Triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB) bonded with a copolymer of chlorotrifluoroethylene and vinylidene fluoride (Kel-F 800) was selected as the high explosive for use in the B77 bomb. The plastic-bonded explosive (RX-03-BB, 7.5 percent Kel-F 800) has high strength and is less sensitive to shock initiation than most previously used high explosives. Adhesive bonding of RX-03-BB has proved to be difficult, however, because of the chemical composition of both the TATB and the binder. Studies of the critical surface tension of the TATB, the binder, and the RX-03-BB using contact-angle measurements were made. Surface-tension measurements were made on modified epoxies and used as a guide in formulating new adhesives. A new adhesive, EXPLOSTIK 473, has a surface tension less than RX-03-BB and has satisfactory bond strength to over 75/sup 0/C.

Research progress on the LX-07 physics design for the two-stage shape charge is reported. (TFD)

It has been shown that there are three distinct phases of radiosensitivity in oocytes of prepubertal mice: a period of rapidly increasing sensitivity between 0 and 4 days of age; a period of consistent, high sensitivity between 5 and 18 days of age; and a period of decreasing sensitivity from 19 to at least 21 days of age. Two distinct phases have been demonstrated for the rate of population decline of the oocytes of primary follicles: an initial period of rapid loss from 0 to 4 days of age; and a period of much slower loss from 5 through 23 days of age. Correlations have been drawn between the first two phases of radiosensitivity and morphological changes in the oocyte, and between the third phase of radiosensitivity and endocrinological changes in the maturing animal. The reaction of oocytes to radiation has been separated into two categories: immediate death (within 24 hours); and delayed death (over the entire lifespan of the animal). (auth)

Preliminary EMP calibration data on magnetic thin film current sensors has been obtained. The Air Force Weapon Lab's Coaxial Chamber was used as the EMP standard and a current pulse width of 40 ns was used. It was found that the sensitivity of the sensors can be increased by controlling the width of the 90/sup 0/ wall strip and that the current scales for the sensors were linear. The results strongly suggest that the dimensions of the sensors can be varied to meet different measurement requirements.

This reasonably self-contained report on Catastrophe Theory begins with the mathematical history of Catastrophe Theory and discusses the relation between Catastrophe Theory and the ''Catastrophe Theorem'' presented in the report. Catastrophe Theory consists of a ''local'' classification theorem for unfoldings of germ singularities, which satisfy certain conditions. The ''classification'' is a list of seven (nonsimilar) irreducible unfoldings (and their respective germs), such that the given unfolding must be reduced with index zero to exactly one of these (or to the ''constant'' unfolding of the same unfolding dimension). The Catastrophe Theorem is stated (together with background definitions and commentary) and a summary of the proof of this theorem is given. 6 tables. (RWR)

A study was conducted to determine which of the packagings currently listed in CFR 49 Section 173.395 a.1-5, meet the Specification 7A requirements (CFR 49 Section 173.350). According to DOT HM-111 the present listing of various authorized DOT specifications in Section 173.394 and Section 173.395 (Type A containers) of ICC Tariff No. 27 would be deleted with complete reliance being placed on the use of DOT 7A, Type A general packaging specification. Each user of a Specification 7A package would be required to document and maintain on file for one year a written record of his determination of compliance with the DOT Specification 7A performance requirements. All the specification packagings listed in CFR 49 Section 173.395a.1-5 were tested and shown to meet the Specification 7A criteria; however, in many cases qualifications were placed on their use. Forty-nine specification packagings were tested and shown to meet the DOT Specification 7A performance requirements and since there were several styles of some specific packagings, this amounts to greater than 80 packagings. The extensive testing generally indicated a high degree of containment integrity in the packagings tested and the documentation discussed is a valuable tool for shippers of Type A quantities of radioactive materials. …

This report presents the theoretical and experimental results of an LLL Electronics Engineering research program aimed at optimizing the design and electronic-material parameters of beta- and photovoltaic p-n junction conversion devices. To meet this objective, a comprehensive computer code has been developed that can handle a broad range of practical conditions. The physical model upon which the code is based is described first. Then, an example is given of a set of optimization calculations along with the resulting optimized efficiencies for silicon (Si) and gallium-arsenide (GaAs) devices. The model we have developed, however, is not limited to these materials. It can handle any appropriate material--single or polycrystalline-- provided energy absorption and electron-transport data are available. To check code validity, the performance of experimental silicon p-n junction devices (produced in-house) were measured under various light intensities and spectra as well as under tritium beta irradiation. The results of these tests were then compared with predicted results based on the known or best estimated device parameters. The comparison showed very good agreement between the calculated and the measured results.

The ways that reliable high temperature drilling motors could reduce geothermal drilling are reviewed. These are: faster drilling, increased bit footage, improved drilling of fractured rock, improved directional drilling, reduced hole deviation, reduced blowouts, reduced casing wear, reduced keyseating, reduced twist-offs, improved milling operations, improved sidetracking, improved slim hole drilling, reduced mud problems, reduced lost circulation, reduced drillstring corrosion, reduced drillstring vibrations, improved data telemetry, and reduced drillstring failures. (MHR)

Separate abstracts were prepared for each of the included sections. (MOW)

This paper presents a procedure for the protection engineer to follow in assessing a system with respect to its susceptibility to an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), and in determining whether the system requires protection. If the system is determined to be vulnerable to EMP, the procedure also indicates how to decide upon the most suitable protection scheme. The discussion centers on two flow charts, which illustrate the step-by-step procedure which utilizes the necessary ingredients of EMP protection engineering discussed in a previous paper. The description of the protection procedure is divided into two parts: the first dealing with issues on the macroscopic or large-scale system level, while the second is concerned with operations on the subsystem level or lower.

In August 1975, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory began to quantitatively fit all employees who are or may be required to wear any type of full-face respirator. After one year, 306 employees have been fitted. A total of 1362 tests were made, using seven makes of full-face respirators. Of the 306 employees fitted, 284 were tested using more than one make of full-face mask. All employees fitted could get a maximum use limit (MUL) of at least 100, 8 percent has a MUL of 100 to 499 on at least one of the makes of masks tested, 11 percent had an MUL of 500 to 999, 13 percent had an MUL of 1000 to 1999, 24 percent had an MUL of 2000 to 4999, and 44 percent had an MUL greater than 5000. These numbers were derived using the average of the peak leakages occurring during each of six exercises performed while wearing each mask. If the overall average leakage occurring during the six exercises rather than the peak average is used in the calculations, 90 percent of the employees could obtain an MUL over 1000 on at least one make of mask.

The objective of this program is to evaluate, in the light of the latest available information and modern technology, the prospect for low cost solar silicon production by two processes which have yielded semiconductor-grade silicon commercially in the past, but whose development was curtailed by unfavorable market conditions in the early semiconductor industry. These processes are (1) zinc reduction of silicon tetrachloride and (2) thermal dissociation (or hydrogen reduction) of silicon tetraiodide. This report includes analyses of available thermodynamic data on both processes and predictions of equilibrium product yields over accessible ranges of process conditions. A parallel program of experimental work has been carried out to test the thermodynamic predictions and to evaluate process operability at several critical points. Preliminary results indicate that acceptable process yields and product structure can be obtained by zinc reduction of silicon tetrachloride in a fluidized-bed of seed particles when the zinc is fed to the bed as a vapor. Preliminary experimental results on the iodination of silicon dioxide/carbon mixtures confirm the thermodynamic predictions that temperatures in excess of 1400 C will produce potentially acceptable yields of silicon tetraiodide. (auth)

Plant construction costs and manufacturing costs have been estimated for the production of solar-grade silicon by the reduction of silicon tetrachloride in a fluidized bed of seed particles, and several modifications of the iodide process using either thermal decomposition on heated filaments (rods) or hydrogen reduction in a fluidized bed of seed particles. The objective was to evaluate the economics of the zinc reduction process and to determine whether any of the potential economies in the modifications of the iodide process would make it competitive in spite of the high relative cost of recycled iodine in the process intermediate. The estimated cost of the zinc reduction process, $9.12 kg/sup -1/ silicon is within the target of $10.00 kg/sup -1/; however, none of the modifications of the iodide processes yielded costs below $20 kg/sup -1/ Si. Although optimization of one of the iodide process modifications should bring the cost to below $20 kg/sup -1/ Si, it would not be possible to reduce the cost to below that of the zinc reduction product. Energy consumption data for the zinc reduction process and each of the iodide process options are given and all appear to be acceptable from the standpoint of energy pay …

A cation exchange column in americium recovery service exploded on August 30, 1976 at the Hanford plutonium-finishing plant operated by Atlantic Richfield Hanford Company for the Energy Research and Development Administration at Richland, Washington. The column burst, shattering the glovebox windows. Detectable but small amounts of americium were released from the building in which the explosion occurred. Decontamination efforts and physical repairs to equipment and facilities are estimated to cost less than $500,000. The probable cause of the explosion of the cation exchange column is an exothermic reaction between 7 molar nitric acid and radiation-produced degradation products from the resin (Dowex 50W-X8). The postulated chemical reaction caused pressure to build within the column until the strength of the six-inch diameter, schedule-ten, stainless-steel pipe was exceeded and the column exploded. Radiation from the more than 100 grams of americium on the cation resin for over five months caused the resin degradation. This report covers only the explosion of the cation exchange column and closely related major events and actions. 30 refs., 6 figs.

During this second quarter, meetings were held with contractors on the ERDA Fuel Gas from Animal Waste Program to discuss project planning and review. Site visits were made to groups involved in anaerobic digestion. An engineering and economic analysis of a process for the anaerobic digestion of animal residue was completed; the results can be used for the design of a pilot plant unit. A comprehensive engineering report of this analysis was completed, and a first draft was submitted to ERDA. Several proposals were received from ERDA and reviewed.

The Viking Generator S/N 106 was vibrated to the Teledyne Isotope Flight Acceptance Schedule (Random Only) with no deviation from normal generator functional output. Radiographic analysis and power tests before and after the vibration test indicated no change in the condition of the generator. The work was conducted in the Alpha Fuels Environmental Test Facility at Mound Laboratory.

A one-year technology-transfer project involving ERDA installations and Hawaii consisted of sending teams from the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory on week-long field trips every two months to test the effectiveness of different methods of transferring technology information from federal sources to civilian clients. The team was questioned primarily on non-energy matters, and the energy questions asked related mostly to individuals or small industries. The team responed to all questions and found that a wide range of knowledge was more effective than having a sequence of experts. Hawaiians considered current major ERDA projects to be irrelevant to their needs. The team was most successful on a one-to-one basis because large groups and state agencies tend to be more policy- than action-oriented. Personal followup was considered essential. The team also learned that their visits generated ten times as many inquiries as were received unsolicited by the laboratory. Most inquiries involved biomass and use of agricultural wastes, solar energy, and transportation. An important contribution of the team's workshops was linking groups to work together on common problems. An appendix lists the subjects of queries and the names and addresses of consortium participants and Hawaiian contacts. (DCK)

A high-purity germanium (HPGe) array, photon-counting system has been developed for the Rocky Flats Plant Body-Counter Medical Facility. The newly improved system provides exceptional resolutions of low-energy X-ray and gamma-ray spectra associated with the in vivo deposition of plutonium and americium. Described are the operational parameters of the system and some qualitative results illustrating detector performance for the photon emissions produced from the decay of plutonium and americium between energy ranges from 10 to 100 kiloelectron volts. Since large amounts of data are easily generated with the system, data storage, analysis, and computer software developments continue to be an essential ingredient for processing spectral data obtained from the detectors. Absence of quantitative data is intentional. The primary concern of the study was to evaluate the effects of the various physical and electronic operational parameters before adding those related entirely to a human subject.

The objective of the High Temperature Electronics Program is the assembly and/or development of the technologies necessary for the fabrication of measurement and communications electronics operative in a 500/sup 0/C ambient. It is anticipated that the technology will be developed to the level required to demonstrate medium scale integrated circuits. Basic electronic properties, structures, and fabrication technology for gallium phosphide and silicon carbide devices are presented. (TFD)

Phenomena found at very high energies in cosmic-ray studies are reviewed. (JFP)

Low and intermediate level liquid wastes from chemical separations processing of spent reactor fuel elements have been discharged to the ground in the 200-Areas since 1944. Large volumes of process cooling water, normally free of radioactive contaminants, are discharged to surface ditches or natural surface depressions (ponds). Lesser volumes of liquid waste such as steam condensates, process condensates, scavenged process waste supernatants, and plutonium processing wastes have been, or are being discharged to subsurface disposal sites (cribs). Only input volumes and radioactivity discharged to each disposal site have been reported periodically.

The construction of the first high-pressure liquid-phase flow microreactor has been completed, and kinetic studies of reaction of dibenzothiophene have been started. Understanding of catalytic hydrodesulfurization and catalyst decay has been advanced by examination of the reaction rate of thiophene, tetrahydrothiophene, and butanethiol on Harshaw 0402T catalyst. Two batch autoclave reactors have been completely assembled behind appropriate safety barricades; satisfactory operation has been demonstrated; and quinoline hydrodenitrogenation studies are underway to demonstrate operating procedures providing quantitative, reproducible data. Quinoline rapidly hydrogenates to tetrahydroquinoline; the two compounds appear to be in thermodynamic equilibrium. The tetrahydroquinoline apparently undergoes slow hydrogenolysis of the nitrogen-containing ring giving n-propylaniline as an identified long-lived product. The reaction engineering of the pulsed microreactor system has been developed and compared to some laboratory data. The moments of the inlet and exit pulses show substantial effects from product adsorption.

Activities and progress of the LSSA Project during April, May, and June 1976 are described. This involved the awarding of additional contracts, an evaluation and clarification of plans and working relationships with contractors, the receipt of initial technical results, and an expansion of activity in the evaluation and improvement of the solar cell modules that are included in the Project's first procurement (46 kilowatts). For the most part, the new manufacturing technology is being developed under contract by industries and universities. It includes the consideration of new silicon-refinement processes, silicon sheet-growth techniques, encapsulants, and automated-assembly production. During this report period analytical and experimental accomplishments resulted from day-to-day activities that are the early efforts of a long range plan. Thirty-one contracts have been awarded and two more are being negotiated. Five companies have delivered 20 kilowatts out of a total purchase of 46 kilowatts of ''off-the-shelf'' modules that will be used in ERDA's test and demonstration activities. The same five companies have just been awarded contracts for the purchase of 130 kilowatts of semistandardized modules at an average selling price of $15.50 per watt. (WDM)

A procedure, called the threshold cross section method was applied to our experimental data involving four uranium (/sup 233/U /sup 234/U, /sup 236/U, and /sup 238/U) and five plutonium (/sup 239/Pu, /sup 240/Pu, /sup 241/Pu, /sup 242/Pu, and /sup 244/Pu) isotopes to determine ratios of fission cross sections relative to /sup 235/U. The data were gathered using ionization fission chambers and the time-of-flight technique at the LLL 100-MeV electron linear accelerator: measurements span the neutron energy range of 0.001 to 30 MeV. Experimental uncertainties common to past measurements were either eliminated or significantly reduced in this study by use of the threshold method, thereby making higher accuracies possible. The cross section ratios are absolute in the sense that they do not depend on the work of others. Results from our ratios involving /sup 233/U, /sup 235/U, /sup 238/U, and /sup 239/Pu are used to illustrate this method.