Publications

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Helium Bubble Formation in Palladium Tritides [Slides]

Zhou, Xiaowang Z.; Sills, Ryan B.; Bartelt, Norman C.

Pd readily absorbs hydrogen and its isotopes, and can be used to purify gas mixtures involving tritium. Tritium decays to He, forming He bubbles. Bubbles causes possible PCT effects swelling, He release, all leading to failures. Radioactive decay experiments take many years. Molecular dynamics (MD) studies can be quickly done. No previous MD methods can simulate He bubble nucleation and growth.