| Source: | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
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| Date: | 3/1/95 Record No.: 10104 |
| Contact: | Rej Donald, 505-665-1883 |
Diamond Like Coatings (DLC) on Large Objects \\with Plasma Source Ion ...
with Plasma Source Ion Implantation (LANL)
Based on an invention at the Univ. of Wisc from the early 80's, Los Alamos has developed the capability to cost effectively put DLC on large objects of arbitrary shape without preheating, and with a high degree of intrinsic adherence. It is the subject of a $14 million crada with GM for automotive applications.
DLC has been viewed almost entirely as a means to prevent wear. However, Los Alamos recently published a paper showing a many-fold improvement in corrosion resistance (done for a neutrino detection experiment!)
This could fulfill a personal vision of mine of many years that diamond coatings would be a major breakthru for turbine blades, or any component subject to wear or corrosion. The only utility interest to date has been by EPRI, to prevent fouling of nuclear power plant venturis, but funding isn't available!
Los Alamos hadn't been thinking in terms of other utility industry applications until we spoke. A joint development effort with utilities, Lawrence Berkeley Lab and possibly a vendor would be a brand new initiative. Los Alamos is already active in setting up "vertical consortia" to apply this technology in other industries, and would be very interested in working with us.
| Topics: | NUCLEAR |
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