Project Breakthrough Research Articles

Interview with John Elkington

John Elkington, Founder & Chief Pollinator at Volans, is one of the founders of the global sustainability movement, an experienced advisor to business, and a highly regarded keynote speaker and contributor, from conferences to boards and advisory boards. John tackles some of the world's most challenging problems, helping key actors move from the responsibility agenda through resilience to regeneration. He has inspired a number of Volans’ inquiries, including Project Breakthrough, Tomorrow’s Capitalism Inquiry and the Green Swans Observatory. He has worked with an A-to-Z of businesses worldwide, now helping the Volans team guide multinational companies to transform towards a regenerative future

Development of Fuel Pin with Uranium-Plutonium Nitride Fuel and Liquid-Metal Sublayer

The status of development work on fuel pins with fast-reactor nitride fuel and a liquid-metal sublayer, which is being considered in Project Breakthrough (Project Proryv) together with fuel pins with a helium sub-layer, is presented. Such fuel pins are shown to have the potential to improve the core characteristics of the advanced high-power reactors BR-1200 and BN-1200. The basic results for the development and fabrication of experimental nitride-fuel pins with different variants of the lead sublayer and the results of their tests in the BOR-60 reactor and post-reactor studies are presented. The problems of fabricating fuel pins with a lead sublayer are noted, possible solutions are discussed, and the required additional studies are indicated.

Application of Dynamic Cross-Flow Filtration for Solving the Technological Problems of Project Breakthrough

The results of experiments on the clarification of solution simulators obtainable by means of dynamic crossflow filtration during the reprocessing of mixed uranium-plutonium nitride spent fuel are presented. The experiments were performed using full-scale, dynamic, cross-fl ow filtration stands at the RT-1 radiochemical plant at the Mayak Production Association. It is shown that this method yields high-quality clarification of solutions without the use of flocculants – the obtained permeates were completely free of the solid phase and silicic acid in the γ-form. In addition, the concentration of the solid phase can reach 100 g/cm3 without loss-of-clarification. It is shown that the method of dynamic cross-fl ow fi ltration is effective for clearing transuranium elements from liquid radwaste. After their co-precipitation with the carrier (trivalent iron) and clarification, the obtained permeates are low-level wastes according to the Basic Sanitary Rules for Radiation Safety (OSPORB-99/2010).

Possibility of Fast-Reactor Exportation Under an International Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime

The exportation of fast reactors under an international nuclear weapons non-proliferation regime is discussed. Russian sodium fast-reactor technology has been successfully demonstrated and is in the commercialization stage. Fast reactors with lead as coolant are being developed in Project Breakthrough. In this connection, the possibility of exporting fast reactors becomes logical. The main criterion for such exports is competitiveness of the electricity produced taking the possibility of offering other, additional services into account. Other criteria that undoubtedly will influence the decisions made about exports are elements associated with the need for strict adherence to the international nuclear weapons non-proliferation regime. The basis of this regime is the nuclear weapons non-proliferation treaty. The IAEA system of safeguards plays a key role as a control element in verifying the obligations of non-nuclear states in the sphere of nuclear non-proliferation.

Results of Studies of BN-600 Fuel Rods with Mixed Uranium-Plutonium Nitride Fuel and ChS68-ID c.d. Steel Cladding

Reactor tests in BN-600 and post-reactor studies of experimental FA of fuel rods with mixed nitride fuel and different cladding are being conducted in Project Breakthrough. In the present article, the irradiation parameters of fuel rods with mixed nitride fuel and cladding made from ChS68-ID c.d. austenitic steel are presented: maximum linear power density 38.3 kW/m, maximum fuel burnup 7.5% h.a., and maximum damage dose 73.6 dpa. No depressurization of the fuel elements was recorded. The results of post-reactor examination (PIE) of the irradiated fuel rods are presented – swelling, gas release from fuel, and mechanical and corrosion characteristics of the cladding.

Results of Investigations of BREST-Type Reactor Fuel Rods with Mixed Uranium-Plutonium Nitride Fuel, Irradiated in BOR-60 and BN-600

The complex program of computational and experimental validation of dense fuel for fast reactors in Project Breakthrough provides for testing of fuel rods with mixed uranium-plutonium nitride fuel in the BOR-60 and BN-600 reactors. The irradiation parameters and post-reactor studies of the fuel rods of a BREST reactor are presented. Testing of fuel rods in BOR-60 to maximum burnup 5% h.a. and damaging dose 74.8 dpa and in BN-600 to maximum burnup 4.5% h.a. and damaging dose 53 dpa did not result in depressurization of the rods. The results of post-reactor tests of irradiated fuel rods – swelling of fuel, gas release from the fuel, mechanical and corrosion properties of the cladding – are presented.

Optimization and Diagnostics Code for Technological Processes: Radiochemical Production Simulator

A software-hardware complex with the possibility of simulating the functioning of technological processes with APCS in real and accelerated time is being developed as part of Project Breakthrough in order to determine the optimal operating regimes of the technological processes of the units in a closed nuclear fuel cycle. It makes possible monitoring and control functions and the visualization and archiving of the results of simulation, which makes it possible at the development stages of technologies to evaluate the degree of adherence to the requirements of the technological equipment, regulating organs and final-control mechanisms, measurement apparatus, and monitoring channels, to analyze the control and diagnostics algorithms, blocking and protection, and to make when necessary changes in the design being developed. The developed software-hardware complex is a stimulator that will make it possible not only to investigate process schemes with their corresponding algorithms but also to develop training complexes for the training and certification of service personnel.

Investigations of Mixed Uranium-Plutonium Nitride Fuel in Project Breakthrough

Mixed uranium-plutonium nitride fuel is seen as a promising fuel for fast reactors with a closed fuel cycle. A complex program of computational and experimental validation of this fuel up to 2020 has been developed within the scope of Project Breakthrough. Pre-reactor and post-reactor studies of mixed uranium-plutonium nitride fuel are part of this program. The basic research results obtained by the end of 2016 are examined.

Environmental Aspects of a Pilot Power Complex in Project Breakthrough

The particularities of the formation of the potential biological danger of actinides and fission products in time and the influence of the migration factor on it are examined. The calculation of the dose characteristics of long-lived radionuclides took account of the effect of internal and external irradiation on humans. The internal irradiation dose was calculated taking account of the transfer of radionuclides from soil into food products. It was found that the actinides, 90Sr and 137C, make the main contribution to the biological danger for 500 years, and are followed by americium and 99Tc from the fission products. The separation of 99% of the americium and technetium (which can be transmuted) from the irradiated fuel is optimal for satisfying the principle of radiation equivalence. The use of nitride fuel in fast reactors requires special attention to isolation of 14C from the environment. It was shown that taking account of the presence of agricultural lands in the action zone of enterprises in the pilot demonstration power complex softens the requirements of admissible carbon emission in the gas phase with absolute satisfaction of the safety requirements for the effect on the general public.

The Concept of Feminist Justice in African Philosophy: A Critical Exposition of Dukor’s Propositions on African Cultural Values

Having taken note of, and critically analyzed, Professor Maduabuchi Dukor’s epochal work entitled“Theistic Humanism of African philosophy-the great debate on substance and method of philosophy”(2010), I am much encouraged and rationally convinced that he has succeeded in building the core critical and essential foundational pillars of what can safely pass for professional African philosophy, though much remains to be done by way of further research from other scholars. Based upon that conviction and the great prospects that the African philosophy project breakthrough holds for every African philosopher in the global village, I am also motivated to take a closer look at, and carry out a critical exposition of the concept of justice in the context of African cultural values, using the propositions of what he calls the canons of cultural values that are native to African philosophy. These cultural values define African identity and delineateAfrica’s contributions to the advancement of the global ideas of justice, axiology, gender and globalization. The essence and methodology of this article, therefore, will lift the relevant thematic thrusts and arguments made by the erudite Professor of African philosophy to“properly locate African philosophy in the context of globalism, cosmopolitanism, science and what it could contribute to emerging global culture”(Dukor,2010:p.ix). The central point of this critical exposition is that his theistic inspired cultural humanism has enhanced the global understanding of not only justice but feminist rights and the urgent needs for African philosophy to make its contributions towards the emancipation of and empowerment of women both in the continent and globally. The feminist search for justice, according to Dukor, is“the current global pool where the African is needed urgently to intervene”, since“feminism and women liberation has truncated the equilibrium and balance of relations between man and woman. African contribution to this class struggle between man and woman is a neutral one that absorbs the man and woman to their respective natural places in the nature’s womb”. Women’s search for global justice and the struggle to have their human rights recognized as a part of mankind’s gender balancing process would be philosophically enriched by Professor Dukor’s cultural value propositions and canons of justice.

Breaking Through Assumptions About Low-Income, Minority Gifted Students

This article describes Project Breakthrough, federally funded as a demonstration through the Javits Gifted and Talented Education Act. Project staff worked for 3 years with three elementary schools in South Carolina to train teachers in the use of language arts and science curriculum developed by the Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary. Teachers implemented the William and Mary units and several of the teaching models used in the units with all students. Goals included (a) improved performance of low-, average-, and high-achieving students in mathematics, science, and language arts; and (b) identification of more low-income gifted students. The article reports on the nature of the project, its implementation, and the results that point to changes in teachers’ perceptions of students’ abilities and of improved student achievement.

Shattering the glass ceiling: Some successful corporate practices

This article describes "Project Breakthrough: A Survey of Corporate Practices for Shattering the Glass Ceiling." Evidence is presented that the "glass ceiling" remains intact in many areas. A list of barriers (social sterotypes) that support the glass ceiling are presented. Some corporate strategies found in the literature are also presented. Sixty-nine companies in the Houston area were surveyed. A summary score based on responses to thirty-four practices listed in the survey were computed. The top twelve organizations were identified as "distinguished," and site visits were conducted. The practices of these companies are listed.

Project Breakthrough: A Workable Alternative to Special Education

Project Breakthrough: A Workable Alternative to Special Education

Modifying the behavior of leaders: A state-wide attempt

Project Breakthrough is a two-year, two-phase cooperative effort to retrain leadership personnel in special education and pupil personnel services by utilizing the resources of universities, P.L. 85–926, as amended, Title VI-A, ESEA, local education agencies, and the state education agency. Two hundred selected teacher consultants, school psychologists, and supervisors and directors of special education and pupil personnel were trained in the effective utilization and application of reinforcement theory and directive and/or diagnostic teaching techniques with handicapped children. A state plan for utilizing limited sources to effect state-wide behavioral changes is outlined, along with management and implementation strategies.