The overall objective of the Direct Conversion Technology task is to develop an experimentally verified technology base for promising direct conversion systems that have potential application for energy conservation in the end-use sectors. Initially, two systems were selected for exploratory research and advanced development. These are Alkali Metal Thermal-to-Electric Converter (AMTEC) and Two-Phase Liquid Metal MD Generator (LMMHD). This report describes progress that has been made during the first six months of 1992 on research activities associated with these two systems. (GHH)

Photograph taken for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "Clark Gable, in life-size cutout, started a 6000-mile journey to Paris last night in the company of French film star Etchika Choureau."

Four detailed intercomparisons were made for a number of models of cavity-type self-calibrating radiometers (pyrheliometers). Each intercomparison consisted of simultaneous readings of pyrheliometers at 30-second intervals in runs of 10 minutes, with at least 15 runs per intercomparison. Twenty-seven instruments were in at least one intercomparison, and five were in all four. Summarized results and all raw data are provided from the intercomparisons.

The overall objective of the Direct Conversion Technology task is to develop an experimentally verified technology base for promising direct conversion systems that have potential application for energy conservation in the end-use sectors. Initially, two systems were selected for exploratory research and advanced development. These are Alkali Metal Thermal-to-Electric Converter (AMTEC) and Two-Phase Liquid Metal MD Generator (LMMHD). This report describes progress that has been made during the first six months of 1992 on research activities associated with these two systems. (GHH)

The thermodynamic cycle appropriate to an AMTEC (alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter) cell is discussed for both liquid- and vapor-fed modes of operation, under the assumption that all processes can be performed reversibly. In the liquid-fed mode, the reversible efficiency is greater than 89.6% of Carnot efficiency for heat input and rejection temperatures (900--1300 K and 400--800 K, respectively) typical of practical devices. Vapor-fed cells can approach the efficiency of liquid-fed cells. Quantitative estimates confirm that the efficiency is insensitive to either the work required to pressurize the sodium liquid or the details of the state changes associated with cooling the low pressure sodium gas to the heat rejection temperature. 10 refs.

Photocopy of a script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Transport of alkali metal atoms through porous cathodes of alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter (AMTEC) cells is responsible for significant, reducible losses in the electrical performance of these cells. Experimental evidence for activated transport of metal atoms at grain surfaces and boundaries within some AMTEC electrodes has been derived from temperature dependent studies as well as from analysis of the detailed frequency dependence of ac impedance results for other electrodes, including thin, mature molybdenum electrodes which exhibit transport dominated by free molecular flow of sodium gas at low frequencies or dc conditions. Activated surface transport will almost always exist in parallel with free molecular flow transport, and the process of alkali atom adsorption/desorption from the electrode surface will invariably be part of the transport process, and possibly a dominant part in some cases. Little can be learned about the detailed mass transport process from the ac impedance or current voltage curves of an electrode at one set of operating parameters, because the transport process includes a number of important physical parameters that are not all uniquely determined by one experiment. The temperature dependence of diffusion coefficient of the alkali metal through the electrode in several cases provides an activation energy and …

Invoice from Paul A. Bulpitt and Helen G. Bulpitt to Elrey Sayles for medical services rendered to Ruth Sayles.

Photograph used for a story in the Oklahoma Times newspaper. Caption: "Howard A. Saffers Visit City Residents Enroute to New York from Hollywood, Calif., are Mr and Mrs. Howard Anthony Saffer. They are houseguests of Mrs. Saffer's mother, Mrs. J. H. Burnett, 1006 NW 22. Mrs. Saffer is the former Miss Martha Burnettand during their, weeks stay several coyrtesies are being extended."

We have found that there is a limited range of solid solutions between the skutterudite compounds CoSb{sub 3} and RuSb{sub 2}Te (about 5% on each side). For the system (RuSb{sub 2}Te){sub x}(CoSb{sub 3}){sub 1-x}, preliminary results obtained on one n-type sample on the CoSb{sub 3}-rich side show that these alloys have good thermoelectric properties and a maximum ZT of about 0.89 was obtained at about 600 C. More experiments will be started to investigate the possibility of a broader range of miscibility in this system which would allow an even further decrease in the lattice thermal conductivity, resulting in better thermoelectric properties. IrSb{sub 3} and RuSb{sub 2}Te form a complete range of solid solutions. Hot-pressed samples in this system have shown p-type conductivity. The thermoelectric properties of these p-type alloys have been measured and results have shown that their potential for thermoelectric applications is limited mainly because of the relatively low Seebeck coefficient values for p-type materials. Efforts will be directed on preparing n-type samples of the same alloys by doping with various dopants such as Ni and Pd.

Weekly newsletter written for supervisors working at the Convair Division in Fort Worth containing news about events and activities, workplace reminders, and other relevant information.

Bimonthly newsletter published for employees of the Convair Division in Fort Worth containing work-related information, updates about employees, and other news.

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "Col. Roscoe Turner of Hollywood, winner, and Jimmie Wedell of New Orleans, runner-up, (right) are pictured after breaking the East-to-West record in the Transcontinental Speed Dash of the National Air Races. Col. Turner spanned the 2,500-mile route from New York to Los Angeles in 11 hours, 30 minutes, one hour and three minutes better than his former mark, and won $5,050 in prizes. Wedell was half an hour behind and received $2,250. Flying Wedell-designed planes, they were the only pilots of a field of six to finish the grind."

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story about Arlington stadium where Rangers closed out their series against Kansas City with an 8- 3 win.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story about a small arsenal who was uncovered by detectives at Los Angeles and a young man who is being questioned about the cache of arms.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story about a market basket survey taken by the associated press for the month of June.

Letter from Daniel W. Kempner to Paul D. Dodds and Louise E. Friese asking that they secure some good French champagne for his brother Isaac H. Kempner to have on his cruise to Hawaii. A separate page features some handwritten notes presumably done by Mr. Kempner on the back of a brochure for a bank in Arizona.