Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method for production of a nuclear fuel pellet by spark plasma sintering (SPS), wherein a fuel pellet with more than 80% TD or more than 90% TD is formed. The SPS can be performed with the imposition of a controlled uniaxial pressure applied at the maximum temperature of the processing to achieve a very high density, in excess of 95% TD, at temperatures of 850 to 1600° C. The formation of a fuel pellet can be carried out in one hour or less. In an embodiment of the invention, a nuclear fuel pellet comprises UO2 and a highly thermally conductive material, such as SiC or diamond.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method for production of a nuclear fuel pellet by spark plasma sintering (SPS), wherein a fuel pellet with more than 80% TD or more than 90% TD is formed. The SPS can be performed with the imposition of a controlled uniaxial pressure applied at the maximum temperature of the processing to achieve a very high density, in excess of 95% TD, at temperatures of 850 to 1600° C. The formation of a fuel pellet can be carried out in one hour or less. In an embodiment of the invention, a nuclear fuel pellet comprises UO2 and a highly thermally conductive material, such as SiC or diamond.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method for production of a nuclear fuel pellet by spark plasma sintering (SPS), wherein a fuel pellet with more than 80% TD or more than 90% TD is formed. The SPS can be performed with the imposition of a controlled uniaxial pressure applied at the maximum temperature of the processing to achieve a very high density, in excess of 95% TD, at temperatures of 850 to 1600° C. The formation of a fuel pellet can be carried out in one hour or less. In an embodiment of the invention, a nuclear fuel pellet comprises UO2 and a highly thermally conductive material, such as SiC or diamond.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method for production of a nuclear fuel pellet by spark plasma sintering (SPS), wherein a fuel pellet with more than 80% TD or more than 90% TD is formed. The SPS can be performed with the imposition of a controlled uniaxial pressure applied at the maximum temperature of the processing to achieve a very high density, in excess of 95% TD, at temperatures of 850 to 1600° C. The formation of a fuel pellet can be carried out in one hour or less. In an embodiment of the invention, a nuclear fuel pellet comprises UO2 and a highly thermally conductive material, such as SiC or diamond.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method for production of a nuclear fuel pellet by spark plasma sintering (SPS), wherein a fuel pellet with more than 80% TD or more than 90% TD is formed. The SPS can be performed with the imposition of a controlled uniaxial pressure applied at the maximum temperature of the processing to achieve a very high density, in excess of 95% TD, at temperatures of 850 to 1600° C. The formation of a fuel pellet can be carried out in one hour or less. In an embodiment of the invention, a nuclear fuel pellet comprises UO2 and a highly thermally conductive material, such as SiC or diamond.

Abstract: An article has a surface topography for resisting bioadhesion of organisms and includes a base article having a surface. A composition of the surface includes a polymer. The surface has a topography comprising a pattern defined by a plurality of spaced apart features attached to or projected into the base article. The plurality of features each have at least one microscale dimension and at least one neighboring feature having a substantially different geometry. An average feature spacing between adjacent ones of the features is between 10 ?m and 100 ?m in at least a portion of the surface. The surface topography can be numerically represented using at least one sinusoidal function. In one embodiment, the surface can comprise a coating layer disposed on the base article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing a reduced crystallinity cellulose comprising mixing cellulose with a fluid and a proppant; partially solvating the cellulose with the fluid to form a partially solvated cellulose; mixing the partially solvated cellulose with a supercritical fluid under conditions effective to maintain the supercritical fluid in a supercritical state; where the supercritical fluid is immiscible with the fluid; and changing the pressure so that the supercritical fluid is no longer in the supercritical state.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to method of preparing an antimicrobial agent comprising heating a dialdehyde polysaccharide. The method comprises subjecting a dialdehyde polysaccharide, such as a dialdehyde starch or a dialdehyde cellulose, to heating and/or sonication for a period of time. Also provided herein is an antimicrobial composition comprising the prepared dialdehyde polysaccharide. The antimicrobial composition is effective at killing microbial agents such as viruses and bacteria within a short period of time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of applications for an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent comprises a silanol containing molecule, the silanol containing molecule comprising silanols (R1R2R3SiOH), siloxanediols HO(R1R2SiO)nH, siloxanols HO(R1R2SiO)nSiR1R2R3 or combinations thereof, where R1, R2 and R3 are selected from alkyl or fluoroalkyl moieties having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, vinyl or aryl groups and n is less than about 6.

Abstract: A method of homogeneously forming functionalized biocompatible oligomers includes the steps of dissolving a biocompatible oligomer in a solvent to form a solution, and admixing at least one ? complex forming group to the solution, wherein the ? complex forming group grafts to at least one location on the backbone of the oligomer to form a grafted oligomer. The oligomer is preferably oligochitosan and the solvent is preferably dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). The degree of graft substitution can be at least 50%. The functionalized biocompatible oligomer can be used for drug detoxification through binding to a variety of target drugs.

Abstract: An article has a surface topography for resisting bioadhesion of organisms and includes a base article having a surface. A composition of the surface includes a polymer. The surface has a topography comprising a pattern defined by a plurality of spaced apart features attached to or projected into the base article. The plurality of features each have at least one microscale dimension and at least one neighboring feature having a substantially different geometry. An average feature spacing between adjacent ones of the features is between 10 ?m and 100 ?m in at least a portion of the surface. The surface topography can be numerically represented using at least one sinusoidal function. In one embodiment, the surface can comprise a coating layer disposed on the base article.