The primary goal of our research this spring/ summer was to refine techniques and examine scenarios under which a standardized protocol could be applied to assess juvenile coho salmon (O. kisutch) passage through road culverts. Field evaluations focused on capture-mark- recapture methods that allowed analysis of fish movement patterns, estimates of culvert passability, and potential identification of cues inducing these movements. At this stage, 0+ age coho salmon fry 30 mm to 65 mm long (fork length) were the species and age class of interest. Ultimately, the protocol will provide rapid, statistically rigorous methods for trained personnel to perform standardized biological assessments of culvert passability to a number of juvenile salmon species. Questions to be addressed by the research include the following: ? Do hydraulic structures such as culverts restrict habitat for juvenile salmonids? ? How do existing culverts and retrofits perform relative to juvenile salmonid passage? ? Do some culvert characteristics and hydraulic conditions provide better passage than others? ? Does the culvert represent a barrier to certain size classes of fish? Recommendations addressed issues of study site selection, initial capture, marking, recapture/observations, and estimating movement.

Since the mid-1980s, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has been participating in the Bonneville Power Administration's (BPA's) efforts to mitigate for the negative impacts to fish and wildlife resulting from the development and operation of the 7 Columbia Basin Federal Hydropower System. BPA's mitigation obligations were formally recognized and mandated by the Northwest Power Act of 1980 and are guided by the Northwest Power Planning Council's (NWPPC's) Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. BPA funds fish and wildlife projects throughout the Basin to meet the habitat and population restorative goals and objectives outlined in the NWPPC's Fish and Wildlife Program and to fulfill its mitigation responsibilities under the Power Act. Impacts to wildlife resulting from hydrofacility construction/inundation were estimated using Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP) in the mid and late 1980s and are documented in BPA' s Wildlife Loss Assessments (Rasmussen and Wright 1990,a,b,c,d) and in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lower Snake River Wildlife Habitat Compensation Evaluation (ACOE 1991). The loss assessments provided estimates of lost habitat quality and quantity for the target species selected to represent the habitat cover types impacted by hydropower construction/inundation. The NWPPC incorporated these losses into their Fish and Wildlife Program, …

Presented at the 2001 NCPV Program Review Meeting: Comparative studies of dynamics of photoexcited carriers in range of Si-based materials of interest for PV applications.

Quarterly newsletter from DOE's Office of Industrial Technologies to promote the use of energy-efficient industrial systems. This issue's focus is alternative power sources.

Presented at the 2001 NCPV Program Review Meeting: Results using light-biasing EBIC are illustrated for dual-junction InGaP/InGaAs solar cells.

The Buildings for the 21st Century newsletter is produced by the Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs and contains information on building programs, events, products, and initiatives, with a focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy. The fall issue includes information on weatherization, Boise's geothermal heating system, the BTS Core Databook, the Solar Decathlon, a Rebuild America partnership, the BigHorn Home Improvement Center, AIA's Top Ten Buildings, a sub-CFL procurement program, the U.S. investment in energy efficient research, new efficiency standards, PNNL's building software, and a calendar of meetings and conferences.

Presented at the 2001 NCPV Program Review Meeting: The Thin Film Partnership has organized three National Research Teams in CIS, CdTe, and amorphous silicon.

Presented at the 2001 NCPV Program Review Meeting: Describes performance of 1-kWac CdTe PV array from First Solar operated at NREL from 6/95 to 14/00. This paper describes the performance of a 1-kW{sub ac} CdTe PV array from First Solar (formerly Solar Cells, Inc.) operated at NREL from June 1995 to November 2000. The PV array operating efficiencies over the 5.5-year period were calculated from 15-minute averages to determine changes in seasonal and annual performance. Performance measurements of each module were also made before installing the modules outdoors and again in August 2000 using NREL's indoor SPIRE 240A pulsed solar simulator and the Standard Outdoor Measurement System (SOMS). Although some modules showed increases in efficiency and others decreases, the average efficiency of the modules in the PV array did not change. For modules that showed changes in efficiency, analysis of module I-V parameters indicated that the changes in efficiency were primarily a consequence of changes in fill factor.

We describe a coded-aperture based, gamma-ray imager that uses a unique hybrid germanium detector system. A planar, germanium strip detector, eleven millimeters thick is followed by a coaxial detector. The 19 x 19 strip detector (2 mm pitch) is used to determine the location and energy of low energy events. The location of high energy events are determined from the location of the Compton scatter in the planar detector and the energy is determined from the sum of the coaxial and planar energies. With this geometry, we obtain useful quantum efficiency in a position-sensitive mode out to 500 keV. The detector is used with a 19 x 17 URA coded aperture to obtain spectrally resolved images in the gamma-ray band. We discuss the performance of the planar detector, the hybrid system and present images taken of laboratory sources.

Presented at the 2001 NCPV Program Review Meeting: DOEs Concentrating Solar Power program is investigating the viability of concentrating PV converters as an alternative to thermal conversion devices.

The US Department of Energy Environmental and Waste Management Tanks Focus Area selected as a strategic initiative the need to identify and develop technologies for remediation of tanks that are known or are suspected to leak. This investigation identified and evaluated technical options for single-shell tank waste retrieval applicable to retrieve waste from potentially leaking tanks. Technologies that minimize leakage use minimal water, and dry retrieval technologies were evaluated. Safety, cost, authorization basis, and schedule risks were identified for each technology to provide River Protection Program with information to evaluate technical and programmatic risk. A workshop was held to identify technology needs and solutions. These approaches grouped into five categories: those related to waste dislodging, waste conveyance, both waste dislodging and conveyance, the deployment platform, and technologies related to leak detection, monitoring, and mitigation. Based on the ranking, six technologies were selected as potential candidates for further evaluation. These items were prioritized into four technologies to recommend for further evaluation 1) Air assisted TORE(R). The TORE(R) produces a precessing vortex core with the ability to convey solids at pre-determined slurry concentrations over great distances. The dry TORE(R) concept uses air to develop the vortex to fluidize dry solids. The TORE(R)the …

The 36,000-square-foot Cambria Office building in Ebensbug, Pennsylvania houses the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Designers of the energy-efficient building used integrated design to minimize energy use and pollution created in the production of the materials they used, and reduced the overall pollution and environmental impact the building will create over its lifetime. The building also employs daylighting and renewable energy technologies.

Presented at the 2001 NCPV Program Review Meeting: Energy production and performance of polycrystalline silicon technology photovoltaic modules in the field. Six polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic modules--two apiece from three manufacturers--were simultaneously deployed outdoors on the performance and energy ratings testbed at NREL's Outdoor Test Facility (OTF) in June 2000. In situ electrical performance and energy production from these modules obtained under ambient conditions in the field between June 2000 and August 2001 are compared. The average effective efficiency--derived from module energy out divided by solar energy in calculations averaged on a weekly basis--is analyzed and compared with module current-voltage measurements performed at standard reporting conditions (SRC). The effective efficiencies exhibit seasonal variations correlated with average module temperatures--becoming larger at colder temperatures. The performance ratios (PRs) defined as the effective efficiency divided by the efficiency at SRC, range from 78% to 96%, depending on the module and time of the year. The PRs exhibit seasonal variations that range from 11% to 15%.

Presented at the 2001 NCPV Program Review Meeting: Modeled diffusion of H in 2-step Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} passivation process invoking concept of storage of H. H stored during nitridation is redistributed during subsequent anneal. The modeling results agree with this hypothesis, and the conclusions also appear to concur with the observations.

Presented at the 2001 NCPV Program Review Meeting: Overview of the Fundamental and Exploratory Research project with the DOE Basic Sciences program and the National Center for Photovoltaics. This paper presents an overview of the Fundamental and Exploratory Research project within the U.S. Department of Energy's National Center for Photovoltaics (NCPV). The idea behind the project is to identify, support, evaluate and coordinate an optimal spectrum of complementary projects that either contribute to the fundamental understanding of existing PV technologies or to explore the less conventional, or far out, technological possibilities. Two other programs, one for close collaborative university/industry partnerships in crystalline silicon and an educational/research program involving undergraduates at eight historically black colleges and universities, are also managed under this same task. In sum, this effort represents directed high-risk, long-term basic research targeting possibilities for optimal configurations of low cost, high efficiency, and reliability in PV related devices whatever form they may ultimately take.

This paper presents results of coupled thermal-hydrological-mechanical (THM) simulations of two field-scale tests that are part of the thermal testing program being conducted by the Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Project. The two tests analyzed are the Drift-Scale Test (DST) which is sited in an alcove of the Exploratory Studies Facility at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, and the Large Block Test (LBT) which is sited at Fran Ridge, near Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Both of these tests were designed to investigate coupled thermal-mechanical-hydrological-chemical (TMHC) behavior in a fractured, densely welded ash-flow tuff. The geomechanical response of the rock mass forming the DST and the LBT is analyzed using a coupled THM model. A coupled model for analysis of the DST and LBT has been formulated by linking the 3DEC distinct element code for thermal-mechanical analysis and the NUFT finite element code for thermal-hydrologic analysis. The TH model (NUFT) computes temperatures at preselected times using a model that extends from the surface to the water table. The temperatures computed by NUFT are input to 3DEC, which then computes stresses and deformations. The distinct element method was chosen to permit the inclusion of discrete fractures and explicit modeling of fracture deformations. Shear deformations and normal …

Presented at the 2001 NCPV Program Review Meeting: Electron microscopy studies of MOVPE layers of materials that are potential 1-eV bandgap semiconductors for solar cells.

SensIDA and IDA are general-purpose codes for solving differential-algebraic equation (DAE) initial value problems. SensIDA is a variant of IDA that includes options for simultaneously computing the DAE solution together with its first-=order sensitivity coefficients with respect to model parameters. SensIDA is written in ANSI-standard C and it is mainly based on IDA, DASPK3.0, and SensPVODE. IDA is based on DASPK2.0. DASPK3.0 is a Fortran77 code for the sensitivity analysis of DAE initial value problems. SensPVODE is a sensitivity analysis variant of the parallel ordinary differential equation solver PVODE. SensIDA can be compiled to run on serial or parallel computers. This is accomplished by specifying that the serial or parallel version of the vector module NVECTOR is used when compiling SensIDA. The parallel version of SensIDA uses MPI (Message-Passing Interface) to achieve parallelism, and is intended for a distributed Single Program Multiple Data environment in which all vectors are identically partitioned across processors. The idea is for each processor to solve a certain fixed subset of the DAEs that describe the model problem and the first-order sensitivity coefficients of the solution.

Presented at the 2001 NCPV Program Review Meeting: Measurements of backsheet moisture permeation and encapsulant-substrate adhesion. At the March 2001 NCPV workshop on ''Moisture Ingress and High-Voltage Isolation'', industry participants identified several properties associated with PV module durability that are critical for commercial success. These include interface conductivity, adhesion of encapsulants to substrate materials as a function of in-service exposure conditions, and moisture permeation through backsheet materials as a function of temperature. Electrical data is discussed in a companion paper; adhesion and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) measurements are presented herein.

New fact sheets for the DOE Office of Power Technologies (OPT) that provide technology overviews, description of DOE programs, and market potential for each OPT program area.

By thermally cycling through their transformation temperature range, coarse-grained, polymorphic materials can be deformed superplastically, owing to the emergence of transformation mismatch plasticity (or transformation superplasticity) as a deformation mechanism. This mechanism is investigated under biaxial stress conditions during thermal cycling of unalloyed titanium, Ti-6Al-4V, and their composites (Ti/10 vol.% TiC{sub p}, Ti-6Al-4V/10 vol% TiC{sub p} and Ti-6Al-4V/5 vol.% TiB{sub w}). During gas-pressure dome bulging experiments, the dome height was measured as a function of forming time. Adapting existing models of biaxial doming to the case of transformation superplasticity where the strain-rate sensitivity is unity, we verify the operation of this deformation mechanism in all experimental materials, and compare the biaxial results to uniaxial thermal cycling results on the same materials. Finally, existing thickness distribution models are compared with experimentally measured profiles.

Major improvements in models of chemically peculiar stars have been achieved in the past few years. With these new models it has been possible to test quantitatively some of the processes involved in the formation of abundance anomalies and their effect on stellar structure. The models of metallic A (Am) stars have shown that a much deeper mixing has to be present to account for observed abundance anomalies. This has implications on their variability, which these models also reproduce qualitatively. These models also have implications for other chemically inhomogeneous stars such as HgMn B stars which are not known to be variable and {lambda} Booetis stars which can be. The study of the variability of chemically inhomogeneous stars can provide unique information on the dynamic processes occurring in many types of stars in addition to modeling of the evolution of their surface composition.

As part of the effort to modernize safeguards equipment, the IAEA is continuing to acquire and install equipment for upgrading obsolete surveillance systems with digital technology; and providing remote-monitoring capabilities where and when economically justified. Remote monitoring is expected to reduce inspection effort, particularly at storage facilities and reactor sites. Remote monitoring technology will not only involve surveillance, but will also include seals, sensors, and other unattended measurement equipment. The experience of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) with the Argus Security System offers lessons for the design, deployment, and maintenance of remote monitoring systems. Argus is an integrated security system for protection of high-consequence U.S. Government assets, including nuclear materials. Argus provides secure transmission of sensor data, administrative data, and video information to support intrusion detection and access control functions. LLNL developed and deployed the Argus system on its own site in 1988. Since that time LLNL has installed, maintained, and upgraded Argus systems at several Department of Energy and Department of Defense sites in the U.S. and at the original LLNL site. Argus has provided high levels of reliability and integrity, and reduced overall life-cycle cost through incremental improvements to hardware and software. This philosophy permits expansion of functional …

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) requires that pulses from each of the 192 laser beams be positioned on target with an accuracy of 50 {micro}m rms. Beam quality must be sufficient to focus a total of 1.8 MJ of 0.351-{micro}m light into a 600-{micro}m-diameter volume. An optimally flat beam wavefront can achieve this pointing and focusing accuracy. The control system corrects wavefront aberrations by performing closed-loop compensation during laser alignment to correct for gas density variations. Static compensation of flashlamp-induced thermal distortion is established just prior to the laser shot. The control system compensates each laser beam at 10 Hz by measuring the wavefront with a 77-lenslet Hartmann sensor and applying corrections with a 39-actuator deformable mirror. The distributed architecture utilizes SPARC AXi computers running Solaris to perform real-time image processing of sensor data and PowerPC-based computers running VxWorks to compute mirror commands. A single pair of SPARC and PowerPC processors accomplishes wavefront control for a group of eight beams. The software design uses proven adaptive optic control algorithms that are implemented in a multi-tasking environment to economically control the beam wavefronts in parallel. Prototype tests have achieved a closed-loop residual error of 0.03 waves rms. aberrations, the spot size …