Abstract: A modular getter pump includes a first and a second supporting electrode. At least one strip of high ohmic resistance material is connected to and supported by the first and second supporting electrodes. The strip of high ohmic resistance material has a length much greater than its width and only a nominal thickness and is pleated into flat substantially parallel zones which are uniformly separated from each other. The pleated strip forms a substrate having a non-evaporable getter metal at least partially embedded therein. A rod means is orthogonally positioned with respect to the width of the pleated strip for maintaining the separation between adjacent parallel zones. Such modular getter pumps can be used singularly or in a multiple array to sorb gases in closed vessels such as, for example, fusion reactors, particle accelerators, storage rings, neutral beam injectors, and others.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nuclear reactor fuel element which contains a pre-activated non-evaporable getter material such that the getter material starts to sorb gases at a temperature lower than the temperature at which the fuel element walls start to sorb gas. The invention is further directed to a getter device which can be employed in a nuclear fuel element and the nuclear fuel element per se.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nuclear fuel element which contains a pre-activated non-evaporable getter material such that the getter material starts to sorb gas at a temperature lower than the temperature at which the fuel element walls start to sorb gas which getter action at least partially takes place at subatmospheric pressure.