2024 AIChE Annual Meeting
(547c) Harmonia-Plutonium Science Laboratory (PluS Lab): Actinide-Molten Salt Research
Author
The Harmonia-Plutonium Science Laboratory (PluS Lab) initiative has a mission to grow and
sustain workforce, addressing current nonproliferation needs and posturing for emerging
nonproliferation challenges with targeted fundamental plutonium S&T. Over two talks, this new
initiative will be described, along with examples of research areas that will be studied in the PluS
Lab. This talk will focus on the actinide-molten salt research area, and will include (1) highlights
of current research capabilities, with recent U and Pu results, and (2) plans for this research in the
PluS Lab. In (1), novel techniques developed at LANL to study these high-temperature (400-900
oC), radioactive, and corrosive liquids will be detailed, including those used to determine
macroscale properties (neutron radiography for density, drop calorimetry for heat capacity) and
examine local structure (neutron scattering, Raman spectroscopy). In (2), connections to
nonproliferation and ideas and initial plans for plutonium-molten salt research in the PluS Lab will
be described.
sustain workforce, addressing current nonproliferation needs and posturing for emerging
nonproliferation challenges with targeted fundamental plutonium S&T. Over two talks, this new
initiative will be described, along with examples of research areas that will be studied in the PluS
Lab. This talk will focus on the actinide-molten salt research area, and will include (1) highlights
of current research capabilities, with recent U and Pu results, and (2) plans for this research in the
PluS Lab. In (1), novel techniques developed at LANL to study these high-temperature (400-900
oC), radioactive, and corrosive liquids will be detailed, including those used to determine
macroscale properties (neutron radiography for density, drop calorimetry for heat capacity) and
examine local structure (neutron scattering, Raman spectroscopy). In (2), connections to
nonproliferation and ideas and initial plans for plutonium-molten salt research in the PluS Lab will
be described.
LA-UR-24-24888