Semi-monthly newspaper from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma that includes local, state, and national news and advertising of interest to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community.

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Wind and Geothermal Technologies (DOE) is funding advanced geothermal research through University Geothermal Research solicitations. These solicitations are intended to generate research proposals in the areas of fracture permeability location and characterization, reservoir management and geochemistry. The work funded through these solicitations should stimulate the development of new geothermal electrical generating capacity through increasing scientific knowledge of high-temperature geothermal systems. In order to meet this objective researchers are encouraged to collaborate with the geothermal industry. These objectives and strategies are consistent with DOE Geothermal Energy Program strategic objectives.

The U.S. Department of Energy Idaho Operations Office (DOE-ID) provided guidance per DOE-ID Orders 420.C, "Safety Basis Review and Approval Process," and 420.D, "Requirements and Guidance for Safety Analysis," for conducting safety analysis for facilities and activities that do not meet either the nuclear facility criteria or the criteria for not requiring additional safety analysis (NRASA). These facilities and activities are thus designated as "other than nuclear" (OTN), and hazard analyses are performed using a graded approach. This graded approach is done in accordance with DOE-ID Order 420.D. DOE-ID guidance is used to format these OTN facilities and activities into 3-chapter documents, rather than the 17-chapter format specified in DOE-STD-3009-94, "Preparation Guide for U.S. Department of Energy Nonreactor Nuclear Facility Safety Analysis Reports."

The construction of hydroelectric facilities in the Columbia Basin resulted in the extirpation of anadromous fish stocks in Hangman Creek and its tributaries within the Coeur d'Alene Reservation. Thus, the Coeur d'Alene Indian Tribe was forced to rely more heavily on native fish stocks such as redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss garideini), westslope cutthroat trout (O. clarki lewisii) and bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) as well as local wildlife populations. Additionally, the Tribe was forced to convert prime riparian habitat into agricultural lands to supply sustenance for their changed needs. Wildlife habitats within the portion of the Hangman Creek Watershed that lies within the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation have been degraded from a century of land management practices that include widespread conversion of native habitats to agricultural production and intensive silvicultural practices. Currently, wildlife and fish populations have been marginalized and water quality is significantly impaired. In the fall of 2000 the Coeur d'Alene Tribe Wildlife Program, in coordination with the Tribal Fisheries Program, submitted a proposal to begin addressing the degradations to functioning habitats within the Coeur d'Alene Reservation in the Hangman Watershed. That proposal led to the implementation of this project during BPA's FY2001 through FY2003 funding cycle. The project …

This study focuses on advanced building facades that use daylighting, sun control, ventilation systems, and dynamic systems. A quick perusal of the leading architectural magazines, or a discussion in most architectural firms today will eventually lead to mention of some of the innovative new buildings that are being constructed with all-glass facades. Most of these buildings are appearing in Europe, although interestingly U.S. A/E firms often have a leading role in their design. This ''emerging technology'' of heavily glazed fagades is often associated with buildings whose design goals include energy efficiency, sustainability, and a ''green'' image. While there are a number of new books on the subject with impressive photos and drawings, there is little critical examination of the actual performance of such buildings, and a generally poor understanding as to whether they achieve their performance goals, or even what those goals might be. Even if the building ''works'' it is often dangerous to take a design solution from one climate and location and transport it to a new one without a good causal understanding of how the systems work. In addition, there is a wide range of existing and emerging glazing and fenestration technologies in use in these buildings, …

Experiments were conducted to determine the dynamic shear behavior of a wide range of aluminum, titanium, and steel alloys. Principal experimental techniques were the torsional Kolsky bar and the Shear Compression Specimen (SCS) geometry. For the purpose of determining adiabatic shear susceptibility in this range of alloys, it was found that both techniques were unable to induce adiabatic shear in alloys resistant to that failure mode. The SCS geometry has demonstrated a capability for characterizing shear deformation behavior over a wide range of strain rates. For modeling and simulation of adiabatic shear phenomena, an improved adiabatic temperature evolution equation has been implemented. Finite element simulations of the torsional Kolsky and SCS geometries were conducted to evaluate the influence of pre-existing geometric inhomogeneities on adiabatic shear band initiation.

The evolution of 2-D emission profiles of D{sub {alpha}} and C III during type-I ELMs has been investigated in DIII-D using a tangentially viewing gated, intensified charge-injected device (CID) camera. The measured CIII emission profiles indicate transient inner leg attachment with the arrival of the ELM heat pulse. The measured D{sub {alpha}} emission profiles during an ELM cycle show enhanced deuterium recycling during the deposition of the ELM particle pulse at the target, which suggests the detachment of the divertor plasma from the target plates. Measurements taken in ELMy H-mode discharges at densities of 50% and 90% of the Greenwald density limit are compared utilizing the CID camera system and a comprehensive set of other divertor diagnostics. An ELM model based on fluid and PIC simulations is used to discuss the observation on the response of the divertor plasma to the ELM heat and particle pulse.

Revolutionary changes in both the design and control of manipulation systems are required to enable autonomous operations in unstructured environments, as those defined for D&D tasks. Many researchers are exploring issues associated with the control of existing manipulation systems, but there is very little research effort directed towards enabling technologies that will provide significant improvement in the mechanical performance of these systems. Neither advanced controls or improved mechanical performance alone will enable a revolutionary new class of manipulation systems. The best control algorithms will not expand the performance of an actuated system beyond its physical limitations. The focus of this research is to explore advanced actuation methodologies that have the performance and capacity required for a revolutionary new class of manipulation systems that will enable autonomous operations in D&D environments. There are three fundamental goals associated with achieving the required breakthroughs in actuation technology.

The objective of this project is to enable current and future EM robots with an increased ability to perceive and interact with unstructured and unknown environments through the use of camera-based visual servo controlled robots. The scientific goals of this research are to develop a new visual servo control methodology that: (1) adapts for the unknown camera calibration parameters (e.g., focal length, scaling factors, camera position and orientation) and the physical parameters of the robotic system (e.g., mass, inertia, friction), (2) compensates for unknown depth information (extract 3D information from the 2D image), and (3) enables multi-uncalibrated cameras to be used as a means to provide a larger field-of-view. Nonlinear Lyapunov-based techniques are being used to overcome the complex control issues and alleviate many of the restrictive assumptions that impact current visual servo controlled robotic systems. The potential relevance of this control methodology will be a plug-and-play visual servoing control module that can be utilized in conjunction with current technology such as feature extraction and recognition, to enable current EM robotic systems with the capabilities of increased accuracy, autonomy, and robustness, with a larger field of view (and hence a larger workspace). These capabilities will enable EM robots to significantly …

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The tokamak plasmas utilized in magnetic fusion research provide access to some of the longest duration, highest temperature plasmas on earth. For example, on the DIII-D tokamak, plasmas lasting up to 10 seconds have been produced with ion temperatures up to 27 keV and electron temperatures up to 15 keV in toroidal plasmas with 1.7 m major radius, 0.65 m half width and 2.5 m vertical height. Typical particle densities in these plasmas are in the range of 2.0 x 10{sup 19} m{sup -3} through 2.0 x 10{sup 20} m{sup -3}. Spectroscopic measurements of line radiation from highly ionized atoms provide one of the key techniques for determining the plasma parameters in tokamak discharges.

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The sourcebook is a reference for industrial steam system users, outlining opportunities to improve steam system performance. This Sourcebook is designed to provide steam system users with a reference that describes the basic steam system components, outlines opportunities for energy and performance improvements, and discusses the benefits of a systems approach in identifying and implementing these improvement opportunities. The Sourcebook is divided into the following three main sections: Section 1: Steam System Basics--For users unfamiliar with the basics of steam systems, or for users seeking a refresher, a brief discussion of the terms, relationships, and important system design considerations is provided. Users already familiar with industrial steam system operation may want to skip this section. This section describes steam systems using four basic parts: generation, distribution, end use, and recovery. Section 2: Performance Improvement Opportunities--This section discusses important factors that should be considered when industrial facilities seek to improve steam system performance and to lower operating costs. This section also provides an overview of the finance considerations related to steam system improvements. Additionally, this section discusses several resources and tools developed by the U. S. Department of Energy's (DOE) BestPractices Steam Program to identify and assess steam system improvement opportunities. …

The Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) has implemented a number of efficiencies to reduce the time and cost of preparing safety basis documents. The INEEL is continuing to look at other aspects of the safety basis process to identify other efficiencies that can be implemented and remain in compliance with Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 830. A six-sigma approach is used to identify areas to improve efficiencies and develop the action plan for implementation of the new process, as applicable. Three improvement processes have been implemented: The first was the development of standardized Documented Safety Analysis (DSA) and technical safety requirement (TSR) documents that all nuclear facilities use, by adding facility-specific details. The second is a material procurement process, which is based on safety systems specified in the individual safety basis documents. The third is a restructuring of the entire safety basis preparation and approval process. Significant savings in time to prepare safety basis document, cost of materials, and total cost of the documents are currently being realized.

There exists a paramount need for improved understanding the behavior of high-level nuclear waste containers and the impact on structural integrity in terms of leak tightness and mechanical stability. The current program, which at the time of this writing is in its early stages, aims to develop and verify models of crack growth in high level waste tanks under accidental overloads such as ground settlement, earthquakes and airplane crashes based on extending current fracture mechanics methods. While studies in fracture have advanced, the mechanics have not included extensive crack growth. For problems at the INEEL, Savannah River Site and Hanford there are serious limitations to current theories regarding growth of surface cracks through the thickness and the extension of through-thickness cracks. We propose to further develop and extend slip line fracture mechanics (SLFM, a ductile fracture modeling methodology) and, if need be, other ductile fracture characterizing approaches with the goal of predicting growth of surface cracks to the point of penetration of the opposing surface. We also aim to quantify the stress and displacement fields surrounding a growing crack front (slanted and tunneled) using generalized plane stress and fully plastic, three-dimensional finite element analyses. Finally, we will quantify the fracture …

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has recently implemented a series of strategic initiatives to address long-term radiological surveillance needs at former US test sites in the Marshall Islands. The plan is to engage local atoll communities in developing shared responsibilities for implementing radiation protection programs for resettled and resettling populations. Using pooled resources of the US Department of Energy and local atoll governments, individual radiation protection programs have been developed in whole-body counting and plutonium urinalysis to assess potential intakes of radionuclides from residual fallout contamination. The whole-body counting systems are operated and maintained by Marshallese technicians. Samples of urine are collected from resettlement workers and island residents under controlled conditions and analyzed for plutonium isotopes at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory using advanced accelerator based measurement technologies. This web site provides an overview of the methodologies, a full disclosure of the measurement data, and a yearly assessment of estimated radiation doses to resettlement workers and island residents.

The primary objective of this project is to investigate the role of calcium carbonate grain coatings on adsorption and heterogeneous reduction reactions of key chemical and radioactive contaminants in sediments on the Hanford Site. Research will ascertain whether these coatings promote or discourage contaminant reaction with sediment mineral particles, and whether calcium carbonate phases resulting from waste-sediment reaction sequester contaminants through coprecipitation. The research will provide new conceptual models of contaminant reaction/retardation processes in Hanford sediments (for 90Sr2+ and Cr(VI)O4 2- primarily) and improved geochemical models to forecast the future behavior of in-ground contaminants.

This research project addresses the effect of clastic dikes on contaminant transport in the vadose zone. Clastic dikes are vertically oriented subsurface heterogeneities common at the Hanford Site, including within the subsurface sediments below the tank farms in the 200 West Area. Previous studies have suggested that clastic dikes may provide a fast path for transport of leaking fluid from the tanks through the vadose zone. This research is testing the hypothesis that clastic dikes at the Hanford Site provide preferential pathways that enhance the vertical movement of moisture and contaminants through the vadose zone. Current flow and transport models of the vadose zone at the 200 Areas are based on relatively simple hydrogeologic models that assume horizontally layered sediments with no preferential vertical flow paths. To address those scientific needs, our research includes field and modeling studies of the spatial distribution of clastic dikes, the hydrologic properties within dikes, and the potential effect of clastic injection dikes on fluid flow through the vadose zone. The data and models of the clastic dike networks produced for this project should be directly applicable to fate and transport studies conducted at the 200 West Hanford tank farms.

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The Advanced Technology Development Program is testing a second generation of lithium-ion cells, consisting of a baseline and three variant chemistries. The cathode composition of the Variant C chemistry was altered with an increase to the aluminum dopant and a decrease to the cobalt dopant to explore the impact on performance. However, it resulted in a 20% drop in rated capacity. Also, the Variant C average power fade is higher, but capacity fade is higher for the Baseline cell chemistry. Initial results indicate that the Variant C chemistry will reach end of life sooner than the Baseline chemistry.

The objective of this project is to develop a novel laser ablation in liquid technology for surface decontamination. It aims to achieve more efficient surface decontamination without secondary contamination.

In situ bioremediation of contaminants can offer advantages in cost, speed, public acceptance, and final cleanup levels achieved relative to physical removal methods. However, microbial populations in the unsaturated zone are spatially discontinuous and sparse, especially in deep vadose zones and in arid climates with very low moisture and nutrient flux. In addition, there is a lack of knowledge on (1) the ability of microbes to colonize ''empty'' regions of the vadose zone in response to nutrient delivery and (2) how microbial colonization is controlled by hydrologic and physical features. These issues raise questions about the feasibility of deep vadose zone bioremediation and the accuracy of flow and transport models for vadose zone bioremediation. The goal of this research is to provide DOE with an increased understanding of the effect of interacting hydrologic and microbiological processes that control the feasibility of engineered bioremediation of chlorinated compounds in heterogeneous, microbially sparse deep vadose zones. The specific objectives are: (1) to conduct laboratory research on vadose zone microbial colonization processes as a function of hydrologic and physical features, and use the information to develop an improved vadose zone reactive transport model; (2) to evaluate a gas-phase nutrient delivery approach for enhancing removal …

The overall objective of this three-year collaborative project between the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and Battelle Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) was to develop a framework which would incorporate computationally efficient representations of the latest knowledge concerning science, scenarios, and technical change, to allow for the effective and efficient analysis of possible future strategies to control methane. As part of this research project, we developed a model that takes into account more explicit treatment of the mechanisms controlling each important methane regional source and sink to study non-linear effects involved in methane chemistry in the atmosphere. On the policy front, we developed the relationship between economics and climatic impacts of methane emission reductions. On the application front, we applied the newly developed advanced methane modeling capabilities to study the effects of a wide range of possible scenarios of future methane emissions on climate and to examined the costs associated with achieving specific greenhouse gas reduction targets for a range of emission pathways. The significant findings from the DOE supported study are outlined.

Immobilization of toxic and radioactive metals (e.g., Cr, Tc, and U) in the vadose zone by In Situ Gaseous Reduction (ISGR) using hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a promising technology for soil remediation. Earlier laboratory and field studies have shown that Cr(VI) can be effectively immobilized by treatment with dilute gaseous H2S. The objective of this project is to characterize the interactions among H2S, the metal contaminants, and soil components. Understanding these interactions is needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of the technology and to optimize the remediation system. Proposed research tasks include: (A) Evaluation of the potential catalytic effect of mineral surfaces on the rate of Cr(VI) reduction by H2S and the rate of H2S oxidation by air; (B) Identification of the reactions of soil minerals with H2S and determination of associated reaction rates; (C) Evaluation of the role of soil water chemistry on the reduction of Cr(VI) by H2S; (D) Assessment of the reductive buffering capacity of H2S reduced soil and the potential for emplacement of long-term vadose zone reactive barriers; (E) Evaluation of the potential for immobilization of Tc and U in the vadose zone by reduction and an assessment of the potential for remobilization by subsequent reoxidation. …