The overall objective of this program is to determine the optical properties of i-Carbon (diamond-like) films and determine if these films can be developed into antireflecting (AR) coatings for silicon solar cells. The i-C films have been produced on glass, silicon, and KCl by radio frequency (RF) plasma decomposition of the alkane gases. Films were also produced on silicon solar cells by low-energy ion beam techniques. These coatings did not perform as well as those made from hydrocarbon gases. Significant progress has been made in understanding the deposition parameters that affect the optical properties of the films. The optical constants n and k have been determined over a large range of process parameters and source gas. The degree of hydrogen incorporation in these films has been studied by SIMS analysis. It was found that the lower optically absorbing films contain more hydrogen. This hydrogen does not, however, manifest itself in fundamental C-H absorption bands in the infrared. Very efficient single-layer quarter-wave i-C AR coatings have been produced on single-crystal and SOC Si solar cells. An increase in cell efficiency of 40% over uncoated cells has been achieved.

Calculation of possible off-gases expected during the fabrication of SYNROC showed that volatilization of cesium would be a significant problem. Samples of the cesium containing minerals pollucite, CsAlSi/sub 2/O/sub 6/, and barium-cesium hollandite, (Ba,Cs)Al/sub 2/Ti/sub 6/O/sub 16/, were prepared for vaporization studies. Fifteen vaporization runs were made with the hollandite samples. With dry air as the carrier gas, the vapor pressure of cesium over Ba/sub 0/ /sub 8/Cs/sub 0/ /sub 4/Al/sub 2/Ti/sub 6/O/sub 16/ was found to be about 1 x 10/sup -7/ atm at 1050/sup 0/C.

This research program has investigated the thermal stability of several ferritic stainless steels containing 15 to 18 weight percent chromium over the temperature range 400/sup 0/C to 550/sup 0/C where the 475/sup 0/C embrittlement reaction is of concern. A major part of the experimental work was concerned with the effect of ternary additions of up to 6 weight percent; aluminum on the kinetics and the magnitude of the embrittlement reaction. The work also included a binary Fe-18Cr alloy, a ternary Fe-18Cr-2Mo, and two commercial alloys, Armco type 430 and type 18SR. Resistometric studies of the kinetics of microstructural instability indicated that aluminum additions promote the tendency of chromium atoms to cluster at temperatures in the vicinity of 475/sup 0/C. The magnitude of embrittling reaction is intensified by the aluminum additions which are expected to restrict dislocation cross slip and increase the coherency strains associated with the alpha prime precipitates. Activation energy determinations for the decomposition reaction indicate that the rate controlling process is most likely determined by the diffusion of chromium, and the tendency of aluminum to enhance the clustering of chromium atoms is similar to the effect reported for molybdenum additions by previous workers.

Flue gas conditioning approaches for the Brayton-cycle heat recovery system are discussed. This revision incorporates the results of recent AiResearch tests on the subatmospheric system (SAS) turbocompressor, as well as the Electric Power Research Institute sponsored tests on ceramic fiber filters. The two primary purposes of the gas conditioning evaluation are: to determine the need for protecting the Brayton-cycle turbocompressor and heat exchanger from the potential damaging effects of erosion and deposition, and to determine what type of approach should be used for cleanup, if protection by flue gas conditioning is required.

Field and laboratory data are presented for 467 water samples and 1680 sediment samples from the Carlsbad Quadrangle, New Mexico. The samples were collected and uranium analysis performed by Los Alamos National Laboratory; multielement analysis and data reporting were performed by the Uranium Resource Evaluation Project at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

The turbine tests and results for the Brayton cycle subatmospheric system (SAS) are summarized. A scaled model turbine was operated in the same environment as that which a full-scale SAS machine would experience from the hot effluent flue gas from a glass container furnace. The objective of the testing was to evaluate the effects of a simulated furnace flue gas stream on the turbine nozzles and blades. The following specific areas were evaluated: erosion of the turbine nozzles and blades from the dust in the flue gas, hot corrosion from alkali metal salts in the dust and acid vapor (sulfur trioxide and hydrogen chloride) in the flue gas, and fouling and flow blockage due to deposition and/or condensation from the flue gas constituents.

The use of an existing, low temperature, geothermal resource to heat the Chamber of Commerce offices in Marlin, Texas is described. A secondary purpose of the project is to attract new industries and businesses to Marlin via this alternate energy show-piece demonstration of a simple and practical application of Texas' low temperature geothermal resource.

The interactions between Teller, Renner, Jahn and Landau which led to the formulation of the Jahn-Teller effect are discussed. The applicability of Jahn-Teller type of theory to superconductivity and the explanation proposed by the use of Goldstone particles are assessed.

We examine the scaling of implosion symmetry, ablation pressure, and hydrodynamic efficiency with the wavelength of the laser, using a recent theoretical analysis of ablative laser driven implosions as a tool. Symmetrization by a hot atmosphere is most effective for long wavelength lasers, whereas ablation pressure and hydrodynamic efficiency are best for shorter laser wavelengths.

During the past contract year, considerable progress was made in characterization and activity/selectivity testing of iron and cobalt catalysts. Preparation of boride promoted cobalt and iron catalysts was refined and nearly completed. H/sub 2/ and CO adsorption and oxygen titration measurements were performed on a number of supported and unsupported catalysts, especially several boride promoted cobalt and iron catalysts. Activity/selectivity tests of 3 and 15% Fe/SiO/sub 2/ and Co/SiO/sub 2/ and of 6 borided cobalt and iron catalysts were completed. The product distributions for iron and cobalt boride catalysts are unusual and interesting. Boron promoted iron is more active and stable than iron/silica; cobalt boride has an unusually high selectivity for alcohols. Tests to determine effects of H/sub 2/S poisoning on activity/selectivity properties of 15% Co/SiO/sub 2/ indicate that a significant loss of activity occurs over a period of 24 to 28 h in the presence of 10 to 20 ppM H/sub 2/S. Product selectivity to liquids increased through a maximum during the gradual addition of sulfur. Reactant CO and H/sub 2/S interact partially to form COS which is less toxic than H/sub 2/S. H/sub 2/ and CO adsorption data were obtained for 3, 6 and 9% Co/ZSM-5 catalysts prepared …

Significant progress has been made in better understanding the electron transport and reaction properties of model liquids and biological systems. The new results complement earlier studies of electrons and are important to all aspects of the interaction of radiation with matter and to the myriad of electronic processes that occur in a variety of systems. These processes range from dielectric breakdown to carcinogenesis as is illustrated in the following list of electron transport and reaction studies that were conducted in this contract period. The studies included: (1) effect of an external electric field on the electron attachment rate constant, k/sub e/, of SF/sub 6/ observed in the molecular liquids ethane and propane; (2) implications of field-dependent k/sub e/'s to dielectric breakdown in liquids; (3) influence of the electron-acceptor dipole moment on k/sub e/ in i-octane and the effect of solvent on electron-dipole interaction; (4) solvent effects on the electron-attachment process through measurements of the k/sub e/ of CCl/sub 4/ and ethyl bromide in i-octane/TMS mixtures; (5) electron attachment to reversed-micellar aggregates and comparison of the influence of the micellar water pool on the electron-capture process in the solvents i-octane and TMS; (6) correlation of diffusion-controlled k/sub e/'s with carcinogenicity and …

Fuel cells show great promise as an efficient, nonpolluting vehicular power source that can operate on nonpetroleum fuel. As with other power sources, design tradeoffs can be made that either improve vehicle performance or reduce the size and cost of the fuel cell power system. To evaluate some of these tradeoffs, a number of phosphoric acid fuel cell power plant designs have been studied to determine the performance level they would provide, both for a compact passenger vehicle and a 40-ft city bus. The fuel is steam reformed methanol. The analyses indicate that 1978 fuel cell technology can provide a 22 to 50% improvement in fuel economy over the 1980 EPA estimate for the conventionally powered General Motors X car. With this technology the city bus can meet the DOT acceleration, gradability, and top speed requirements. A reasonable advance in fuel cell technology improves performance and fuel consumption of both vehicles substantially.

A single-mode, nonlinear analysis of the 2XIIB experimental results is under development. A Model-I (infinite geometry, no mirror losses or source beams) analysis is nearly complete. Model II (mirror losses, beams, energy drag) is in progress. Nonlinear analysis of the 2..omega../sub p/ instability near the quarter-critical point in an inhomogeneous plasma is continuing.

Numerical calculations have had an important role in fusion research since its beginning, but the application of computers to plasma physics has advanced rapidly in the last few years. One reason for this is the increasing sophistication of the mathematical models of plasma behavior, and another is the increased speed and memory of the computers which made it reasonable to consider numerical simulation of fusion devices. The behavior of a plasma is simulated by a variety of numerical models. Some models used for short times give detailed knowledge of the plasma on a microscopic scale, while other models used for much longer times compute macroscopic properties of the plasma dynamics. The computer models used in fusion research are surveyed. One of the most active areas of research is in time-dependent, three-dimensional, resistive magnetohydrodynamic models. These codes are reviewed briefly.

In the development of new and highly efficient porous electrocatalysts, two cooperative phenomena are required. The first is an increase in the electrocatalytic activity of the catalyst particle, and the second is the availability of that electrocatalyst particle for the electrochemical reaction. These two processes interact with each other in such a way that improvements in the electrochemical activity must be coupled with improvements in the availability of the electrocatalyst for reaction. Since cost effective and highly reactive electrocatalysts have been developed under this program, the utilization of the electrocatalyst particles in the porous electrode structures is addressed. Based on the performance of the electrocatalysts in porous electrode structures, it is shown that a large percentage of the electrocatalyst in anode structures is not utilized. This low utilization translates directly and dramatically into a noble metal cost penalty for the fuel cell. Dramatic improvements in the cost effectiveness of the fuel cell will be achieved by improvements in electrocatalyst catalyzation technology and electrode structure technology.

Field and laboratory data are presented for 501 water samples and 1817 sediment samples from the Las Cruces Quadrangle, New Mexico. The samples were collected and uranium analysis performed by Los Alamos National Laboratory; multielement analysis and data reporting were performed by the Uranium Resource Evaluation Project at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

An electron beam machine consisting of six modules is being constructed for the 'B' amplifier of the RAPIER KrF laser system. Each module consists of a diode, a 5 ..cap omega.. positive charged water dielectric Blumlein pulse-forming line, and a five stage Marx generator. Separate 25 cm x 41 cm electron beams are formed in magnetically isolated diodes which when arranged in groups of three produce two nearly continuous 25 cm x 125 cm beams that enter the laser cell from opposite sides. The pulse-forming lines operate at 450 keV and produce 150 ns long pulses. The lines employ electrically triggered annular SF/sub 6/ output switches. The two concentric transmission lines of each pulse-forming line are charged in 1 ..mu..s through symmetric circuits to reduce diode prepulse voltage. The six modules together with the laser cell will occupy less than 15 m/sup 2/ of floor space.

Investigations of ion generation and recombination mechanisms in the cesium plasma as they pertain to the advanced mode thermionic energy converter are described. The changes in plasma density and temperature within the converter have been studied under the influence of several promising auxiliary ionization candidate sources. Three novel approaches of external cesium ion generation have been investigated in some detail, namely vibrationally excited N/sub 2/ as an energy source of ionization of Cs ions in a DC discharge, microwave power as a means of resonant sustenance of the cesium plasma, and ion generation in a pulse N/sub 2/-Cs mixture. The experimental data obtained and discussed show that all three techniques - i.e. the non-LTE high-voltage pulsing, the energy transfer from vibrationally excited diatomic gases, and the external pumping with a microwave power - have considerable promise as schemes in auxiliary ion generation applicable to the advanced thermionic energy converter.

Silicon dendritic web is a single crystal ribbon form of silicon capable of fabrication into solar cells with AM1 conversion efficiency in excess of 15%. Progress on a study to demonstrate the technology readiness of the web process to meet the national goals for low cost photovoltaic power is reported. Several refinements were introduced into the sensing and control equipment for melt replenishment during web growth and also several areas were identified for cost reduction in the components of the prototype automated web growth furnace. A new circuit has been designed, assembled and tested to eliminate the sensitivity of the detector signal to the intensity of the reflected laser beam used to measure melt level. Noise due to vibrations on the silicon melt surface has also been eliminated. A new variable speed motor has been identified for the silicon feeder. Pellet feeding will be accomplished at a rate programmed to match exactly the silicon removed by web growth. A system to program the initiation of web growth automatically has been designed and first tests initiated. This should eventually result in reduced labor content and improved process reproducibility. Potential cost reductions in the furnace chamber and storage reel have been identified. …

The tasks, objectives and completed work are discussed for the legislative and institutional program, cities program, geothermal applications utilization technology, and outreach. The work on the Maryvale Terrace development and the New Mexico Energy Institute are described. (MHR)

Materials for ultimate disposal of /sup 129/I have been studied. At present, iodide-sodalite, though not ideal, appears to be the best material for /sup 129/I immobilization from the aspects of ease of preparation, thermal stability, cost of materials, and leach resistance. Good consolidation of the material was achieved by sintering in air at 1000 to 1200/sup 0/C, but the iodine content was significantly below stoichiometric expectations. Hot aqueous media preferentially removed iodine, apparently by OH/sup -/ substitution in near-neutral solutions, and I reversible reaction Cl/sup -/ exchange occurred in brine. Alternation of the sodalite also took place. Soxhlet leach rates were about 5 x 10/sup -4/ g/cm/sup 2/-day by total weight loss, but physical weathering contributed significantly to this value. Moderate doses of radiation had no observable deleterious structural effects. Iodoboracites seemingly cannot be prepared by ceramic or nonhydrothermal wet chemical techniques. Fe-iodoboracite has inferior thermal stability to iodide-sodalite and was completely altered to hematite after treatment at 200/sup 0/C in deionized water. Silver zeolites retained some iodine in the form of crystalline ..cap alpha..-AgI at temperatures up to 1300/sup 0/C even though heating above approx. 700/sup 0/C altered the alumino-silicate framework. However, some of the iodine appeared to be …

Three areas are reported: geothermal administration, geothermal planning, and other geothermal activities. Administration covers the status of the Imperial Valley Environmental Project transfer, update of the Geothermal Resource Center, and findings of the geothermal field inspections. Planning addresses Board of Supervisor actions, Planning Commission actions, notice of exemptions, and the master Environmental Impact Report for Salton Sea. The other activity includes the County Direct Heat Development study; the solicitation for district heating and cooling proposals; the new Geothermal Class II-1 disposal site; the DOE Region IX meeting in Tucson; and USGA designating a new KGRA, the East Brawley KGRA, the Westmoreland KGRA, and revising the southern border of the Salton Sea KGRA. (MHR)

This analysis of advanced wastewater treatment systems for coal gasification plants highlights the three coal gasification demonstration plants proposed by the US Department of Energy: The Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division Industrial Fuel Gas Demonstration Plant, the Illinois Coal Gasification Group Pipeline Gas Demonstration Plant, and the CONOCO Pipeline Gas Demonstration Plant. Technical risks exist for coal gasification wastewater treatment systems, in general, and for the three DOE demonstration plants (as designed), in particular, because of key data gaps. The quantities and compositions of coal gasification wastewaters are not well known; the treatability of coal gasification wastewaters by various technologies has not been adequately studied; the dynamic interactions of sequential wastewater treatment processes and upstream wastewater sources has not been tested at demonstration scale. This report identifies key data gaps and recommends that demonstration-size and commercial-size plants be used for coal gasification wastewater treatment data base development. While certain advanced treatment technologies can benefit from additional bench-scale studies, bench-scale and pilot plant scale operations are not representative of commercial-size facility operation. It is recommended that coal gasification demonstration plants, and other commercial-size facilities that generate similar wastewaters, be used to test advanced wastewater treatment technologies during operation by using …

An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) study of the emissions from intrinsic and injected impurities in TMX is presented. Two survey spectrographs were used to determine that the major impurities present were oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and titanium. Three absolutely-calibrated monochromators were used to measure the time histories and radial profiles of these impurity emissions in the central cell and each plug. Two of these instruments were capable of obtaining radial profiles as a function of time in a single shot.