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ONLY AVAILABLE FOR UNIVERSITIES Expression of Interest: Contactless Fiber Optic-based Measurement of Mechanical Behavior I. Introduction Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), the managing and operating... ONLY AVAILABLE FOR UNIVERSITIES Expression of Interest: Contactless Fiber Optic-based Measurement of Mechanical Behavior I. Introduction Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), the managing and operating contractor for the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls, Idaho, is seeking an Expression of Interest (EOI) from external parties interested in contactless fiber optic-based measurement of mechanical behavior. The goal is to establish a technique to conduct contactless displacement either normal and/or tangential to an object surface. II. Background The mechanical behavior of materials under neutron irradiation is interesting from a scientific and engineering perspective. Various techniques have been established to measure displacement, strain, and creep of standard specimens under irradiation. These techniques, typically based on Linear Variable Differential Transformers (LVDTs) or strain gauges, by nature require mechanical contact of the specimen. This significantly limits their application to prototypic conditions, mainly due to the interrelation between thermal boundary conditions and the mechanical behavior of the specimen. An excellent example of this is the nuclear fuel cladding behavior during a Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA). During this scenario the reduced cooling of the fuel leads to higher internal fuel pin pressure, and high cladding temperatures. These elevated pressures and temperature can cause to cladding to balloon and burst during this accident scenario. The mechanical performance of cladding under these LOCA conditions is of high interest but attaching a strain gauge or fixturing for an LVDT-based measurement to the surface of cladding would significantly impact the thermal behavior thereby negating the value of the data. This and other accident scenarios provide the motivation for a contactless measurement of mechanical behavior of materials under irradiation. The recent progress of utilizing fiber optic-based instruments for in-pile applications provides a basis to believe a contactless fiber optic-based measurement of mechanical behavior is feasible. III. Proposed Scope of Work The primary objective of the proposed work is to propose technology compatible with the harsh environment experienced in test reactors such as the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility and the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) located at Idaho National Laboratory, or the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Preference will be given to technologies with feasibility to operate under the widest range of conditions (higher fluence and temperature). Preference will also be given to technologies with the highest compatibility with surrounding environments which may include: water, steam, and/or inert gas. The research should aim to develop and demonstrate the proposed technology in laboratory setting with similar conditions to those observed in-core, with the exception of neutron/gamma radiation. IV. Submittal Requirements BEA seeks interested parties capable of performing the requested work on a contract basis. The arrangement will be designed to develop and complete the deliverables as described in the scope of work. Responses must address and will be reviewed based on the following attributes: • Benefits of the contract to the interested party and benefits of the contract to the Department of Energy. • Propose technology compatible with the harsh environment experienced in test reactors such as the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Facility and the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) located at Idaho National Laboratory, or the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) located at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. • Experience and credibility for accomplishing the modeling effort and deliverables. Interested parties who respond with information that demonstrates experience and capability relative to all of the attributes listed above will be considered for a future request for proposal (RFP). BEA anticipates that prospective bidders under the RFP will receive access to electronic versions of the aforementioned conceptual design to support preparation of technical proposals. All responses to this EOI must be provided as an attachment in an email message addressed to Travis.Smith@inl.gov with the subject line “Response to Fiber Optic EOI” no later than the close of business on Sept. 16st, 2022. Responses must be provided as Microsoft Word (.doc/.docx), no more than 10 pages in length, no less than 12-point font, 1-in margins, and no more than 20 MB in size. Only electronic responses will be accepted. Responses submitted by any other means will not be considered by BEA. V. Proprietary Information Because information received in response to this EOI may be business sensitive or proprietary to the responding party, respondents must mark information in their responses accordingly.