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Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering have partnered with Pittsburgh startup Sensible Photonics, co-founded by Pitt professor Paul Ohodnicki, to develop a fiber-optic ultrasonic acoustic-sensing system that can detect corrosion and cracking in steel nuclear fuel storage canisters.

From Sept. 8 to 11, the Pitt team of Ohodnicki, Khurram Naeem and Yang-Duan Su conducted field testing of an early concept of the technology at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The tests demonstrated the feasibility of the system, which has the potential to keep nuclear energy plants and surrounding communities safer.

"People tend to think about fiber optics as a way to produce faster internet speeds, but it can be used to continuously monitor everything from bridges to batteries to nuclear waste," said Naeem, technical lead on the demonstrations and a research assistant professor in mechanical engineering and materials science.

"We have developed and now demonstrated a system that can detect signals above 100 kilohertz, which can be retrofitted onto casks used to hold spent nuclear fuel. Most conventional counterpart systems have a 20-kilohertz capability."

At nuclear reactor sites, spent fuel is cooled in water and then sealed into steel canisters, which are encased in concrete casks that can remain onsite for decades. Even after cooling, spent fuel generates heat, so the casks include vents.

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