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2011

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Full-Text Articles in Physics

Session G: Nuclear Power/Climate Change – Terrapower’S Traveling Wave Reactor, Tyler Ellis Nov 2011

Session G: Nuclear Power/Climate Change – Terrapower’S Traveling Wave Reactor, Tyler Ellis

Climate Change and the Future of Nuclear Power

TerraPower is moving forward with detailed plans for a sustainable, economic, and safe nuclear reactor. The Travelling Wave Reactor (TWR) – a reactor in the 500-megawatt electric range – uses unique core physics to initiate a breed and burn wave which can be completely sustained in fertile material. This process allows the TWR to convert depleted uranium waste into usable fuel as the reactor operates, providing a sustainable base-load power source. TerraPower is the first company to create a practical engineering embodiment of this previously studied concept thanks to a powerful advanced reactor modeling interface, developed in-house, which enables the …


Session G: Nuclear Power/Climate Change – Climate V. Climate Alarm, Richard S. Lindzen Nov 2011

Session G: Nuclear Power/Climate Change – Climate V. Climate Alarm, Richard S. Lindzen

Climate Change and the Future of Nuclear Power

The underlying physics of climate contains important elements that are widely agreed on though frequently misunderstood. In this lecture, the basic physics of greenhouse warming are simply described. It will be shown that the dynamic mixing of the troposphere is essential to the mechanism. It will further be shown that there is nothing intrinsically alarming in the basic physics. Alarm depends critically on the assertion that the climate system is dominated by large positive feedbacks that greatly amplify such warming as may be due to increasing CO2 alone. The nature of possible feedbacks will be described, and the conditions for …


Session B: The Future Of Nuclear Power - Aim High! Thorium Energy Cheaper Than From Coal, Cavan Stone Nov 2011

Session B: The Future Of Nuclear Power - Aim High! Thorium Energy Cheaper Than From Coal, Cavan Stone

Climate Change and the Future of Nuclear Power

This century, we face significant environmental challenges. Our demand for limited natural resources is rapidly increasing and much of humanity is concerned about the consequences. Our unsustainably growing population drives these challenges, and humanely stabilizing it would alleviate these pressures. Demographic data clearly shows that prosperity stabilizes population and it also shows that prosperity critically requires energy. In spite of the pressing and demonstrable nature of these challenges however, politically there is no international consensus on global energy policy. Developing nations simply will not accept a policy that will hamper their economic growth. Yet, we do have a solution to …


Session B: The Future Of Nuclear Power - The Fukushima Nuclear Event And Its Implications For Nuclear Power, Michael W. Golay Nov 2011

Session B: The Future Of Nuclear Power - The Fukushima Nuclear Event And Its Implications For Nuclear Power, Michael W. Golay

Climate Change and the Future of Nuclear Power

The combined strong earthquake and super tsunami of 12 March 2011 at the Fukushima nuclear power plant imposed the most severe challenges ever experienced at such a facility. Information regarding the plant response and status remains uncertain, but it is clear that severe damage has been sustained, that the plant staff have responded creatively and that the offsite implications are unlikely to be seriously threatening to the health, if not the prosperity, of the surrounding population. Reexamination of the regulatory constraints of nuclear power will occur worldwide, and some changes are likely; particularly concerning reliance upon active systems for achieving …


Session B: The Future Of Nuclear Power - The Fundamentals And Status Of Nuclear Power, Regis A. Matzie Nov 2011

Session B: The Future Of Nuclear Power - The Fundamentals And Status Of Nuclear Power, Regis A. Matzie

Climate Change and the Future of Nuclear Power

Nuclear power has enormous potential to provide clean, safe base-load electricity to the world’s growing population. Harnessing this potential in an economic and responsible manner is not without challenges. Safety remains the principal tenet of our operating fleet, which currently provides ~20% of U.S. electricity generated. The performance of this fleet from economic and safety standpoints has improved dramatically over the past several decades. This nuclear generation also represents greater than 70% of the emission free electricity with hydroelectric power providing the majority of the remainder. There have been many lessons learned from the more than 50 years of experience …


Conference Poster, Gerald Peterson Nov 2011

Conference Poster, Gerald Peterson

Climate Change and the Future of Nuclear Power

No abstract provided.


High Pressure Structural Studies On Nb5si3 Up To 26.2 Gpa, Brandon Stewart, Ravhi S. Kumar Aug 2011

High Pressure Structural Studies On Nb5si3 Up To 26.2 Gpa, Brandon Stewart, Ravhi S. Kumar

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

With the use of synchrotron techniques, we can better understand how crystalline structures behave under extreme conditions. This yields the opportunity to resolve complex crystal structures [1]. Here, we focus on the high pressure crystal structure of Nb5Si3. Refractory metal silicides are an important class of materials as they are used in high temperature applications such as turbines and aerospace modules. As an example, the performance of a jet engine is highly influenced by the maximum internal pressure and temperature possible. Obtaining higher levels of thrust is dependent upon the material's ability to remain structurally sound under extreme temperatures and …


High Pressure Study Of 1,1-Diamino-2,2-Dinitroethene With Raman Spectroscopy, Jack Brangham, Michael Pravica, Martin Galley Aug 2011

High Pressure Study Of 1,1-Diamino-2,2-Dinitroethene With Raman Spectroscopy, Jack Brangham, Michael Pravica, Martin Galley

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

The goal of this experiment is to better understand the reasons for Fox-7s insensitivity and high performance. It is very similar to other explosives in composition but different in structure. This different structure is believed to be the reason for Fox-7s unique characteristics. Using Raman spectroscopy along with high pressure techniques we hope to better understand this molecule and how it handles extreme conditions.


Ionic Alkalihalides As Pressure Media In Dac Experiments, Julius Monello Aug 2011

Ionic Alkalihalides As Pressure Media In Dac Experiments, Julius Monello

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

In Diamond Anvil Cells (DACs), usually a pressure transmitting medium functions to transform the uniaxial pressure supplied by the opposing diamond anvils into uniform hydrostatic pressure acting on the sample. Conventionally, a 4-1 methanol-ethanol solution, or a 16-3-1 methanol-ethanol-water solution is used as pressure transmitting medium. However, these two solutions transform into a glass with high elastic shear strength at pressures around 12-14 GPa and no longer function as hydrostatic medium. Our goal was to determine if liquid ionic alkalihalide alkanolate complexes will provide more uniform pressure in the cell up to 20 GPa. Ruby (Cr-doped AlP,) produces two Cr"+ …


Neutron Diffraction Of Nabd4: Phase Transition, Rietveld Structure Refinements, And Equation Of State, Guillermo Esparza, Esparza, Patricia Kalita, Andrew Cornelius Aug 2011

Neutron Diffraction Of Nabd4: Phase Transition, Rietveld Structure Refinements, And Equation Of State, Guillermo Esparza, Esparza, Patricia Kalita, Andrew Cornelius

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

NaBH4 is a hydride with possible applications as a hydrogen storage material for future renewable energy technologies. It’s dehydrogenation properties are enhanced with the mixture of particular catalysts through ball-milling techniques during which local pressures may exceed several GPa’s. It is for this reason that understanding the behavior of pressure induced phase changes of its crystalline unit cell is an area of interest.


Second Hyperpolarizability Of Carbon Tetrachloride, Phillip C. Lotshaw, Anna M. Smith, David P. Shelton Aug 2011

Second Hyperpolarizability Of Carbon Tetrachloride, Phillip C. Lotshaw, Anna M. Smith, David P. Shelton

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

Although present theories of nonlinear optics agree with observed behavior in simple atoms such as helium, more complex molecules containing many electrons, such as carbon tetrachloride (CCI4), cannot consistently be described by theory. Through experimental analysis of nonlinear materials, a new, more sophisticated model for describing their properties could be realized. The purpose of our experiment was to measure the nonlinear behavior of the second harmonic signal generated from CCI4 and to compare the results with the prediction by the CCSD(T) molecular model.


Crystal Structural Behavior Of Cocu₂O₃ At High Temperatures, April Jeffries, Ravhi S. Kumar, Andrew L. Cornelius Aug 2011

Crystal Structural Behavior Of Cocu₂O₃ At High Temperatures, April Jeffries, Ravhi S. Kumar, Andrew L. Cornelius

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

High temperature structure of CoCu₂O₃ The spin ladder compounds have received much attention recently due to their relation to the high transition temperature superconductivity. Also the study of spin ladder compounds is of great interest to explore the specific characteristics that result in their behavior. The CoCu₂O₃ spin ladder crystal structure is similar to SrCu₂O₃, which is apparent composition for many high temperature superconductors. The effects of temperature on structural change are investigated for this system. High temperature x-ray diffraction patterns were collected up to 1000⁰C and the variation of lattice parameters as a function of temperature up to decomposition …


High Pressure Structural Studies On Baco3 Up To 20 Gpa, Justine Carryer, Ravhi S. Kumar Aug 2011

High Pressure Structural Studies On Baco3 Up To 20 Gpa, Justine Carryer, Ravhi S. Kumar

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

Carbonate compounds are thought to make up a minor portion of the Earth's upper mantel. Shock heating of the surfaces of carbonate rocks, as in the instance of a meteor impact, has the potential to affect CO2 concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere. The bulkmodulus of carbonate materials is directly proportional to the rate of devolatilization under these conditions [1]. The interest in Barium Carbonate (BaCO3) specifically is motivated by its structural proximity to aragonite carbonates. Crystalline phase transitions occur in aragonite under extreme conditions that are difficult to maintain in a laboratory; BaC03 is isostructural with aragonite and therefore is …


Investigation Of Raman Active Modes Of Mgxzn1-Xcr2o4, Nichollas Macholl, Tyler Mosher Aug 2011

Investigation Of Raman Active Modes Of Mgxzn1-Xcr2o4, Nichollas Macholl, Tyler Mosher

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

Using Raman spectroscopy, vibrational modes of the spinel structure MgxZn1-xCr2O4 were experimentally examined. The spinel compounds were synthesized by producing solid solutions via combustion method, of MgxZn1-xCr2O4 in the range x=0 to x=1 in 0.1 intervals. The purpose of which was to experimentally verify gradual shifts of Raman peaks as the samples transitioned between the two different compounds and gain information about the dependencies of the lattice vibrations on the tetrahedral and octahedral cations. X-ray diffraction was also used to verify spinel structure, and track the changes in lattice parameter of the samples.


Symposium Participants' Bios, Bern Porter Aug 2011

Symposium Participants' Bios, Bern Porter

Bern Porter Occasional Symposium Series

Biographical information about presenters and participants of the Bern Porter Occasional Symposium Series: The Bomb, the National Security State and the Advanced Thinking of Bern Porter.


Symposium Program, Bern Porter Aug 2011

Symposium Program, Bern Porter

Bern Porter Occasional Symposium Series

Printed program of the Bern Porter Occasional Symposium Series: The Bomb, the National Security State and the Advanced Thinking of Bern Porter.


Symposium Flyer, Bern Porter Aug 2011

Symposium Flyer, Bern Porter

Bern Porter Occasional Symposium Series

Flyer advertising the Bern Porter Occasional Symposium Series: The Bomb, the National Security State and the Advanced Thinking of Bern Porter.


Structure Studies On Lanthanide Technetium Pyrochlores As Prospective Host Phases To Immobilize 99- Technetium And Fission Lanthanides From Effluents Of Reprocessed Used Nuclear Fuels, Thomas Hartmann, Ariana Alaniz Apr 2011

Structure Studies On Lanthanide Technetium Pyrochlores As Prospective Host Phases To Immobilize 99- Technetium And Fission Lanthanides From Effluents Of Reprocessed Used Nuclear Fuels, Thomas Hartmann, Ariana Alaniz

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

We performed a systematic investigation of the incorporation of 99Tc into pyrochlore oxide structures, Ln2Tc2O7, where Ln represents trivalent lanthanide Ln3+ cations, while 99Tc is atetravalent, Tc4+, metal cation. Pyrochlore compounds are high-melting temperature oxides and are recognized for their durability. Our goal in this preliminary study is to characterize and quantify the range of stability of the lanthanum technetium pyrochlore oxide phase. Hereby, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld analysis were used to determine and characterize the crystalline phase content with high accuracy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the microstructure and homogeneity of the synthesized …


Entangling The Lattice Clock With Rydberg Gates, Frank J. Greenhalgh Apr 2011

Entangling The Lattice Clock With Rydberg Gates, Frank J. Greenhalgh

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Knowledge of the exact time is critical to many engineers and planetary experts; unfortunately atomic clocks can't have infinite accuracy by Heisenberg's uncertainty principle. To attain accuracy past the limit we have achieved today, we will design a critical improvement of the atomic clock via the Rydberg gates method. Rydberg gates synchronize the atomic states so that they are more sensitive which will greatly increase the accuracy. This project will introduce fast acting Rydberg gates to an existing atomic clock layout. The Rydberg gates will allow the clock to entangle atoms in less time, thus decreasing decoherence effects on the …


Oral Presentation: Next Generation Nuclear Fuels, Douglas Hanks Apr 2011

Oral Presentation: Next Generation Nuclear Fuels, Douglas Hanks

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Zirconium carbide has been proposed as a coating layer for next generation (“TRISO”) nuclear fuel, and is intended as a diffusion barrier to contain fission products (e.g., Pd). To study the chemical interaction between Pd and ZrC, their interface was investigated using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Pd was step-wise deposited onto ZrC in ultra-high vacuum, and the chemical interaction at the interface was monitored, also as a function of temperature (up to 1000 C). In the presentation, details of the chemical interaction and changes in the chemical environment of Pd and their relevance for TRISO fuel will be discussed.


Aspect Ratio Dependent Buckling Mode Transition In Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Under Compression, Jeremy Feliciano Apr 2011

Aspect Ratio Dependent Buckling Mode Transition In Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Under Compression, Jeremy Feliciano

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we study axial compressive behavior of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with a wide range of aspect ratios (length to diameter ratio). It is shown that the difference in aspect ratio leads to distinct buckling modes in SWCNTs. Small-aspect-ratio SWCNTs primarily exhibit shell buckling; they switch to column buckling mode with increasing aspect ratio. Further compression of the already column buckled large-aspect-ratio SWCNTs results in a shell buckling. This shell buckling mode is distinct from that of small-aspect-ratio SWCNTs in that it originates from the column buckling induced bending deformation.


Elastic Plastic Self Consistent (Epsc) Modeling Of Plastic Deformation In Fayalite Olivine, Christopher J. Cline Ii, Pamela Burnley Apr 2011

Elastic Plastic Self Consistent (Epsc) Modeling Of Plastic Deformation In Fayalite Olivine, Christopher J. Cline Ii, Pamela Burnley

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

We are using an Elastic Plastic Self Consistent Model (a type of numerical simulation) to study deformation of olivine. Olivine is one of the major constituents of the Earth’s upper mantle and its deformation properties have an important influence on how the Earth’s crust deforms. For example, the flow strength of olivine limits the size of the largest earthquakes and the heights of the tallest mountains on Earth. By comparing the results of our simulations with data from olivine deformation experiments we are able to better interpret the experimental data.


Hipsec X-Ray Diffraction And Infrared Spectroscopy Studies On Energetic Materials Under Extreme Conditions, Mai Huong Bausch, Yu Liu Apr 2011

Hipsec X-Ray Diffraction And Infrared Spectroscopy Studies On Energetic Materials Under Extreme Conditions, Mai Huong Bausch, Yu Liu

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

We conducted a series of experiments on the decompositions of the energetic materials NaBH4, NH3BH3, HMX, and RDX under different pressures using the x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique; we also studied the lesser known but high-performance explosive FOX-7’s behaviors under high pressures using the infrared spectroscopy (IR) technique. For the chemical decomposition of NaBH4 and NH3BH3 we discovered possible x-ray induced hydrogen gas generation; for the decomposition of HMX and RDX, we discovered that the decay rates of these two materials vary with pressure respectively; for the study of FOX-7’s high pressure behaviors we discovered potential phase changes and pressure induced …


High Pressure – Variable Temperature Studies On Pressure Transmitting Media, Vahe Mkrtchyan, Jason Baker, Matthew K. Jacobsen, Ravhi S. Kumar, Andrew Cornelius Apr 2011

High Pressure – Variable Temperature Studies On Pressure Transmitting Media, Vahe Mkrtchyan, Jason Baker, Matthew K. Jacobsen, Ravhi S. Kumar, Andrew Cornelius

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

The pressure transmitting medium is an important element in high pressure physics. A variety of pressure transmitting media exist including Silicone fluid, Daphne Oil, 4:1 Methanol:Ethanol mixture, etc. In this experiment, the hydrostatic limits of pressure transmitting media have been observed at low temperatures and high pressures. In this case, 4:1 Methanol: Ethanol has been used. The hydrostaticity of 4:1 Methanol:Ethanol has been well studied at room temperatures using the fluorescence of ruby by fitting the R1 and R2 lines to Pseudo-Voigt functions. The hydrostacity of the pressure medium was determined by analyzing the full width at half max (FWHM) …


“Magic” Trapping Of Rydberg States For Quantum Information, Muir Morrison, Andrei Derevianko Apr 2011

“Magic” Trapping Of Rydberg States For Quantum Information, Muir Morrison, Andrei Derevianko

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Recent experiments using neutral atoms to manipulate quantum information show promise for constructing a large-scale, practical quantum computer. Achieving such a quantum computer will require less destructive optical traps for the atoms. Using theoretical and computational tools, we consider the feasibility of one possible “magic” trap for rubidium. Preliminary results suggest such trapping may be possible, but more accurate calculations are necessary to reach definitive conclusion.


X-Ray Diffraction On The Thermoelectric Silicides At High Pressure, Deep Patel, Ravhi S. Kumar, Andrew Cornelius Apr 2011

X-Ray Diffraction On The Thermoelectric Silicides At High Pressure, Deep Patel, Ravhi S. Kumar, Andrew Cornelius

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Cobalt Silicide (CoSi2) is a transition metal disilicide that has gathered scientific interest due to its interesting thermoelectric properties and applications in silicon-based devices because of their high temperature stability. It has been reported that CoSi2 undergoes a phase transition at around 0.4 GPa and again at 13 GPa. Furthermore, at 13 GPa the material changes from a cubic cell to an orthorhombic cell, but details of the phase transition at 0.4 GPa could not be determined. To further study the properties of CoSi2 and understand its pressure induced phase changes, we recorded the structural behavior of CoSi2 under pressure.


Computational Study Of Carbon Nanotubes Under Strain, Jeremy Feliciano, William Wolfs Apr 2011

Computational Study Of Carbon Nanotubes Under Strain, Jeremy Feliciano, William Wolfs

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

We perform computational studies of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using molecular dynamics simulations to examine the behavior of single-walled (SW) and multiwalled (MW) CNTs under large compressive and bending strains. We study the effects of defects, heating and chirality on their properties. Research on CNTs holds great promise for developing new advanced materials in applications ranging from high-strength composites to next-generation electronics.


Graphene: Material That Will Change The Future, Jigar Desai, Darryl Reese Apr 2011

Graphene: Material That Will Change The Future, Jigar Desai, Darryl Reese

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Graphene is the most recent material discovered by scientists and is a star on the horizon of materials science and condensed matter physics. The one atom thick, two dimensional materials is an amazing conductor of electricity. Although graphene was not discovered completely until 2004, it has already revealed potential applications and scientists have begun researching ways of developing graphene products for the market. Only two products have been successfully produced so far, but scientists have encountered amazing results. This material has many potential applications in the real world and is about to change the future in a positive way.


Investigation Of Structural And Magnetic Properties Of Iron Clusters Encapsulated In Carbon, Andrew Mohrland, Eunja Kim, Phillipe Weck, Pang Tao, Kenneth Czerwinski Apr 2011

Investigation Of Structural And Magnetic Properties Of Iron Clusters Encapsulated In Carbon, Andrew Mohrland, Eunja Kim, Phillipe Weck, Pang Tao, Kenneth Czerwinski

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Our goal is to investigate and predict the properties of iron-carbon nanostructures by performing numerical calculations using the density-functional theory. We are interested in which nanostructures are most stable, and in how they are likely to form. We have a particular interest in the magnetic properties of carbon "buckyballs" containing iron particles. These structures have potential for biomedical application, including use in anti-cancer treatment. Lone iron clusters have potential for use as a catalyst designed to reduce vehicle emissions.


Particle Tracking And Aod Control, Nathaniel Wolanyk, Carl Mueller, Patrick Dahl, Evan Baker, Gabriel Spalding, Faculty Advisor Apr 2011

Particle Tracking And Aod Control, Nathaniel Wolanyk, Carl Mueller, Patrick Dahl, Evan Baker, Gabriel Spalding, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

No abstract provided.