Abstract: A reactor irradiation method is provided that can include irradiating Np or Am spheres within a target assembly of a nuclear reactor to form reacted spheres comprising Pu. The target assembly can define a solid core within an exterior housing, and a void between the exterior housing and the solid core, wherein the spheres occupy at least a portion of the void. The irradiating can include exposing the spheres to a neutron energy spectrum while the spheres are in the void of the target assembly to form irradiated spheres.

Abstract: Reactor target assemblies are provided that can include a housing defining a perimeter of at least one volume and Np or Am spheres within the one volume. Reactor assemblies are provided that can include a reactor vessel and a bundle of target assemblies within the reactor vessel, at least one of the target assemblies comprising a housing defining a volume with Np or Am spheres being within the volume. Irradiation methods are also provided that can include irradiating Np or Am spheres within a nuclear reactor, then removing the irradiated spheres from the reactor and treating the irradiated spheres.

Abstract: Reactor target assemblies are provided that can include a housing defining a perimeter of at least one volume and Np or Am spheres within the one volume. Reactor assemblies are provided that can include a reactor vessel and a bundle of target assemblies within the reactor vessel, at least one of the target assemblies comprising a housing defining a volume with Np or Am spheres being within the volume. Irradiation methods are also provided that can include irradiating Np or Am spheres within a nuclear reactor, then removing the irradiated spheres from the reactor and treating the irradiated spheres.

Abstract: Reactor target assemblies are provided that can include a housing defining a perimeter of at least one volume and Np or Am spheres within the one volume. Reactor assemblies are provided that can include a reactor vessel and a bundle of target assemblies within the reactor vessel, at least one of the target assemblies comprising a housing defining a volume with Np or Am spheres being within the volume. Irradiation methods are also provided that can include irradiating Np or Am spheres within a nuclear reactor, then removing the irradiated spheres from the reactor and treating the irradiated spheres.

Abstract: Reactor target assemblies are provided that can include a housing defining a perimeter of at least one volume and Np or Am spheres within the one volume. Reactor assemblies are provided that can include a reactor vessel and a bundle of target assemblies within the reactor vessel, at least one of the target assemblies comprising a housing defining a volume with Np or Am spheres being within the volume. Irradiation methods are also provided that can include irradiating Np or Am spheres within a nuclear reactor, then removing the irradiated spheres from the reactor and treating the irradiated spheres.

Abstract: A laminated structure having two or more layers, wherein at least one layer is a metal substrate and at least one other layer is a coating comprising at least one rare earth element. For structures having more than two layers, the coating and metal substrate layers alternate. In one embodiment of the invention, the structure is a two-layer laminate having a rare earth coating electrospark deposited onto a metal substrate. In another embodiment of the invention, the structure is a three-layer laminate having the rare earth coating electrospark deposited onto a first metal substrate and the coating subsequently bonded to a second metal substrate. The bonding of the coating to the second metal substrate may be accomplished by hot pressing, hot rolling, high deformation rate processing, or combinations thereof. The laminated structure may be used in nuclear components where reactivity control or neutron absorption is desired and in non-nuclear applications such as magnetic and superconducting films.

Abstract: A laminated structure having two or more layers, wherein at least one layer is a metal substrate and at least one other layer is a coating comprising at least one rare earth element. For structures having more than two layers, the coating and metal substrate layers alternate. In one embodiment of the invention, the structure is a two-layer laminate having a rare earth coating electrospark deposited onto a metal substrate. In another embodiment of the invention, the structure is a three-layer laminate having the rare earth coating electrospark deposited onto a first metal substrate and the coating subsequently abonded to a second metal substrate. The bonding of the coating to the second metal substrate may be accomplished by hot pressing, hot rolling, high deformation rate processing, or combinations thereof. The laminated structure may be used in nuclear components where reactivity control or neutron absorption is desired and in non-nuclear applications such as magnetic and superconducting films.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the efficiency and performance of a steam driven power plant wherein addition of steam handling equipment to an existing plant results in a surprising increase in plant performance. For Example, a gas turbine electrical generation system with heat recovery boiler may be installed along with a micro-jet high pressure and a low pressure mixer superheater. Depending upon plant characteristics, the existing moisture separator reheater (MSR) can be either augmented or done away with. The instant invention enables a reduction in T.sub.hot without a derating of the reactor unit, and improves efficiency of the plant's electrical conversion cycle. Coupled with this advantage is a possible extension of the plant's fuel cycle length due to an increased electrical conversion efficiency. The reduction in T.sub.hot further allows for a surprising extension of steam generator life.