Experiments planned to address the issue of electron correlation in the Pu 5f states are described herein. The key is the utilization of the Fano Effect, the observation of spin polarization in nonmagnetic systems, using chiral excitation such as circularly polarized X-rays.

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) was requested to develop an x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry method for elemental characterization of the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) pretreated low activity waste (LAW) stream to the LAW Vitrification Plant. The WTP is evaluating the potential for using XRF as a rapid turnaround technique to support LAW product compliance and glass former batching. The overall objective of this task was to develop XRF analytical methods that provide the rapid turnaround time (<8 hours) requested by the WTP, while providing sufficient accuracy and precision to determine waste composition variations. For Phase 1a, SRNL (1) evaluated, selected, and procured an XRF instrument for WTP installation, (2) investigated three XRF sample methods for preparing the LAW sub-sample for XRF analysis, and (3) initiated scoping studies on AN-105 (Envelope A) simulant to determine the instrument's capability, limitations, and optimum operating parameters. After preliminary method development on simulants and the completion of Phase 1a activities, SRNL received approval from WTP to begin Phase 1b activities with the objective of optimizing the XRF methodology. Three XRF sample methods used for preparing the LAW sub-sample for XRF analysis were studied: direct liquid analysis, dried spot, and fused glass. …

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Many chemical reactions utilize organometallic complexes as catalysts. These complexes find use in reactions as varied as bond activation, polymerization, and isomerization. This thesis outlines the construction of a new ultrafast laser system with an emphasis on the generation of tunable mid-infrared pulses, data collection, and data analysis.

We review the scaling relations for the critical currentdensity (Jc) in Nb3Sn wires and include recent findings on the variationof the upper critical field (Hc2) with temperature (T) and A15composition. Measurements of Hc2(T) in inevitably inhomogeneous wires, aswell as analysis of literature results, have shown that all availableHc2(T) data can be accurately described by a single relation from themicroscopic theory. This relation also holds for inhomogeneity averaged,effective, Hc2*(T) results and can be approximated by Hc2(t)=Hc2(0) =1-t1.52, with t = T=Tc.Knowing Hc2*(T) implies that also Jc(T) is known.We highlight deficiencies in the Summers/Ekin relations, which are notable to account for the correct Jc(T) dependence. Available Jc(H) resultsindicate that the magnetic field dependence for all wires from mu0H = 1 Tup to about 80 percent of the maximum Hc2 can be described with Kramer'sflux shear model, if non-linearities in Kramer plots when approaching themaximum Hc2 are attributed to A15 inhomogeneities. The strain (e)dependence is introduced through a temperature and strain dependentHc2*(T,e) and Ginzburg-Landau parameter kappa1(T,e) and a straindependent critical temperature Tc(e). This is more consistent than theusual Ekin unification of strain and temperature dependence, which usestwo separate and different dependencies on Hc2*(T) and Hc2*(e). Using acorrect temperature dependence and accounting for the …

We review the scaling relations for the critical currentdensity (Jc) in Nb3Sn wires and include recent findings on the variationof the upper critical field (Hc2) with temperature (T) and A15composition. Measurements of Hc2(T) in inevitably inhomogeneous wires, aswell as analysis of literature results, have shown that all availableHc2(T) data can be accurately described by a single relation from themicroscopic theory. This relation also holds for inhomogeneity averaged,effective, Hc2*(T) results and can be approximated by Hc2(t)=Hc2(0) =1-t1.52, with t = T=Tc.Knowing Hc2*(T) implies that also Jc(T) is known.We highlight deficiencies in the Summers/Ekin relations, which are notable to account for the correct Jc(T) dependence. Available Jc(H) resultsindicate that the magnetic field dependence for all wires from mu0H = 1 Tup to about 80 percent of the maximum Hc2 can be described with Kramer'sflux shear model, if non-linearities in Kramer plots when approaching themaximum Hc2 are attributed to A15 inhomogeneities. The strain (e)dependence is introduced through a temperature and strain dependentHc2*(T,e) and Ginzburg-Landau parameter kappa1(T,e) and a straindependent critical temperature Tc(e). This is more consistent than theusual Ekin unification of strain and temperature dependence, which usestwo separate and different dependencies on Hc2*(T) and Hc2*(e). Using acorrect temperature dependence and accounting for the …

This report discusses the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that has a mandate to increase the competitiveness of U.S. companies.

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A key step in applying land surface parameterization schemes is to estimate model parameters that vary spatially and are unique to each computational element. Improved methods for parameter estimation (especially for parameters important to runoff response) are needed and require data from a wide range of climate regimes throughout the world. Accordingly, the GEWEX Hydrometeorology Panel (GHP) endorsed the concept of an international Model Parameter Estimation Project (MOPEX) at its Toronto meeting, August 1996. Phase I of MOPEX was funded by NOAA in FY 1997, Phase II in FY 2000 and Phase III in FY 2003. MOPEX was adopted as projects of the IAHS/WMO Committee on GEWEX and of the WMO Commission on Hydrology (CHy) and now is a contributor to the Combine Enhanced Observing Period (CEOP) of the World Climate Research Program (WCRP). In 2004 MOPEX became a Working Group of the IAHS Prediction for Ungaged Basins (PUB) Initiative. MOPEX also is expected to contribute to the work of the Hydrologic Ensemble Prediction Experiment (HEPEX) (Franz et al, 2005). The primary goal of MOPEX is to develop techniques for the a priori estimation of the parameters used in land surface parameterization schemes of atmospheric models and in hydrologic models. …

The theory behind how chemically reactive tracers are used to characterize the velocity and temperature distribution in steady flowing systems is reviewed. Kinetic parameters are established as a function of reservoir temperatures and fluid residence times for selecting appropriate reacting systems. Reactive tracer techniques are applied to characterize the temperature distribution in a laminar-flow heat exchanger. Models are developed to predict reactive tracer behavior in fractured geothermal reservoirs of fixed and increasing size.

The relative permeability to fluids in hydrate-bearing sediments is an important parameter for predicting natural gas production from gas hydrate reservoirs. We estimated the relative permeability parameters (van Genuchten alpha and m) in a hydrate-bearing sand by means of inverse modeling, which involved matching water saturation predictions with observations from a controlled waterflood experiment. We used x-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning to determine both the porosity and the hydrate and aqueous phase saturation distributions in the samples. X-ray CT images showed that hydrate and aqueous phase saturations are non-uniform, and that water flow focuses in regions of lower hydrate saturation. The relative permeability parameters were estimated at two locations in each sample. Differences between the estimated parameter sets at the two locations were attributed to heterogeneity in the hydrate saturation. Better estimates of the relative permeability parameters require further refinement of the experimental design, and better description of heterogeneity in the numerical inversions.

An international, multiple-code benchmark test (BMT) study is being conducted within the international DECOVALEX project to analyze coupled thermal, hydrological, mechanical and chemical (THMC) processes in the excavation disturbed zone (EDZ) around emplacement drifts of a nuclear waste repository. This BMT focuses on mechanical responses and long-term chemo-mechanical effects that may lead to changes in mechanical and hydrological properties in the EDZ. This includes time-dependent processes such as creep, and subcritical crack, or healing of fractures that might cause ''weakening'' or ''hardening'' of the rock over the long term. Five research teams are studying this BMT using a wide range of model approaches, including boundary element, finite element, and finite difference, particle mechanics, and elasto-plastic cellular automata methods. This paper describes the definition of the problem and preliminary simulation results for the initial model inception part, in which time dependent effects are not yet included.

A necessary condition for crevice corrosion is that a crevice former create a sufficiently tight, restricted geometry on the metal surface to support the development of critical crevice chemistry. Crevice corrosion is affected by the crevice geometry (tightness) and the properties of the crevice former. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of the crevice former material on the evolution of localized corrosion-damage. A standard crevice corrosion test method is modified by (a) the use of ceramic, metal or polymer materials as the crevice former and (b) the variation of size and shape of the crevice. This study focuses on the post initiation stage of crevice corrosion and addresses factors that may limit the initiation of localized corrosion and also slow or stop the continued propagation of corrosion. Controlled crevice corrosion tests are performed under aggressive, accelerated conditions on Ni-Cr-Mo alloy C-22 and other alloys for comparison. Multiple techniques are used to examine the crevice corrosion damage evolution. Current measurements during the test provide a direct measure of the corrosion rate and indicate the initiation and any stifling or arrest. The localized corrosion is found to be stifled or arrested under several test conditions. The corrosion damage …

The Model Parameter Estimation Experiment (MOPEX) is an international project aimed at developing enhanced techniques for the a priori estimation of parameters in hydrologic models and in land surface parameterization schemes connected to atmospheric models. The MOPEX science strategy involves: database creation, a priori parameter estimation methodology development, parameter refinement or calibration, and the demonstration of parameter transferability. A comprehensive MOPEX database has been developed that contains historical hydrometeorological data and land surface characteristics data for many hydrologic basins in the United States (US) and in other countries. This database is being continuously expanded to include basins from various hydroclimatic regimes throughout the world. MOPEX research has largely been driven by a series of international workshops that have brought interested hydrologists and land surface modelers together to exchange knowledge and experience in developing and applying parameter estimation techniques. With its focus on parameter estimation, MOPEX plays an important role in the international context of other initiatives such as GEWEX, PUB and PILPS. This paper outlines the MOPEX initiative, discusses its role in the scientific community and briefly states future directions.

A joint assessment meeting was conducted at the Egyptian Atomic Energy Agency (EAEA) followed by a tour of Egyptian Second Research Reactor (ETRR-2) on March 22 and 23, 2006. The purpose of the visit was to evaluate the capabilities of the new research reactor and its operations under Action Sheet 4 between the U.S. DOE and the EAEA, ''Research Reactor Operation'', and Action Sheet 6, ''Technical assistance in The Production of Radioisotopes''. Preliminary Recommendations of the joint assessment are as follows: (1) ETRR-2 utilization should be increased by encouraging frequent and sustained operations. This can be accomplished in part by (a) Improving the supply-chain management for fresh reactor fuel and alleviating the perception that the existing fuel inventory should be conserved due to unreliable fuel supply; and (b) Promulgating a policy for sample irradiation priority that encourages the use of the reactor and does not leave the decision of when to operate entirely at the discretion of reactor operations staff. (2) Each experimental facility in operation or built for a single purpose should be reevaluated to focus on those that most meet the goals of the EAEA strategic business plan. Temporary or long-term elimination of some experimental programs might be …

Provides an overview on the current status, long-term prospects, and key challenges in the development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology.

Funeral program for Charles H. McPherson, born June 15, 1924 and died May 2, 2006. The funeral was held May 8, 2006 at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. R. L. Archield, Sr. The funeral arrangements were made through Lewis Funeral Home and he was buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery near San Antonio, Texas.

This report discusses air pollutants (petroleum, natural gas, and coal), which account for about two-thirds of U.S. electricity generation. These gases include several pollutants that directly pose risks to human health and welfare. The report also discusses the utilities that are subject to an array of environmental regulations.

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This report describes the Issues in Congress regarding Alternative Fuels and Advanced Technology Vehicles.

This report includes information regarding welfare reauthorization. Topics of discussion include trends under welfare reform, TANF work requirements, and child support enforcement.