Monolayer evapotranspiration (ET) covers are the baseline method for closure of disposal sites for low-level radioactive waste (LLW), mixed LLW, and transuranic (TRU) waste at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). The regulatory timeline is typically 1,000 years for LLW and 10,000 years for TRU waste. Covers for such waste have different technical considerations than those with shorter timelines because they are subject to environmental change for longer periods of time, and because the environmental processes are often coupled. To evaluate these changes, four analog sites (approximately 30, 1,000 to 2,000, 7,000 to 12,500, and 125,000 years in age) on the NTS were analyzed to address the early post-institutional control period (the youngest site), the 1,000-year compliance period for disposal of LLW, and the 10,000-year period for TRU waste. Tests included soil texture, structure, and morphology; surface soil infiltration and hydraulic conductivity; vegetation and faunal surveys; and literature reviews. Separate measurements were made in plant undercanopy and intercanopy areas. The results showed a progressive increase in silt and clay content of surface soils with age. Changes in soil texture and structure led to a fivefold decline in saturated hydraulic conductivity in intercanopy areas, but no change in undercanopies, which were subject …

The Institutional Computing Executive Group (ICEG) review of FY05-06 Multiprogrammatic and Institutional Computing (M and IC) activities is presented in the attached report. In summary, we find that the M and IC staff does an outstanding job of acquiring and supporting a wide range of institutional computing resources to meet the programmatic and scientific goals of LLNL. The responsiveness and high quality of support given to users and the programs investing in M and IC reflects the dedication and skill of the M and IC staff. M and IC has successfully managed serial capacity, parallel capacity, and capability computing resources. Serial capacity computing supports a wide range of scientific projects which require access to a few high performance processors within a shared memory computer. Parallel capacity computing supports scientific projects that require a moderate number of processors (up to roughly 1000) on a parallel computer. Capability computing supports parallel jobs that push the limits of simulation science. M and IC has worked closely with Stockpile Stewardship, and together they have made LLNL a premier institution for computational and simulation science. Such a standing is vital to the continued success of laboratory science programs and to the recruitment and retention of …

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The authors report recent measurements of charmless B decays to the final states K{sup +}K{sup +}K{sup -}, {phi}{phi}K, {eta}'{eta}'K, M{sub S}{sup 0}K{sub S}{sup 0}K{sub L}{sup 0}, {bar {Lambda}}p{pi}{sup +}, K*{sup +}h{sup +}h{sup -} and KX(inclusive). The results were obtained using a data sample of up to 288.5 fb{sup -1} recorded by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric B factory at SLAC.

The research supported by this award pursued three lines of inquiry: (1) The construction of dynamic general equilibrium models to simulate the accumulation and substitution of knowledge, which has resulted in the preparation and submission of several papers: (a) A submitted pedagogic paper which clarifies the structure and operation of computable general equilibrium (CGE) models (C.2), and a review article in press which develops a taxonomy for understanding the representation of technical change in economic and engineering models for climate policy analysis (B.3). (b) A paper which models knowledge directly as a homogeneous factor, and demonstrates that inter-sectoral reallocation of knowledge is the key margin of adjustment which enables induced technical change to lower the costs of climate policy (C.1). (c) An empirical paper which estimates the contribution of embodied knowledge to aggregate energy intensity in the U.S. (C.3), followed by a companion article which embeds these results within a CGE model to understand the degree to which autonomous energy efficiency improvement (AEEI) is attributable to technical change as opposed to sub-sectoral shifts in industrial composition (C.4) (d) Finally, ongoing theoretical work to characterize the precursors and implications of the response of innovation to emission limits (E.2). (2) Data development …

The ability to predict the transport and transformations of contaminants within the subsurface is critical for decisions on virtually every waste disposal option facing the Department of Energy (DOE), from remediation technologies such as in situ bioremediation to evaluations of the safety of nuclear waste repositories. With this fact in mind, the DOE has recently sponsored a series of workshops on the development of a Strategic Simulation Plan on applications of high perform-ance computing to national problems of significance to the DOE. One of the areas selected for application was in the area of subsurface transport and environmental chemistry. Within the SSP on subsurface transport and environmental chemistry several areas were identified where applications of high performance computing could potentially significantly advance our knowledge of contaminant fate and transport. Within each of these areas molecular level simulations were specifically identified as a key capability necessary for the development of a fundamental mechanistic understanding of complex biogeochemical processes. This effort consists of a series of specific molecular level simulations and program development in four key areas of geochemistry/biogeochemistry (i.e., aqueous hydrolysis, redox chemistry, mineral surface interactions, and microbial surface properties). By addressing these four differ-ent, but computationally related, areas it becomes …

Final report for Grant Number DE-FG02-03ER54703.

The latest results of exclusive charmless semileptonic decays B {yields} {pi}{ell}v and B {yields} {rho}{ell}v from the BABAR Collaboration are presented. They are based on samples of B{bar B} events recorded on the {Upsilon}(4S) resonance. Several different experimental techniques are compared. Measurements of partial branching fractions in intervals of q{sup 2}, the four-momentum transfer squared, allow a study of the shape of the B {yields} {pi}{ell}v form factor and a comparison with theoretical calculations. The Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |V{sub ub}| is determined using the measured branching fractions combined with recent form-factor predictions.

We develop some properties of the non-BPS attractive STU black hole. Our principle result is the construction of exact solutions for the moduli, the metric and the vectors in terms of appropriate harmonic functions. In addition, we find a spherically-symmetric attractor carrying p{sup 0} (D6 brane) and q{sub a} (D2 brane) charges by solving the non-BPS attractor equation (which we present in a particularly compact form) and by minimizing an effective black hole potential. Finally, we make an argument for the existence of multicenter attractors and conjecture that if such solutions exist they may provide a resolution to the existence of apparently unstable non-BPS ''attractors''.

Precise collimation of the beam halo is required in the International Linear Collider (ILC) to prevent beam losses near the interaction region that could cause unacceptable backgrounds for the physics detector. The necessarily small apertures of the collimators lead to transverse wakefields that may result in beam deflections and increased emittance. A set of collimator wakefield measurements has previously been performed in the ASSET region of the SLAC Linac. We report on the next phase of this program, which is carried out at the recently commissioned End Station A (ESA) test facility at SLAC. Measurements of resistive and geometric wakefields using tapered collimators are compared with model predictions from MAFIA and GdfidL and with analytic calculations.

The present state-of-art Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) technology is based on platinum (Pt) as a catalyst for both the fuel (anode) and air (cathode) electrodes. This catalyst is highly active but susceptible to poisoning by CO, which may be present in the H{sub 2}-fuel used or may be introduced during the fuel processing. Presence of trace amount of CO and H{sub 2}S in the H{sub 2}-fuel poisons the anode irreversibly and decreases the performance of the PEMFCs. In an effort to reduce the Pt-loading and improve the PEMFC performance, we propose to synthesize a number of Pt-based binary, ternary, and quaternary electrocatalysts using Ru, Mo, Ir, Ni, and Co as a substitute for Pt. By fine-tuning the metal loadings and compositions of candidate electrocatalysts, we plan to minimize the cost and optimize the catalyst activity and performance in PEMFC. The feasibility of the novel electrocatalysts will be demonstrated in the proposed effort with gas phase CO and H{sub 2}S concentrations typical of those found in reformed fuel gas with coal/natural gas/methanol feedstocks. During this reporting period we used four Pt-based electrocatalysts (Pt/Ru/Mo/Se, Pt/Ru/Mo/Ir, Pt/Ru/Mo/W, Ptr/Ru/Mo/Co) in MEAs and these were evaluated for CO-tolerance with 20 and 100 ppm …

We report preliminary measurements of the exclusive charmless semileptonic branching fractions of the B{sup +} {yields} {eta}{ell}{sup +}{nu} and B{sup +} {yields} {eta}'{ell}{sup +}{nu} decays. These measurements are based on 316 fb{sup -1} of data collected at the {Upsilon}(4S) resonance by the BABAR detector. In events in which the decay of one B meson to a hadronic final state is fully reconstructed, the semileptonic decay of the recoiling B meson is identified by the detection of a charged lepton and an {eta} or {eta}'. We measure the branching fraction {Beta}(B{sup +} {yields} {eta}{ell}{sup +}{nu}) = (0.84 {+-} 0.27 {+-} 0.21) x 10{sup -4}, where the first error is statistical and the second one systematic. We also set an upper limit on the branching fraction of {Beta}(B{sup +} {yields} {eta}{ell}{sup +}{nu}) < 1.4 x 10{sup -4} and {Beta}(B{sup +} {yields} {eta}'{ell}{sup +}{nu}) < 1.3 x 10{sup -4} at the 90% confidence level.

CP violation in B{sup 0}{bar B}{sup 0} mixing is characterized by the value of the parameter |q/p| being different from 1, and the Standard Model predicts this difference to be smaller than 10{sup -3}. We present a measurement of this parameter using a partial reconstruction of one of the B mesons in the semileptonic channel D*{sup -}{ell}{sup +}{nu}{sub {ell}}, where only the hard lepton and the soft pion from the D*{sup -} {yields} {bar D}{sup 0}{pi}{sup -} decay are reconstructed. The flavor of the other B is determined by means of lepton tagging. The determination of |q/p| is then performed with a fit to the proper time difference of the two B decays. We use a luminosity of 200.8 fb{sup -1}, collected at the {Upsilon}(4S) resonance by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetrical-energy e{sup +}e{sup -} collider, in the period 1999-2004. We obtain the preliminary result: |q/p| - 1 = (6.5 {+-} 3.4(stat.) {+-} 2.0(syst.)) {center_dot} 10{sup -3}.

Understanding the quantum efficiency (QE) of a metal photocathode in an s-band RF gun is important to limit the drive laser energy requirement and provide the best quality electron beam. Systematic measurements of the qe vs. wavelength for varying surface contamination have been performed on copper samples using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The sample is first cleaned to the theoretical limit of QE using a 1 keV hydrogen ion beam. The H-ion beam cleans an area approximately 1cm in diameter and has no effect on the surface roughness while removing essentially all contaminants and lowering the work function to 4.3eV[1]. The sample is then exposed to atmospheric contaminants (nitrogen and oxygen) and measured again with XPS to determine the degree of contamination and their effect on the QE. These results and comparison with theory are presented.

In 2004, the first two sextants of the new Limited Streamer Tube (LST) detector were installed in the BABAR experiment to replace the ageing Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) as active detectors for the BABAR Instrumented Flux Return (IFR) muon system. Each streamer tube of the new detector consists of 8 cells. The cell walls are coated with graphite paint and a 100 {micro}m wire forms the anode. These wires are coupled in pairs inside the tubes resulting in 4 independent two-cell segments per LST. High voltage (HV) is applied to the 4 segments through a custom connector that also provides the decoupling capacitor to pick up the detector signals from the anode wires. The BABAR LST detector is operated at 5.5 kV. The high voltage system for the LST detector was designed and built at The Ohio State University (OSU HVPS). Each of the 25 supplies built for BaBar provides 80 output channels with individual current monitoring and overcurrent protection. For each group of 20 channels the HV can be adjusted between 0 and 6 kV. A 4-fold fan-out is integrated in the power supplies to provide a total of 320 outputs. The power supplies are controlled through built-in CANbus …

A series of sediment distribution coefficients, Kd values, measurements were conducted for Southern Nuclear Company, Inc. in support of their Early Site Permit application at Plant Vogtle, Georgia. Nineteen sediment and a representative groundwater samples from the Vogtle site were provided for the Savannah River National Laboratory to conducted site-specific Co, Cs, and Sr Kd measurements. The median Kd values of Co was 6.5 mL/g, for Sr was 10.0 mL/g, and for Cs was 18.8 mL/g. Cation exchange capacity (6.8 to 33.6 meq/100 g), particle size distribution (70 to 94% sand) and pH (4.7 to 5.2) were also measured in five sediments. The Kd values and the sediment properties values measured in these sediments were consistent with those measured in this region of the country.

During Modular Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction (CSSX) Unit (MCU) operations, Cs-137 concentrations in product streams will vary depending on the location in the process and on the recent process conditions. Calculations of cesium concentrations under a variety of operating conditions reveal the following: (1) Under nominal operations with salt solution feed containing 1.1 Ci Cs-137 per gallon, the maximum Cs-137 concentration in the process will occur in the strip effluent (SE) and equal 15-16.5 Ci/gal. (2) Under these conditions, the majority of the solvent will contain 0.005 to 0.01 Ci/gal, with a limited portion of the solvent in the contactor stages containing {approx}4 Ci/gal. (3) When operating conditions yield product near 0.1 Ci Cs-137/gal in the decontaminated salt solution (DSS), the SE cesium concentration will be the same or lower than in nominal operations, but majority of the stripped solvent will increase to {approx}2-3 Ci/gal. (4) Deviations in strip and waste stream flow rates cause the largest variations in cesium content: (a) If strip flow rates deviate by -30% of nominal, the SE will contain {approx}23 Ci/gal, although the cesium content of the solvent will increase to only 0.03 Ci/gal; (b) If strip flow rate deviates by -77% (i.e., 23% of …

This final report summazies the reactor sharing activities at the Rensselaer Critical Facility. An example of a typical tour is also included.

This report describes the accomplishments of the University of Georgia in establishing an academic program geared toward the emerging biobased products industry. By virtue of its strengths and structure, the University of Georgia is particularly well-suited for developing a program focused on plant- and microbial-based bioproducts, and it was in this general area that this program was developed. The program had several unique characteristics. First, we implemented a distinguished lecture series that brought outstanding scientists and engineers to our University to interact with students and share their vision of the biobased economy. Second, we offered industrially-oriented and multidisciplinary courses that provided students with a broad background on various facets of biobased business and technology. Third, we provided the students with opportunities to expand beyond the classroom by engaging in research lab rotations and industrial internships. Fourth, each student was engaged in a creative research project as led by a multidisciplinary faculty team. Throughout the implementation of these activities, we maintained a student-centered, mentoring approach to education. The most tangible outcome of this project was the graduation of two students who participated in a variety of scholarly activities, culminating in research toward the completion of a thesis and dissertation. Both research …

The PEP-II B-factory has aggressive current increases planned for luminosity through 2008. At 2.2A (HER) on 4A (LER) currents, we estimate that longitudinal growth rates will be comparable to the damping rates currently achieved in the existing low level RF and longitudinal feedback systems. Prior to having a good non-linear time domain model [1] it was postulated that klystron small signal gain non-linearity may be contributing to measured longitudinal growth rates being higher than linearly predicted growth rates. Five prototype klystron amplitude modulation linearizers have been developed to explore improved linearity in the LLRF system. The linearizers operate at 476 MHz with 15 dB dynamic range and 1 MHz linear control bandwidth. Results from lab measurements and high current beam tests are presented. Future development plans, conclusions from beam testing and ideas for future use of this linearization technique are presented.

Efforts have been under way at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to develop detailed analytical models that simulate enrichment and conversion facilities for the purpose of aiding in the detection of material diversion as part of an overall safeguards strategy. These models could be used to confirm proper accountability of the nuclear materials at facilities worldwide. Operation of an enrichment process for manufacturing commercial reactor fuel presents proliferation concerns including both diversion and the potential for further enrichment to make weapons grade material. While inspections of foreign reprocessing facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are meant to ensure that such diversion is not occurring, it must be verified that such diversion is not taking place through both examination of the facility and taking specific measurements such as the radiation fields outside of various process lines. Our current effort is developing algorithms that would be incorporated into the current process models that would provide both neutron and gamma radiation fields outside any process line for the purpose of to determining the most effective locations for placing in-plant monitoring equipment. These algorithms, while providing dose and spectral information, could also be designed to provide detector responses that could be physically …

To hedge against the limited resources of fossil fuels and to reduce the emissions of green house gases, it is expected that our future electricity system will include more intermittent technologies, including wind and PV. To better understand how to develop energy systems that rely on intermittents, systems models are used to assess the cost at which intermittents become competitive, the degree of penetration as their costs are reduced, their impact on the optimal structure of the balance of the system, and their affect on total system costs. Modeling approaches designed for dispatchable technologies are not entirely appropriate for modeling intermittent technologies, since they, naturally, assume that generation can always be dispatched to meet demand. Intermittent generation cannot be dispatched--its output varies from hour to hour and from day to day on its own schedule, heedless to system needs. This research assesses the difference in results associated with the different approaches to modeling intermittency. The analyses compare cases using the hourly loads and intermittent generation patterns, cases in which the loads and generation were averaged over several hours, and cases in which the loads and/or the generation were represented by the annual averaging scheme used in the National Energy Modeling …

In this paper we revisit the topological twisted sigma model with H-flux. We explicitly expand and then twist the worldsheet Lagrangian for bi-Hermitian geometry. we show that the resulting action consists of a BRST exact term and pullback terms, which only depend on one of the two generalized complex structures and the B-field. We then discuss the topological feature of the model.

We derive the luminosity-temperature relation for the accreting black holes (BHs). At the accretion rates below the critical Eddington, the BHs are described by the standard Shakura-Sunyaev model resulting in the L {infinity} T{sup 4} {infinity} M relation. At super-Eddington rates, {dot m} = {dot M}/{dot M}{sub Edd} >> 1, a strong outflow forms within the spherization radius R{sub sp} {infinity} {dot M}. If the angular momentum of the outflowing matter is conserved and typical outflow velocities are of the order of Keplerian, the wind occupies 50-85 per cent of the sky as viewed from the BH, while the region around the rotation axis remains transparent. The bolometric luminosity in such a case is known to exceed the Eddington luminosity by a factor 1 + ln {dot m} and the observed luminosity is 2-7 times higher because of geometrical beaming. An edge-on observer sees only the soft emission from the extended envelope, with the photosphere radius exceeding R{sub sp} by orders of magnitude. The photosphere temperature follows the T{sub ph} {infinity} {dot M}{sup -3/4} or {dot M}{sup -1} relation depending on the velocity profile at R > R{sub sp} (constant velocity or a Keplerian profile). The resulting L-T{sub ph} dependence …