Reinforcing bars include load transfer connectors. A link plate includes openings that mate with the load transfer connectors to overlie the splice between reinforcing bars being spliced. A cover plate may be fastened over the link plate.

The present disclosure relates to a method of preparing a nano-porous powder material. The method includes: firstly removing A in the alloy A.sub.xT.sub.y by using an ultrasonically-assisted de-alloying method to prepare a nano-porous T coarse powder, and then, allowing the nano-porous T coarse powder to perform M-ization reaction with a gas reactant containing M to obtain a nano-porous T-M coarse powder, and finally, further crushing the nano-porous T-M coarse powder using a jet mill to obtain a nano-porous T-M fine powder. The method can achieve low-cost mass production of the nano-porous T-M fine powder, bringing broad application prospects.

A method of forming an actinide-yttrium hydride includes introducing an yttrium feedstock and an actinide feedstock to a milling/mixing unit. The yttrium and actinide feedstocks are milled and mixed to form a milled mixture. The milled mixture is consolidated in a consolidation unit at a consolidation temperature to form a high-density bulk solid material. The high-density bulk solid material is exposed to hydrogen at a hydriding temperature and a hydriding pressure to form the actinide-yttrium hydride. A composition and system is also disclosed.

A method of forming an actinide-yttrium hydride includes introducing an yttrium feedstock and an actinide feedstock to a milling/mixing unit. The yttrium and actinide feedstocks are milled and mixed to form a milled mixture. The milled mixture is consolidated in a consolidation unit at a consolidation temperature to form a high-density bulk solid material. The high-density bulk solid material is exposed to hydrogen at a hydriding temperature and a hydriding pressure to form the actinide-yttrium hydride. A composition and system is also disclosed.

A method of treating an at least partially unconsumed hydrogen generator cartridge including water and a metal hydride includes treating the at least partially unconsumed hydrogen generator cartridge to form a treated hydrogen generator cartridge. When subjected to testing conditions the treated hydrogen generator cartridge produces no hydrogen gas or produces hydrogen gas at a lower rate than the at least partially unconsumed hydrogen generator cartridge subjected to the testing conditions. The testing conditions include heating at less than or equal to 300 C., agitation, exposing the metal hydride to a protic solvent, or a combination thereof.