Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Thermal conductivity is an important parameter influencing the performance of variety of materials. Laser Flash Analyzer can provide us with the accurate data on thermal diffusivity and conductivity of materials in a wide range of temperatures. At present, similar equipment is not available at the universities in Canada. The requested equipment is necessary in several different areas of the research outlined by the applicants; this includes innovative safe nuclear fuels, thermal stress effect on the failure of Zircaloys and pipeline steels, the thermal properties of nanomaterials, solid catalysts used in the chemical reaction studies, thermal conductivity of photoconductor alloys, thermal protective clothing and consumer products, the thermal conductivity of membranes used in liquid-to-air energy exchangers, the thermal conductivity of materials used in building envelopes, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the soils and the studies of thermal shock resistance of the novel synthesized materials at high service temperatures. At present, 13 research programs of 6 professors at the University of Saskatchewan were identified. This equipment will be essential for the applicants to realize objectives of their present and planned research. Here, it is necessary to point out that at present, the study of novel nuclear fuel is vital for the development of Canadian nuclear energy and the Laser Flash Analyzer will be also used to verify our ab initio calculations of thermal conductivity of thorium oxides with additives of UO2 and PuO2. This research is supported by Candu Industry Inc. that is involved in the design of Canadian thorium nuclear reactor. Such reactor will be safe and reliable source of thermal and electrical energy. In addition, this equipment will be also available for researchers from other universities, and will encourage collaboration in various research areas related to thermal diffusivity and conductivity.