States

Children’s Environmental Health: What Role for the Federal Government? (open access)

Children’s Environmental Health: What Role for the Federal Government?

This report documents concerns about children's environment well-being, such as being exposed to certain chemicals, and what the the legislatures face to draw conclusions and identify certain issues.
Date: November 15, 2001
Creator: Schierow, Linda-Jo
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Sentencing: How Much May the Judge Decide - The Impact of the Supreme Court's Decision in Apprendi v. New Jersey (open access)

Federal Sentencing: How Much May the Judge Decide - The Impact of the Supreme Court's Decision in Apprendi v. New Jersey

None
Date: March 15, 2001
Creator: Doyle, Charles
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Operation of a Four-Cylinder 1.9L Propane Fueled HCCI Engine (open access)

Operation of a Four-Cylinder 1.9L Propane Fueled HCCI Engine

A four-cylinder 1.9 Volkswagen TDI Engine has been converted to run in Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) mode. The stock configuration is a turbocharged direct injection Diesel engine. The combustion chamber has been modified by discarding the in-cylinder Diesel fuel injectors and replacing them with blank inserts (which contain pressure transducers). The stock pistons contain a reentrant bowl and have been retained for the tests reported here. The intake and exhaust manifolds have also been retained, but the turbocharger has been removed. A heater has been installed upstream of the intake manifold and fuel is added just downstream of this heater. The performance of this engine in naturally aspirated HCCI operation, subject to variable intake temperature and fuel flow rate, has been studied. The engine has been run with propane fuel at a constant speed of 1800 rpm. This work is intended to characterize the HCCI operation of the engine in this configuration that has been minimally modified from the base Diesel engine. The performance (BMEP, IMEP, efficiency, etc) and emissions (THC, CO, NOx) of the engine are presented, as are combustion process results based on heat release analysis of the pressure traces from each cylinder.
Date: March 15, 2001
Creator: Flowers, D.; Aceves, S. M.; Martinez-Frias, J.; Smith, J. R.; Au, M.; Girard, J. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
In-Situ Observations of Phase Transformations in the HAZ of 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel Weldments (open access)

In-Situ Observations of Phase Transformations in the HAZ of 2205 Duplex Stainless Steel Weldments

Ferrite ({delta})/austenite ({gamma}) transformations in the heat affected zone (HAZ) of a gas tungsten arc (GTA) weld in 2205 duplex stainless steel are observed in real-time using spatially resolved X-ray diffraction (SRXRD) with high intensity synchrotron radiation. A map showing the locations of the {delta} and {gamma} phases with respect to the calculated weld pool dimensions has been constructed from a series of SRXRD scans. Regions of liquid, completely transformed {gamma}, a combination of partially transformed {gamma} with untransformed {delta}, and untransformed {delta}+{gamma} are identified. Analysis of each SRXRD pattern provides a semi-quantitative definition of both the {delta}/{gamma} phase balance and the extent of annealing which are mapped for the first time with respect to the calculated weld pool size and shape. A combination of these analyses provides a unique real-time description of the progression of phase transformations in the HAZ. Using these real-time observations, important kinetic information about the transformations occurring in duplex stainless steels during heating and cooling cycles typical of welding can be determined.
Date: August 15, 2001
Creator: Palmer, T A; Elmer, J W & Wong, J
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Infrared Heating of Hydrogen Layers in Hohlraums (open access)

Infrared Heating of Hydrogen Layers in Hohlraums

The authors report results of modeling and experiments on infrared heated deuterium-hydride (HD) layers in hohlraums. A 2 mm diameter, 40 {micro}m thick shell with 100-400 {micro}m thick HD ice inside a NIF scale-1 gold hohlraum with 1-3 {micro}m rms surface roughness is heated by pumping the HD vibrational bands. Models indicate control of the low-mode layer shape by adjusting the infrared distribution along the hohlraum walls. They have experimentally demonstrated control of the layer symmetry perpendicular to the hohlraum axis.
Date: August 15, 2001
Creator: Kozioziemski, B J; McEachern, R L; London, R A & Bitter, D N
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Commissions and Joint Committees Established to Commemorate the Anniversary of the Birth of a President or First Lady,1950-2000 (open access)

Commissions and Joint Committees Established to Commemorate the Anniversary of the Birth of a President or First Lady,1950-2000

None
Date: June 15, 2001
Creator: Stathis, Stephen W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Globalization: Implications for U.S. National Security (open access)

Globalization: Implications for U.S. National Security

This report provides a summary of context of globalization and its implications for U.S. National Security.
Date: June 15, 2001
Creator: Shuey, Robert
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Fourier Transforms of Pulses Containing Exponential Leading and Trailing Profiles (open access)

Fourier Transforms of Pulses Containing Exponential Leading and Trailing Profiles

In this monograph we discuss a class of pulse shapes that have exponential rise and fall profiles, and evaluate their Fourier transforms. Such pulses can be used as models for time-varying processes that produce an initial exponential rise and end with the exponential decay of a specified physical quantity. Unipolar examples of such processes include the voltage record of an increasingly rapid charge followed by a damped discharge of a capacitor bank, and the amplitude of an electromagnetic pulse produced by a nuclear explosion. Bipolar examples include acoustic N waves propagating for long distances in the atmosphere that have resulted from explosions in the air, and sonic booms generated by supersonic aircraft. These bipolar pulses have leading and trailing edges that appear to be exponential in character. To the author's knowledge the Fourier transforms of such pulses are not generally well-known or tabulated in Fourier transform compendia, and it is the purpose of this monograph to derive and present these transforms. These Fourier transforms are related to a definite integral of a ratio of exponential functions, whose evaluation we carry out in considerable detail. From this result we derive the Fourier transforms of other related functions. In all Figures showing …
Date: July 15, 2001
Creator: Warshaw, S I
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Fabrication and test results of a high field, Nb3Sn superconducting racetrack dipole magnet (open access)

Fabrication and test results of a high field, Nb3Sn superconducting racetrack dipole magnet

The LBNL Superconducting Magnet Program is extending accelerator magnet technology to the highest possible fields. A 1 meter long, racetrack dipole magnet, utilizing state-of-the-art Nb{sub 3}Sn superconductor, has been built and tested. A record dipole filed of 14.7 Tesla has been achieved. Relevant features of the final assembly and tested results are discussed.
Date: June 15, 2001
Creator: Benjegerdes, R.; Bish, P.; Byford, D.; Caspi, S.; Dietderich, D.R.; Gourlay, S.A. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Development of 0.5-5 W, 10K Reverse Brayton Cycle Cryocoolers - Phase II Final Report (open access)

Development of 0.5-5 W, 10K Reverse Brayton Cycle Cryocoolers - Phase II Final Report

Miniature cryocoolers for the 8-30 K range are needed to provide 0.5-5 w of cooling to high sensitivity detectors (for long-wave-length IR, magnetism, mm-wave, X-ray, dark matter, and possibly y-ray detection) while maintaining low mass, ultra-low vibration, and good efficiency. This project presents a new approach to eliminating the problems normally encountered in efforts to build low-vibration, fieldable, miniature cryocoolers. Using the reverse Brayton Cycle (RBC), the approach applies and expands on existing spinner technology previously used only in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) probes.
Date: October 15, 2001
Creator: Doty, F. D.; Boman, A.; Arnold, S.; Spitzmesser, J. B.; Jones, D.; McCree, D. et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Research on Greenhouse-Gas-Induced Climate Change (open access)

Research on Greenhouse-Gas-Induced Climate Change

During the 5 years of NSF grant ATM 95-22681 (Research on Greenhouse-Gas-Induced Climate Change, $1,605,000, 9/15/1995 to 8/31/2000) we have performed work which we are described in this report under three topics: (1) Development and Application of Atmosphere, Ocean, Photochemical-Transport, and Coupled Models; (2) Analysis Methods and Estimation; and (3) Climate-Change Scenarios, Impacts and Policy.
Date: July 15, 2001
Creator: Schlesinger, M. E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Development of Advanced Corrosion-Resistant Fe-Cr-Ni Austenitic Stainless Steel Alloy with Improved High-Temperature Strength and Creep-Resistance (open access)

Development of Advanced Corrosion-Resistant Fe-Cr-Ni Austenitic Stainless Steel Alloy with Improved High-Temperature Strength and Creep-Resistance

In February of 1999, a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) was undertaken between Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Special Metals Corporation - Huntington Alloys (formerly INCO Alloys International, Inc.) to develop a modified wrought austenitic stainless alloy with considerably more strength and corrosion resistance than alloy 800H or 800HT, but with otherwise similar engineering and application characteristics. Alloy 800H and related alloys have extensive use in coal flue gas environments, as well as for tubing or structural components in chemical and petrochemical applications. The main concept of the project was make small, deliberate elemental microalloying additions to this Fe-based alloy to produce, with proper processing, fine stable carbide dispersions for enhanced high temperature creep-strength and rupture resistance, with similar or better oxidation/corrosion resistance. The project began with alloy 803, a Fe-25Cr-35NiTi,Nb alloy recently developed by INCO, as the base alloy for modification. Smaller commercial developmental alloy heats were produced by Special Metal. At the end of the project, three rounds of alloy development had produced a modified 803 alloy with significantly better creep resistance above 815 C (1500 C) than standard alloy 803 in the solution-annealed (SA) condition. The new upgraded 803 alloy also had the potential for …
Date: June 15, 2001
Creator: Maziasz, P. J. & Swindeman, R. W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Credit Trading and Wind Power: Issues and Opportunities (open access)

Credit Trading and Wind Power: Issues and Opportunities

OAK-B135 This paper focuses on credits that are derived from wind energy technology, but the same concepts apply to other renewable energy technologies as well. Credit trading can be applied to a wide variety of policies, programs and private market activities and represents a means of tapping into revenue streams that heretofore have largely excluded wind and other renewables. In addition, credit trading can help to ''create'' new revenue streams for wind and other renewables by helping to grow new markets.
Date: January 15, 2001
Creator: Rackstraw, Kevin & Palmisano, John
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Community wind power ownership schemes in Europe and their relevance to the United States (open access)

Community wind power ownership schemes in Europe and their relevance to the United States

With varying success, the United States and Europe have followed a more or less parallel path of policies to support wind development over the past twenty years. Feed-in laws and tax incentives first popularized in California in the early 1980s and greatly expanded upon in Europe during the 1990s are gradually giving way to market-based support mechanisms such as renewable portfolio standards, which are being implemented in one form or another in ten US states and at least three European nations. At the same time, electricity markets are being liberalized in both the US and Europe, and many electricity consumers are being given the choice to support the development of renewable energy through higher tariffs, both in traditionally regulated and newly competitive markets. One notable area in which wind development in Europe and United States has not evolved in common, however, is with respect to the level of community ownership of wind turbines or clusters. While community ownership of wind projects is unheard of in the United States, in Europe, local wind cooperatives or other participatory business schemes have been responsible for a large share of total wind development. In Denmark, for example, approximately 80% of all wind turbines are …
Date: May 15, 2001
Creator: Bolinger, Mark
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Biofiltration of Volatile Pollutants: Solubility Effects (open access)

Biofiltration of Volatile Pollutants: Solubility Effects

This project investigates and collects fundamental partitioning data for a variety of sparingly soluble subsurface contaminants (e.g., TCE, etc.) between vapor, aqueous phase, and matrices containing substantial quantities of biomass and biomass components. Due to the difficulty of obtaining these measurements, environmental models have generally used solubility constants of chemicals in pure water or, in a few rare cases, simple linear models. Our prior EMSP work has shown that the presence of biological material can increase effective solubilities by an order of magnitude for sparingly soluble organics; therefore, the previous simple approaches are not valid and are extremely poor predictors of actual bio-influenced partitioning. It is likely that environmental contaminants will partition in a similar manner into high-biomass phases (e.g. biobarriers and plants) or humic soils. Biological material in the subsurface can include lipids, fatty acids, humic materials, as well a s the lumped and difficult to estimate 'biomass'. Our measurements include partition into these biological materials to allow better estimation. Fundamental data collected will be used in mathematical models predicting transport and sorption in subsurface environments, with the impacts on bioremediation being evaluated based on this new information. Our 2-D Win95/98 software program, Biofilter 1.0, developed as a part …
Date: June 15, 2001
Creator: Davison, Brian H. & Barton, John W.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Infrared Frequency Selective Surfaces Fabricated using Optical Lithography and Phase-Shift Masks (open access)

Infrared Frequency Selective Surfaces Fabricated using Optical Lithography and Phase-Shift Masks

A frequency selective surface (FSS) structure has been fabricated for use in a thermophotovoltaic system. The FSS provides a means for reflecting the unusable light below the bandgap of the thermophotovoltaic cell while transmitting the usable light above the bandgap. This behavior is relatively independent of the light's incident angle. The fabrication of the FSS was done using optical lithography and a phase-shift mask. The FSS cell consisted of circular slits spaced by 1100 nm. The diameters and widths of the circular slits were 870 nm and 120 nm, respectively. The FSS was predicted to pass wavelengths near 7 {micro}m and reflect wavelengths outside of this pass-band. The FSSs fabricated performed as expected with a pass-band centered near 5 {micro}m.
Date: June 15, 2001
Creator: Spector, S.J.; Astolfi, D.K.; Doran, S.P.; Lyszczarz, T.M. & Raynolds, J.E.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Research Program to Investigate the Fundamental Chemistry of Technetium (open access)

Research Program to Investigate the Fundamental Chemistry of Technetium

Technetium (99Tc, half-life = 2.13x105 years, b-emitter) is one of the radionuclides of major concern for nuclear waste disposal. This concern is due to the long half-life of 99Tc, the ease with which pertechnetate, TcO4 -, migrates in the geosphere, difficulties in incorporating technetium into glass waste forms, and the corresponding regulatory considerations. The problem of mobility of pertechnetate in the environment is compounded by the fact that pertechnetate is the thermodynamically stable form of technetium in oxidizing environments. Because of this stability, pertechnetate was presumed to be the predominant chemical form of technetium in the aqueous phase of nuclear waste tanks. However, studies have indicated that a significant fraction of the technetium is in a different chemical form. These factors present challenges the separation and immobilization of technetium. The objective of this project is to investigate the chemical behavior of technetium so that the se problems may be understood and the challenges addressed.
Date: June 15, 2001
Creator: Shuh, David K.; Burns, Carol J. & Lukens, Wayne W. Jr.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Final report on Microchannel Heat Exchangers with Carbon Dioxide (open access)

Final report on Microchannel Heat Exchangers with Carbon Dioxide

The objective of the present study was to determine the performance of CO{sub 2} microchannel evaporators and gas coolers in operational conditions representing those of residential heat pumps. A set of breadboard prototype microchannel evaporators and gas coolers was developed and tested. The refrigerant in the heat exchangers followed a counter cross-flow path with respect to the airflow direction. The test conditions corresponded to the typical operating conditions of residential heat pumps. In addition, a second set of commercial microchannel evaporators and gas coolers was tested for a less comprehensive range of operating conditions. The test results were reduced and a comprehensive data analysis, including comparison with the previous studies in this field, was performed. Capacity and pressure drop of the evaporator and gas cooler for the range of parameters studied were analyzed and are documented in this report. A gas cooler performance prediction model based on non-dimensional parameters was also developed and results are discussed as well. In addition, in the present study, experiments were conducted to evaluate capacities and pressure drops for sub-critical CO{sub 2} flow boiling and transcritical CO{sub 2} gas cooling in microchannel heat exchangers. An extensive review of the literature failed to indicate any previous …
Date: September 15, 2001
Creator: Zhao, Y.; Ohadi, M.M. & Radermacher, R.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
ESCO market and industry trends: Updated results from the NAESCO database project (open access)

ESCO market and industry trends: Updated results from the NAESCO database project

Today's U.S. energy efficiency services industry is one of the most successful examples of private sector energy efficiency services in the world, yet little empirical information is available on the actual market activity of this industry. LBNL, together with the National Association of Energy Services Companies (NAESCO), has compiled the most comprehensive dataset of the energy efficiency services industry: nearly 1,500 case studies of energy efficiency projects. Our analysis of these projects helps shed light on some of the conventional wisdom regarding industry performance and evolution. We report key statistics about typical projects and industry trends that will aid state, federal, and international policymakers, and other investors interested in the development of a private sector energy efficiency services industry.
Date: October 15, 2001
Creator: Osborn, Julie G.; Goldman, Charles A. & Hopper, Nicole C.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Using Vulcan to Recreate Planetary Cores (open access)

Using Vulcan to Recreate Planetary Cores

An accurate equation of state (EOS) for planetary constituents at extreme conditions is the key to any credible model of planets or low mass stars. However, experimental validation has been carried out on at high pressure (>few Mbar), and then only on the principal Hugoniot. For planetary and stellar interiors, compression occurs from gravitational force so that material states follow a line of isentropic compression (ignoring phase separation) to ultra-high densities. An example of the predicted states for water along the isentrope for Neptune is shown in a figure. The cutaway figure on the left is from Hubbard, and the phase diagram on the right is from Cavazzoni et al. Clearly these states lie at quite a bit lower temperature and higher density than single shock Hugoniot states but they are at higher temperature than can be achieved with accurate diamond anvil experiments. At extreme densities, material states are predicted to have quite unearthly properties such as high temperature superconductivity and low temperature fusion. High density experiments on Earth are achieved with either static compression techniques (i.e.diamond anvil cells) or dynamic compression techniques using large laser facilities, gas guns, or explosives. A major thrust of this work is to develop …
Date: August 15, 2001
Creator: Collins, G. W.; Celliers, P. M.; Hicks, D. G.; Mackinnon, A. J.; Moon, S. J.; Cauble, R. et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Use of whole building simulation in on-line performance assessment: Modeling and implementation issues (open access)

Use of whole building simulation in on-line performance assessment: Modeling and implementation issues

The application of model-based performance assessment at the whole building level is explored. The information requirements for a simulation to predict the actual performance of a particular real building, as opposed to estimating the impact of design options, are addressed with particular attention to common sources of input error and important deficiencies in most simulation models. The role of calibrated simulations is discussed. The communication requirements for passive monitoring and active testing are identified and the possibilities for using control system communications protocols to link on-line simulation and energy management and control systems are discussed. The potential of simulation programs to act as ''plug-and-play'' components on building control networks is discussed.
Date: June 15, 2001
Creator: Haves, Philip; Salsbury, Tim; Claridge, David & Liu, Mingsheng
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Establishment of the Center for Biomedical Technology Innovation (open access)

Establishment of the Center for Biomedical Technology Innovation

The report discussed the following topics: (1) Orthopedic Devices; (2) Hybrid Vector and Method Resulting in Protein Overproduction by Eukaryotic Cells; (3) Surgical Simulator; (4) CBTI (Center for Biomedical Technology Innovation) as an Incubator for Start-up Companies; (5) Voice-activated, computer-assisted surgical robotics; (6) Through transmission ultrasonic 3-D holography for diagnostic imaging; (7) CBTI's Scibermed{trademark} Virtual Institute (SVI); and (8) Laser Oxygenation Tomography.
Date: December 15, 2001
Creator: unknown
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Fibrous Monolith Wear Resistant Components for the Mining Industry Semi-Annual Report: Number 2 (open access)

Fibrous Monolith Wear Resistant Components for the Mining Industry Semi-Annual Report: Number 2

A set of materials property data for potential wear resistant materials was collected. These materials are designated for use as the ''core'' materials in the Fibrous Monolith structure. The material properties of hardness, toughness, thermal conductivity and cost were selected as determining factors for material choice. Data for these four properties were normalized, and weighting factors were assigned for each property to establish priority and evaluate the effects of priority fluctuation. Materials were then given a score based on the normalized parameters and weighting values. Using the initial estimates for parameter priority, the highest ranking material was tungsten carbide, with diamond as the second ranked material. Several materials were included in the trade study, and five were selected as promising ''core'' materials to include in this effort. These materials are tungsten carbide, diamond, boron carbide, titanium diboride and silicon carbide. Work was initiated on a trade study to evaluate ''shell'' materials. These materials will require the investigation of different material properties, including ultimate tensile strength, ductility, toughness, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity and compatibility during consolidation with the ''core'' materials. Kyocera Industrial Ceramics in Kyoto, Japan was visited, with the purpose of negotiating and signing the subcontract for Kyocera's participation on …
Date: August 15, 2001
Creator: Rigali, Mark J.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Geothermal Research Program Update Fiscal Year 2000 (open access)

Federal Geothermal Research Program Update Fiscal Year 2000

The Department of Energy's Geothermal Program serves two broad purposes: (1) to assist industry in overcoming near-term barriers by conducting cost-shared research and field verification that allows geothermal energy to compete in today's aggressive energy markets; and (2) to undertake fundamental research with potentially large economic payoffs. The four categories of work used to distinguish the research activities of the Geothermal Program during FY 2000 reflect the main components of real-world geothermal projects. These categories form the main sections of the project descriptions in this Research Update. Exploration Technology research focuses on developing instruments and techniques to discover hidden hydrothermal systems and to explore the deep portions of known systems. Research in geophysical and geochemical methods is expected to yield increased knowledge of hidden geothermal systems. Reservoir Technology research combines laboratory and analytical investigations with equipment development and field testing to establish practical tools for resource development and management for both hydrothermal reservoirs and enhanced geothermal systems. Research in various reservoir analysis techniques is generating a wide range of information that facilitates development of improved reservoir management tools. Drilling Technology focuses on developing improved, economic drilling and completion technology for geothermal wells. Ongoing research to avert lost circulation episodes in …
Date: August 15, 2001
Creator: Renner, J.L.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library