Recently, there have been numerous efforts to build or design high-energy proton targets for the production of neutrons such as the European Spallation Source, the Spallation Neutron Source (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) and the Japanese Spallation Neutron Source (KEK-JAERI). This paper presents some of the first data on the effects of high energy protons and neutrons on the mechanical properties of steels that would be used to build such neutron sources. In addition, this data was obtained through a successful collaboration led by Walt Sommer and consisting of researchers at the Department of Energy, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, General Atomics, and Savannah River Technology Center.

  Does it describe a new discovery or new methodology that's useful to others? 

This paper describes new data on the effects of high-energy proton and neutron irradiation on the properties of structural materials (steels). Such data is useful for researchers and engineers designing components to be used in relation to spallation neutron sources as well as researchers and engineers designing components for applications in fusion reactor radiation environments.

  Could you summarize the significance of your paper in layman's terms?

The interaction of materials with high-energy protons and neutrons causes degradation in its mechanical properties (increased strength but loss of toughness or ductility). The high energy particles damage the materials by inducing many defects in them. As the defects build up in the materials, a typical steel will become harder but will also become brittle. Designers would like to know the point at which these materials become brittle, so that they can replace components before they fail catastrophically.

  How did you become involved in this research?

My Ph.D. and postdoc research related to the effects of extreme environments (high strain rates, high temperatures) on the properties of materials. This led to my interest related to the effects of irradiation (another extreme environment) on the mechanical properties of materials. So, when I began as a staff member at Los Alamos National Laboratory, my first project was centered on determining the effects of high-energy protons on the properties of structural materials such as stainless steels and nickel superalloys, which led to publishing this paper.