Publications
Search results
Jump to search filtersVisual Servoing: A technology in search of an application
Considerable research has been performed on Robotic Visual Servoing (RVS) over the past decade. Using real-time visual feedback, researchers have demonstrated that robotic systems can pick up moving parts, insert bolts, apply sealant, and guide vehicles. With the rapid improvements being made in computing and image processing hardware, one would expect that every robot manufacturer would have a RVS option by the end of the 1990s. So why aren`t the Fanucs, ABBs, Adepts, and Motomans of the world investing heavily in RVS? I would suggest four seasons: cost, complexity, reliability, and lack of demand. Solutions to the first three are approaching the point where RVS could be commercially available; however, the lack of demand is keeping RVS from becoming a reality in the near future. A new set of applications is needed to focus near term RVS development. These must be applications which currently do not have solutions. Once developed and working in one application area, the technology is more likely to quickly spread to other areas. DOE has several applications that are looking for technological solutions, such as agile weapons production, weapons disassembly, decontamination and dismantlement of nuclear facilities, and hazardous waste remediation. This paper will examine a few of these areas and suggest directions for application-driven visual servoing research.
Status report on the NCSL Intrinsic/Derived Standards Committee
The history and present status of the NCSL intrinsic/Derived Standards Committee is presented, including a review of the current published Recommended Intrinsic/Derived Standard Practices (RISPs) and the four Working Groups that are in the process of developing new RISPs. One of the documents under development is a Reference Catalogue that documents important information associated with over forty intrinsic/derived standards. The generic information on each standard in the Catalogue, as well as its Table of contents, are presented.
Laser drilling of printed wiring boards: Final report on work sponsored by Sandia LDRD program
Traditionally, electrical connections- between layers of a printed wiring board are formed by mechanically drilling holes through all layers and then plating the resulting structure to provide electrical connections between the layers. The mechanical drilling process is very capital- and labor-intensive and is often a bottleneck in board production. The goal of this program was the development of laser drilling as an alternative to mechanical drilling. Cost advantages and the ability to produce smaller holes were both of interest. Although it had initially been intended to develop all processes at Sandia, suitable emerging processes and materials were identified in industry during the course of the work. Because of these industry efforts, it was decided to terminate the LDRD efforts after the first year of work and to pursue collaborative development efforts with industrial partners. A laser drilling facility is currently being developed at Sandia to pursue this work further.
Containment removal from solid waste by supercritical carbon dioxide
Large quantities of solid wastes such as rags, kimwipes, swabs, coveralls, gloves, etc., contaminated with oils, greases and hazardous solvents are generated by industry and the government. If the hazardous components (offs, greases and solvents) could be segregated from the much larger bulk of non-hazardous material, then these solid materials could potentially be handled as sanitary waste, at a significant cost savings. AlliedSignal KCP, a typical DOE manufacturing site, spent several hundred thousand dollars in CY92 for disposal of contaminated solid wastes. Similarly, Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, also spent several hundred thousand dollars in CY91 for disposal of rags. Under the Department of Energy (DOE)/United States Air Force (USAF) Memorandum of Understanding, the objective of this joint AlliedSignal KCP/Sandia National Laboratories project is to demonstrate the feasibility of using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO{sub 2}) to segregate hazardous oils, greases, and organic solvents from non-hazardous solid waste such as rags, wipes, swabs, coveralls, gloves, etc. Supercritical carbon dioxide possesses many of the characteristics desired in an ``environmentally acceptable`` solvent system. It is nontoxic, inexpensive, and recyclable. Carbon dioxide possesses a moderate critical temperature (31{degrees}C) and pressure (1071 psi). At 37{degrees}C and pressures greater than 2000 psi, the density is greater than 0.8 g/cc. Contaminants dissolved in the supercritical CO{sub 2} solvent are separated out by expansion of the fluid to a subcritical pressure where CO{sub 2} is a gas and the dissolved materials precipitate out (usually as a liquid or solid). The gaseous CO{sub 2} can then be recompressed and recycled.
Policies for implementing network firewalls
Brown, C.D.
Corporate networks are frequently protected by {open_quotes}firewalls{close_quotes} or gateway systems that control access to/from other networks, e.g., the Internet, in order to reduce the network`s vulnerability to hackers and other unauthorized access. Firewalls typically limit access to particular network nodes and application protocols, and they often perform special authentication and authorization functions. One of the difficult issues associated with network firewalls is determining which applications should be permitted through the firewall. For example, many networks permit the exchange of electronic mail with the outside but do not permit file access to be initiated by outside users, as this might allow outside users to access sensitive data or to surreptitiously modify data or programs (e.g., to intall Trojan Horse software). However, if access through firewalls is severely restricted, legitimate network users may find it difficult or impossible to collaborate with outside users and to share data. Some of the most serious issues regarding firewalls involve setting policies for firewalls with the goal of achieving an acceptable balance between the need for greater functionality and the associated risks. Two common firewall implementation techniques, screening routers and application gateways, are discussed below, followed by some common policies implemented by network firewalls.
Math and science illiteracy: Social and economic impacts
Today`s highly competitive global economy is being driven by increasingly rapid technological development. This paper explores the problems of math and science illiteracy in the United States and the potential impact on our economic survival in this environment during the next century. Established educational methods that reward task performance, emphasize passive lecture, and fail to demonstrate relevance to real life are partly to blame. Social norms, stereotypes, and race and gender bias also have an impact. To address this crisis, we need to question the philosophy of an educational system that values task over concept. Many schools have already initiated programs at all grade levels to make math and science learning more relevant, stimulating, and fun. Teaching methods that integrate math and science learning with teamwork, social context, and other academic subjects promote the development of higher-order thinking skills and help students see math and science as necessary skills.
Flow visualization for Lagrangian particle methods
In particle methods, each particle represents a finite region over which there is a distribution of the field quantity of interest. The field value at any point is calculated by summing the distribution functions for all the particles. This summation procedure does not require the use of any connectivities to generate continuous fields. Various AVS modules and networks have been developed that enable us to visualize the results from particle methods. This will be demonstrated by visualizing a numerical simulation of a rising, chaotic bubble. In this fluid dynamics simulation, each particle represents a region with a specified vorticity distribution.
Fatigue case study and loading spectra for wind turbines
The paper discusses two aspects of Sandia`s Wind Energy Program. The first section of the paper presents a case study of fatigue in wind turbines. This case study was prepared for the American Society of Testing Material`s (ASTM) Standard Technical Publication (STP) on fatigue education. Using the LIFE2 code, the student is lead through the process of cumulative damage summation for wind turbines and typical data are used to demonstrate the range of life estimates that will result from typical parameter variations. The second section summarizes the results from a workshop held by Sandia and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to discuss fatigue life prediction methodologies. This section summarizes the workshop discussions on the use of statistical modeling to deduce the shape and magnitude of the low-probability-of-occurrence, high-stress tail of the load distribution on a wind turbine during normal operation.
The mixed waste landfill integrated demonstration
The Mixed Waste Landfill Integrated Demonstration (MWLID) focuses on ``in-situ`` characterization, monitoring, remediation, and containment of landfills in arid environments that contain hazardous and mixed waste. The MWLID mission is to assess, demonstrate, and transfer technologies and systems that lead to faster, better, cheaper, and safer cleanup. Most important, the demonstrated technologies will be evaluated against the baseline of conventional technologies and systems. The comparison will include the cost, efficiency, risk, and feasibility of using these innovative technologies at other sites.
On-sun test results from second-generation and advanced-concepts alkali-metal pool-boiler receivers
Two 75-kW{sub t} alkali-metal pool-boiler solar receivers have been successfully tested at Sandia National Laboratories` National Solar Thermal Test Facility. The first one, Sandia`s `` second-generation pool-boiler receiver,`` was designed to address commercialization issues identified during post-test assessment of Sandia`s first-generation pool-boiler receiver. It was constructed from Haynes alloy 230 and contained the alkali-metal alloy NaK-78. The absorber`s wetted side had a brazed-on powder-metal coating to stabilize boiling. This receiver was evaluated for boiling stability, hot- and warm-restart behavior, and thermal efficiency. Boiling was stable under all conditions. All of the hot restarts were successful. Mild transient hot spots observed during some hot restarts were eliminated by the addition of 1/3 torr of xenon to the vapor space. All of the warm restarts were also successful. The heat-transfer crisis that damaged the first receiver did not recur. Thermal efficiency was 92.3% at 750{degrees}C with 69.6 kW{sub t} solar input. The second receiver tested, Sandia`s ``advanced-concepts receiver,`` was a replica of the first-generation receiver except that the cavities, which were electric-discharge-machined in the absorber for boiling stability, were eliminated. This step was motivated by bench-scale test results that showed that boiling stability improved with increased heated-surface area, tilt of the heated surface from vertical, and added xenon. The bench-scale results suggested that stable boiling might be possible without heated-surface modification in a 75-kW{sub t} receiver. Boiling in the advanced-concepts receiver with 1/3 torr of xenon added has been stable under all conditions, confirming the bench-scale tests.
A more exact analysis of Sandia Laser Tracker data
The Sandia Laser Tracker (LT) systems illuminate a cooperative target with a diverged Argon-ion laser beam and track the resulting bright target using a servo-controlled turning mirror. Raw data is digitally recorded in real time and analyzed later when more time is available. The recorded data consists of azimuth and elevation of the tracking mirror, tracking error signals, and range to the target. If the target is tracked perfectly, the error signals will always be zero. The data reduction for this simplified, zero-error condition can be accomplished with very few lines of code. To date, all data reduction for LTI has been done using this zero-error assumption. The more general data reduction problem using the tracking error signals is a much more involved calculation and is referred to as ``using the error foldback routine.`` Detailed theory and vector analysis behind the data reduction and error decoupling algorithms used in the LT systems are described. Errors and corrections to the original document uncovered in over ten years of use are also noted and corrected.
Sandia Lightning Early Warning Network: Digital-based upgrade
Boyd, G.M.
This report describes the layout and operation of the recently upgraded Sandia Lightning Early Warning Network, which was upgraded from an analog-based to a digital-based telemetry system.
Preparation of silica or alumina pillared crystalline titanates
Layered crystalline titanates (CT) [Anthony and Dosch, US Patent 5 177 045 (1993)] are pillared with tetraethyl orthosilicate, 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, and aluminum acetylacetonate to prepare porous and high surface area supports for sulfided NiMo catalyst. Tetra-ethyl orthosilicate or aluminum acetylacetonate intercalated CT are prepared by stepwise intercalation. First, the basal distance is increased by n-alkylammonium ions prior to intercalation with inorganic compounds. However, an aqueous solution of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane could directly pillar CT without first swelling the titanate with n-alkylamine. The catalytic activities for hydrogenation of pyrene of sulfided NiMo supported silica or alumina pillared CT were higher than those of commercial catalysts (Shell324 and Amocat1C). The silicon and aluminum contents of the pillared CT, used as supports, have a considerable effect on the catalytic activities and physical properties of the supports.
The development of laser ignited deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) detonators and pyrotechnic actuators
The use of laser ignited explosive components has been recognized as a safety enhancement over existing electrical explosive devices (EEDs). Sandia has been pursuing the development of optical ordnance for many years with recent emphasis on developing optical deflagration-to-detonation (DDT) detonators and pyrotechnic actuators. These low energy optical ordnance devices can be ignited with either a semiconductor diode laser, laser diode arrays or a solid state rod laser. By using a semiconductor laser diode, the safety improvement can be made without sacrificing performance since the input energy required for the laser diode and the explosive output are similar to existing electrical systems. The use of higher powered laser diode arrays or rod lasers may have advantages in fast DDT applications or lossy optical environments such as long fiber applications and applications with numerous optical connectors. Recent results from our continued study of optical ignition of explosive and pyrotechnic materials are presented. These areas of investigation can be separated into three different margin categories: (1) the margin relative to intended inputs ( i.e. powder performance as a function of laser input variation), (2) the margin relative to anticipated environments (i.e. powder performance as a function of thermal environment variation), and (3) the margin relative to unintended environments (i.e. responses to abnormal environments or safety).
Processing solid propellants for recycling
Whinnery, L.L.; Griffiths, S.K.; Handrock, J.L.; Lipkin, J.
Rapid evolution in the structure of military forces worldwide is resulting in the retirement of numerous weapon systems. Many of these systems include rocket motors containing highly energetic propellants based on hazardous nitrocellulose/nitroglycerin (NC/NG) mixtures. Even as the surplus quantities of such material increases, however, current disposal methods -- principally open burning and open detonation (OB/OD) -- are coming under close scrutiny from environmental regulators. Environmentally conscious alternatives to disposal of propellant and explosives are thus receiving renewed interest. Recycle and reuse alternatives to OB/OD appear particularly attractive because some of the energetic materials in the inventories of surplus weapon systems represent potentially valuable resources to the commercial explosives and chemical industries. The ability to reclaim such resources is therefore likely to be a key requirement of any successful technology of the future in rocket motor demilitarization. This document consists of view graphs from the poster session.
A fully coupled thermal, chemical, mechanical cookoff model
Cookoff modeling of confined energetic materials involves the coupling of thermal, chemical and mechanical effects. In the past, modeling has focussed on the prediction of thermal runaway with little regard to the effects of mechanical behavior of the energetic material. To address the mechanical response of the energetic material, a constitutive submodel has been developed which can be incorporated into thermal-chemical-mechanical analysis. This work presents development of this submodel and its incorporation into a fully coupled one-dimensional, thermal-chemical-mechanical computer code to simulate thermal initiation of energetic materials. Model predictions include temperature, chemical species, stress, strain, solid/gas pressure, solid/gas density, yield function, and gas volume fraction. Sample results from a scaled aluminum tube filled with RDX exposed to a constant temperature bath at 500 K will be displayed. The micromechanical submodel is based on bubble mechanics which describes nucleation, decomposition, and elastic/plastic mechanical behavior. This constitutive material description requires input of temperatures and reacted fraction of the energetic material as provided by the reactive heat flow code, XCHEM, and the mechanical response is predicted using a quasistatic mechanics code, SANTOS. A parametric sensitivity analysis indicates that a small degree of decomposition causes significant pressurization of the energetic material, which implies that cookoff modeling must consider the strong interaction between thermal-chemistry and mechanics. This document consists of view graphs from the poster session.
The thermochemistry and reaction mechanisms in the decomposition of energetic materials
The chemical processes involved in the decomposition of energetic materials have been investigated theoretically using quantum chemical methods to determine the thermochemistry and reaction pathways. The Bond-Additivity-Corrected Moller-Plesset 4th order perturbation theory method (BAC-MP4) has been used to determine heats of formation and free energies of reaction intermediates of decomposition. In addition, the BAC-MP4 method has been used to determine action pathways involving these intermediates. A theoretical method for calculating solvation energies has been developed to treat the non-idealities of high pressure and the condensed phase. The resulting chemical processes involving decomposition and ignition are presented for nitrate compounds, nitramines, and nitromethane.
DDT modeling and shock compression experiments of porous or damaged energetic materials
Baer, M.R.; Anderson, M.U.; Graham, R.A.
In this presentation, we present modeling of DDT in porous energetic materials and experimental studies of a time-resolved, shock compression of highly porous inert and reactive materials. This combined theoretical and experimental studies explore the nature of the microscale processes of consolidation, deformation and reaction which are key features of the shock response of porous or damaged energetic materials. The theoretical modeling is based on the theory of mixtures in which multiphase mixtures are treated in complete nonequilibrium allowing for internal boundary effects associated mass/momentum and energy exchange between phases, relative flow, rate-dependent compaction behavior, multistage chemistry and interphase boundary effects. Numerous studies of low-velocity impacts using a high resolution adaptive finite element method are presented which replicate experimental observations. The incorporation of this model into multi-material hydrocode analysis will be discussed to address the effects of confinement and its influence on accelerated combustion behavior. The experimental studies will focus on the use of PVDF piezoelectric polymer stress-rate gauge to precisely measure the input and propagating shock stress response of porous materials. In addition to single constituent porous materials, such as granular HMX, we have resolved shock waves in porous composite intermetallic powders that confirm a dispersive wave nature which is highly morphologically and material dependent. This document consists of viewgraphs from the poster session.
On the use of fuzzy logic assessment for high consequence implementation risk analysis
``High consequence`` operations are systems, structures, and/or strategies for which it is crucial to provide assured protection against some potential catastrophe or catastrophes. The word ``catastrophe`` implies a significant loss of a resource (e.g., money, lives, health, environment, national security, etc.). The implementation of operations that are to be as catastrophe-free as possible must incorporate a very high level of protection. Unfortunately, real world limitations on available resources, mainly money and time, preclude absolute protection. For this reason, conventional ``risk analysis`` focuses on ``cost-effective`` protection, demonstrating through analysis that the benefits of any protective measures chosen outweigh their cost. This is a ``crisp`` one-parameter (usually monetary) comparison. A major problem with this approach, especially for high consequence operations, is that it may not be possible to accurately determine quantitative ``costs,`` and furthermore, the costs may not be accurately quantifiable. Similarly, it may not be possible to accurately determine or to quantify the benefits of protection in high consequence operations. These weaknesses are addressed in this paper by introducing multiple parameters instead of a single monetary measure both for costs of implementing protective measures and their benefits. In addition, a fuzzy-algebra comparison based on fuzzy number theory is introduced as a tool in providing cost/benefit tradeoff depiction, with the incorporation of measures of the uncertainty that necessarily exists in the input information. The result allows a more informative comparison to be made through use of fuzzy results, especially at the extreme bounds of the uncertainty.
The Bayou Choctaw Oil Shipment Test
In early October of 1993, an oil shipment of about 1 million barrels was made from the Bayou Choctaw Strategic Petroleum Reserve storage facility to St. James Terminal. During the shipment, oil temperatures and soil temperatures along the pipeline were recorded. The field data were used to make estimations of soil thermal properties, thermal conductivity and specific heat. These data were also used to validate and calibrate a heat transfer code, OILPIP, which has been used to calculate pipeline cooling of oil during a drawdown.
Portable Doppler interferometer system for shock diagnostics and high speed motion
VISAR (Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector) is a system that uses the Doppler effect and is widely used for measuring the velocity of projectiles, detonations, flying plates, shock pressures (particle velocity) and other high speed/high acceleration motion. Other methods of measurement such as accelerometers and pressure gauges have disadvantages in that they are sensitive to radiation, electromagnetic pulses, and their mass can drastically alter the velocity of the projectile. VISAR uses single frequency-single mode laser fight focused onto a target of interest. Reflected fight from the target is collected and sent through a modified, unequal leg Michelson interferometer. In the interferometer the light is split into two components which travel through the legs of the interferometer cavity and are then recombined. When the light recombines, an interference pattern is created which can range from dark (destructive interference) to bright (constructive interference). When the target moves, the reflected laser light experiences a frequency shift (increase) with respect to the frequency from the target in a static condition. Since the Doppler shifted light is split and routed through an unequal leg interferometer cavity, there is a time lag of the light containing the Doppler information at the recombination point in the interferometer. The effect of the time lag is to create a sinusoidally changing interference pattern (commonly called fringes). Since the interferometer time delay, laser wavelength, and the speed of light are known, an accurate measurement of target velocity/acceleration may be measured by analyzing both the number of tinges and the speed of tinge generation (system accuracy is 3--4%).
Effects of two-phase flow on the deflagration of porous energetic materials
The combustion behavior of energetic materials (e.g., solid propellants) has long been of interest in the fields of propulsion and pyrotechnics. In many such applications, it is becoming increasingly clear that two-phase flow effects play an important role, especially since, during combustion, most homogeneous solid propellants develop thin multi-phase layers at their surfaces in which finite-rate exothermic reactions occur. In addition, there is a growing interest in the behavior of porous energetic solids, since even initially dense materials can develop significant void fractions if, at any time, they are exposed to abnormal thermal environments. The deflagration characteristics of such ``damaged`` materials may then differ significantly from those of the pristine material due, at least in part, to gas flow in the solid/gas preheat region. The presence of gas in the porous solid in turn results in a more pronounced two-phase effect in the multi-phase surface layer, such as in the liquid melt region of nitramine propellants, which thus tend to exhibit extensive bubbling in an exothermic foam layer. The present analysis is largely applicable to this latter class of propellants.
Thermal decomposition reactions of HMX and RDX and their importance in predicting cookoff hazards
Behrens Jr., R.; Bulusu, S.
To develop robust models for predicting the response of munitions under abnormal conditions associated with cookoff, it is necessary to be able to accurately characterize the following: the time to ignition, the location of the ignition point within the munition, and the combustive behavior of the damaged energetic material after ignition. For, the response of the munition, as controlled by these parameters, will determine whether its response will be characterized by a relatively mild deflagration or whether it will be characterized by a more damaging detonation. Several of the underlying properties of the energetic materials used in munitions that must be understood in order to accurately characterize these parameters are the chemical and physical changes that occur in these energetic materials as they are heated. The chemical changes involve overcoming the forces that tend to stabilize these materials, such as binding within the crystal lattice or intermolecular hydrogen bonding, and their transformation to less stable forms, such as mixtures of gases with high energy content. The physical changes typically involve phase changes of the material. One significant phase change is the slow transformation of the energetic materials from the solid reactant to gas phase products. This transformation can lead initially to the formation of high pressure gas bubbles within the solid particles and ultimately to changes in the porosity and gas permeability of the energetic material formulation. The presence of these reactive gases within high pressure bubbles can lead to increased hot spot formation of the material if it is compressed. The increased porosity can lead to significant increases in the burn rates of these materials at high pressures.
Equations of state for explosive detonation products: The PANDA model
Kerley, G.I.
This paper discusses a thermochemical model for calculating equations of state (EOS) for the detonation products of explosives. This model, which was first presented at the Eighth Detonation Symposium, is available in the PANDA code and is referred to here as ``the Panda model``. The basic features of the PANDA model are as follows. (1) Statistical-mechanical theories are used to construct EOS tables for each of the chemical species that are to be allowed in the detonation products. (2) The ideal mixing model is used to compute the thermodynamic functions for a mixture of these species, and the composition of the system is determined from assumption of chemical equilibrium. (3) For hydrocode calculations, the detonation product EOS are used in tabular form, together with a reactive burn model that allows description of shock-induced initiation and growth or failure as well as ideal detonation wave propagation. This model has been implemented in the three-dimensional Eulerian code, CTH.
Blasting detonators incorporating semiconductor bridge technology
Bickes Jr., R.W.
The enormity of the coal mine and extraction industries in Russia and the obvious need in both Russia and the US for cost savings and enhanced safety in those industries suggests that joint studies and research would be of mutual benefit. The author suggests that mine sites and well platforms in Russia offer an excellent opportunity for the testing of Sandia`s precise time-delay semiconductor bridge detonators, with the potential for commercialization of the detonators for Russian and other world markets by both US and Russian companies. Sandia`s semiconductor bridge is generating interest among the blasting, mining and perforation industries. The semiconductor bridge is approximately 100 microns long, 380 microns wide and 2 microns thick. The input energy required for semiconductor bridge ignition is one-tenth the energy required for conventional bridgewire devices. Because semiconductor bridge processing is compatible with other microcircuit processing, timing and logic circuits can be incorporated onto the chip with the bridge. These circuits can provide for the precise timing demanded for cast effecting blasting. Indeed tests by Martin Marietta and computer studies by Sandia have shown that such precise timing provides for more uniform rock fragmentation, less fly rock, reduce4d ground shock, fewer ground contaminants and less dust. Cost studies have revealed that the use of precisely timed semiconductor bridges can provide a savings of $200,000 per site per year. In addition to Russia`s vast mineral resources, the Russian Mining Institute outside Moscow has had significant programs in rock fragmentation for many years. He anticipated that collaborative studies by the Institute and Sandia`s modellers would be a valuable resource for field studies.
SPR-IIIM, A new design for improved performance and reliability coupled with reduced maintenance and personnel dose
Philbin, J.S.; Schmidt, T.R.; Tucker, C.W.
This report discusses the Sandia Pulse Reactor-IIIM (SPR-IIIM) is a modernized, improved version of the SPR-III burst reactor. Fast burst reactors are bare metal reactors that have very short neutron lifetimes (10--20 nanos) and pulse widths (50--100 {mu}s full width half maximum). The Sandia National Laboratories SPR reactors have been used to produce bursts of fast neutrons to simulate certain hostile weapon environments. Generations of weapon-related electronic components and subsystems have been tested for radiation vulnerability and hardness at the SPR Facility. The reactor consists of two right circular hollow cylinder core halves separated by about 3.5 inches when the reactor is shutdown (scrammed). To operate, the movable lower core half (safety block) is driven vertically upward until it makes contact with the stationary upper core half. Final reactivity is added by four external reflector elements, three are nickel control elements and one is an aluminum pulse element. The reflector elements travel up and down just beyond the outer diameter of the cylindrical reactor core and conform to the curvature of the outer vertical surface. The ``pulse`` element adds reactivity at a rate of $10/s. Experiments can be placed in the central cavity (usable space is 7.5-in. OD by 14.5-in. height). The integrated dose in the central cavity is 6{times}10{sup 14} n/cm{sup 2} on a nominal size burst (300{degrees}C{Delta}T). The dose at the closest approach outside the reactor is 1{times}10{sup 14} n/cm{sup 2}. The unmoderated neutron spectrum peaks at {approximately}350 keV.
Display techniques for dynamic network data in transportation GIS
Interest in the characteristics of urban street networks is increasing at the same time new monitoring technologies are delivering detailed traffic data. These emerging streams of data may lead to the dilemma that airborne remote sensing has faced: how to select and access the data, and what meaning is hidden in them? computer-assisted visualization techniques are needed to portray these dynamic data. Of equal importance are controls that let the user filter, symbolize, and replay the data to reveal patterns and trends over varying time spans. We discuss a prototype software system that addresses these requirements.
Real-time SAW measurements of NVR in cleanroom and in microenvironment
Liang, A.Y.
Using a real-time, Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) sensing instrument supplied by Femtometrics, we have measured organic contamination, or nonvolatile residues (NVR), in both a cleanroom and a microenvironment. To demonstrate the {open_quotes}real-time{close_quotes} NVR detectability and sensitivity of the SAW instrument, controlled contamination experiments with photoresist material were also conducted. In addition, two cleaning methods for removing contamination from used sensors have been evaluated. One technique uses the on-board temperature varying capability of the SAW instrument, while the other technique utilizes a uv-ozone cleaner for the sensor cleaning. Preliminary results from SAW measurements in the cleanroom and in a microenvironment and tests to evaluate sensor cleaning techniques are presented in this report. A concluding summary with an assessment of the current SAW instrument and potential future applications for this technology is also presented.
The influence of VAR processes and parameters on white spot formation in Alloy 718
Significant progress has occurred lately regarding the classification, characterization, and formation of white spots during vacuum arc remelting (VAR). White spots have been generally split into three categories: discrete white spots, which are believed to be associated with undissolved material which has fallen in from the shelf, crown, or torus regions; dendritic white spots, usually associated with dendrite clusters having fallen from the electrode; and solidification white spots, believed to be caused by local perturbations in the solidifications conditions. Characteristics and proposed formation mechanisms of white spots are reviewed and discussed in context of physical processes occurring during VAR, such as fluid flow and arc behavior. Where possible, their formation mechanisms will be considered with respect to specific operating parameters. In order to more fully understand the formation of solidification white spots, an experimental program has been begun to characterize the solidification stability of Alloy 718 and variants with respect to changes in growth rate and thermal environment. A description of the experimental program and preliminary results are included.
Analysis of anelastic flow and numerical treatment via finite elements
In this report, we reconsider the various approximations made to the full equations of motion and energy transport for treating low-speed flows with significant temperature induced property variations. This entails assessment of the development of so-called anelastic for low-Mach number flows outside the range of validity of the Boussinesq equations. An integral part of this assessment is the development of a finite element-based numerical scheme for obtaining approximate numerical solutions to this class of problems. Several formulations were attempted and are compared.
Impact testing of the H1224A shipping/storage container
H1224A weapons containers have been used for years by the Department of Energy and Department of Defense to transport and store W78 warhead midsections. Although designed to protect these midsections only in low-energy handling drop and impact accidents, a recent transportation risk assessment effort has identified a need to evaluate the container`s ability to protect weapons in higher-energy environments. Four impact tests were performed on H1224A containers with W78 Mod 6c mass mockup midsections inside, onto an essentially unyielding target. Dynamic acceleration and strain levels were recorded during the side-on and end-on impacts, each at 12.2 m/s (40 ft/s) and 38.1 m/s (125 ft/s). Measured peak accelerations experienced by the midsections during lower velocity impacts ranged from 250 to 600 Gs for the end-on impact and 350 to 600 Gs for the side-on impact. Measured peak accelerations of the midsections during the higher velocity impacts ranged from 3,000 to 10,000 Gs for the end-on impact and 8,000 to 10,000 Gs for the side-on impact. Deformations in the H1224A container ranged from minimal to severe buckling and weld tearing. At higher impact velocities, the H1224A container may not provide significant energy absorption for the re-entry vehicle midsection but can provide some confinement of potentially damaged components.
Modified Noise Power Ratio testing of high resolution digitizers
A broadband, full signal range, side-by-side (tandem) test method for estimating the internal noise performance of high resolution digitizers is described and illustrated. The technique involves a re-definition of the traditional Noise Power Ratio (NPR) test, a change that not only makes this test applicable to higher resolution systems than was previously practical, but also enhances its value and flexibility. Since coherence analysis is the basis of this new definition, and since the application of coherence procedures to high resolution data poses several problems, this report discusses these problems and their resolution.
A three-dimensional fast solver for arbitrary vorton distributions
A method which is capable of an efficient calculation of the three-dimensional flow field produced by a large system of vortons (discretized regions of vorticity) is presented in this report. The system of vortons can, in turn, be used to model body surfaces, container boundaries, free-surfaces, plumes, jets, and wakes in unsteady three-dimensional flow fields. This method takes advantage of multipole and local series expansions which enables one to make calculations for interactions between groups of vortons which are in well-separated spatial domains rather than having to consider interactions between every pair of vortons. In this work, series expansions for the vector potential of the vorton system are obtained. From such expansions, the three components of velocity can be obtained explicitly. A Fortran computer code FAST3D has been written to calculate the vector potential and the velocity components at selected points in the flow field. In this code, the evaluation points do not have to coincide with the location of the vortons themselves. Test cases have been run to benchmark the truncation errors and CPU time savings associated with the method. Non-dimensional truncation errors for the magnitudes of the vector potential and velocity fields are on the order of 10{sup {minus}4}and 10{sup {minus}3} respectively. Single precision accuracy produces errors in these quantities of up to 10{sup {minus}5}. For less than 1,000 to 2,000 vortons in the field, there is virtually no CPU time savings with the fast solver. For 100,000 vortons in the flow, the fast solver obtains solutions in 1 % to 10% of the time required for the direct solution technique depending upon the configuration.
ETPRE User`s Manual Version 3.00
Roginski, R.J.
ETPRE is a preprocessor for the Event Progression Analysis Code EVNTRE. It reads an input file of event definitions and writes the lengthy EVNTRE code input files. ETPRE`s advantage is that it eliminates the error-prone task of manually creating or revising these files since their formats are quite elaborate. The user-friendly format of ETPRE differs from the EVNTRE code format in that questions, branch references, and other event tree components are defined symbolically instead of numerically. When ETPRE is executed, these symbols are converted to their numeric equivalents and written to the output files using formats defined in the EVNTRE Reference Manual. Revisions to event tree models are simplified by allowing the user to edit the symbolic format and rerun the preprocessor, since questions, branch references, and other symbols are automatically resequenced to their new values with each execution. ETPRE and EVNTRE have both been incorporated into the SETAC event tree analysis package.
Radiant heat testing of the H1224A shipping/storage container
H1224A weapons containers have been used for years by the Departments of Energy and Defense to transport and store W78 warhead midsections. Although designed to protect the midsections only from low-energy impacts, a recent transportation risk assessment effort has identified a need to evaluate the container`s ability to protect weapons in more severe accident environments. Four radiant heat tests were performed: two each on an H1224A container (with a Mk12a Mod 6c mass mock-up midsection inside) and two on a low-cost simulated H1224A container (with a hollow Mk12 aeroshell midsections inside). For each unit tested, temperatures were recorded at numerous points throughout the container and midsection during a 4-hour 121{degrees}C (250{degrees}F) and 30-minute 1010{degrees}C (1850{degrees}F) radiant environment. Measured peak temperatures experienced by the inner walls of the midsections as a result of exposure to the high-temperature radiant environment ranged from 650{degrees} C to 980{degrees} C (1200{degrees} F to 1800{degrees}F) for the H1224A container and 770 {degrees} to 990 {degrees}C (1420{degrees} F to 1810{degrees}F) for the simulated container. The majority of both containers were completely destroyed during the high-temperature test. Temperature profiles will be used to benchmark analytical models and predict warhead midsection temperatures over a wide range of the thermal accident conditions.
Large scale obscuration and related climate effects open literature bibliography
Large scale obscuration and related climate effects of nuclear detonations first became a matter of concern in connection with the so-called ``Nuclear Winter Controversy`` in the early 1980`s. Since then, the world has changed. Nevertheless, concern remains about the atmospheric effects of nuclear detonations, but the source of concern has shifted. Now it focuses less on global, and more on regional effects and their resulting impacts on the performance of electro-optical and other defense-related systems. This bibliography reflects the modified interest.
Large Scale Obscuration and Related Climate Effects Workshop: Proceedings
A Workshop on Large Scale Obsurcation and Related Climate Effects was held 29--31 January, 1992, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The objectives of the workshop were: to determine through the use of expert judgement the current state of understanding of regional and global obscuration and related climate effects associated with nuclear weapons detonations; to estimate how large the uncertainties are in the parameters associated with these phenomena (given specific scenarios); to evaluate the impact of these uncertainties on obscuration predictions; and to develop an approach for the prioritization of further work on newly-available data sets to reduce the uncertainties. The workshop consisted of formal presentations by the 35 participants, and subsequent topical working sessions on: the source term; aerosol optical properties; atmospheric processes; and electro-optical systems performance and climatic impacts. Summaries of the conclusions reached in the working sessions are presented in the body of the report. Copies of the transparencies shown as part of each formal presentation are contained in the appendices (microfiche).
Primary Standards Laboratory report, 2nd half 1993
Levy, Walbert G.T.
The Primary Standards Laboratory (PSL) operates a system-wide primary standards and calibration program for the US Department of Energy, Albuquerque Field Office (DOE/AL). The PSL mission is as follows: to develop and maintain primary standards; to calibrate electrical, physical, and radiation reference standards for customer laboratories (DOE/AL nuclear weapon contractors); to conduct the technical surveys and measurement audits of these laboratories; and to recommend and implement system-wide improvements. This report summarizes activities of the PSL for the second half of 1993 and provides information pertinent to the operation of the DOE/AL Standards and Calibration Program. Specific areas covered include development projects, improvement projects, calibration and special measurements, surveys and audits, customer service, and significant events. Appendixes include certifications and reports;; a discussion about commercial calibration laboratories; PSL memoranda (PSLM); test numbers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), formerly the National Bureau of Standards (NBS); and DOE/PSL memoranda on the Standards and Calibration Program with emphasis on traceability of PSL calibrations.
In situ evaporation of lithium for LEVIS ion source
Gerber, B.
This report describes the In Situ evaporation of pure lithium on the anode of PBFA II which then can be evaporated and ionized by Laser Evaporation and Ionization Source (LEVIS). Included in this report are the necessary calculations, light laboratory experiments and details of the hardware for PBFA II. This report gives all the details of In Situ evaporation for PBFA II so when a decision is made to provide an active lithium source for PBFA II, it can be fielded in a minimum of time.
Integrated environmentally compatible soldering technologies. Final report
Hosking, F.M.; Frear, D.R.; Iman, R.L.; Keicher, D.M.; Lopez, E.P.; Peebles, H.C.; Sorensen, N.R.; Vianco, P.T.
Chemical fluxes are typically used during conventional electronic soldering to enhance solder wettability. Most fluxes contain very reactive, hazardous constituents that require special storage and handling. Corrosive flux residues that remain on soldered parts can severely degrade product reliability. The residues are removed with chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), or other hazardous solvents that contribute to ozone depletion, release volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere, or add to the solvent waste stream. Alternative materials and processes that offer the potential for the reduction or elimination of cleaning are being developed to address these environmental issues. Timing of the effort is critical, since the targeted chemicals will soon be heavily taxed or banned. DOE`s Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management (DOE/EM) has supported Sandia National Laboratories` Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing Integrated Demonstration (ECMID). Part of the ECM program involves the integration of several environmentally compatible soldering technologies for assembling electronics devices. Fluxless or {open_quotes}low-residue/no clean{close_quotes} soldering technologies (conventional and ablative laser processing, controlled atmospheres, ultrasonic tinning, protective coatings, and environmentally compatible fluxes) have been demonstrated at Sandia (SNL/NM), the University of California at Berkeley, and Allied Signal Aerospace-Kansas City Division (AS-KCD). The university demonstrations were directed under the guidance of Sandia staff. Results of the FY93 Soldering ID are presented in this report.
An annotated summary of the Information Model Design Procedure (IMDP)
Becker, S.D.
This presentation documents the essential elements of the IMDP as applied at Sandia National Laboratories/New Mexico. The IMDP is an adaptation of the Natural-Language Information Analysis Methodology (NIAM) of G. M. Nijssen. The underlying purpose of both of these methodologies is to provide a formal, reproducible, and verifiable approach to specifying the information requirements of an information system. The IMDP spans the specification process from initial scoping; through verbalization of problem-domain facts, specification of constraints, and subtype analysis; and finally to application of a formal algorithm for developing a fifth-normal-form relational database design.
Experiments to investigate direct containment heating phenomena with scaled models of the Zion Nuclear Power Plant in the Surtsey Test Facility
The Surtsey Facility at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) is used to perform scaled experiments that simulate hypothetical high-pressure melt ejection (HPME) accidents in a nuclear power plant (NPP). These experiments are designed to investigate the effect of specific phenomena associated with direct containment heating (DCH) on the containment load, such as the effect of physical scale, prototypic subcompartment structures, water in the cavity, and hydrogen generation and combustion. In the Integral Effects Test (IET) series, 1:10 linear scale models of the Zion NPP structures were constructed in the Surtsey vessel. The RPV was modeled with a steel pressure vessel that had a hemispherical bottom head, which had a 4-cm hole in the bottom head that simulated the final ablated hole that would be formed by ejection of an instrument guide tube in a severe NPP accident. Iron/alumina/chromium thermite was used to simulate molten corium that would accumulate on the bottom head of an actual RPV. The chemically reactive melt simulant was ejected by high-pressure steam from the RPV model into the scaled reactor cavity. Debris was then entrained through the instrument tunnel into the subcompartment structures and the upper dome of the simulated reactor containment building. The results of the IET experiments are given in this report.
Characterization of latent-heat-storage salts for use in rechargeable sodium/sulfur batteries
Armijo, J.R.
The properties of candidate phase-change materials for use in a thermal management system for sodium/sulfur batteries were characterized. The experimental procedures used are presented along with a comprehensive description of the results. The principal properties were measured with differential scanning calorimetry and included heat-of-fusion and melting-point temperature. In addition, relevant thermal properties and compatibility with containment materials were studied. Recently, one of the salts studied was successfully incorporated into a prototype sodium/sulfur battery.
PROJECT 56 in retrospect
Jones, R.D.; Compton, M.L.; Hollister, J.F.
Nuclear weapons are designed to ensure that an accidental explosion will not result in a significant nuclear yield. In 1956 and again in 1960, a series of tests was conducted in the Coyote Test Field on Kirtland AFB to study the scattering of nuclear material from such an event. Simulated nuclear devices with depleted uranium were used in the tests.
Safety analysis of optically ignited explosive and pyrotechnic devices
The future of optical ordnance depends on the acceptance, validation and verification of the stated safety enhancement claims of optical ordnance over existing electrical explosive devices (EED`s). Sandia has been pursuing the development of optical ordnance, with the primary motivation of this effort being the enhancement of explosive safety by specifically reducing the potential of premature detonation that can occur with low energy electrically ignited explosive devices. By using semiconductor laser diodes for igniting these devices, safety improvements can be made without being detrimental to current system concerns since the inputs required for these devices are similar to electrical systems. Laser Diode Ignition (LDI) of the energetic material provides the opportunity to remove the bridgewire and electrically conductive pins from the charge cavity, creating a Faraday cage and thus isolating the explosive or pyrotechnic materials from stray electrical ignition sources. Recent results from our continued study of safety enhancements are presented. The areas of investigation which are presented include: (1) unintended optical source analysis, specifically lightning insensitivity, (2) electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and electrostatic discharge (ESD) insensitivity analysis, and (3) powder safety.
MELCOR 1.8.2 assessment: The MP-1 and MP-2 late phase melt progression experiments
MELCOR is a fully integrated, engineering-level computer code being developed at Sandia National Laboratories for the USNRC, that models the entire spectrum of severe accident phenomena in a unified framework for both BWRs and PWRs. As a part of an ongoing assessment program, MELCOR has been used to model the MP-1 and MP-2 experiments, which provided data for late-phase melt progression in PWR geometries. Core temperature predicted by MELCOR were within 250--500 K of measured data in both MP-1 and MP-2. Relocation in the debris bed and metallic crust regions of MP-2 was predicted accurately compared to PIE data. Temperature gradients in lower portions of the test bundle were not predicted well in both MP-1 and MP-2, due to the lack of modeling of the heat transfer path to the cooling jacket in those portions of the test bundles. Fifteen sensitivity studies were run on various core (COR), control volume hydrodynamics (CVH) and heat structures (HS) package parameters. No unexpected sensitivities were found, and in particular there were no sensitivities to reduced time step, finer nodalization or to computer platform. Calculations performed by the DEBRIS and TAC2D codes for MP-1 and MP-2 showed better agreement with measured data than those performed by MELCOR. This was expected, through, due to the fully 2-dimensional modeling used in the other codes.
Phase-locked arrays of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers
Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs) are of increasing interest to the photonics community because of their surface-emitting structure, simple fabrication and packaging, wafer-level testability and potential for low cost. Scaling VCSELs to higher power outputs requires increasing the device area, which leads to transverse mode control difficulties if devices become larger than 10-15 microns. One approach to increasing the device size while maintaining a well controlled transverse mode profile is to form coupled or phase-locked, two-dimensional arrays of VCSELs that are individually single-transverse mode. The authors have fabricated and characterized both photopumped and electrically injected two-dimensional VCSEL arrays with apertures over 100 microns wide. Their work has led to an increased understanding of these devices and they have developed new types of devices, including hybrid semiconductor/dielectric mirror VCSEL arrays, VCSEL arrays with etched trench, self-aligned, gold grid contacts and arrays with integrated phase-shifters to correct the far-field pattern.
Minutes of the third annual workshop on chromate replacements in light metal finishing
Goal of the workshop was to bring together coating researchers, developers, and users from a variety of industries (defense, automotive, aerospace, packaging) to discuss new coating ideas from the perspective not only of end user, but also the coating supplier, developer, and researcher. The following are included in this document: workshop agenda, list of attendees, summary of feedback, workshop notes compiled by organizers, summaries of Sessions II and IV by session moderators, and vugraphs and abstracts.
Neural network based time-optimal control of a magnetically levitated precision positioning system
This paper describes an application of artificial neural networks to the problem of time-optimal control of a magnetically levitated platen. The system of interest is a candidate technology for advanced photolithography machines used in the manufacturing of integrated circuits. The nonlinearities associated with magnetic levitation actuators preclude the direct application of classical timeoptimal control methodologies for determining optimal rest-to-rest maneuver strategies. Instead, a computer simulation of the platen system is manipulated to provide a training set for an artificial neural network. The trained network provides optima switching times for conducting one dimensional rest-to-rest maneuvers of the platen that incorporate the full nonlinear effects of the magnetic levitation actuators. Sample problems illustrate the effectiveness of the neural network based control as compared to traditional proportional-derivative control.