Container and system for handling damaged nuclear fuel, and method of making the same

A system for storing and/or transporting nuclear fuel comprising:

• a vessel comprising defining a vessel cavity and extending along a vessel axis;
• a fuel basket positioned within the vessel cavity, the fuel basket comprising a grid forming a plurality of elongated cells, each of the cells extending along a cell axis that is substantially parallel to the vessel axis;
• and
• at least one elongated tubular container comprising a container cavity containing damaged nuclear fuel positioned within one of the cells, the elongated tubular container comprising:
• an extruded tubular wall forming a container cavity about a container axis, the extruded tubular wall formed of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement;
• a bottom cap coupled to a bottom end of the extruded tubular wall;
• a top cap detachably coupled to a top end of the extruded tubular wall;
• a first screen comprising a plurality of openings that define lower vent passageways into a bottom of the container cavity;
• and
• a second screen comprising a plurality of openings that define upper vent passageways into a top of the container cavity.