The overall objective of the proposed research program is to explore the potential application of a new invention involving a multistage column equipped with vortex-inducing loop-flow contactors (hereafter referred to as the multistage column) for fine coal cleaning process. The research work will identify the design parameters and their effects on the performance of the separation process. The results of this study will provide an engineering basis for further development of this technology in coal cleaning and in the general areas of fluid/particle separation. In the first year of the project, we completed equipment design, construction of the new column for hydrodynamic tests and gas holdup measurements. Also, we have initiated the determination of bubble size as part of the hydrodynamic measurements.

We discuss the upper limit to the baryonic contribution to the closure density. We consider effects of new observational and theoretical uncertainties in the primordial light element abundances, and the effects of fluctuation geometry on the inhomogeneous nucleosynthesis yields. We also consider implications of the possible detection of a high D/H abundance in a Lyman-{alpha} absorption cloud at high redshift and the implied chemical evolution effects of a high deuterium abundance. We show that there exists a region of the parameter space for inhomogeneous models in which a somewhat higher baryonic contribution to the closure density is possible than that allowed in standard homogeneous models. This result is contrary to some other recent studies and is due to both geometry and recently revised uncertainties in primordial light-element abundances, particularly {sup 7}Li. We find that the presently adopted abundance constraints are consistent with a contribution of baryons to the closure density as high as {Omega}{sub b}h{sub 50}{sup 2} {le} 0.11 ({eta} {le} 7 {times} 10{sup {minus}10}). This corresponds to a 20% increase over the limit from standard homogeneous models ({Omega}{sub b}h{sub 50}{sup 2} {le} 0.08, {eta} {le} 5.8 {times} 10{sup {minus}10}). With a high deuterium abundance the upper limits for the …

Liquid crystal spatial light modulator technology appropriate for high-resolution wavefront control has recently become commercially available. Some of these devices have several hundred thousand controllable degrees of freedom, more than two orders of magnitude greater than the largest conventional deformable mirror. We will present results of experiments to characterize the optical properties of these devices and to utilize them to correct aberrations in an optical system. We will also present application scenarios for these devices in high-power laser systems.

Results of experiments with the laser guide star adaptive optics system on the 3-meter Shane telescope at Lick Observatory have demonstrated a factor of 4 performance improvement over previous results. Stellar images recorded at a wavelength of 2 {micro}m were corrected to over 40% of the theoretical diffraction-limited peak intensity. For the previous two years, this sodium-layer laser guide star system has corrected stellar images at this wavelength to {approx}10% of the theoretical peak intensity limit. After a campaign to improve the beam quality of the laser system, and to improve calibration accuracy and stability of the adaptive optics system using new techniques for phase retrieval and phase-shifting diffraction interferometry, the system performance has been substantially increased. The next step will be to use the Lick system for astronomical science observations, and to demonstrate this level of performance with the new system being installed on the 10-meter Keck II telescope.

We study Compton scattering, {gamma}e {yields} {gamma}e, in the context of the recent proposal for Weak Scale Quantum Gravity (WSQG) with large extra dimensions. It is shown that, with an ultraviolet cutoff M{sub S} {approx} 1 TeV for the effective gravity theory, the cross section for this process at the Next Linear Collider (NLC) deviates from the prediction of the Standard Model significantly. Our results suggest that, for typical proposed NLC energies and luminosities, WSQG can be tested in the range 4 TeV {approx}< M{sub S} {approx}< 16 TeV, making {gamma}e {yields} {gamma}e an important test channel.

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Creating meshes containing good-quality elements is a challenging, yet critical, problem facing computational scientists today. Several researchers have shown that the size of the mesh, the shape of the elements within that mesh, and their relationship to the physical application of interest can profoundly affect the efficiency and accuracy of many numerical approximation techniques. If the application contains anisotropic physics, the mesh can be improved by considering both local characteristics of the approximate application solution and the geometry of the computational domain. If the application is isotropic, regularly shaped elements in the mesh reduce the discretization error, and the mesh can be improved a priori by considering geometric criteria only. The Opt-MS package provides several local node point smoothing techniques that improve elements in the mesh by adjusting grid point location using geometric, criteria. The package is easy to use; only three subroutine calls are required for the user to begin using the software. The package is also flexible; the user may change the technique, function, or dimension of the problem at any time during the mesh smoothing process. Opt-MS is designed to interface with C and C++ codes, ad examples for both two-and three-dimensional meshes are provided.

Electronic sputtering in the interaction of slow (v<v{sub Bohr}), highly charged ions (SHCI) with solid surfaces have been subject of controversial discussions for almost 20 years. We review results from recent studies of total sputtering yields and discuss distinct microscopic mechanisms (such as defect mediated desorption, Coulomb explosions and effects of intense electronic excitation) in the response of insulators and semiconductors to the impact of SHCI. We then describe an application of ions like Xe{sup 44+} and Au{sup 69+} as projectiles in time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry for surface characterization of semiconductors.

In October 1996, the Department of Energy (DOE) and MINATOM agreed to use portable non-destructive assay (NDA) equipment to measure the {sup 235}U enrichment of material subject to the HEU Transparency agreement. A system based on the ''enrichment meter'' method and high-purity germanium (HPGe) detectors had been previously developed for this application. Instead, sodium iodide (NaI) detectors were chosen to measure {sup 235}U enrichment because HPGe systems might reveal sensitive information. Although the accuracy of the NaI systems is less than an HPGe system, it still satisfies the transparency requirements. The equipment consists of a collimated NaI detector, a Canberra Inspector Multi-channel Analyzer, and a laptop computer. The units have been used to confirm the enrichment of material at Russian facilities since January 1997. This paper compares the performance of the NaI systems with the HPGe system and discusses some significant differences.

High energy polarized beam collisions will open up the unique physics opportunities of studying spin effects in hard processes. However, the acceleration of polarized beams in circular accelerators is complicated by the numerous depolarizing spin resonances. Using a partial Siberian Snake and a rf dipole that ensure stable adiabatic spin motion during acceleration has made it possible to accelerate polarized protons to 25 GeV at the Brookhaven AGS. Full Siberian Snakes and polarimeters are being developed for RHIC to make the acceleration of polarized protons to 250 GeV possible.

This multidisciplinary study is designed to provide improvements in advanced reservoir characterization techniques. This goal is to be accomplished through: An examination of the spatial variation and anisotropy of relative permeability in the Tensleep Sandstone reservoirs of Wyoming; the placement of that variation and anisotropy into paleogeographic, depositional, and diagenetic frameworks; the development of pore-system imagery techniques for the calculation of relative permeability; and reservoir simulations testing the impact of relative permeability anisotropy and spatial variation on Tensleep Sandstone reservoir enhanced oil recover. Concurrent efforts are aimed at understanding the spatial and dynamic alteration in sandstone reservoirs that is caused by rock-fluid interaction during CO{sub 2}-enhanced oil recovery processes. This work focuses on quantifying the relationship of fluid-rock interaction with lithologic characterization (in terms of changes in relative permeability, wettability, and pore structure) and with fluid characterization (in terms of changes in chemical composition and fluid properties.) This work will establish new criteria for the susceptibility of Tensleep Sandstone reservoirs to production-induced formation alteration that results in change in relative permeability and in wellbore scale damage.

The wind industry has annually reported 28-43 turbine blade strike casualties of golden eagles in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area, and many more carcasses have doubtless gone unnoticed. Because this species is especially sensitive to adult survival rate changes, we focused upon estimating the demographic trend of the population. In aerial surveys, we monitored survival within a sample of 179 radio-tagged eagles over a four-year period. We also obtained data on territory occupancy and reproduction of about 65 eagle pairs residing in the area. Of 61 recorded deaths of radio-tagged eagles during the four-year investigation, 23 (38%) were caused by wind turbine blade strikes. Additional fatalities were unrecorded because blade strikes sometimes destroy radio transmitters. Annual survival was estimated at 0.7867 (SE=0.0263) for non-territorial eagles and 0.8964 (SE=0.0371) for territorial ones. Annual reproduction was 0.64 (SE=0.08) young per territorial pair (0.25 per female). These parameters were used to estimate population growth rates under different modeling frameworks. At present, there are indications that a reserve of non-breeding adults still exists, i.e., there is an annual territorial reoccupancy rate of 100% and a low incidence (3%) of subadults as members of breeding pairs.

It is pointed out that creation of a critical assembly by implantation of Pu239 inside an asteroid or comet could produce a substantial force on the asteroid or comet due to either explosive ejection or asymmetric sublimation of material off the surface of the asteroid or comet. This would allow one to make substantial changes in an asteroid`s or comet`s orbital elements using existing launch vehicles and spacecraft technology. It is particularly intriguing that recurrent sublimation induced by plutonium implantation could over a few months time deflect even kilometer-sized earth intersecting objects enough to avoid the earth. For the more distant future, nuclear-powered pulse jets might be a cost-effective way of altering the trajectories of asteroids and comets.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has undertaken a complete review and update of the process design and economic model for the biomass-to-ethanol enzymatic based process. The process design includes the core technologies being researched by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): prehydrolysis, simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation, and cellulase enzyme production. In addition, all ancillary areas--feed handling, product recovery and purification, wastewater treatment lignin burner and boiler--turbogenerator, and utilities--are included. NREL engaged Delta-T Corporation to assist in the process design evaluation, equipment costing, and overall plant integration. The process design and costing for the lignin burner and boiler turbogenerator has been reviewed by Reaction Engineering Inc. and the wastewater treatment by Merrick and Company. An overview of both reviews is included here. The purpose of this update was to ensure that the process design and equipment costs were reasonable and consistent with good engineering practice for plants of this type using available technical data. This work has resulted in an economic model that can be used to predict the cost of producing ethanol from cellulosic biomass using this technology if a plant were to be built in the next few years. The model was also extended using technology improvements that …

We present a new preliminary measurement of the parity-violation parameter A{sub b} using a self-calibrating vertex-charge technique. In the SLD experiment we observe hadronic decays of Z{sup 0} bosons produced in collisions between longitudinally polarized electrons and unpolarized positrons at the SLAC Linear Collider. A sample of b{bar b} events is selected using the topologically reconstructed mass of B hadrons. From our 1996-1998 data sample of approximately 400,000 hadronic Z{sup 0} decays, we obtain A{sub b} = 0.897 {+-} 0.027(stat){sub -0.034}{sup +0.036}(syst).

Recent and proposed improvements in spatial resolution, temporal resolution, contrast, and detection efficiency for x-ray framing cameras are discussed in light of present and future laser-plasma diagnostic needs. In particular, improvements in image contrast above hard x-ray background levels is demonstrated by using high aspect ratio tapered pinholes.

The concept of the surface impedance is applicable to the case, when obstacles on the surface of a vacuum chamber are small compared to characteristic dimensions of the problem. We apply this concept to the calculation of a synchronous mode that can propagate in a tube with slightly corrugated walls. We also show that such a mode can propagate in a pipe with a rough surface, or a perforated pipe with a large number of holes.

This report describes the research performed during Phase I of this three-phase, three-year program. The research program is intended to expand, enhance, and accelerate knowledge and capabilities for developing high-performance, two-terminal multijunction amorphous silicon (a-Si) alloy cells and modules with low manufacturing cost and high reliability. To improve efficiency, United Solar uses a spectral-splitting, triple-junction cell structure. In this configuration, the top cell uses an amorphous silicon alloy of {approx}1.8 eV bandgap to absorb the blue photons. The middle cell uses an amorphous silicon germanium alloy ({approx}20% germanium) of {approx}1.6 eV bandgap to capture the green photons. The bottom cell has {approx}40% germanium to reduce the bandgap to {approx}1.4 eV to capture the red photons. The cells are deposited on stainless steel with a predeposited silver/zinc oxide back reflector to facilitate light trapping. A thin layer of antireflection coating is applied to the top of the cell to reduce reflection loss. During this year, research activities were carried out in the following four areas: (1) fundamental studies to improve our understanding of materials and devices, (2) small-area cell research to obtain the highest cell efficiency, (3) deposition of small-area cells using a modified very high frequency (MVHF) technique to obtain …

The modalities of speech and gesture have different strengths and weaknesses, but combined they create synergy where each modality corrects the weaknesses of the other. We believe that a multimodal system such a one interwining speech and gesture must start from a different foundation than ones which are based solely on pen input. In order to provide a basis for the design of a speech and gesture system, we have examined the research in other disciplines such as anthropology and linguistics. The result of this investigation was a taxonomy that gave us material for the incorporation of gestures whose meanings are largely transparent to the users. This study describes the taxonomy and gives examples of applications to pen input systems.

Electrical resistance tomography (ERT) using multiple electrodes installed in boreholes has been shown to be useful for both site characterization and process monitoring. In some cases, however, installing multiple downhole electrodes is too costly (e.g., deep targets) or risky (e.g., contaminated sites). For these cases we have examined the possibility of using the steel casings of existing boreholes as electrodes. Several possibilities can be considered. The first case we investigated uses an array of steel casings as electrodes. This results in very few data and thus requires additional constraints to limit the domain of possible inverse solutions. Simulations indicate that the spatial resolution and sensitivity are understandably low but it is possible to coarsely map the lateral extent of subsurface processes such as steam floods. The second case uses an array of traditional point borehole electrodes combined with long-conductor electrodes (steel casings). Although this arrangement provides more data, in many cases it results in poor reconstructions of test targets. Results indicate that this method may hold promise for low resolution imaging where steel casings can be used as electrodes but the merits depend strongly on details of each application. Field tests using these configurations are currently being conducted.

In a new experiment at the Final Focus Test Beam at SLAC a low- emittance 46.6 GeV electron beam is brought into collision with terawatt pulses from a 1.06 {mu} wavelength Nd:glass laser. Peak laser intensities of 10{sup 18} W/cm{sup 2} have been achieved corresponding to a value of 0.6 for the parameter {eta} = {ital eE/mw{sub 0}c}, and to a value of 0.3 for the parameter {Upsilon} = {ital E{sup *}/E{sub crit}} = 2{gamma}{ital ehE}/{ital m}{sup 2}{ital c}{sup 3} in the case of frequency doubled laser pulses. In these circumstances an electron that crosses the center of the laser pulse has near unit interaction probability. Signals are presented for multiphoton Compton scattering in which up to 4 laser photons interact with an electron. High energy backscattered photons of GeV energy can interact within the laser focus to create electron- positron pairs; an excess of 15 positrons above a background of 14 was observed in a run of 6,000 laser shots.

A general method of designing an apochromatic lens by using a triplet of special glasses, in which the buried surfaces concept is used, can be outlined. First, one initially chooses a starting point which is already achromatic. Second, a thick plate or shell is added to the design, where the plate or shell has an index of refraction 1.62, which is similar to the special glass triplet average index of refraction (for example: PSK53A, KZFS1 and TIF6). Third, the lens is then reoptimized to an achromatic design. Fourth, the single element is replace by the special glass triplet. Fifth, only the internal surfaces of the triplet are varied to correct all three wavelengths. Although this step will produce little improvement, it does serve to stabilize further optimization. Sixth and finally, all potential variables are used to fully optimize the apochromatic lens. Microscope objectives, for example, could be designed using this technique. The important concept to apply is the use of multiple buried surfaces in which each interface involves a special glass, after an achromatic design has been achieved. This extension relieves the restriction that all special glasses have a common index of refraction and allows a wider variety of special …

Spatial-filter pinholes and knife-edge samples were irradiated in vacuum by 1053-nm, 5-20 ns pulses at intensities to 500 GW/cm<sup2</sup>. The knife-edge samples were fabricated of plastic, carbon, ahnuinum, stainless steel, molybdenum, tantalum, gold and an absorbing glass. Time-resolved two-beam interferometry with a 40-ns probe pulse was used to observe phase shifts in the expanding laser-induced plasma. For all of these materials, at any time during square-pulse irradiation, the phase shift fell exponentially with distance from the edge of the sample. The expansion was characterized by the propagation velocity V_2x of the contour for a 2(pi) phase shift. To within experimental error, V_2x, was constant during irradiation at a particular intensity, and it increased linearly with intensity for intensities <300 GW/cn². For metal samples, V, exhibited an approximate M^-0.5 dependence where M is the atomic mass. Plasmas of plastic, carbon and absorbing glass produced larger phase shifts, and expanded more rapidly, than plasmas of the heavy metals. The probe beam and interferometer were also used to observe the closing of pinholes. With planar pinholes, accumulation of on-axis plasma was observed along with the advance of plasma away from the edge of the hole. On-axis closure was not observed in square, 4-leaf …

This supporting document has been prepared to make the construction specifications for Project W-320 readily available. Project W-320, Waste Retrieval Sluicing System (WRSS), specification is for procurement, fabrication and installation of equipment at the C Tank Farm, including Operator Station and some equipment just outside the C Tank Farm fence, necessary to support the sluicing operation. Work consists of furnishing labor, equipment, and materials to provide the means to procure materials and equipment, fabricate items, excavate and place concrete, and install equipment, piping, wiring, and structures in accordance with the Contract Documents. Major work elements include: Excavation for process and fire protection piping, electrical conduit trenches, and foundations for small structures; Placement of concrete cover blocks, foundations, and equipment pads; Procurement and installation of double walled piping, electrical conduit, fire and raw water piping, chilled water piping, and electrical cable; Procurement and installation of above-ground ventilation system piping between the (HVAC) Process building and Tank C-106; Core drill existing concrete; Furnish and installation of electrical distribution equipment; Installation of the concrete foundation, and assembly installation of the two Seismic Shutdown Systems with Environmental Enclosures; Fabrication and installation of in-pit pipe jumpers, including related valves, instruments and wiring; and Installation of …