This report documents research conducted by the RCS Project to update the record of decision for the 300-FF-5 Operable Unit on the Hanford Site.

This document presents a groundwater monitoring program for three Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) waste management units at the Hanford Site combined under one groundwater quality assessment program. The units are the 216 A 10, 216 A 36B, and 216 A-37-1 cribs (the RCRA PUREX cribs). The three cribs have been grouped together based on their proximity to one another, similar construction and waste history, and similar hydrogeologic regime. The RCRA PUREX cribs are located in the 200 East Area of the Hanford Site. This document replaces the previous RCRA monitoring plan (Lindberg 1997-PNNL-11523, Rev.0) for these cribs.

The trajectory of thermodynamic states passed through by the nitrogen Hugoniot starting from the liquid and up to 10{sup 6} GPa has been studied. An earlier report of cooling in the doubly shocked liquid, near 50 to 100 GPa and 7500 K, is revisited in light of the recent discovery of solid polymeric nitrogen. It is found that cooling occurs when the doubly shocked liquid is driven into a volume near the molecular to polymer transition and raising the possibility of a liquid-liquid phase transition (LLPT). By increasing the shock pressure and temperature by an order of magnitude, theoretical calculations predict thermal ionization of the L shell drives the compression maxima to 5-6 fold compression at 10 Mbar (T {approx} 3.5 10{sup 5} K) and at 400 Mbar (T {approx} 2.3 10{sup 6} K) from K shell ionization. Near a pressure of 10{sup 6} GPa the K shell ionizes completely and the Hugoniot approaches the classical ideal gas compression fourfold limit.

A polycrystalline diamond grown by the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique is recognized as a unique material for high power electronic devices owing to unrivaled combination of properties such as ultra-low microwave absorption, high thermal conductivity, high mechanical strength and chemical stability. Microwave vacuum windows for modern high power sources and transmission lines operating at the megawatt power level require high quality diamond disks with a diameter of several centimeters and a thickness of a few millimeters. The microwave plasma-assisted CVD technique exploited today to produce such disks has low deposition rate, which limits the availability of large size diamond disk windows. High-electron-density plasma generated by the millimeter-wave power was suggested for enhanced-growth-rate CVD. In this paper a general description of the 30 GHz gyrotron-based facility is presented. The output radiation of the gyrotron is converted into four wave-beams. Free localized plasma in the shape of a disk with diameter much larger than the wavelength of the radiation is formed in the intersection area of the wave-beams. The results of investigation of the plasma parameters, as well as the first results of diamond film deposition are presented. The prospects for commercially producing vacuum window diamond disks for high power microwave …

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory routinely manufactures planar laser targets that consist of stacked and bonded foils for physics experiments on high-energy lasers. One recent planar laser target, the Equation of State target, had extremely tight specifications. The target required four bonded layers with thickness uniformities of several hundred nm, and the adhesive bonds between the layers could not exceed a few {micro}m. This paper describes the manufacturing process that was developed to meet these specifications.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is currently investigating various approaches to minimize the x-ray source size on the Flash X-Ray (FXR) linear induction accelerator in order to improve x-ray flux and increase resolution for hydrodynamic radiography experiments. In order to effectively gauge improvements to final x-ray source size, a fast, robust, and accurate system for measuring the spot size is required. Timely feedback on x-ray source size allows new and improved accelerator tunes to be deployed and optimized within the limited run-time constraints of a production facility with a busy experimental schedule; in addition, time-resolved measurement capability allows the investigation of not only the time-averaged source size, but also the evolution of the source size, centroid position, and x-ray dose throughout the 70 ns beam pulse. Combined with time-resolved measurements of electron beam parameters such as emittance, energy, and current, key limiting factors can be identified, modeled, and optimized for the best possible spot size. Roll-bar techniques are a widely used method for x-ray source size measurement, and have been the method of choice at FXR for many years. A thick bar of tungsten or other dense metal with a sharp edge is inserted into the path of the x-ray …

The Hybrid Sulfur (HyS) Thermochemical Process is a means of producing hydrogen via water-splitting through a combination of chemical reactions and electrochemistry. Energy is supplied to the system as high temperature heat (approximately 900 C) and electricity. Advanced nuclear reactors (Generation IV) or central solar receivers can be the source of the primary energy. Large-scale hydrogen production based on this process could be a major contributor to meeting the needs of a hydrogen economy. This project's objectives include optimization of the HyS process design, analysis of technical issues and concerns, creation of a development plan, and laboratory-scale proof-of-concept testing. The key component of the HyS Process is the SO2-depolarized electrolyzer (SDE). Studies were performed that showed that an electrolyzer operating in the range of 500-600 mV per cell can lead to an overall HyS cycle efficiency in excess of 50%, which is superior to all other currently proposed thermochemical cycles. Economic analysis indicated hydrogen production costs of approximately $1.60 per kilogram for a mature nuclear hydrogen production plant. However, in order to meet commercialization goals, the electrolyzer should be capable of operating at high current density, have a long operating lifetime , and have an acceptable capital cost. The use …

The surface of a beta solution treated and overaged (BSTOA) Ti-6Al-4V alloy specimen deformed by laser shock processing was studied using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Slip steps were observed within grains oriented with their c-axis nearly parallel to the specimen surface normal. Based on the slip step traces and orientation information, the slip planes were determined to be (11{bar 2}2) for grains with their c-axis within 15{sup o} of the specimen surface normal and (11{bar 2}1) for grains with their c-axis between 15{sup o} and 40{sup o} away from the specimen surface normal. Although both these planes are known to belong to twinning systems, (11{bar 2}2)<11{bar 2}{bar 3}> and (11{bar 2}1)<11{bar 2}{bar 6}> respectively, the latter has not been observed to operate as a slip system. Examination of the Taylor factors associated with these slip systems shows that the grains with slip steps have the lowest Taylor factors. Determination of localized lattice rotations showed a unique behavior in grains with slip steps, such that all the lattice rotations were concentrated about the steps, with almost no orientation variations in between slip steps. This distribution indicates that stress concentrations exist at the …

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We describe a model for the scalar sector where all interactions occur either at an ultra-high scale A{sub U} {approx} 10{sup 16}-10{sup 19} GeV or at an intermediate scale {Lambda}{sub I} = 10{sup 9}-10{sup 11} GeV. The interaction of physics on these two scales results in an SU(2) Higgs condensate at the electroweak (EW) scale, {Lambda}{sub EW}, through a seesaw-like Higgs mechanism, {Lambda}{sub EW} {approx} {Lambda}{sub 1}{sup 2}/{Lambda}{sub U}, while the breaking of the SM SU(2) x U(1) gauge symmetry occurs at the intermediate scale {Lambda}{sub I}. The EW scale is, therefore, not fundamental but is naturally generated in terms of ultra-high energy phenomena and so the hierarchy problem is alleviated. We show that our ''seesaw-Higgs'' model predicts the existence of sub-eV neutrino masses which are generated through a ''two-step'' seesaw mechanism in terms of the same two ultra-high scales: m{sub {nu}} {approx} {Lambda}{sub I}{sup 4}/{Lambda}{sub U}{sup 3} {approx} {Lambda}{sub EW}{sup 2}/{Lambda}{sub U}. We also show that our seesaw Higgs model can be naturally embedded, in theories with tiny extra dimensions of size R {approx} {Lambda}{sub U}{sup -1} {approx} 10{sup -16} fm, where the seesaw induced EW scale arises from a violation of a symmetry at a distant brane if …

The author concentrates on the version of magnetized target fusion (MTF) that involves 3D implosions of a wall-confined plasma with the density in the compressed state {approx} 10{sup 21}-10{sup 22} cm{sup -3}. Possible plasma configurations suitable for this approach are identified. The main physics issues are outlined (equilibrium, stability, transport, plasma-liner interaction, etc). Specific parameters of the experiment reaching the plasma Q{approx}1 are presented (Q is the ratio of the fusion yield to the energy delivered to the plasma). It is emphasized that there exists a synergy between the physics and technology of MTF and dense Z-pinches (DZP). Specific areas include the particle and heat transport in a high-beta plasma, plasma-liner interaction, liner stability, stand-off problem for the power source, reaching a rep-rate regime in the energy-producing reactor, etc. Possible use of existing pulsed-power facilities for addressing these issues is discussed.

With the emergence of structural genomics, more effort is being invested into developing methods that incorporate basic crystallographic knowledge to enhance decision making procedures (e.g. Panjikar, 2005). A key area where some crystallographic knowledge is often vital for the smooth progress of structure solution is that of judging the quality or characteristics of an X-ray dataset. For instance, detecting the presence of anisotropic diffraction or twinning while a crystal is on the beam line, may allow the user to change the data collection strategy in order to obtain a better or a more complete data set. In post-collection analyses, the presence of (for instance) non-crystallographic translational symmetry might help the user (or program!) to solve the structure more easily. Of course, the identification of problems is by no means a guarantee that the problems can be overcome, but knowledge of the idiosyncrasies of a given X-ray data set permits the user or software pipeline to tailor the structure solution and refinement procedures to increase the chances of success. In this report, a number of routines are presented that assist the user in detecting specific problems or features within a given dataset. The routines are made available via the open source …

Noise self-generated by a surface ship towing an array in search of a weak target presents a major problem for the signal processing especially if broadband techniques are being employed. In this paper we discuss the development and application of an adaptive noise canceling processor capable of extracting the weak far-field acoustic target in a noisy ocean acoustic environment. The fundamental idea for this processor is to use a model-based approach incorporating both target and ship noise. Here we briefly describe the underlying theory and then demonstrate through simulation how effective the canceller and target enhancer perform. The adaptivity of the processor not only enables the ''tracking'' of the canceller coefficients, but also the estimation of target parameters for localization. This approach which is termed ''joint'' cancellation and enhancement produces the optimal estimate of both in a minimum (error) variance sense.

The Flash X-Ray Radiography (FXR) facility at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory utilizes a high current, long pulse linear induction accelerator to produce high doses of x-ray radiation. Accurate characterization of the transverse beam emittance is required in order to facilitate accelerator modeling and tuning efforts and, ultimately, to optimize the final focus spot size, yielding higher resolution radiographs. In addition to conventional magnet scan, pepper-pot, and multiple screen techniques, optical transition radiation (OTR) has been proven as a useful emittance measurement diagnostic and is particularly well suited to the FXR accelerator. We shall discuss the time-resolved emittance characterization of an induction linac electron beam using OTR, and we will present our experimental apparatus and analysis software. We shall also develop the theoretical background of beam emittance and transition radiation.

Concrete is perhaps one of the most widely used construction materials in the world. Engineers use it to build massive concrete dams, concrete waterways, highways, bridges, and even nuclear reactors. The advantages of using concrete is that it can be cast into any desired shape, it is durable, and very economical compared to structural steel. The disadvantages are its low tensile strength, low ductility, and low strength-to-weight ratio. Concrete is a composite material that consists of a coarse granular material, or aggregate, embedded in a hard matrix of material, or cement, which fills the gaps between the aggregates and binds them together. Concrete properties, however, vary widely. The properties depend on the choice of materials used and the proportions for a particular application, as well as differences in fabrication techniques. Table 1 provides a listing of typical engineering properties for structural concrete. Properties also depend on the level of concrete confinement, or hydrostatic pressure, the material is being subjected to. In general, concrete is rarely subjected to a single axial stress. The material may experience a combination of stresses all acting simultaneously. The behavior of concrete under these combined stresses are, however, extremely difficult to characterize. In addition to the …

We examine neutrino oscillations in a two Higgs doublet model (2HDM) in which the second doublet couples only to the third generation right-handed up-fermions, i.e., to t{sub R} and N{sub 3} which is the heaviest right-handed Majorana neutrino. The inherently large tan {beta} of this model can naturally account for the large top-quark mass and, based on a quark-lepton similarity ansatz, when embedded into a seesaw mechanism it can also account for the observed neutrino masses and mixing angles giving a very small {theta}{sub 13}: -0.96{sup 0} {approx}< {theta}{sub 13} {approx}< 1.36{sup 0} at 99% CL, and a very restrictive prediction for the atmospheric mixing angle: 42.9{sup 0} {approx}< {theta}{sub atm} {approx}< 45.2{sup 0} at 99% CL. The large value of tan {beta} also sets the mass scale of the heaviest right-handed Majorana neutrino N{sub 3} and triggers successful leptogenesis.

We report density functional molecular dynamics simulations to determine the early chemical events of hot (T = 3000 K) and dense (1.97 g/cm{sup 3}, V/V{sub 0} = 0.68) nitromethane (CH{sub 3}NO{sub 2}). The first step in the decomposition process is an intermolecular proton abstraction mechanism that leads to the formation of CH{sub 3}NO{sub 2}H and the aci ion H{sub 2}CNO{sub 2}{sup -}, in support of evidence from static high-pressure and shock experiments. An intramolecular hydrogen transfer that transforms nitromethane into the aci acid form, CH{sub 2}NO{sub 2}H, accompanies this event. This is the first confirmation of chemical reactivity with bond selectivity for an energetic material near the condition of fully reacted specimen. We also report the decomposition mechanism followed up to the formation of H{sub 2}O as the first stable product.

Legislative initiatives to comprehensively amend the Clean Water Act have talked for some time as interested parties have debated whether and exactly how to change the law. Congress has recently focused legislative attention on narrow bills to extend or modify selected Clean Water Act programs, rather than taking up comprehensive proposals. This report contains information on the recent developments as of its writing, background and analysis as related to Clean Water Act legislative actions, and legislative issues of the 109th Congress.

Project Objective: The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) conducted a study of the feasibility of siting a renewable energy biomass-based installation on tribal lands. The purpose of the study was to determine whether such an installation can be economically sustainable, as well as consistent with the cultural, social, and economic goals of the Tribe. Scope: To achieve the goal of the feasibility study, the following tasks were carried out: (1) Resource availability assessment--The objective of this assessment was to determine the availability of both poultry litter and wood residues for use in the proposed facility. (2) Power utilization assessment--The objective of this assessment was to determine the potential market size for power produced, the existing infrastructure for delivering power to that market, and the costs and economic returns for doing so. (3) Technology review--The objective of this review was to identify one, or more, technical options for detailed economic and technical assessment. The study considered a range of feedstock and product mixtures of poultry litter; wood residues as feedstock; and electrical power and other ancillary products as outputs. Distributed power sources was also examined. Technologies ranging from gasification to systems that produce both power and value-added chemicals were considered. …

The development of thin-wall technology allows the designers of energy consuming equipment to select the most appropriate material based on cost/material properties considerations, and not solely on density. The technology developed in this research project will permit the designers working for the automotive industry to make a better informed choice between competing materials and thin wall cast iron, thus decreasing the overall cost of the automobile.

Correspondence issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance (Commission) was created on December 28, 2000, by the National Moment of Remembrance Act (act). The Commission's purpose is to sustain the American spirit through acts of remembrance, not only on Memorial Day but also throughout the year, for those who died serving our country. Congress appropriated $1 million to the Commission to fund its operations for fiscal years 2002 through 2004. In fiscal year 2004, the Commission received net appropriations of approximately $249,000, along with cash and in-kind donations of approximately $102,000 from individuals and businesses. In addition, it had approximately $240,000 in unexpended appropriations from prior fiscal years. The Commission expended approximately $257,000 of appropriated funds and funded costs of approximately $102,000 with cash and in-kind donations received during the fiscal year. The act requires us to audit the financial transactions of the Commission, and this report covers our work on its fiscal year 2004 financial transactions."

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Securing and defending U.S. airspace is an interagency mission that depends on close interagency coordination and information sharing. GAO was asked to review (1) the threat assessment for U.S. aviation, (2) violations of restricted airspace since September 11, 2001, (3) agencies' individual or coordinated steps to secure U.S. aviation, and (4) interagency policies and procedures to manage the response to restricted airspace violations. GAO will issue a classified report responding to this request later this year. To keep this testimony unclassified, GAO focused on the latter three questions."

Document issued by the Office of the Attorney General of Texas in Austin, Texas, providing an interpretation of Texas law. It provides the opinion of the Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, regarding a legal question submitted for clarification: Whether a nonprofit corporation may offer a savings bond or prepaid bank credit card as a prize in a charitable raffle under the Charitable Raffle Enabling Act, Occupations Code chapter 2002 (RQ-0303-GA)

Department of Defense Clearinghouse Response: DoD Clearinghouse response to an e-mail from the BRAC Commission requesting COBRA files on the Joint Medical Command Headquarters. (COBRA File: 7% Cut. PDF information, DCN 4947).