The author describes in this paper the atom-in-jellium calculations he has been doing over the last ten years. He tries to emphasize reasons for doing this sort of calculations and why he devised a model which is different in some respects from others.

To predict the leak rates of liquid helium and liquid nitrogen containers at operating conditions we need to know how small leaks (10/sup -8/ to 10/sup -5/ atm-cm/sup 3/ air/s), measured at standard conditions, behave when flooded with these cryogens. Two small leaks were measured at ambient conditions (approx.750 Torr and 295 K), at the normal boiling points of LN/sub 2/ and LHe, and at elevated pressures above the liquids. The ratios of the leak rates of the liquids at ambient pressure to the gases (G) at ambient pressure and room temperature were: GN/sub 2/(1), LN/sub 2/(18), GHe(1), and LHe(172). The leak rate ratio of LN/sub 2/ at elevated pressure was linear with pressure. The leak rate ratio of LHe at elevated pressure was also linear with pressure.

More rigorous nuclear analysis, including treatment of resonance self-shielding effects coupled with an optimization procedure, has resulted in improved performance of the Be/Li/Th blanket. Net U-233 breeding ratio has increased 36% (to 0.84) while at an average U-233/Th ratio of 0.5 a/o average energy multiplication has increased only 12% (to 2.1) compared with earlier results.

This paper discusses the potential for developing a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) drill bit for hard-rock applications such as geothermal drilling. It is concluded that in order to use the inherently efficient drag cutting process in such severe applications, measures must be taken to reduce cutter penetrating forces in order to prevent thermally-accelerated cutter wear and thereby improve bit life. A procedure is developed for determining the conditions under which waterjets can be effectively used for this purpose by directing them at the rock surface ahead of individual cutters. It is concluded that hard rocks with compressive strengths as high as 30 kpsi (200 MPa) may be drillable with a hybrid PDC/waterjet bit using pressures that conventional oil field pumping technology is capable of providing. Extremely hard rocks might be drilled with such a bit using nozzle pressures well below those required to effectively cut the rock with waterjets alone. 13 refs., 6 figs.

The marriage of Induction Linac technology with Nonlinear Magnetic Modulators has produced some unique capabilities. It appears possible to produce electron beams with average currents measured in amperes, at gradients exceeding 1 MeV/meter, and with power efficiencies approaching 50%. A 2 MeV, 5 kA electron accelerator has been constructed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to demonstrate these concepts and to provide a test facility for high brightness sources. The pulse drive for the accelerator is based on state-of-the-art magnetic pulse compressors with very high peak power capability, repetition rates exceeding a kilohertz and excellent reliability. 8 figs., 1 tab.