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Studies of a lattice model of water confined in a slit pore

Proposed for publication in an invited special edition of the Journal of Physical Chemistry.

Van Swol, Frank B.

We describe an extension of the Bell-Salt lattice model of water to the study of water confined in a slit pore. Wall-fluid interactions are chosen to be qualitatively representative of water interacting with a graphite surface. We have calculated the bulk vapor-liquid phase coexistence for the model through direct Monte Carlo simulations of the vapor-liquid interface. Adsorption and desorption isotherms in the slit pore were calculated using grand canonical ensemble Monte Carlo simulations. In addition, the thermodynamic conditions of vapor-liquid equilibrium for the confined fluid were determined. Our results are consistent with recent calculations for off-lattice models of confined water that show metastable vapor states of confined water persisting beyond the bulk saturation conditions, except for the narrowest pores. The results are similarly consistent with recent experiments on water adsorption in graphitized carbon black.

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TYPE Journal Article YEAR 2008
OSTI

Characterization of differentiated quiescent and nonquiescent cells in yeast stationary-phase cultures

Molecular Biology of the Cell

Aragon, Anthony D.; Rodriguez, Angelina L.; Meirelles, Osorio; Roy, Sushmita; Davidson, George S.; Tapia, Phillip H.; Allen, Chris; Joe, Ray; Benn, Don; Werner-Washburne, Margaret

Cells in glucose-limited Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultures differentiate into quiescent (Q) and nonquiescent (NQ) fractions before entering stationary phase. To understand this differentiation, Q and NQ cells from 101 deletion-mutant strains were tested for viability and reproductive capacity. Eleven mutants that affected one or both phenotypes in Q or NQ fractions were identified. NQ fractions exhibit a high level of petite colonies, and nine mutants affecting this phenotype were identified. Microarray analysis revealed >1300 mRNAs distinguished Q from NQ fractions. Q cell-specific mRNAs encode proteins involved in membrane maintenance, oxidative stress response, and signal transduction. NQ-cell mRNAs, consistent with apoptosis in these cells, encode proteins involved in Ty-element transposition and DNA recombination. More than 2000 protease-released mRNAs were identified only in Q cells, consistent with these cells being physiologically poised to respond to environmental changes. Our results indicate that Q and NQ cells differentiate significantly, with Q cells providing genomic stability and NQ cells providing nutrients to Q cells and a regular source of genetic diversity through mutation and transposition. These studies are relevant to chronological aging, cell cycle, and genome evolution, and they provide insight into complex responses that even simple organisms have to starvation. © 2008 by The American Society for Cell Biology.

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TYPE Journal Article YEAR 2008
ScopusOSTI

3X-100 blade field test

Zayas, Jose R.; Johnson, Wesley D.

In support of a Work-For-Other (WFO) agreement between the Wind Energy Technology Department at Sandia National Laboratories and 3TEX, one of the three Micon 65/13M wind turbines at the USDA Agriculture Research Service (ARS) center in Bushland, Texas, has been used to test a set of 9 meter wind turbine blades, manufactured by TPI composites using the 3TEX carbon material for the spar cap. Data collected from the test has been analyzed to evaluate both the aerodynamic performance and the structural response from the blades. The blades aerodynamic and structural performance, the meteorological inflow and the wind turbine structural response has been monitored with an array of 57 instruments: 15 to characterize the blades, 13 to characterize inflow, and 15 to characterize the time-varying state of the turbine. For the test, data was sampled at a rate of 40 Hz using the ATLAS II (Accurate GPS Time-Linked Data Acquisition System) data acquisition system. The system features a time-synchronized continuous data stream and telemetered data from the turbine rotor. This paper documents the instruments and infrastructure that have been developed to monitor these blades, turbines and inflow, as well as both modeling and field testing results.

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2008
DOIOSTI

Characterization of shape memory alloys for safety mechanisms

Buchheit, Thomas E.; Mclaughlin, Jarred T.

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are metals that exhibit large recoverable strains and exert large forces with tremendous energy densities. The behavior of SMAs is thermomechanically coupled. Their response to temperature is sensitive to their loading condition and their response to loading is sensitive to their thermal condition. This coupled behavior is not to be circumvented, but to be confronted and understood, since it is what manifests SMA's superior clamping performance. To reasonably characterize the coupled behavior of SMA clamping rings used in safety mechanisms, we conduct a series of experiments on SMA samples. The results of the tests will allow increased fidelity in modeling and failure analysis of parts.

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2008
DOIOSTI

Spent fuel sabotage test program, characterization of aerosol dispersal : interim final report

Brockmann, John E.; Gregson, Michael W.; Steyskal, Michele; Klennert, Lindsay

This multinational, multi-phase spent fuel sabotage test program is quantifying the aerosol particles produced when the products of a high energy density device (HEDD) interact with and explosively particulate test rodlets that contain pellets of either surrogate materials or actual spent fuel. This program provides source-term data that are relevant to plausible sabotage scenarios in relation to spent fuel transport and storage casks and associated risk assessments. We present details and significant results obtained from this program from 2001 through 2007. Measured aerosol results include: respirable fractions produced; amounts, nuclide content, and produced particle size distributions and morphology; measurements of volatile fission product species enhanced sorption--enrichment factors onto respirable particles; and, status on determination of the spent fuel ratio, SFR, needed for scaling studies. Emphasis is provided on recent Phase 3 tests using depleted uranium oxide pellets plus non-radioactive fission product dopants in surrogate spent fuel test rodlets, plus the latest surrogate cerium oxide results and aerosol laboratory supporting calibration work. The DUO{sub 2}, CeO{sub 2}, plus fission product dopant aerosol particle results are compared with available historical data. We also provide a status review on continuing preparations for the final Phase 4 in this program, tests using individual short rodlets containing actual spent fuel from U.S. PWR reactors, with both high- and lower-burnup fuel. The source-term data, aerosol results, and program design have been tailored to support and guide follow-on computer modeling of aerosol dispersal hazards and radiological consequence assessments. This spent fuel sabotage, aerosol test program was performed primarily at Sandia National Laboratories, with support provided by both the U.S. Department of Energy and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This program has significant input from, and is cooperatively supported and coordinated by both the U.S. and international program participants in Germany, France, and others, as part of the International Working Group for Sabotage Concerns of Transport and Storage Casks (WGSTSC).

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2008
DOIOSTI

Validation predictions of a 13 m/s cross-wind fire for Fuego and the University of Waterloo dataset

Brown, Alexander L.; Gill, Walter; Evans, Gregory H.

Detailed herein are the results of a validation comparison. The experiment involved a 2 meter diameter liquid pool of Jet-A fuel in a 13 m/s crosswind. The scenario included a large cylindrical blocking object just down-stream of the fire. It also included seven smaller calorimeters and extensive instrumentation. The experiments were simulated with Fuego. The model included several conduction regions to model the response of the calorimeters, the floor, and the large cylindrical blocking object. A blind comparison was used to compare the simulation predictions with the experimental data. The more upstream data compared very well with the simulation predictions. The more downstream data did not compare very well with the simulation predictions. Further investigation suggests that features omitted from the original model contributed to the discrepancies. Observations are made with respect to the scenario that are aimed at helping an analyst approach a comparable problem in a way that may help improve the potential for quantitative accuracy.

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2008
DOIOSTI

Mechanical considerations and design skills

Alvis, Robert L.

The purpose of the report is to provide experienced-based insights into design processes that will benefit designers beginning their employment at Sandia National Laboratories or those assuming new design responsibilities. The main purpose of this document is to provide engineers with the practical aspects of system design. The material discussed here may not be new to some readers, but some of it was to me. Transforming an idea to a design to solve a problem is a skill, and skills are similar to history lessons. We gain these skills from experience, and many of us have not been fortunate enough to grow in an environment that provided the skills that we now need. I was fortunate to grow up on a farm where we had to learn how to maintain and operate several different kinds of engines and machines. If you are like me, my formal experience is partially based upon the two universities from which I graduated, where few practical applications of the technologies were taught. What was taught was mainly theoretical, and few instructors had practical experience to offer the students. I understand this, as students have their hands full just to learn the theoretical. The practical part was mainly left up to 'on the job experience'. However, I believe it is better to learn the practical applications early and apply them quickly 'on the job'. System design engineers need to know several technical things, both in and out of their field of expertise. An engineer is not expected to know everything, but he should know when to ask an expert for assistance. This 'expert' can be in any field, whether it is in analyses, drafting, machining, material properties, testing, etc. The best expert is a person who has practical experience in the area of needed information, and consulting with that individual can be the best and quickest way for one to learn. If the information provided here can improve your design skills and save one design from having a problem, save cost of development, or reduce difficulty in manufacturing, then my writing effort will have been worthwhile. It is also my hope that you will freely provide others with design information that you have found beneficial to the less-experienced engineers. The result will be that as a whole, the designs will improve, and the development time will be shortened from start of the design to full system operation or deployment.

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2008
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Conformal coating value/risk assessment for Sandia satellite programs

Russick, Edward M.; Thayer, Gayle E.

Conformal coatings are used in space applications on printed circuit board (PCB) assemblies primarily as a protective barrier against environmental contaminants. Such coatings have been used at Sandia for decades in satellite applications including the GPS satellite program. Recently, the value of conformal coating has been questioned because it is time consuming (requiring a 5-6 week schedule allowance) and delays due to difficulty of repairs and rework performed afterward are troublesome. In an effort to find opportunities where assembly time can be reduced, a review of the literature as well as discussions with satellite engineers both within and external to Sandia regarding the value of conformal coating was performed. Several sources on the value of conformal coating, the functions it performs, and on whether coatings are necessary and should be used at all were found, though nearly all were based on anecdotal information. The first section of this report, titled 'Conformal Coating for Space Applications', summarizes the results of an initial risk-value assessment of the conformal coating process for Sandia satellite programs based on information gathered. In the process of collecting information to perform the assessment, it was necessary to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the entire satellite box assembly process. A production time-line was constructed and is presented in the second section of this report, titled 'Satellite Box Assembly', specifically to identify potential sources of time delays, manufacturing issues, and component failures related to the conformal coating process in relation to the box assembly. The time-line also allows for identification of production issues that were anecdotally attributed to the conformal coating but actually were associated with other production steps in the box assembly process. It was constructed largely in consultation with GPS program engineers with empirical knowledge of times required to complete the production steps, and who are familiar with associated risks from activities such as handling, assembly, transportation, testing, and integration into a space vehicle (SV) system. Finally, section three titled, 'Summary and Recommendations for Future Work', briefly summarizes what we have learned and describes proposed future work.

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2008
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Stochastic models: theory and simulation

Field, Richard V.

Many problems in applied science and engineering involve physical phenomena that behave randomly in time and/or space. Examples are diverse and include turbulent flow over an aircraft wing, Earth climatology, material microstructure, and the financial markets. Mathematical models for these random phenomena are referred to as stochastic processes and/or random fields, and Monte Carlo simulation is the only general-purpose tool for solving problems of this type. The use of Monte Carlo simulation requires methods and algorithms to generate samples of the appropriate stochastic model; these samples then become inputs and/or boundary conditions to established deterministic simulation codes. While numerous algorithms and tools currently exist to generate samples of simple random variables and vectors, no cohesive simulation tool yet exists for generating samples of stochastic processes and/or random fields. There are two objectives of this report. First, we provide some theoretical background on stochastic processes and random fields that can be used to model phenomena that are random in space and/or time. Second, we provide simple algorithms that can be used to generate independent samples of general stochastic models. The theory and simulation of random variables and vectors is also reviewed for completeness.

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2008
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NON-PROLIFERATION IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR GNEP: ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH TRANSPORTATION

Radel, Ross F.; Rochau, Gary E.

This report evaluates transportation issues for nuclear material in the proposed Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) fuel cycle. Since many details of the GNEP program are yet to be determined, this document is intended only to identify general issues. The existing regulatory environment is determined to be largely prepared to incorporate the changes that the GNEP program will introduce. Nuclear material vulnerability and attractiveness are considered with respect to the various transport stages within the GNEP fuel cycle. Physical protection options are then outlined for the transportation of this nuclear material. It is determined that increased transportation security will be required for the GNEP fuel cycle, particularly for international transport. Finally, transportation considerations for several fuel cycle scenarios are discussed. These scenarios compare the current "once-through" fuel cycle with various aspects of the proposed GNEP fuel cycle. 3

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2008
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Sandia National Laboratories California Pollution Prevention Program Annual Report February 2008

Farren, Laurie J.

The annual program report provides detailed information about all aspects of the SNL/CA Pollution Prevention Program for a given calendar year. It functions as supporting documentation to the SNL/CA Environmental Management System Program Manual. The program report describes the activities undertaken during the past year, and activities planned in future years to implement the Pollution Prevention Program, one of six programs that supports environmental management at SNL/CA.

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2008
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Yucca Mountain licensing support network archive assistant

Dunlavy, Daniel M.; Basilico, Justin D.; Verzi, Stephen J.; Bauer, Travis L.

This report describes the Licensing Support Network (LSN) Assistant--a set of tools for categorizing e-mail messages and documents, and investigating and correcting existing archives of categorized e-mail messages and documents. The two main tools in the LSN Assistant are the LSN Archive Assistant (LSNAA) tool for recategorizing manually labeled e-mail messages and documents and the LSN Realtime Assistant (LSNRA) tool for categorizing new e-mail messages and documents. This report focuses on the LSNAA tool. There are two main components of the LSNAA tool. The first is the Sandia Categorization Framework, which is responsible for providing categorizations for documents in an archive and storing them in an appropriate Categorization Database. The second is the actual user interface, which primarily interacts with the Categorization Database, providing a way for finding and correcting categorizations errors in the database. A procedure for applying the LSNAA tool and an example use case of the LSNAA tool applied to a set of e-mail messages are provided. Performance results of the categorization model designed for this example use case are presented.

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2008
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The application of taylor weighting, digital phase shifters, and digital attenuators to phased-array antennas

Brock, Billy C.

Application of Taylor weighting (taper) to an antenna aperture can achieve low peak sidelobes, but combining the Taylor weighting with quantized attenuators and phase shifters at each radiating element will impact the performance of a phased-array antenna. An examination of array performance is undertaken from the simple point of view of the characteristics of the array factor. Design rules and guidelines for determining the Taylor-weighting parameters, the number of bits required for the digital phase shifter, and the dynamic range and number of bits required for the digital attenuator are developed. For a radar application, when each element is fed directly from a transmit/receive module, the total power radiated by the array will be reduced as a result of the taper. Consequently, the issue of whether to apply the taper on both transmit and receive configurations, or only on the receive configuration is examined with respect to two-way sidelobe performance.

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TYPE SAND Report YEAR 2008
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Results 78601–78700 of 99,299
Results 78601–78700 of 99,299