Researchers are developing advanced ceramic materials with graded microstructures to enhance desired physical and chemical properties for specific applications. Graded structures that minimize residual stresses are being developed to form ceramic to ceramic or ceramic to metal joints. These graded structures are formed by advanced methods such as Electrophoretic Deposition combined with reaction bonding. The joining allows the use of high temperature structural ceramics in highly corrosive or erosive regions of energy conversion devices. Ionic conducting ceramics are also being developed for use in energy conversion or storage devices such as fuel cells, separation membranes, batteries, and sensors. Another application is to remove hydrogen and/or water vapor from sealed spent nuclear fuel storage canisters. This will prevent the unwanted buildup of internal gas pressure. Advanced compositions are being developed that result in enhanced electrochemical performance (e.g. oxygen ion or proton conduction) while new fabrication technologies will result in reduced production costs. Organometallic precursors are being studied that can be used to form thin films of ceramics. This includes nanocrystalline ceramics with enhanced transport properties.
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- Richard Wright, (208) 526-6127, Send E-mail