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Physical Infrastructure: Challenges and Investment Options for the Nation's Infrastructure (open access)

Physical Infrastructure: Challenges and Investment Options for the Nation's Infrastructure

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Physical infrastructure is critical to the nation's economy and affects the daily life of virtually all Americans--from facilitating the movement of goods and people within and beyond U.S. borders to providing clean drinking water. However, this infrastructure--including aviation, highway, transit, rail, water, and dam infrastructure--is under strain. Estimates to repair, replace, or upgrade aging infrastructure as well as expand capacity to meet increased demand top hundreds of billions of dollars. Calls for increased investment in infrastructure come at a time when traditional funding for infrastructure projects is increasingly strained, and the federal government's fiscal outlook is worse than many may understand. This testimony discusses (1) challenges associated with the nation's surface transportation, aviation, water, and dam infrastructure, and the principles GAO has identified to help guide efforts to address these challenges and (2) existing and proposed options to fund investments in the nation's infrastructure. This statement is primarily based on a body of work GAO has completed for the Congress over the last several years. To supplement this existing work, GAO also interviewed Department of Transportation officials to obtain up-to-date information on the status of the Highway Trust …
Date: May 8, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Social Security Administration Field Offices: Reduced Workforce Faces Challenges as Baby Boomers Retire (open access)

Social Security Administration Field Offices: Reduced Workforce Faces Challenges as Baby Boomers Retire

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Millions of people rely on the services of Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices. In fiscal year 2007, SSA's approximately 1,300 field offices provided service to about 42 million customers. People use these offices to apply for Social Security cards, apply for retirement and disability benefits, establish direct deposit, and a host of other services. While customers may conduct their business using SSA's online, telephone, or other service options, many prefer the personalized contact provided in field offices. Over the last several years, staffing reductions have challenged field offices' ability to manage work, while continuing to deliver quality customer service. To assess how field offices are managing these challenges, GAO was asked to determine (1) the effect that reduced staffing levels may be having on field office operations and (2) the challenges that SSA faces in meeting future service delivery needs. This statement is drawn from GAO's ongoing study on field offices for the committee, which is expected to be issued later this year. To conduct this work, GAO interviewed SSA officials in headquarters, and other components, and analyzed various data on SSA's workloads and other data. In …
Date: May 8, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of June 27, 2008 (open access)

Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of June 27, 2008

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "This testimony is based on our review of schedules and financial reports for the CVC project and related records maintained by AOC and its construction management contractor, Gilbane Building Company; our observations on the progress of work at the CVC construction site; and our discussions with the CVC team (AOC and its major CVC contractors) and AOC's Chief Fire Marshal. We also reviewed AOC's construction management contractor's periodic schedule assessments."
Date: July 8, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
DOD Systems Modernization: Maintaining Effective Communication Is Needed to Help Ensure the Army's Successful Deployment of the Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System (open access)

DOD Systems Modernization: Maintaining Effective Communication Is Needed to Help Ensure the Army's Successful Deployment of the Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Defense (DOD) has had long-standing, serious problems with its numerous military component-unique personnel and pay systems, including accurately paying its military personnel on time and monitoring and tracking them to, from, and within their duty stations. For example, in the early 1990s, Army Reserve and National Guard troops received inaccurate or late pay and benefits after serving in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. We previously reported that the lack of integration among DOD's multiple military personnel and pay systems, among other things, caused these and similar errors. To address these and other problems, in February 1998, DOD initiated a program to design and implement the Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System (DIMHRS). DIMHRS is intended to provide a joint, integrated, standardized personnel and pay system for all military components (including active and reserve components). In November 2004, DOD accepted the design of the first phase of DIMHRS for personnel and pay functions and then proceeded with development of the system. Meanwhile, as we reported in 2006, some Army Reserve and National Guard troops continued to receive inaccurate pay resulting in part from a lack …
Date: September 8, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
Transportation Security: TSA Has Developed a Risk-Based Covert Testing Program, but Could Better Mitigate Aviation Security Vulnerabilities Identified Through Covert Tests (open access)

Transportation Security: TSA Has Developed a Risk-Based Covert Testing Program, but Could Better Mitigate Aviation Security Vulnerabilities Identified Through Covert Tests

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) uses undercover, or covert, testing to approximate techniques that terrorists may use to identify vulnerabilities in and measure the performance of airport security systems. During these tests, undercover inspectors attempt to pass threat objects through passenger and baggage screening systems, and access secure airport areas. In response to a congressional request, GAO examined (1) TSA's strategy for conducting covert testing of the transportation system and the extent to which the agency has designed and implemented its covert tests to achieve identified goals; and (2) the results of TSA's national aviation covert tests conducted from September 2002 to June 2007, and the extent to which TSA uses the results of these tests to mitigate security vulnerabilities. To conduct this work, GAO analyzed covert testing documents and data and interviewed TSA and transportation industry officials."
Date: August 8, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
VA Health Care: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Screening and Evaluation Implemented for OEF/OIF Veterans, but Challenges Remain (open access)

VA Health Care: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Screening and Evaluation Implemented for OEF/OIF Veterans, but Challenges Remain

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has emerged as a leading injury among servicemembers serving in the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) combat theaters. The widespread use of improvised explosive devices, such as roadside bombs, in these combat theaters increases the likelihood that servicemembers will be exposed to incidents that can cause a TBI. TBIs can vary from mild to severe, and in general, mild TBI can be difficult to identify. Because mild TBI can have lasting effects if not identified and treated, concerns have been raised about how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) identifies and treats OEF/OIF veterans with a mild TBI. In this report GAO describes VA's (1) efforts to screen OEF/OIF veterans for mild TBI, (2) steps taken so that those OEF/OIF veterans at risk for mild TBI are evaluated and treated, and (3) challenges in screening and evaluating OEF/OIF veterans for mild TBI. GAO reviewed VA's policies, interviewed VA officials and TBI experts, and reviewed nine VA medical facilities' efforts to implement TBI screening and evaluation processes."
Date: February 8, 2008
Creator: United States. Government Accountability Office.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A Fact Sheet (open access)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A Fact Sheet

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, Title XVI of the Social Security Act, was enacted in 1972 and implemented in 1974 to assure a minimum cash income to all aged, blind, or disabled persons. SSI is provided to eligible aged or disabled individuals or couples who have limited income and resources.
Date: January 8, 2008
Creator: Szymendera, Scott
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
validation and Enhancement of Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer Predictive Capabilities for Generation IV Reactor Systems (open access)

validation and Enhancement of Computational Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer Predictive Capabilities for Generation IV Reactor Systems

Nationwide, the demand for electricity due to population and industrial growth is on the rise. However, climate change and air quality issues raise serious questions about the wisdom of addressing these shortages through the construction of additional fossil fueled power plants. In 1997, the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology Energy Research and Development Panel determined that restoring a viable nuclear energy option was essential and that the DOE should implement a R&D effort to address principal obstacles to achieving this option. This work has addressed the need for improved thermal/fluid analysis capabilities, through the use of computational fluid dynamics, which are necessary to support the design of generation IV gas-cooled and supercritical water reactors.
Date: December 8, 2008
Creator: Spall, Robert E.; Smith, Barton & Hauser, Thomas
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Developing the Physics Basis of Fast Ignition Experiments at Future Large Fusion-class lasers (open access)

Developing the Physics Basis of Fast Ignition Experiments at Future Large Fusion-class lasers

The Fast Ignition (FI) concept for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) has the potential to provide a significant advance in the technical attractiveness of Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) reactors. FI differs from conventional 'central hot spot' (CHS) target ignition by using one driver (laser, heavy ion beam or Z-pinch) to create a dense fuel and a separate ultra-short, ultra-intense laser beam to ignite the dense core. FI targets can burn with {approx} 3X lower density fuel than CHS targets, resulting in (all other things being equal) lower required compression energy, relaxed drive symmetry, relaxed target smoothness tolerances, and, importantly, higher gain. The short, intense ignition pulse that drives this process interacts with extremely high energy density plasmas; the physics that controls this interaction is only now becoming accessible in the lab, and is still not well understood. The attraction of obtaining higher gains in smaller facilities has led to a worldwide explosion of effort in the studies of FI. In particular, two new US facilities to be completed in 2009/2010, OMEGA/OMEGA EP and NIF-ARC (as well as others overseas) will include FI investigations as part of their program. These new facilities will be able to approach FI conditions much more closely …
Date: February 8, 2008
Creator: MacKinnon, A. J.; Key, M. H.; Hatchett, S.; MacPhee, A. G.; Foord, M.; Tabak, M. et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Nuclear Electric Dipole Moment of 3He (open access)

Nuclear Electric Dipole Moment of 3He

A permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) of a physical system would require time-reversal (T) violation, which is equivalent to charge-conjugation-parity (CP) violation by CPT invariance. Experimental programs are currently pushing the limits on EDMs in atoms, nuclei, and the neutron to regimes of fundamental theoretical interest. Nuclear EDMs can be studied at ion storage rings with sensitivities that may be competitive with atomic and neutron measurements. Here we calculate the magnitude of the CP-violating EDM of {sup 3}He and the expected sensitivity of such a measurement to the underlying CP-violating interactions. Assuming that the coupling constants are of comparable magnitude for {pi}-, {rho}-, and {omega}-exchanges, we find that the pion-exchange contribution dominates. Finally, our results suggest that a measurement of the {sup 3}He EDM is complementary to the planned neutron and deuteron experiments, and could provide a powerful constraint for the theoretical models of the pion-nucleon P,T-violating interaction.
Date: April 8, 2008
Creator: Stetcu, I; P.Liu, C; Friar, J L; Hayes, A C & Navratil, P
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Small, Inexpensive Combined NOx Sensor and O2 Sensor (open access)

Small, Inexpensive Combined NOx Sensor and O2 Sensor

It has been successfully demonstrated in this program that a zirconia multilayer structure with rhodium-based porous electrodes performs well as an amperometric NOx sensor. The sensitivity of the sensor bodies operating at 650 to 700 C is large, with demonstrated current outputs of 14 mA at 500 ppm NOx from sensors with 30 layers. The sensor bodies are small (4.5 x 4.2 x 3.1 mm), rugged, and inexpensive. It is projected the sensor bodies will cost $5 - $10 in production. This program has built on another successful development program for an oxygen sensor based on the same principles and sponsored by DOE. This oxygen sensor is not sensitive to NOx. A significant technical hurdle has been identified and solved. It was found that the 100% Rh electrodes oxidize rapidly at the preferred operating temperatures of 650 - 700 C, and this oxidation is accompanied by a volume change which delaminates the sensors. The problem was solved by using alloys of Rh and Pt. It was found that a 10%/90% Rh/Pt alloy dropped the oxidation rate of the electrodes by orders of magnitude without degrading the NOx sensitivity of the sensors, allowing long-term stable operation at the preferred operating temperatures. …
Date: September 8, 2008
Creator: Lawless, W. N. & C. F. Clark, Jr.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Supercomputers: Super-polluters? (open access)

Supercomputers: Super-polluters?

Thanks to imperatives for limiting waste heat, maximizing performance, and controlling operating cost, energy efficiency has been a driving force in the evolution of supercomputers. The challenge going forward will be to extend these gains to offset the steeply rising demands for computing services and performance.
Date: April 8, 2008
Creator: Mills, Evan; Mills, Evan; Tschudi, William; Shalf, John & Simon, Horst
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Measurement of the Branching Fractions ofexclusive Bbar to D(*)(pi)lnu Decays in Events with a Fully Reconstructed BMeson (open access)

A Measurement of the Branching Fractions ofexclusive Bbar to D(*)(pi)lnu Decays in Events with a Fully Reconstructed BMeson

The authors report a measurement of the branching fractions for {bar B} {yields} D{sup (*)}{pi}{ell}{sup -}{bar {nu}}{sub {ell}} decays based on 341.1 fb{sup -1} of data collected at the {Upsilon}(4S) resonance with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II e{sup +}e{sup -} storage rings. Events are tagged by fully reconstructing one of the B mesons in a hadronic decay mode. The obtain {Beta}(B{sup -} {yields} D{sup 0}{ell}{sup -}{bar {nu}}{sub {ell}}) = (2.33 {+-} 0.09{sub stat.} {+-} 0.09{sub syst.})%, {Beta}(B{sup -} {yields} D*{sup 0}{ell}{sup -}{bar {nu}}{sub {ell}}) = 5.83 {+-} 0.15{sub stat.} {+-} 0.30{sub syst.}%, {Beta}({bar B}{sup 0} {yields} D{sup +}{ell}{sup -}{bar {nu}}{sub {ell}}) = (2.21 {+-} 0.11{sub stat.} {+-} 0.12{sub syst.})% {Beta}({bar B}{sup 0} {yields} D*{sup +}{ell}{sup -}{bar {nu}}{sub {ell}}) = 5.49 {+-} 0.16{sub stat.} {+-} 0.25{sub syst.}%, {Beta}(B{sup -} {yields} D{sup +}{pi}{sup -}{ell}{sup -}{bar {nu}}{sub {ell}}) = (0.42 {+-} 0.06{sub stat.} {+-} 0.03{sub syst.})%, {Beta}(B{sup -} {yields} D*{sup +} {pi}{sup -}{ell}{sup -}{bar {nu}}{sub {ell}}) = (0.59 {+-} 0.05{sub stat.} {+-} 0.04{sub syst.})%, {Beta}({bar B}{sup 0} {yields} D{sup 0}{pi}{sup +}{ell}{sup -}{bar {nu}}{sub {ell}}) = (0.43 {+-} 0.08{sub stat.} {+-} 0.03{sub syst.})% and {Beta}({bar B}{sup 0} {yields} D*{sup 0} {pi}{sup +}{ell}{sup -}{bar {nu}}{sub {ell}}) = (0.48 {+-} 0.08{sub stat.} {+-} 0.04{sub syst.})%.
Date: January 8, 2008
Creator: Aubert, B.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Final Scientific and Technical Report for Grant DE-FG02-99ER41099 Entitled “Study the Collective Behavior of Quarks and Gluons in High Energy Nuclear Collisions” (open access)

Final Scientific and Technical Report for Grant DE-FG02-99ER41099 Entitled “Study the Collective Behavior of Quarks and Gluons in High Energy Nuclear Collisions”

This is the final technical/scientific report for a heavy ion research program on the PHOBOS experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Date: September 8, 2008
Creator: Manly, Steven
Object Type: Text
System: The UNT Digital Library
SIEMENS ADVANCED QUANTRA FTICR MASS SPECTROMETER FOR ULTRA HIGH RESOLUTION AT LOW MASS (open access)

SIEMENS ADVANCED QUANTRA FTICR MASS SPECTROMETER FOR ULTRA HIGH RESOLUTION AT LOW MASS

The Siemens Advanced Quantra Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer was evaluated as an alternative instrument to large double focusing mass spectrometers for gas analysis. High resolution mass spectrometers capable of resolving the common mass isomers of the hydrogen isotopes are used to provide data for accurate loading of reservoirs and to monitor separation of tritium, deuterium, and helium. Conventional double focusing magnetic sector instruments have a resolution that is limited to about 5000. The Siemens FTICR instrument achieves resolution beyond 400,000 and could possibly resolve the tritium ion from the helium-3 ion, which differ by the weight of an electron, 0.00549 amu. Working with Y-12 and LANL, SRNL requested Siemens to modify their commercial Quantra system for low mass analysis. To achieve the required performance, Siemens had to increase the available waveform operating frequency from 5 MHz to 40 MHz and completely redesign the control electronics and software. However, they were able to use the previous ion trap, magnet, passive pump, and piezo-electric pulsed inlet valve design. NNSA invested $1M in this project and acquired four systems, two for Y-12 and one each for SRNL and LANL. Siemens claimed a $10M investment in the Quantra systems. The …
Date: July 8, 2008
Creator: Spencer, W & Laura Tovo, L
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Progress of the PEP-II B-Factory (open access)

Progress of the PEP-II B-Factory

None
Date: April 8, 2008
Creator: Seeman, J.; Browne, Michael C.; Cai, Y.; Colocho, W.; Decker, F.J.; Donald, M. et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Overview of LDRD project 05-ERD-050: "Developing a Reactive Chemistry Capability for the NARAC Operational Model (LODI)" (open access)

Overview of LDRD project 05-ERD-050: "Developing a Reactive Chemistry Capability for the NARAC Operational Model (LODI)"

None
Date: February 8, 2008
Creator: Cameron-Smith, P; Grant, K & Connell, P
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
High Brightness Neutron Source for Radiography (open access)

High Brightness Neutron Source for Radiography

This research and development program was designed to improve nondestructive evaluation of large mechanical objects by providing both fast and thermal neutron sources for radiography. Neutron radiography permits inspection inside objects that x-rays cannot penetrate and permits imaging of corrosion and cracks in low-density materials. Discovering of fatigue cracks and corrosion in piping without the necessity of insulation removal is possible. Neutron radiography sources can provide for the nondestructive testing interests of commercial and military aircraft, public utilities and petrochemical organizations. Three neutron prototype neutron generators were designed and fabricated based on original research done at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). The research and development of these generators was successfully continued by LBNL and Adelphi Technology Inc. under this STTR. The original design goals of high neutron yield and generator robustness have been achieved, using new technology developed under this grant. In one prototype generator, the fast neutron yield and brightness was roughly 10 times larger than previously marketed neutron generators using the same deuterium-deuterium reaction. In another generator, we integrate a moderator with a fast neutron source, resulting in a high brightness thermal neutron generator. The moderator acts as both conventional moderator and mechanical and electrical support structure …
Date: December 8, 2008
Creator: Cremer, J. T.; Piestrup, Melvin A.; Gary, Charles K.; Harris, Jack L.; Williams, David J.; Jones, Glenn E. et al.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
A Detailed Chemical Kinetic Reaction Mechanism for Oxidation of Four Small Alkyl Esters in Laminar Premixed Flames (open access)

A Detailed Chemical Kinetic Reaction Mechanism for Oxidation of Four Small Alkyl Esters in Laminar Premixed Flames

A detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanism has been developed for a group of four small alkyl ester fuels, consisting of methyl formate, methyl acetate, ethyl formate and ethyl acetate. This mechanism is validated by comparisons between computed results and recently measured intermediate species mole fractions in fuel-rich, low pressure, premixed laminar flames. The model development employs a principle of similarity of functional groups in constraining the H atom abstraction and unimolecular decomposition reactions in each of these fuels. As a result, the reaction mechanism and formalism for mechanism development are suitable for extension to larger oxygenated hydrocarbon fuels, together with an improved kinetic understanding of the structure and chemical kinetics of alkyl ester fuels that can be extended to biodiesel fuels. Variations in concentrations of intermediate species levels in these flames are traced to differences in the molecular structure of the fuel molecules.
Date: February 8, 2008
Creator: Westbrook, C K; Pitz, W J; Westmoreland, P R; Dryer, F L; Chaos, M; Osswald, P et al.
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Remaining Sites Verification Package for the 100-F-46, 119-F Stack Sampling French Drain, Waste Site Reclassification Form 2008-021 (open access)

Remaining Sites Verification Package for the 100-F-46, 119-F Stack Sampling French Drain, Waste Site Reclassification Form 2008-021

The 100-F-46 french drain consisted of a 1.5 to 3 m long, vertically buried, gravel-filled pipe that was approximately 1 m in diameter. Also included in this waste site was a 5 cm cast-iron pipeline that drained condensate from the 119-F Stack Sampling Building into the 100-F-46 french drain. In accordance with this evaluation, the confirmatory sampling results support a reclassification of this site to No Action. The current site conditions achieve the remedial action objectives and the corresponding remedial action goals established in the Remaining Sites ROD. The results of confirmatory sampling show that residual contaminant concentrations do not preclude any future uses and allow for unrestricted use of shallow zone soils. The results also demonstrate that residual contaminant concentrations are protective of groundwater and the Columbia River.
Date: August 8, 2008
Creator: Capron, J. M.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
CP Violation at BaBar (open access)

CP Violation at BaBar

Several new and updated BABAR measurements of sin 2{beta} are presented, together with the latest constraints on the Unitarity Triangle angles {alpha} and {gamma}. The higher statistics now available allow more sophisticated analysis techniques, such as time-dependent Dalitz plot fitting. Combined world-average results place tight constraints on the Unitarity Triangle. There is good agreement among the measurements and with the unitarity of the CKM matrix. This represents an impressive verification of the Standard Model description of the quark-flavor sector and of CP violation.
Date: January 8, 2008
Creator: Hawkes, Chris & U., /Birmingham
Object Type: Article
System: The UNT Digital Library
Improving the Performance of Tensor Matrix Vector Multiplication in Quantum Chemistry Codes. (open access)

Improving the Performance of Tensor Matrix Vector Multiplication in Quantum Chemistry Codes.

Cumulative reaction probability (CRP) calculations provide a viable computational approach to estimate reaction rate coefficients. However, in order to give meaningful results these calculations should be done in many dimensions (ten to fifteen). This makes CRP codes memory intensive. For this reason, these codes use iterative methods to solve the linear systems, where a good fraction of the execution time is spent on matrix-vector multiplication. In this paper, we discuss the tensor product form of applying the system operator on a vector. This approach shows much better performance and provides huge savings in memory as compared to the explicit sparse representation of the system matrix.
Date: May 8, 2008
Creator: Gropp, W. D.; Kaushik, D. K.; Minkoff, M. & Smith, B. F.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Individual Genetic Susceptibility (open access)

Individual Genetic Susceptibility

Risk estimates derived from epidemiological studies of exposed populations, as well as the maximum permissible doses allowed for occupational exposure and exposure of the public to ionizing radiation are all based on the assumption that the human population is uniform in its radiosensitivity, except for a small number of individuals, such as ATM homozygotes who are easily identified by their clinical symptoms. The hypothesis upon which this proposal is based is that the human population is not homogeneous in radiosensitiviry, but that radiosensitive sub-groups exist which are not easy to identify. These individuals would suffer an increased incidence of detrimental radiation effects, and distort the shape of the dose response relationship. The radiosensitivity of these groups depend on the expression levels of specific proteins. The plan was to investigate the effect of 3 relatively rare, high penetrate genes available in mice, namely Atm, mRad9 & Brca1. The purpose of radiation protection is to prevent! deterministic effects of clinical significance and limit stochastic effects to acceptable levels. We plan, therefore to compare with wild type animals the radiosensitivity of mice heterozygous for each of the genes mentioned above, as well as double heterozygotes for pairs of genes, using two biological endpoints: …
Date: December 8, 2008
Creator: Hall, Eric J.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library
Optimized, Competitive Supercritical-CO2 Cycle GFR for Gen IV Service (open access)

Optimized, Competitive Supercritical-CO2 Cycle GFR for Gen IV Service

An overall plant design was developed for a gas-cooled fast reactor employing a direct supercritical Brayton power conversion system. The most important findings were that (1) the concept could be capital-cost competitive, but startup fuel cycle costs are penalized by the low core power density, specified in large part to satisfy the goal of significatn post-accident passive natural convection cooling; (2) active decay heat removal is preferable as the first line of defense, with passive performance in a backup role; (3) an innovative tube-in-duct fuel assembly, vented to the primpary coolant, appears to be practicable; and (4) use of the S-Co2 GFR to support hydrogen production is a synergistic application, since sufficient energy can be recuperated from the product H2 and 02 to allow the electrolysis cell to run 250 C hotter than the reactor coolant, and the water boilers can be used for reactor decay heat removal. Increasing core poer density is identified as the top priority for future work on GFRs of this type.
Date: September 8, 2008
Creator: Driscoll, M.J.; Hejzlar, P. & Apostolakis, G.
Object Type: Report
System: The UNT Digital Library