Current activities include providing CRBRP design information based on tests of the IVHM Inflatable Seal to CRBRP conditions, testing the CRBRP dip seal configuration to determine its performance characteristics, and delineating the effects of sodium and radiation environments on the efficiencies of various seal materials.

Physician acceptance of computer-enhanced radionuclide scan results, presented in the form of small Polaroid pictures, has been very limited for a number of subjective reasons. A new recorder was designed and constructed that presents the results of computer augmented scans through a medium that is quite familiar to doctors, the standard 14 in. x 17 in. x-ray film. (auth)

Two billets were pressed from each of three lots of 90503 mock. One billet from each of these lots was pressed using dried powder. Samples were taken from each pressing charge just prior to pressing and volatile content measured. Each of these six billets were then machined into compression and tensile specimens. Additional compression specimens were machined from an existing hemispherical part made from one of these lots of material. Dimensional stability tests were conducted on parts from each billet and the hemisphere. Compression and tensile testing was conducted at 21 C and 49 C on specimens from each of the six billets. The small scale compression specimens from the hemisphere were also tested at these temperatures. The mechanical properties testing shows that the compression strain at rupture and the tensile rupture stress were significantly affected by the higher temperature. No apparent differences were seen between parts made from dried or normal powder.

The coreless Hartree--Fock effective potential (CHFEP) method is used to replace the core orbitals for atoms of the first three rows of the periodic table. Self-consistent field (SCF) calculations indicate that these effective potentials give Hartree--Fock quality orbitals and orbital energies. Optimized small basis sets for use with these effective potentials are presented along with some tests of these basis sets. It is seen that the effective potential allows one to use such small basis sets without the introduction of any serious error. These smaller basis set calculations allow for great savings in computational time and cost. (auth)

The calculations reveal that the H + H/sub 2/O and H + HF exchange reactions are both characterized by a large energy barrier (on the order of 20 to 30 kcal/mole) and a transition state possessing significant Rydberg 3s character on the central atom. The presence of high energy barriers means that both exchange reactions will be extremely slow except at very high temperatures.

The effects of metallurgical processing on 60 Hz ac losses and dc critical currents in Nb/sub 3/Sn tapes fabricated by the solid state diffusion technique were investigated. An addition of Al to the Cu--Sn alloy for the matrix resulted in large reduction in the ac losses of Nb/sub 3/Sn tapes, but the highest linear critical current densities were observed in Nb/sub 3/Sn tapes produced with a Nb-1 wt percent Zr core in a Cu-13 wt percent Sn matrix. Values of the losses and the critical currents in these tapes can meet the present requirements for the ac superconducting power cables.

Atomic Physics research with beams from accelerators has continued to expand and the number of papers and articles at meetings and in journals reflects a steadily increasing interest and an increasing support from various funding agencies. An attempt will be made to point out where interdisciplinary benefits have occurred, and where applications of the new results to engineering problems are expected. Drawing from material which will be discussed in the conference, a list of the most active areas of research is presented. Accelerator based atomic physics brings together techniques from many areas, including chemistry, astronomy and astrophysics, nuclear physics, solid state physics and engineering. An example is the use of crystal channeling to sort some of the phenomena of ordinary heavy ion stopping powers. This tool has helped us to reach a better understanding of stopping mechanisms with the result that now we have established a better base for predicting energy losses of heavy ions in various materials.

A proposal to design, construct, and operate a D--Li intense neutron source for CTR materials research is discussed. Information pertaining to the following areas is given: (1) radiation damage effectiveness, (2) Linac design and performance, (3) target design and performance, (4) experimental area design, (5) construction schedule, (6) construction costs, (7) preliminary design and development program, (8) facility operation and operating costs, and (9) financial appropriation plan. (MOW)

Pion sources suitable for cancer therapy utilizing a large acceptance collector are within the state of the art in this field. Costs are remarkably uniform between the various accelerator types, and are within reason for large centers which might specialize in this type therapy. Accelerator size is a problem, but may be reduced as various studies extend the state of the art in this area. None of the contenders is a small device, and all will require a large operating staff (8-10 people) just to keep the systems operating and maintained. If pion therapy is successful, the accelerator science community will have a reasonable solution to the source problem available.

Very minor test part experience of the all-rotary machine has been obtained. Results at this point appear to verify that the machines (both in the three axis and in the phonograph configuration) are inherently more accurate than machines with slides. Much more work is needed to define the desirable operating parameters and the size capacity of the all rotary machine. A second generation three axis machine is in the design stage which abandons mounting the vertical axes from the top, and instead has three vertical axes at various pin points of link points on a complex tool arm. The part then spins on a fixed axis. This machine is conceived to produce large diameter contoured laser mirrors with great accuracy. Going to a complex set of tool arm linkages greatly reduces the weight and forces on components to be moved during machining, reducing further the very minute deflection in the machining process.

The operation of the ANL 4-MeV accelerator for the reporting period September 1, 1975 through August 31, 1976 is described. Some improvements and modifications to the accelerator and associated equipment, as well as maintenance problems are reported. Activities on the three research projects and a subsequent modification are summarized. Progress on the shift of research activities from the BYU 2-MeV accelerator to the 4-MeV accelerator is described.

Three aspects of the transuranium (TRU) nuclide-soil interaction were studied in connection with Savannah River Plant (SRP) burial ground operations. Results of the studies are reported as three separate parts of this report. (auth)

Actinide transmutation in fission or fusion reactors is considered as a possible method of radioactive waste processing. A brief summary is presented of transmutation studies completed or in progress. (DG)

The adiabatic elastic moduli for tetragonal single crystal PETN were measured using the phase comparison technique of McSkimin with minor variations. Measurements on four different crystal orientations yielded twelve wave velocities from which the six moduli were calculated. The self-consistency cross-checks on c/sub 11/, c/sub 12/, and c/sub 44/ were excellent while the cross-checks on c/sub 33/, c/sub 66/, and c/sub 13/ were not. The only modulus with appreciable error was c/sub 13/ which was estimated to be 11.5 percent. The single crystal bulk modulus agrees rather well with the bulk modulus of polycrystalline specimens indicating the value of c/sub 13/ is probably within its estimated error.

Our initial study of the USDA/TAHC Brucellosis Indemnity Program in Texas has shown that both the efficiency and rate of claim payments can be increased by the application of present day computer technologies. Two main factors contribute to these increases: the number of discrepancies that are caused by poor penmanship, transposition of numbers, and other human errors can be monitored and minimized; and the documented information can be indexed, sorted, and searched faster, more efficiently, and without human error. The overall flow of documentation that is used to control the movement of infected or exposed animals through commerce should be studied. A new system should be designed that fully utilizes present day computer and electronic technologies.

Research was concentrated on evaluation of the population mechanism of the Ne--N/sub 2/ DNP laser discovered at the University of Illinois, and on the exploration of laser possibilities in He--Hg. A simple modeling analysis of a DNP Ne plasma was performed to supplement the experimental studies of inversion mechanisms. (MHR)

None

The APEX program is designed to investigate the concept that a continuously recirculating flow of fine solid particles in the brine stream will substantially retard the formation of scale in the primary heat exchanger. The primary technical effort during this reporting period has been the installation, checkout and calibration of the test system under a variety of flow conditions. The baseline heat transfer tests and the baseline recirculating bed tests have been completed. Work is in progress for the characterization of candidate geothermal fluid simulants. (MHR)

The current program status relative to the schedule and key mileposts is described. The technical progress meetings held between ALRC and LBL personnel are summarized. A technical discussion is presented covering the experiment design, process equipment selection and laboratory testing. The process flow schematic is described with the rationale for the selected approach. The process and instrumentation schematics are reviewed in detail and the operation of each test loop is described. The selected process equipment is itemized and reviewed. The status of laboratory testing at Aerojet for selected component evaluation prior to system assembly is described. A detailed test plan for laboratory and on-site field testing was prepared. The work effort planned is described. (MHR)

The crucial issues involved in laser design are briefly reviewed: (1) obtain complete flexibility and control of laser energy, (2) design optimized amplifiers, and (3) increase laser efficiency. Most of the discussion deals with item 2. (MOW)

The detailed results are presented of a technical and economic assessment of phase change and thermochemical energy storage systems in a solar power plant employing a high temperature Brayton cycle thermal engine with helium as the heat transport fluid. The assessment included an examination of the storage system operation, efficiency, power plant interaction, design, materials, safety, maintenance, environmental impact, system life, and economics. These considerations are implemented in the conceptual design of three baseline storage systems and their components for use in a solar power plant module of 50 megawatt electrical power output. Rationale is provided to support the configuration, operation and material choices. A preliminary assessment of the technology development and experimental test program requirements are also included. The report is contained in four separate volumes. This volume is the technical report.

The MacColl solution for electron reflection in the presence of an image filed was analyzed to obtain an equation amenable to computer programming. Instruments for basic surface experiments are described. Research in electrode screening for low temperature converters and the evaluation of the tungsten oxide converter, tungsten converter, zinc oxide converter, and lanthanum hexaboride converter is reported. Also, component hardware development including hot shell testing and combined oxygen/cesium reservoir development is summarized. (WHK)

Geometric arrangements and exposure conditions used in different magnification techniques are described and the following advantages of radiographic magnification technique are discussed: sharpness effect; noise effect; air gap effect; and visual effect. The magnification technique can be used in various diagnostic procedures as a means of improving the image quality of radiographs. (HLW)

Par Pond is a thermally enriched monomictic southeastern lake which receives heated effluent from a production nuclear reactor. Fish populations in the lake have lesions of epizooty from which Aeromonas spp. are readily isolated. Distribution and population densities of Aeromonas in the water column were measured along an oxygen and temperature gradient. Greater population densities of Aeromonas occurred below the oxygen chemocline when the lake was stratified. Survival of A. hydrophila under in situ conditions in both epilimnetic and hypolimnetic waters was determined using polycarbonate membrane diffusion chambers, during two separate reactor operating conditions. Survival levels of pure cultures of A. hydrophila corresponded to the distribution patterns of the naturally occurring Aeromonas-like populations. The greater survival of A. hydrophila below the chemocline when the reactor was in full operation suggests that the fish populations may be exposed to Aeromonas for a longer period of time than when the reactor is not operating. (auth)