AMS Awarded $1.1 Million DOE Grant for Advanced Reactor Research
In July 2023, AMS was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support cable insulation material development, qualification, and testing for the next generation of nuclear power reactors.
The award of nearly $1.1 million is for a project entitled “Development of Cable Insulation Materials for Small Modular Reactors,” to be led by AMS Cable Services Group Manager Mr. Casey Sexton, who will serve the project as the Principal Investigator.
Many small modular and other advanced reactors currently under development worldwide feature environmental conditions substantially harsher than current reactor designs. This project addresses the need for more durable cable insulation materials capable of withstanding these challenging environments while performing their intended function.
AMS has designed an accelerated thermal aging program to simulate environmental conditions that various cable insulation materials may be exposed to in advanced reactor environments. The project will involve testing and evaluation of a wide range of material to be subjected to various environments that encompass the conditions that will be present in different advanced reactor designs. The results of this work will provide the nuclear industry with the environmental qualification, testing guidance, capabilities, and tools to develop and select insulation materials for electrical cabling.
After this project, AMS will be positioned to provide laboratory testing, qualification, and engineering services to new reactor developers and cable manufacturers, supporting the safe and efficient operation of next-generation nuclear reactors.
“We are excited to start working on this DOE project in the next few weeks and believe its outcome will help the advanced reactor community provide a reliable, low-carbon energy source to the U.S.,” said Dr. H.M. Hashemian, AMS President.
