Westinghouse and Partners Win $7.5 Million for Nuclear Innovation from the Department of Energy

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected Westinghouse Electric
Company LLC and university research partners to receive a total of $7.5
million in funding to advance nuclear innovation in a number of areas.

For one of the projects, Westinghouse is investigating the neutron
radiation effects on zirconium alloys produced via the additive
manufacturing process (3D printing) for light water reactors. This
project received $830,000 in funding and will be conducted at the
Westinghouse Materials Center of Excellence Hot Cell Facility in
Churchill, Pennsylvania. Researchers will conduct
post-irradiation examination of zirconium material that was irradiated
at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reactor.

Westinghouse’s technology leadership position, as well as its
long-standing collaborative relationship with universities allows the
company to continue advancing nuclear technology for safer, cleaner
energy,” said Terry Rudek, vice president, Global Engineering Services
and interim chief technology officer for the company’s Global Technology
Office. “DOE funding for research is vital to developing new nuclear
technologies that benefit organizations worldwide and allows us to
achieve success on a shorter timetable. We are proud to have such a
significant role in the future of nuclear energy.”

The remainder of the funding will be allocated to six U.S.
university-led teams, with Westinghouse participation, for research
focused on radiation effects on fiber optic sensors, silicon carbide
composite degradation in a helium environment, two critical heat flux
projects, and a behavior model for spent fuel cladding storage and
transportation. The latter project will receive $3 million in funding
and will be led by The Pennsylvania State University.

The funding that Westinghouse received is part of DOE’s more than $66
million in funding for nuclear energy-related and infrastructure
research in 28 states through the Nuclear Energy University Program
(NEUP), Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF) and Nuclear Energy
Enabling Technology (NEET) program.

Contacts

Westinghouse Electric Company
Sarah Cassella, +1 412-374-4744
Manager,
External Communications
Email: [email protected]