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TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Multi-Functional and Integrated Rod System for Nuclear Reactors An innovative rod system for reactors that enables reactivity control and reactor coolant heating and r... TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Multi-Functional and Integrated Rod System for Nuclear Reactors An innovative rod system for reactors that enables reactivity control and reactor coolant heating and reheating. Opportunity: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), managed and operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), is offering the opportunity to enter into a license and/or collaborative research agreement to commercialize this new advanced manufacturing technique for heat transfer components. This technology transfer opportunity is part of a dedicated effort to convert government-funded research into job opportunities, businesses and ultimately an improved way of life for the American people. Overview: Microreactors are very small nuclear systems, where the fuel and core geometry is very sensitive to reactivity changes. Thus, every area and volume must be efficiently utilized. Compact heat exchangers are being looked at by the next-gen nuclear reactor community to transfer heat in an efficient and effective manner. The challenge with these is the fabrication cost which tends to be very high and once the diffusion bond breaks, the component is of no use. New additive manufacturing techniques could enable to bring down the fabrication cost such that it becomes an economically attractive option and could potentially apply modularity such that defects could be easily rectified. Description: Researchers at Idaho National Lab have designed an innovative nuclear fuel rod system that integrates multiple functions necessary for the control and operation of a nuclear reactor system over a fuel cycle and its lifetime. The key features of this system are the neutron absorber rod and the reactor coolant heater and reheater system. This system provides a means to control reactivity in the nuclear reactor core and to provide shutdown capability through the highly absorbent neutron rod. The reactivity of the reactor can be controlled and shut down by introducing and removing the highly neutron absorbent region on and off the rod into the fueled region of the reactor core. The electric heater rod is part of the integrated rod and can be moved into and out of the reactor. The heater rod provides a source of heat that is used to maintain reactor coolant system temperature at a designated state during shutdown in hot standby mode. Microreactors are designed to be small, so this system was developed to fit multiple functions into a single space. Benefits: Combining multiple functions into a single space enables efficient microreactor design. Combining functions does not sacrifice performance. Using other, non-integrated solutions will add system complexity and operational challenges, which negatively impact cost competitiveness. Applications: Commercial microreactors Development Status: TRL 4, system has been validated in a laboratory environment. IP Status: Provisional Application No. 63/316,560, “Methods and Principles of an Integrated, Adjustable and Multi-Functional Neutron Absorber Rod and Reactor Coolant Pre-heater and Reheater System,” BEA Docket No. BA-1377. INL is seeking to license the above intellectual property to a company with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Exclusive rights in defined fields of use may be available. Added value is placed on relationships with small businesses, start-up companies, and general entrepreneurship opportunities. Please visit Technology Deployment’s website at https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment for more information on working with INL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Companies interested in learning more about this licensing opportunity should contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov.