltage regulator module (VRM) for the next generation of microprocessors. The module has stringent power-density and transient-response specifications, which are hard to meet with traditional design techniques. The proposed design solutions increase the VRM efficiency, as well as achieve the desired transient response with a minimum amount of the output capacitance     

Modification of the glass surface by titanium dioxide films synthesized through the sol–gel method

The glass surface has been modified by titanium dioxide films synthesized using the sol-gel method. The sol-gel synthesis has been optimized by the experimental design with the use of the Latin square method. The film composition has been evaluated using X-ray powder diffraction analysis and optical measurements. The photoinduced hydrophilicity of the modified glass has been investigated.     

Some results uranium dioxide powder structure investigation

Features of the macrostructure and microstructure of uranium dioxide powders are considered. Assumptions are made on the mechanisms of the behavior of powders of various natures during pelletizing. Experimental data that reflect the effect of these powders on the quality of fuel pellets, which is evaluated by modern procedures, are presented. To investigate the structure of the powders, modern methods of electron microscopy, helium pycnometry, etc., are used. The presented results indicate the disadvantages of wet methods for obtaining the starting UO₂ powders by the ammonium diuranate (ADU) flow sheet because strong agglomerates and conglomerates, which complicate the process of pelletizing, are formed. The main directions of investigation that can lead to understanding the regularities of formation of the structure of starting UO₂ powders, which will allow one to control the process of their fabrication and stabilize the properties of powders and pellets, are emphasized.