Progress is reported in the following subject areas: (1) chemistry of the arogenate molecule; (2) plant enzymology at the organismal level; (3) isolation of regulatory mutants in tobacco; and (4) stability of the haploid state in Nicotiana sylvestris.

Measurements in the Geysers area from April until October 1979 when the onset of seasonal rains limited field work are presented. Field studies involved the following three basic types of measurements: cooling tower drift deposition, plant ecological studies, and animal population studies. Brief summaries of the data are presented to demonstrate the types of information obtained. (MHR)

In response to a request from the Water Reactor Safety Research Division of the US NRC, a preliminary study is provided which identifies key features and consideration involved in planning a comprehensive in-plant Safety Relief Valve experimental program for a Mark III containment design. The report provides identification of program objectives, measurement system requirements, and some details quantifying expected system response. In addition, a preliminary test matrix is outlined which involves a supporting philosophy intended to enhance the usefulness of the experimental results for all members of the program team: experimentalists, analysts, and plant operator.

This paper describes some of the essential performance measures used to qualify materials for tribological applications in liquid sodium environments and summarizes relative properties of some of the newer tribological materials now qualified for use in sodium systems.

The purpose of this research program is to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of producing solar-cell-quality sheet silicon by coating inexpensive ceramic substrates with a thin layer of polycrystalline silicon. The coating methods to be developed are directed toward a minimum-cost process for producing solar cells with a terrestrial conversion efficiency of 11% or greater. By applying a graphite coating to one face of a ceramic substrate, molten silicon can be made to wet only that graphite-coated face and produce uniform, thin layers of large-grain polycrystalline silicon; thus, only a minimal quantity of silicon is consumed. A dip-coating method for putting silicon on ceramic (SOC) has been shown to produce solar-cell-quality sheet silicon. This method and a continuous-coating process also being investigated have excellent scale-up potential which offers an outstanding, cost-effective way to manufacture large-area solar cells. The dip-coating investigation has shown that, as the substrate is pulled from the molten silicon, crystallization continues to occur from previously grown silicon. Therefore, as the substrate length is increased (as would be the case in a scaled-up process), the expectancy for larger crystallites increases. Results and accomplishments are reported. (WHK)