The direct disposal of used fuel from nuclear reactors into a permanent geologic repository will be necessary for the continued use of nuclear energy. Understanding the corrosion mechanisms of UO2 fuels under deposal conditions is important for building the scientific basis for waste disposal. As shown in this image obtained on the FEI Quanta FEG250 SEM, the weathering of UO2 under vapor conditions results in the formation of a thick alteration layer.
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| Document Title: | Weathering of UO2 |
| Category: | Environmental Remediation, Nuclear Research and Facilities |
| Media Type: | Photos |
| Date of Image/Photo: | 10/29/2010 |
| Background: | Submitted during the 2010 Science as Art contest. |
| URL of this page: | http://picturethis.pnl.gov/picturet.nsf/by+id/DRAE-8N9RFV |