Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of compressible foamed thermal interface materials. Also disclosed are methods of making and using compressible foamed thermal interface materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to the separation of hydrogen from other fluids by contacting said fluids with a titanium alloy comprising about 13% by weight vanadium, about 11% by weight chromium, about 3% by weight aluminum, balance titanium, stabilized in the body centered cubic crystalline form, said alloy having at least one clean surface coated with a metal oralloy based on a member of the class consisting of palladium, nickel, cobalt, iron, vanadium, niobium or tantalum, and allowing hydrogen to permeate the coated alloy at a temperature between about 100.degree. C. and about 500.degree. C.

Abstract: The pressure range, pumping speed and through-put of a high-vacuum pump can be significantly improved, particularly with respect to the pumping of hydrogen, by making pump components that are exposed to the vacuum from an alloy that is metallurgically stabilized to maintain a body-centered cubic crystal lattice structure throughout the range of temperatures usually experienced by the pump. In a sputter-ion pump, the cathode especially should be made from an alloy stabilized in the body-centered cubic crystal lattice form. A suitable alloy, which is so stabilized in the body-centered cubic crystal lattice form, has a major constituent comprising one or more elements selected from Group IV B of the conventional long form of the Periodic Chart of the Elements, and a minor constituent comprising one or more elements selected from Groups III B, V B, VI B and VII B of the Chart, with the minor constituent constituting at least 10% but not more than 50% by weight of the alloy.

Abstract: The tubular stainless steel structure of a nuclear reactor fuel rod thermal simulator is heated to nuclear fuel rod operating temperatures by means of a gaseous glow discharge established within the tubular structure. In a preferred embodiment a length of the simulated fuel rod is internally clad with tungsten, or Mo or alloys thereof, hermetically sealed at both ends and filled with a glow discharge sustaining gas such as hydrogen or helium. A center electrode structure, as of tungsten, or Mo or alloys, is centrally disposed within the gas filled tubular envelope. Power is applied between the center electrode and the outer tubular envelope for initiating and sustaining the glow discharge for heating the outer tubular envelope to nuclear fuel rod simulating temperature.

Abstract: Outgassing of hydrogen from high-vacuum system components made of stainless steel and similar alloys can be minimized if the metal surfaces to be exposed to the vacuum are treated according to the technique disclosed herein. First, an adherent layer comprising a mixture of oxides and nitrides is formed on the metal surfaces. This oxide and nitride mixture layer serves as a barrier to hydrogen diffusion. Then, a reduced layer having a low heat of adsorption for water is formed on the exposed surface of the oxide and nitride mixture layer. This reduced layer is made sufficiently thin to preclude outgassing of significant amounts of hydrogen into the vacuum system. In effect, a vacuum envelope is formed which outgasses only from a thin layer of reduced oxide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a leak of an alkali metal in liquid form in a structure such as the heat transfer system of a nuclear reactor. When alkali metal leaks from its containment structure and thereupon comes into contact with a compound containing hydrogen which can be displaced by the alkali metal, a chemical reaction occurs by which hydrogen gas is generated. The hydrogen gas so generated will diffuse very rapidly throughout the region proximate to the sodium leak. The hydrogen compound can be present in a variety of physical forms. The compound barium hydroxide is especially suitable as a source for the generation of hydrogen gas. Water vapor in air or in an inert gas also provides a suitable hydrogen source. A sensor located within the region of the alkali metal leak will sense the presence of hydrogen gas and will thereupon activate an alarm or recording device.