Publications

Sep, 2026

Journal

Enhanced Catalytic Dechlorination of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and H2 Production Enabled by Synergistic Gaδ+/Ga0 Active Sites in Liquid Metal Particles

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is ubiquitous yet challenging to recycle due to its tendency to thermally decompose above 250 °C, releasing toxic, corrosive chlorinated compounds, and its inability to melt. Here, we report a catalytic strategy for PVC upcycling at 160 °C using gallium liquid metal particles (Ga-LMP) featuring a dynamic Ga-GaOOH core–shell architecture. These cata…

Sep, 2026

Journal

Pivotal role of organic adsorbates for the creation of catalytic sites during dry reforming of methane

Inadvertent factors can sometimes be crucial for synthesis of catalysts. The use of polyalcohols is common in the synthesis of heterogeneous catalysts. Interactions between alcohols and heterogeneous catalysts have been shown to induce surface reconstructions that greatly impact catalytic performance. Thus, traces of these alcohol functionalities on the as-synthesized cata…

Aug, 2026

Journal

Investigation of nonlinear mechanical behavior of two superfine-grained graphites with DIC assisted disc splitting test

Using standardized uniaxial tensile test specimens is not practical due to the limited volumes in irradiation capsules, molten salt degradation facilities, or oxidation apparatus. The ASTM International Standard Test Method for Tensile Strength Estimate by Disc Compression of Manufactured Graphite (ASTM D8289) was developed to provide a convenient way for estimating tensil…

Aug, 2026

Journal

Noble-metal free catalysts for ammonia dehydrogenation within permeation membrane reactors for improved conversion

Ammonia is a carbon-free hydrogen carrier that can be easily transported, but ammonia decomposition catalysts have historically relied on ruthenium. However, less scarce nickel-based catalysts have difficulties in performing ammonia decomposition as efficiently as ruthenium-based catalysts, as nickel-based catalysts are passivated by the hydrogen produced during the reacti…

Jul, 2026

Journal

Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry for Characterization of Pt-Coated Porous Transport Layers in PEM Water Electrolyzers

Titanium-based porous transport layers (PTLs) and iridium-based catalyst layers (CLs) are two main components of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs). PTLs are typically coated with platinum to minimize interfacial losses and to support long-term operation. Optimizing coatings and the PTL-CL interface requires comprehensive characterization. This study est…

Jul, 2026

ORNL Report

Advancing SiC clad fuel performance model: bridging micro- and macro-scale models and experimental validation

Jun, 2026

Journal

Sliding friction and wear behavior of nuclear graphite in high temperature inert environment: Influence of contact load, speed and temperature

Repeated dynamic interactions of graphitic components in pebble-bed gas-cooled nuclear reactors can cause abrasive wear-induced pebble surface damage, generate hazardous fine graphite debris, and alter fuel circulation dynamics due to changes in friction behavior. Comprehensive tribological characterization of nuclear graphitic materials in conditions relevant to reactor o…

May, 2026

ORNL Report

Screening and qualification methodology for SiC end plug processing methods

May, 2026

ORNL Report

Status on Microstructural Studies of Nuclear Graphite

This report documents the completion of the Advanced Reactor Technologies (ART) Level 3 Milestone (M3AT-26OR0605054), “Provide status on microstructural studies of nuclear graphite,” due May 1, 2026. The contents of this report summarize recent progress in the development of the Nuclear Graphite Microstructure Library, including datasets that have been generated, curated,…

Mar, 2026

Conference Paper

Microstructural characterization of the oxidation of nuclear graphite under chronic and accident conditions via XCT and synchrotron XCT

Graphite is a candidate material to moderate fast neutrons and for structural components in the US next-generation graphite-moderated reactors. A graphite core is conceived as a large formation of interconnected bricks that primarily serves as the moderator of fast neutrons, holds instrumentation, fuel elements, control rods, and is a receptacle for molten salts for Molten…

Feb, 2026

Journal

RuKY Catalyst-Packed Permeation Membrane for Quantitative Ammonia and d3-Ammonia Dehydrogenation to Ultrapure Hydrogen

Ammonia is a promising carbon-free hydrogen carrier, but incomplete ammonia dehydrogenation (cracking) generates atmospheric emissions of NOx, a potent greenhouse gas. Additionally, incomplete cracking of ammonia leads to regulatory challenges in nuclear and fusion power, where tritiated ammonia (NT3) emissions are strictly controlled. Therefore, we report the use of low-t…

Dec, 2025

Journal

Historic and modern nuclear graphite impurities: Pathways to improved waste strategies

Graphite has been used in large volumes as a structural material and neutron moderator since the earliest days of nuclear fission. However, no international consensus exists on the disposal of irradiated graphite, leaving much of the historic radioactive graphite inventory in interim vault or silo storage. With several new graphite-moderated reactors planned or under const…