Micro-engineered first wall tungsten armor for high average power laser fusion energy systems

The high average power laser program is developing an inertial fusion energy demonstration power reactor with a solid first wall chamber. The first wall (FW) will be subject to high energy density radiation and high doses of high energy helium implantation. Tungsten has been identified as the candidate material for a FW armor. The fundamental concern is long term thermo-mechanical survivability of the armor against the effects of high temperature pulsed operation and exfoliation due to the retention of implanted helium. Even if a solid tungsten armor coating would survive the high temperature cyclic operation with minimal failure, the high helium implantation and retention would result in unacceptable material loss rates. Micro-engineered materials, such as castellated structures, plasma sprayed nano-porous coatings and refractory foams are suggested as a first wall armor material to address these fundamental concerns. A micro-engineered FW armor would have to be designed with specific geometric features that tolerate high cyclic heating loads and recycle most of the implanted helium without any significant failure. Micro-engineered materials are briefly reviewed. In particular, plasma-sprayed nano-porous tungsten and tungsten foams are assessed for their potential to accommodate inertial fusion specific loads. Tests show that nano-porous plasma spray coatings can be manufactured with high permeability to helium gas, while retaining relatively high thermal conductivities. Tungsten foams where shown to be able to overcome thermo-mechanical loads by cell rotation and deformation. Helium implantation tests have shown, that pulsed implantation and heating releases significant levels of implanted helium. Helium implantation and release from tungsten was modeled using an expanded kinetic rate theory, to include the effects of pulsed implantations and thermal cycles. Although, significant challenges remain micro-engineered materials are shown to constitute potential candidate FW armor materials.     

The Evolution of Concurrent Programs

Process algebra are formal languages used for the rigorous specification and analysis of concurrent systems. By using a process algebra as the target language of a genetic programming system, the derivation of concurrent programs satisfying given problem specifications is possible. A genetic programming system based on Koza's model has been implemented. The target language used is Milner's CCS process algebra, and is chosen for its conciseness and simplicity. The genetic programming environment needs a few adaptations to the computational characteristics of concurrent programs. In particular, means for efficiently controlling the exponentially large computation spaces that are common with process algebra must be addressed. Experimental runs of the system successfully evolved a number of non–iterative CCS systems, hence proving the potential of evolutionary approaches to concurrent system development.     

Development of a system for measurement of permeability of aroma compounds through multilayer polymer films by coupling dynamic vapour sorption with purge‐and‐trap/fast gas chromatography

A system for measurement of permeability of aroma compounds through laminated polymer films was constructed by combining dynamic vapour sorption (DVS) with purge‐and‐trap/fast gas chromatography (P&T–fGC). Data validation was achieved by measuring the permeability of limonene across an HDPE film (film C) and comparing the permeation data with the literature values. The general applicability of this system, as well as its potential for simultaneous measurement of permeability of multiple aroma compounds, was demonstrated by measuring the permeability of limonene and ethyl butyrate as single permeants or as co‐permeants under different environmental conditions (at 25°C, 30°C or 35°C and 0% or 75% RH) through three different multilayer polymer films (film A, HDPE/EVOH/HDPE/HDPE; film B, HDPE/nylon/HDPE/HDPE; film C, HDPE/HDPE). The results showed that the aroma barrier performance of plastic films was determined by the polymer composition and was affected by various factors, such as temperature and the presence of other co‐permeants. Simplicity, speed and accuracy were some of the attractive features of this system, which indicates its potential as a useful tool that could be applied in the food industry for screening or selection of appropriate packaging materials for specific applications. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Heat transfer coefficients for forced-air cooling and freezing of selected foods

To maximize the efficiency of cooling and freezing operations for foods, it is necessary to optimally design the refrigeration equipment to fit the specific requirements of the particular cooling or freezing application. The design of food refrigeration equipment requires estimation of the cooling and freezing times of foods, as well as the corresponding refrigeration loads. The accuracy of these estimates, in turn, depends upon accurate estimates of the surface heat transfer coefficient for the cooling or freezing operation. This project reviewed heat transfer data for the cooling and/or freezing of foods. A total of 777 cooling curves for 295 food items were obtained from an industrial survey and a unique iterative algorithm, utilizing the concept of ‘equivalent heat transfer dimensionality’, was developed to obtain heat transfer coefficients from these cooling curves. Nine Nusselt–Reynolds–Prandtl correlations were developed from a selection of the 777 heat transfer coefficients resulting from this algorithm, as well as 144 heat transfer coefficients for 13 food items, collected from the literature. The data and correlations resulting from this project will be used by designers of cooling and freezing systems for foods. This information will make possible a more accurate determination of cooling and freezing times and corresponding refrigeration loads. Such information is important in the design and operation of cooling and freezing facilities and will be of immediate usefulness to engineers involved in the design and operation of such systems.     

Hydrologic Impacts due to Changes in Conveyance and Conversion from Flood to Sprinkler Irrigation Practices

Improvements in irrigation efficiency are well documented when changing from flood to sprinkler irrigation methods; however, other impacts to the watershed associated with this change are not well known. The resulting impacts to a river basin hydrology when irrigation and conveyance methods are changed are the focus of this study. In an attempt to improve water application and conveyance efficiencies in the Salt River Basin of western Wyoming, irrigation practices were changed from flood irrigation to sprinkler irrigation beginning in the late 1960s, with completion by the mid-1970s. Based upon a water balance, flow in the Salt River increased an average of 65.62 MCM/year. Return flow timing was also impacted by the conversion to sprinkler irrigation. Flows increased 34% in May and 50% in June, while decreasing 15 and 14% in August and September. These changes may have coincided with decreases in groundwater storage. However, analysis of changes in groundwater levels with time was inconclusive. Surface water total dissolved solids (TDS) appears unaffected by the conversion in irrigation practices, while limited groundwater quality data indicate that TDS values are lower in sprinkler irrigated areas.     

The Relations Between Contextual Risk, Earned Income, and the School Adjustment of Children From Economically Disadvantaged Families.

This longitudinal study examined the relations between multiple risk indexes representing contextual adversity, income-to-needs ratios, and the elementary school adjustment of children from economically disadvantaged families. The results provide evidence for volatility in family circumstances over 2-year intervals from preschool to 5th grade, for relations between the contextual risk indexes and change in externalizing behavior, and for relations between the income-to-needs ratios and change in academic competence. The results also show differences in the timing of the effects. Little evidence was found for persistence effects. Theoretical implications concern conceptualizations of the diverse and dynamic nature of the family circumstances experienced by disadvantaged children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Using Latent Trait Modeling to Conceptualize an Alcohol Problems Continuum.

Recent research points toward the viability of conceptualizing alcohol problems as arrayed along a continuum. Nevertheless, modern statistical techniques designed to scale multiple problems along a continuum (latent trait modeling; LTM) have rarely been applied to alcohol problems. This study applies LTM methods to data on 110 problems reported during in-person interviews of 1,348 middle-aged men (mean age=43) from the general population. The results revealed a continuum of severity linking the 110 problems, ranging from heavy and abusive drinking, through tolerance and withdrawal, to serious complications of alcoholism. These results indicate that alcohol problems can be arrayed along a dimension of severity and emphasize the relevance of LTM to informing the conceptualization and assessment of alcohol problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)