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At least 181 records · Page 10

Compositionally-Graded Shape Memory Film for Self-Deployment of Membrane Reflectors and Optics

The next generation of space systems will require large apertures in order to image faint targets or cover large areas of Earth. These large apertures must be able to fit inside a launch vehicle fairing, be light enough for launch into orbit, and deploy on orbit with repeatability and reliability. The current state-of-the-art in flight optics is represented by the 4 meter LAMP telescope, with an areal density of 10 km sq m. Development of a Beryllium mirror demonstration article for NGST (Next Generation Space Telescope) at the University of Arizona indicate areal densities of 0.5 kg sq m with flight hardware in the 12 meter range. With progressive improvements in existing deployment, packaging, and structural technologies, the size of optics and reflectors will continue to increase, while mass is reduced. However, without a breakthrough in materials, packaging and/or deployment technologies, the goal for Gossamer structures of 0.1 kg sq m is unachievable for the near and mid-term NASA missions. Membrane technology provides the best hope of achieving such low areal densities. In combination with advances in membrane materials and structures, development of revolutionary techniques for deployment systems can provide significant improvements in large aperture technology. In this paper, the results of a six-month Phase I research effort to demonstrate the application of thin film NiTi to aerospace-qualified membrane and mesh materials are presented. Deposition of shape memory thin film was achieved Astromesh (trademark) metal mesh and CP-1, and optical-quality polymer membrane. Not only was full-coating deposition demonstrated, but also small segment deposition which holds potential for local surface control. Deployment of these materials was also demonstrated, setting the stage for the development of a larger test article.

Hill, Lisa↗

Evaluating Corrosion Effects on the Stainless Steel Components of the SAVY-4000/Hagan Nuclear Material Storage Containers: FY19 Update

This report provides an update of the FY19 corrosion observations, laboratory studies, and mitigation efforts for the nuclear material storage program at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Nuclear material packages outside of an approved engineered contamination barrier must meet packaging, surveillance, and testing requirements designed to protect workers from airborne contamination per Department of Energy (DOE) Manual 441.1-1, Nuclear Material Packaging.1 The SAVY-4000 containers were developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in conjunction with Nuclear Filter Technology as a manually-compliant container system for staging and storage of plutonium for LANL and the DOE complex.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Characterization of microbial and chemical composition of shuttle wet waste with permanent gas and volatile organic compound analyses

Solid-waste treatment in space for Advanced Life Support, ALS, applications requires that the material can be safely processed and stored in a confined environment. Many solid-wastes are not stable because they are wet (40-90% moisture) and contain levels of soluble organic compounds that can contribute to the growth of undesirable microorganisms with concomitant production of noxious odors. In the absence of integrated Advanced Life Support systems on orbit, permanent gas, trace volatile organic and microbiological analyses were performed on crew refuse returned from the volume F "wet" trash of three consecutive Shuttle missions (STS-105, 109, and 110). These analyses were designed to characterize the short-term biological stability of the material and assess potential crew risks resulting from microbial decay processes during storage. Waste samples were collected post-orbiter landing and sorted into packaging material, food waste, toilet waste, and bulk liquid fractions deposited during flight in the volume F container. Aerobic and anaerobic microbial loads were determined in each fraction by cultivation on R2A and by acridine orange direct count (AODC). Dry and ash weights were performed to determine both water and organic content of the materials. Experiments to determine the aerobic and anaerobic biostability of refuse stored for varying periods of time were performed by on-line monitoring of CO2 and laboratory analysis for production of hydrogen sulfide and methane. Volatile organic compounds and permanent gases were analyzed using EPA Method TO15 by USEPA et al. [EPA Method TO15, The Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Ambient Air using SUMMA, Passivated Canister Sampling and Gas Chromatographic Analysis,1999] with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and by gas chromatography with selective detectors. These baseline measures of waste stream content, labile organics, and microbial load in the volume F Shuttle trash provide data for waste subsystem analysis and atmospheric management within the ALS Project. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of COSPAR.

NASA Center KSC↗

Textile Carbon Fiber Packaging and NCF Production

This Technical Collaboration Project focused on packaging large tow (≥ 10 grams/meter) textile carbon fibers, for which currently there is no suitable method. Prior to this project, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) used a crude packaging approach to deliver (approximately) 100-meter packages for evaluation by intermediates producers, composites fabricators and other collaborators. That packaging approach was simply a hoop wrap on a standard 75 mm (3 inch) cardboard tube, with paper interleaved between layers and little or no tension control during spooling. While this approach was very effective for initial fiber development and sample fiber and small composite sample evaluation, these packages were inadequate for larger-scale demonstrations and more extensive applications development. The paper-interleaved packages were inconsistent, wasteful, and too small for commercial utilization; they were designed as a quick and simple means to package material for delivery into prototyping operations and were never expected to satisfy industrial requirements for commercial production. This project aimed to develop a commercially relevant approach for packaging large tow textile carbon fibers for robust delivery into downstream commercial intermediates and composites production operations. The development of robust packaging equipment that delivers packages meeting industrial requirements is essential to commercial implementation. In this project, the team identified packaging requirements, created a design, and prototyped a new packaging concept at ORNL’s Carbon Fiber Technology Facility (CFTF) and resulting packages were tested in production of non-crimp fabric (NCF).

42 ENGINEERING↗

Foreword: Special Section on Multiphysics Aspects of Power Electronics Packaging - Power Die, Power Module, and Converter Level - Part 1

Power electronics are increasingly being used to condition electricity for a wide array of applications, such as transportation (on land, air, and water), data centers, radio frequency, directed energy, wind, solar, and grid-tied applications. To increase power density, performance, efficiency, and reliability and reduce cost, innovations and developments are needed in the multiphysics packaging of power electronics at a die, module, and converter level. This includes fundamental research and development related to emerging high-voltage, high-temperature, and high-switching-frequency power electronics; packaging materials; thermal materials and interfaces; fluid-based thermal management technologies; reliability; condition monitoring; and prognostics. To address these important aspects, this Special Section on Multiphysics Aspects of Power Electronics Packaging includes several articles to be published in two parts. More details are given below on the articles included in the first part.

condition monitoring↗

Liquid immiscibility and core-shell morphology formation in ternary Al–Bi–Sn alloys

The effects of composition on liquid immiscibility, macroscopic morphology, microstructure and phase transformation in ternary Al–Bi–Sn alloys were investigated. Three types of morphology, the core-shell type, the stochastic droplet type and uniform dispersion type, of Al–Bi–Sn particles prepared by a jet breakup process were distinguished, and the relationships between which were discussed. The phase transformation behaviors of the Al–Bi–Sn alloys were studied by thermal analysis, in agreement with the microstructural observation and microanalysis. The liquid immiscibility and formation of the core-shell morphology in Al–Bi–Sn alloys are easily achieved when the composition lies in the liquid miscibility gap. The particles exhibit a high melting point Al-rich core with a low melting point Sn–Bi-rich solder shell, showing promise for application as high-density electronic packaging materials. - Highlights: • The liquid demixing, morphology and microstructure in Al–Bi–Sn alloys were studied. • Three types of morphology were classified and discussed. • The conditions for formation of the core-shell morphology were obtained. • The phase transition behaviors agree with the microstructure characterization. • The Al/Sn–Bi core-shell particles show promise for use in electronic packaging.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Guide for Joint Participation in a DOE Complex Wide SAVY-4000 Surveillance Program

This document describes LANL Storage Program best practices when working with other User Sites to implement DOE M441.1-1 Manual requirements through the use of the SAVY nuclear material packaging system. It is a Manual directive for Field Element Managers to review and approve the SAVY-4000 container series design (with supporting technical basis) as a packaging system for use at their respective sites. This review and approval incorporates an evaluation of the User Site methodology for SAVY surveillance and the process for documenting its nuclear materials storage program. This document aims to assist the Field Element Mangers and User Sites in the processes necessary to credit LANL SAVY surveillance for key elements of the User Site surveillance plan.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Foreword: Special Section on Multiphysics Aspects of Power Electronics Packaging—Power Die, Power Module, and Converter Level: Part 2

Power electronics are increasingly being used to condition electricity for a wide array of applications, such as transportation (on land, air, and water), data centers, radio frequency, directed energy, wind, solar, and grid-tied applications. Here, to increase power density, performance, efficiency, and reliability-as well as to reduce cost-innovations and developments are needed in the multiphysics packaging of power electronics at a die, module, and converter level. This includes fundamental R&D related to emerging high-voltage, high-temperature, and high-switching-frequency power electronics, packaging materials, thermal materials and interfaces, fluid-based thermal management technologies, reliability, condition monitoring, and prognostics. Latest developments in this area are published as a Special Section on Multiphysics Aspects of Power Electronics Packaging. The first part was published in the May 2024 issue of the IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology (Volume 14, Issue 5). The second part of that Special Section is being published in this issue. A brief summary of the papers included in the second part are given below.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Method of forming a package for MEMS-based fuel cell

A MEMS-based fuel cell package and method thereof is disclosed. The fuel cell package comprises seven layers: (1) a sub-package fuel reservoir interface layer, (2) an anode manifold support layer, (3) a fuel/anode manifold and resistive heater layer, (4) a Thick Film Microporous Flow Host Structure layer containing a fuel cell, (5) an air manifold layer, (6) a cathode manifold support structure layer, and (7) a cap. Fuel cell packages with more than one fuel cell are formed by positioning stacks of these layers in series and/or parallel. The fuel cell package materials such as a molded plastic or a ceramic green tape material can be patterned, aligned and stacked to form three dimensional microfluidic channels that provide electrical feedthroughs from various layers which are bonded together and mechanically support a MEMS-based miniature fuel cell. The package incorporates resistive heating elements to control the temperature of the fuel cell stack. The package is fired to form a bond between the layers and one or more microporous flow host structures containing fuel cells are inserted within the Thick Film Microporous Flow Host Structure layer of the package.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

Determination of Static and Dynamic Crush Strengths of Stainless Steel Honeycomb Material

Honeycomb structures are ideal energy absorbers due to the high axial strength compared to the low density of the material and consistent mechanical properties. Lighter density materials used in honeycomb structures, like aluminum, have been studied intensively because of their use in aerospace applications. However, relatively denser materials like stainless steel have been less studied. The purpose of this project is to determine if 304 Stainless Steel hexagonal honeycomb can be used in applications related to the field of radioactive material packaging by determining the crush strength of the structure.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

FABRICATION AND DEPLOYMENT OF THE 9979 TYPE AF RADIOACTIVE WASTE PACKAGING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

This paper summarizes the development, testing, and certification of the 9979 Type A Fissile Packaging that replaces the UN1A2 Specification Shipping Package eliminated from Department of Transportation (DOT) 49 CFR 173. The DOT Specification Package was used for many decades by the U.S. nuclear industry as a fissile waste container until its removal as an authorized container by DOT. This paper will discuss stream lining procurement of high volume radioactive material packaging manufacturing, such as the 9979, to minimize packaging production costs without sacrificing Quality Assurance. The authorized content envelope (combustible and non-combustible) as well as planned content envelope expansion will be discussed.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Antifungal Activity of Polyhexamethyleneguanidine Derivatives Introduced into Biodegradable Polymers

Experiments were conducted to investigate the antifungal activities of polyhexamethyleneguanidine (PHMG) derivatives introduced into polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polycaprolactone (PCL) against Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum and Candida albicans. All of the PHMG derivatives inhibited the germination of A. niger and P. chrysogenum. All of the derivatives exerted a much stronger inhibitory effect on the cells of C. albicans. PHMG granular polyethylene wax (at the concentration of 1.0%) has a fungicidal effect. The reduction in the number of yeast cells capable of growing on the surface composites PLA, PHB and PCL with PHMG granular polyethylene wax for 24 h was R > 2. PHMG derivatives introduced into PLA decreased hydrolases activity in A. niger and P. chrysogenum. All of the PHMG derivatives introduced into all investigated polymers inhibited the hydrolases activity in C. albicans proportionately to concentration. PHMG granular polyethylene wax at a concentration of 1.0% most strongly inhibited hydrolases activity in yeast. The composites produced from PLA, PHB, PCL and this PHMG derivatives can be used in many areas to reduce the growth of yeast. The studied composites can potentially be used for the production of biomedical or packaging materials. Graphical Abstract: PHMG derivates introduced into polymer have slightly biocidal properties against molds and strong against yeast. The composites produced from PLA, PHB, PCL and this PHMG derivatives can be used in the many areas to reduce the growth of yeast. The studied composites can potentially be used for the production of biomedical or packing materials. .

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Inactivation of possible microorganism food contaminants on packaging foils using nonthermal plasma and hydrogen peroxide

The inactivation effect of nonthermal plasma generated in electric discharge burning in air atmosphere with water or hydrogen peroxide aerosol for the application to the microbial decontamination of packaging foils is studied. The microbial inactivation is studied on two bacterial, two yeasts, and two filamentous micromycete species. The inactivation of all contaminating microorganisms becomes on the area of full 8.5 cm in diameter circular sample after short times of several tens of seconds. Described apparatus may present a possible alternative method of microbial decontamination of food packaging material or other thermolabile materials.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

High Moisture Barrier with Synergistic Combination of SiO x and Polyelectrolyte Nanolayers

Abstract The lifespan of most organic electronics, and many types of food, depend on the oxygen and moisture barrier of the packaging materials. Despite exhibiting excellent oxygen barrier and being relatively easy to produce, polyelectrolyte multilayer nanocoatings (PEM) show limited moisture barrier. SiO x thin films can exhibit good moisture barrier, but rigidity that leads to cracking is a challenge for flexible packaging. In this work, layer‐by‐layer assembled PEM coatings are paired with inorganic SiO x to form a three‐layer sandwich‐type moisture barrier. The barrier property of this organic/inorganic/organic structure is an order of magnitude better than any individual component or other combination thereof. This behavior is attributed to the underlying PEM layer smoothing the substrate surface and the top PEM layer eliminating defects in the underlying SiO x . This study provides a new twist in the development of flexible films with exceptional moisture barrier.

Qin, Shuang↗

Los Alamos National Laboratory Overview of the SAVY-4000 Design: Abstract Meeting the Challenge for Worker Safety

Incidents involving release of nuclear materials stored in containers of convenience such as food pack cans, slip lid taped cans, paint cans, etc. has resulted in defense board concerns over the lack of prescriptive performance requirements for interim storage of nuclear materials. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has shared in these incidents and in response proactively moved into developing a performance based storage container design, the SAVY-4000. The SAVY-4000 is the first vented general use nuclear material container demonstrated to meet the requirements of DOE M 441.1-1, Nuclear Material Packaging Manual. The SAVY-4000 is an innovative and creative design demonstrated by the fact that it can be opened and closed in a few seconds without torque wrenches or other tools; has a built-in, fire-rated filter that prevents the build-up of hydrogen gas, yet retains 99.97% of plutonium particulates, and prevents release of material even in a 12 foot drop. Finally, it has been tested to 500C for 2 hours, and will reduce the risk to the public in the event of an earthquake/fire scenario. This will allow major nuclear facilities to credit the container towards source term Material at Risk (MAR) reduction. The container was approved for nuclear material storage in theTA-55 Plutonium Facility on March 15, 2011, and the first order of 79 containers was received at LANL on March 21, 2011. The first four SAVY-4000 containers were packaged with plutonium on August 2, 2011. Key aspects of the SAVY-4000 vented storage container design will be discussed which include design qualification and testing, implementation plan development and status, risk ranking methodology for re-packaging, in use implementation with interface to LANMAS, surveillance strategy, the design life extension program as enhanced by surveillance activities and production status with the intent to extend well beyond the current five year design life.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Polyethylene Blends for Improved Oxygen Barrier: Processing-Dependent Microstructure and Gas Permeability

Here this work demonstrates a greater than expected enhancement of oxygen barrier properties in linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)-based materials by blending LLDPE with high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The films made by melt pressing the LLDPE/HDPE blends had a greater reduction in oxygen permeability coefficients (PO 2 ) than predicted using common permeability reduction models, i.e., the harmonic average model and zero-permeability nanofiller model. The reduction of PO 2 was attributed to the presence of spherulite crystal structures, as revealed by atomic force microscopy combined with infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR). The LLDPE matrix exhibited significant spherulite formation even at a relatively low addition of HDPEs, which likely formed tortuous pathways for diffusing oxygen molecules. Transport results from melt-pressed films contrast with the results from films with similar compositions prepared by film blowing, which did not show barrier enhancement beyond expectation. AFM-IR revealed that the blown films lacked spherulite crystals likely due to stretching in the machine direction followed by rapid cooling. These findings demonstrate the role of processing in controlling microstructures and thus the oxygen barrier performance. This work offers the possibility of achieving easily recyclable LLDPE-based packaging materials by simple blending of polyethylenes with different crystalline content.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Pressure Sensor and Telemetry Methods for Measurement While Drilling in Geothermal Wells (Final Technical Report)

The development and demonstration in this digital telemetry project has brought SiC-based high temperature electronics to a new level of complexity and integration with the active electronic devices and the packaging materials operating at 300°C for greater than 2000 hours. Our highest level of integration is a 6x6mm die with 474 transistors with the most complex functionality to date. Advances were made in the area of device modeling and fabrication, circuit simulation and design, device testing, and packaging. The technologies developed here would help enable sensor systems in enhanced geothermal systems, as well as other applications with high temperature requirements.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Safety analysis report for packaging shielding and nuclear criticality safety courses developed and conducted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The US Department of Energy (DOE) Packaging Certification Program, Office of Packaging and Transportation, is offering Safety Analysis Report for Packaging (SARP) Shielding and Nuclear Criticality Safety (NCS) courses for SARP generalists and analysts. The SARP generalist course is designed for project managers, supervisors, NCS/shielding subject matter experts (SME), and SMEs in non-NCS/shielding technical areas (e.g., structural, thermal, package design) who need to better understand how NCS/shielding analyses fit into the broader body of SARP documentation. The generalist course provides an overview of the regulations and guidelines for the criticality and shielding analyses for a SARP and illustrates how the NCS/shielding chapters integrate with the other parts of the SARP. After course material is presented, students in the generalist course will review an actual SARP document to examine key elements of the shielding and criticality analyses. The analyst course provides detailed instructions on the radioactive material package shielding analyses and NCS evaluation fundamentals needed by analysts/practitioners (i.e., safety analysts and/or technical reviewers) to prepare and/or review technical analyses for the SARP documentation. The analyst course also provides an overview of regulations and guidelines, in addition to detailed in-class exercises associated with package shielding and NCS analyses. Analysis teams will be faced with staged SARP examples in which several important decision processes in the generation of a SARP will be demonstrated and discussed. The courses are offered at Oak Ridge National Laboratory's National Transportation Research Center. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗