AIKEN, S.C. (March 19, 2025) — Savannah River National Laboratory received a U.S. patent Feb. 25 for its Radially Oriented Honeycomb Structures.
SRNL’s work in this area provides a solution to the adverse deformation of cylindrical honeycomb structures when formed from flat panels. The patent recognizes SRNL’s unique honeycomb structures that include a curved, corrugated wall made from layers of shaped strips. These strips are created with cells (honeycombs) of variable shape that allow for radial orientation of the strip with little or no deformation or stress on the edges.
The technology provides the ability to form structures with much greater wall thickness than was possible with traditional honeycomb-type curved wall structures. It also allows for creation of a large variety of shapes with different curvatures in a single structure, providing the ability to create unique designs for low-density, high-strength structures.
This technology will be implemented in SRNL-designed radioactive material packaging applications to absorb impact energy during accident conditions — should they occur — preventing the release of hazardous materials. Radially-oriented honeycomb may also find commercial success as a replacement for common consumer packaging materials including cardboard tubes, packing peanuts, and bubble wrap.
“We expect this technology will benefit both the DOE Complex as well as the public by offering a unique solution to a common packaging and transportation issue,” said Josh Flach, of SRNL’s packaging technology division. “We appreciate that SRNL fosters creativity and innovation in the workplace, which makes inventions like this possible.”
Figure 6 illustrates how the technology can be used as a cylindrical structure within a container to provide strength, sound insulation, or thermal insulation. The structure includes multiple radially aligned layers of a shaped strip.
About Savannah River National Laboratory Savannah River National Laboratory is a United States department of Energy multi-program research and development center that’s managed and operated by Battelle Savannah River Alliance, LLC (BSRA) for the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management. SRNL puts science to work to protect our nation, to protect our environment and to ensure energy resiliency. (www.srnl.gov)
Media contact: SRNL Media Relations