Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A neutron absorbing apparatus comprising:a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall;the first and second walls being formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement which is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; anda plurality of spaced-apart elongated slits formed into the single panel along the crease which are configured and arranged to facilitate bending the single panel into the non-coplanar arrangement;wherein the elongated slits cover between 50% to 70% of an entire length of the crease;wherein the slits are not formed as a result of a weldment of plural panels. 2. The neutron absorbing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slits each define a major axis and a minor axis, the major axis of the slits coextensive with the crease and the minor axis being perpendicular to the major axis. 3. The neutron absorbing apparatus of claim 2, wherein adjacent slits are separated by a distance that is shorter than the major axis. 4. The neutron absorbing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the distance is between 50% to 75% of the major axis. 5. The neutron absorbing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second walls are substantially planar and angled to form a chevron shape. 6. The neutron absorbing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plate structure is a chevron shape. 7. The neutron absorbing apparatus of claim 6 further comprising:a reinforcement bar connected to a top end of the plate structure;wherein the metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement is at least 20% by volume neutron absorbing particulate;wherein the metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement is a boron carbide aluminum matrix composite material, a boron carbide steel matrix composite material, a carborundum aluminum matrix composite material or a carborundum steel matrix composite material; andwherein the crease has a gauge thickness between 0.05 to 0.09 inches. 8. A neutron absorbing apparatus insert comprising:a plate structure having a first wall and a second wall that is non-coplanar to the first wall;the first and second walls being formed by a single panel of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement which is bent into the non-coplanar arrangement along a crease; anda plurality of spaced-apart elongated slits formed into the single panel along the crease to facilitate bending the single panel into the non-coplanar arrangement;wherein the plate structure is configured for insertion into cells of a fuel storage rack;wherein the slits are not formed as a result of a weldment of plural panels. 9. The neutron absorbing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plate structure is a chevron shape. 10. The neutron absorbing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the elongated slits cover between 50% to 70% of an entire length of the crease.