Uranium dioxide-based crystals and methods of fabrication
US9903041B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 2016 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 14, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC01P2006/60
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of synthesizing uranium dioxide crystals. The method of synthesizing includes combining a uranium-based feedstock with a mineralizer solution. The uranium-based feedstock is selected from uranium dioxide, uranium tetrafluoride, uranium tetrachloride, triuranium octoxide, and uranium trioxide. The feedstock and mineralizer solution are pressurized, and then a thermal gradient is applied thereto such that a first portion of the feedstock and the mineralizer solution is heated to a temperature that is greater than a temperature of a second portion of the feedstock and the mineralizer solution. The uranium nutrient enters the mineralizer solution from the feedstock in the first portion and uranium nutrient precipitates to spontaneously form crystals in the second portion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.