# US 12,181,421 B2 · Test capsules for measuring a change in at least one property of a material, and related methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,181,421 B2 - Document ID: US12181421B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/808,944 - Filed: 2022-06-24 - Published: 2023-01-12 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2021-07-07 - Assignees: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Applicants: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC; Board of Regents, The University of Texas System - Inventors: Robert A. Roach; Andrea M. Jokisaari; Michael D. McMurtrey; Geoffrey L. Beausoleil; Carolyn L. Seepersad - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181421B2 ## CPC - G01N 23/00: Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups G01N3/00 – G01N17/00, G01N21/00 or G01N22/00 - G21C 17/00: Monitoring; Testing (measuring in general G01); {Maintaining} - Y02E 30/00: Energy generation of nuclear origin - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - G21C: NUCLEAR REACTORS (fusion reactors, hybrid fission-fusion reactors G21B; nuclear explosives G21J) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A test capsule for measuring at least one property of a material exposed to nuclear radiation comprises a lattice structure configured to exhibit a change in at least one property responsive to exposure to nuclear radiation. The lattice structure comprises a first strut and a second strut connected to the first strut at a node. Related test capsules and methods are also described. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A test capsule for measuring at least one property of a material exposed to nuclear radiation, the test capsule comprising: at least one lattice structure configured to exhibit a change in at least one property responsive to exposure to nuclear radiation, the at least one lattice structure comprising: a first strut; and a second strut connected to the first strut at a node. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The test capsule of claim 1, wherein the second strut comprises a different material composition than the first strut. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The test capsule of claim 1, wherein the first strut comprises a piezoelectric material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The test capsule of claim 1, further comprising an additional lattice structure comprising a different material composition than the at least one lattice structure and in contact with the at least one lattice structure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The test capsule of claim 1, further comprising an additional lattice structure comprising a different geometry than the at least one lattice structure and in contact with the at least one lattice structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The test capsule of claim 1, wherein the first strut is configured to be deformed in a direction opposite a direction in which the second strut is configured to be deformed responsive to exposure to nuclear radiation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The test capsule of claim 1, wherein the first strut is configured to be deformed in a same direction as the second strut is configured to be deformed responsive to exposure to nuclear radiation. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The test capsule of claim 1, wherein the at least one lattice structure comprises: a first unit cell comprising the first strut and the second strut; and a second unit cell connected to the first unit cell at an additional node. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The test capsule of claim 8, wherein the second unit cell comprises a different material composition than the first unit cell. ### Claim 10 A test capsule for measuring a change in at least one property of a material responsive to exposure to nuclear radiation, the test capsule comprising: a shell defining a volume; and at least one lattice structure within the volume and configured to exhibit a change in at least one property responsive to exposure to nuclear radiation. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The test capsule of claim 10, wherein the at least one lattice structure comprises: a first lattice structure; and a second lattice structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The test capsule of claim 11, wherein the second lattice structure exhibits a geometry different from a geometry of the first lattice structure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The test capsule of claim 12, wherein the second lattice structure directly contacts the first lattice structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The test capsule of claim 10, wherein the at least one lattice structure comprises unit cells having one or more of an octet truss structure, a body centered cubic structure, a reinforced body centered cubic structure, a face-centered cubic structure, a diamond structure, an octahedral structure, and a snap-through structure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The test capsule of claim 10, wherein the at least one lattice structure comprises unit cells defined by struts extending from nodes. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The test capsule of claim 15, wherein a ratio of a length of the struts to a diameter of the struts is within a range from about 2:1 to about 20:1. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The test capsule of claim 10, wherein the at least one lattice structure comprises unit cells, a size of the unit cells varying in one or more directions. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The test capsule of claim 10, wherein the at least one lattice structure comprises one or more of steel, iron, nickel, molybdenum, nitrogen, zirconium, aluminum, zircaloy, graphite, hafnium, tin, and niobium. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The test capsule of claim 10, wherein the change of at least one property of the at least one lattice structure comprises a change in shape, a change in volume, or both responsive to the exposure to the nuclear radiation. ### Claim 20 A method of qualifying a material for use in a nuclear reactor, the method comprising: placing at least one lattice structure within a test capsule, the at least one lattice structure comprising struts connected to nodes; disposing the test capsule in a nuclear reactor and exposing the test capsule to radiation for a duration of time; after the duration of time, removing the test capsule from the nuclear reactor; and measuring a displacement of at least one of the struts of the at least one lattice structure to measure at least one property of the at least one lattice structure. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein measuring a displacement of the at least one lattice structure to measure the at least one property of the lattice structure comprises determining an irradiated assisted creep of the lattice structure.