Grant Obtained by UW Professor for Securing Nuclear Facilities through Particle Suppression Technology
In the heart of the University of Wyoming's Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Ankit Saxena leads the SUMMIT Lab, a hub for innovation where advanced materials and smart structures are explored using 3D printing and other cutting-edge tools. Recently, Dr. Saxena has received approximately $200,000 in funding from the National Science Foundation for a project focusing on the development of particle dampers.
The SUMMIT Lab's latest project aims to improve earthquake protection technologies by combining state-of-the-art computational design and manufacturing techniques. The team uses topology optimization, a trial-and-error approach, to discover the best possible designs for particle dampers. These dampers are engineered through advanced computational optimization methods to create efficient shapes and structures that effectively dissipate seismic energy. The optimized designs are then manufactured via 3D printing, enabling complex geometries that would be challenging to produce otherwise.
The particle dampers, intended to work by absorbing seismic energy and reducing the impact of earthquakes on structures, are not limited to protecting nuclear reactors. They could potentially be used to protect buildings and other structures in the private sector as well.
Dr. Saxena's research on particle dampers is not related to the Terra Power nuclear reactor in Kemmerer. The project's focus remains on developing new ways to protect nuclear reactors from earthquakes. The funding provided by the National Science Foundation will be used to further this goal, with the ultimate aim of enhancing safety in critical infrastructure such as nuclear facilities.
The development of particle dampers is a complex process due to their difficult design. However, the potential applications of Dr. Saxena's work could extend beyond nuclear reactors and include the protection of buildings and other structures in the private sector.
According to UW Director of Institutional Communications Chad Baldwin, the particle dampers are intended to work by absorbing seismic energy and reducing the impact of earthquakes on structures. The process of designing particle dampers may involve 3D printing and extensive testing to ensure their effectiveness in various seismic conditions.
In summary, the SUMMIT Lab's research on particle dampers represents a significant step forward in earthquake protection technologies. By combining topology optimization with 3D printing, the team is able to create tailored dampers that improve vibration control and structural resilience during earthquakes, enhancing safety in critical infrastructure such as nuclear facilities.
- The SUMMIT Lab's work on particle dampers, which combines state-of-the-art computational design, 3D printing, and optimization techniques from technology and education-and-self-development fields, could potentially extend beyond nuclear reactors to protect buildings and other structures in the private sector.
- In the realm of science and technology, Dr. Ankit Saxena's research on particle dampers, focusing on the development of these dampers using advanced computational optimization methods and 3D printing, aims to improve earthquake protection technologies, primarily for critical infrastructure like nuclear facilities.
