The goal of this work is to examine viable near-term infrastructure options for a transition to hydrogen fueled vehicles and to suggest profitable directions for technology development. The authors have focused in particular on the contrasting options of decentralized production using the existing energy distribution network, and centralized production of hydrogen with a large-scale infrastructure. Delivered costs have been estimated using best available industry cost and deliberately conservative economic assumptions. The sensitivities of these costs have then been examined for three small-scale scenarios: (1) electrolysis at the home for one car, and production at the small station scale (300 cars/day), (2) conventional alkaline electrolysis and (3) steam reforming of natural gas. All scenarios assume fueling a 300 mile range vehicle with 3.75 kg. They conclude that a transition appears plausible, using existing energy distribution systems, with home electrolysis providing fuel costing 7.5 to 10.5{cents}/mile, station electrolysis 4.7 to 7.1{cents}/mile, and steam reforming 3.7 to 4.7{cents}/mile. The average car today costs about 6{cents}/mile to fuel. Furthermore, analysis of liquid hydrogen delivered locally by truck from central processing plants can also be competitive at costs as low as 4{cents}/mile. These delivered costs are equal to $30 to $70 per GJ, LHV. Preliminary …

The authors describe the role for the next-generation ``superlasers`` in the study of matter under extremely high energy density conditions, in comparison to previous uses of nuclear explosives for this purpose. As examples, the authors focus on three important areas of physics that have unresolved issues which must be addressed by experiment: equations of state, turbulent hydrodynamics, and the transport of radiation. They describe the advantages the large lasers will have in a comprehensive experimental program.

The collision of laser-produced plasmas has been diagnosed by x-ray spectroscopy and imaging. The two colliding plasmas are produced on Al thin foils at a distance of 200 to 900 {mu}m irradiated at {lambda} = 0.53 {mu}m with laser intensities of 3 {times} 10{sup 13} to 6 {times} 10{sup 13} W/cm{sup 2}. Interpenetration of the plasmas was visualized by replacing one of the foils material by magnesium. The main diagnostics viewing the inter-target space were time-resolved monochromatic imaging of the 1s{sup 2} 1s3p aluminum line (He{Beta} at {lambda} {minus} 6.635 {Angstrom}). Doppler broadening measurement with a vertical Johann very high resolution spectrograph in the range 6.5--6.7{Angstrom}, space-resolved high resolution spectra of the dielectronic satellites of the 1s-2p 1 yman, space-resolved spectra with a flat-crystal spectrograph in the range 5--7 {Angstrom} and in the range of 43--48 {Angstrom} obtained with a new OHM crystal spectrograph and a pinhole camera. A multifluid eulerian monodimensional hydrodynamic code coupled with a radiative-atomic package provided simulations of the experiments. Hydrodynamic 2D simulations calculating the lateral expansion of the plasma enabled a reliable treatment of reabsorption along the line of sight of the spectrographs. The size the time duration of the collision, the plasma parameters (Te,Ti …

Scientific publications and media reports continually remind us about the environmental hazards that surround us. We are appraised of the environmental legacies left by chemical industries, the defense complex, and even our local dry cleaning establishments. Governmental regulations have dictated that industry provide detailed listings of their input materials, wastes, and emissions to the public and perform risk assessments to demonstrate compliance with standards. These regulations were designed to make industry more accountable and to give the public information that would allow them to understand risks and either work for change or accept their living conditions. This process would appear to be rational, fair, and acceptable to both industry and the public. However, our inability to reach agreement on questions such as ``How Clean is Clean?`` or ``Is It Safe?`` after more than ten years of scientific and public discussions, coupled with the frequency of environmental demonstrations throughout the world, serves as evidence that ``acceptable risk`` has not yet been defined.

The cost of a fabrication line such as one in a semiconductor house has increased dramatically over the years and it is possibly already past the point that some new start-up company can have sufficient capital to build a new fabrication line. Such capital-intensive manufacturing needs better utilization of resources and management of equipment to maximize its productivity. In order to maximize the return from such a capital-intensive manufacturing line, we need to address the following: (1) increasing the yield, (2) enhancing the flexibility of the fabrication line, (3) improving quality, and finally (4) minimizing the down time of the processing equipment. Because of the significant advances now made in the fields of artificial neural networks, fuzzy logic, machine learning and genetic algorithms, we advocate the use of these new tools to in manufacturing. We term the applications of these and other tools that mimic human intelligence to manufacturing neural manufacturing. This paper will address the effort at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to use artificial neural networks to address certain semiconductor process modeling, monitoring and control questions.

The Iterative Optimizing Quantization Technique (IOQT) is a novel method in reconstructing three-dimensional images from a limited number of two-dimensional projections. IOQT reduces the artifacts and image distortion due to a limited number of projections and limited range of viewing angles. IOQT, which reduces the number of projections required for reconstruction, can simplify the complexity of an experimental set-up and support the development of techniques to nondestructively image microstructures of materials without the problems of chemical changes or damage. In this paper, we will demonstrate the capability of IOQT in reconstruction of an image from four projections. The advantage of IOQT in using a limited number of arbitrary-angled projections and the possibility of modification of IOQT are also mentioned.

In the defense community, certain uranium-alloy components have been manufactured by methods which generate large quantities of uranium bearing waste. Our estimates show that these components can be fabricated by vapor deposition and reduce waste generation by more than an order of magnitude. We present results from a series of uranium-alloy vapor deposition tests designed to produce samples of free-standing structures. Both flat plate and cylindrical shells were produced. The deposits were fully dense, defect free and displayed a high quality surface finish. The uranium-alloy was co-evaporated from a single source. Bulk chemistry specifications for the material were met, although some residual variation in chemistry was observed in sample cross sections. After heat treatment, the vapor deposited samples exhibited tensile properties similar to conventional ingot processed material.

US transportation regulations require that a Type B package certified for the transport of fissile material be capable of withstanding a series of tests that demonstrate package integrity under hypothetical accident conditions (HAC). These tests, which are similar to those specified in IAEA regulations, include a sequence consisting of (1) a 9-m (30-ft.) free drop onto an unyielding surface, (2) a 1-m (40-in.) free drop onto a mild steel puncture bar, (3) an exposure to a 30-minute fire of at least 800{degrees}C, and (4) an 8-hour immersion in 0.9 m (3 ft.) of water. This paper presents a possible alternative to conducting an 8-hour immersion test. This alternative would be especially attractive in the case where the water immersion requirement arises after the initial test program, but may also support omission of the immersion test for other cases. In previous Safety Analysis Reports for package certification, applicants have sometimes justified ommission of the immersion test by merely asserting that a structurally sound package which passes the drop, puncture, and fire tests will not permit water in leakage. The method discussed in this paper presents an analytical justification for such a conclusion.

The exothermic, solid state reaction of Al and Zr has been studied in thick Al/Zr multilayers using Differential Scanning Calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. The multilayer samples were magnetron sputter deposited into highly textured alternate layers of Al and Zr with nominal composition Al{sub 3}Zr. The samples used in this study were 47{mu}m thick with a 427{Angstrom} period. When samples were isochronally scanned from 25 to 725C, a large exotherm at {approximately}350C was followed by one or two smaller exotherms at {approximately}650C. The first exotherm is dominated by a diffusion based reaction of Al and Zr that produces two phases in isochronal scans: amorphous Al-Zr and cubic Al{sub 3}Zr, and two additional phases in isothermal anneals: Al{sub 2}Zr and tetragonal Al{sub 3}Zr. The exothermic heat from this multi-phase reaction is measured using isochronal scans and isothermal anneals, and the heat flow is analyzed using a 1-D diffusion based model. An average activation energy and a diffusion constant are determined. In the isothermal scans, the total exothermic heat increases linearly with {radical}time, and layer thicknesses vary linearly with heat.

LLNL is collaborating with the Center for Optics Manufacturing (COM) and the American Precision Optics Manufacturers Association (APOMA) to optimize bound diamond ring tools for the spherical generation of high quality optical surfaces. An important element of this work is establishing an experimentally-verified link between tooling properties and workpiece quality indicators such as roughness, subsurface damage and removal rate. In this paper, we report on a standardized methodology for assessing ring tool performance and its preliminary application to a set of commercially-available wheels. Our goals are to (1) assist optics manufacturers (users of the ring tools) in evaluating tools and in assessing their applicability for a given operation, and (2) provide performance feedback to wheel manufacturers to help optimize tooling for the optics industry. Our paper includes measurements of wheel performance for three 2-4 micron diamond bronze-bond wheels that were supplied by different manufacturers to nominally- identical specifications. Preliminary data suggests that the difference in performance levels among the wheels were small.

Site specific predictions of the dynamic response of structures to extreme earthquake ground motions are a critical component of seismic design for important structures. With the rapid development of computationally based methodologies and powerful computers over the past few years, engineers and scientists now have the capability to perform numerical simulations of many of the physical processes associated with the generation of earthquake ground motions and dynamic structural response. This paper describes application of a physics based, deterministic, computational approach for estimation of earthquake ground motions which relies on site measurements of frequently occurring small (i.e. M < 3 ) earthquakes. Case studies are presented which illustrate application of this methodology for two different sites, and nonlinear analyses of a typical six story steel frame office building are performed to illustrate the potential sensitivity of nonlinear response to site conditions and proximity to the causative fault.

For application to industrial heating of large pools by immersed heat exchangers, the socalled maximum allowable (or {open_quotes}critical{close_quotes}) heat flux is studied for unconfined tube bundles aligned horizontally in a pool without forced flow. In general, we are considering boiling after the pool reaches its saturation temperature rather than sub-cooled pool boiling which should occur during early stages of transient operation. A combination of literature review and simple approximate analysis has been used. To date our main conclusion is that estimates of q inch chf are highly uncertain for this configuration.

The ability to forecast the transport and diffusion of airborne contaminants over long distances is vital when responding to nuclear emergencies. Atmospheric models used in such emergency response applications must be able to include the effects of the evolving synoptic weather systems in a timely manner. The European Tracer EXperiment (ETEX), conducted in October and November 1994, is designed to evaluate the performance of such models. In addition to the tracer experiments, concurrent real-time modeling exercises were conducted by some 24 organizations world-wide, including the Savannah River Technology Center (SRTC) of the U.S. Department of Energy`s Savannah River Site. This paper describes the forecast results obtained by atmospheric modelers at SRTC in applying an advanced three-dimensional modeling system to forecast tracer transport and diffusion during ETEX. Forecast results from the first of two tracer experiments are presented in this preprint paper. Data for the tracer gas concentrations is not yet available; however, surface and sounding data are available from the time periods of the releases. This paper will focus on the evaluation of the forecasts in light of the surface wind data, and relate the forecast evaluations to the differences in the tracer gas dispersion predicted using these forecasts. Plume …

The ability to measure formation enthalpies of compounds at relatively low temperatures using thick multilayer foils and differential scanning calorimetry is demonstrated. Cu/Zr and Al/Zr multilayers were deposited onto Si and glass substrates using a planetary, magnetron source sputtering system. The as-deposited foils were removed from their substrates and heated from 50 to 725C in a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The Cu/Zr samples, which are all Cu-rich, showed three distinct, reproducible, and exothermic solid state reactions. The heats from the first two reactions were summed and analyzed to measure 14.3{plus_minus}0.3 kJ/mol for Cu{sub 51}Zr{sub 14}`s enthalpy of formation. This quantity agrees with the single value of {Delta}H{sub f} = 14.07{plus_minus}1.07kJ/mol reported for this compound. The composition of the Al/Zr multilayers ranged from 8 at% Zr to 64 at% Zr. These samples showed a variety of distinct, reproducible, and exothermic solid state reactions. The total heats from these reactions were summed and analyzed to measure enthalpies of formation for five different Al-Zr alloys. The results compare favorably with literature values of {Delta}H{sub f}. Advantages of measuring enthalpies of formation using thick multilayer foil samples and low temperature DSC calorimetry are discussed.