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The Winter 2021 quarterly newsletter highlights articles titled "Putting down new markers for Los Alamos neutrino research", Direct measurements of nuclear reactions on radionuclides", Novel thermal neutron detector safeguards aircraft, HPC semiconductor electronics", along with the usual standard sections.
The microstructure of the SC0234 weld was evaluated per DA-SPEC-01067, ''General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) Plutonium-238 Dioxide Fueled Clad Product Specification'' and it was determined that the weld microstructure conformed to the quality requirements. During the examination of weld cross section, the metallographic analysis revealed the presence of a surface crack. Prior visual examination per RPS-TA55-303 had not revealed the crack, nor did the surface photography performed per RPS-TA55-302. The presence of the crack does not violate any of the product specifications called out on DA-SPEC-01067. Although there is a well-documented history of weld hot crack susceptibility in the early development of the DOP-26 iridium alloy, a surface crack such as this had not been documented during welding at Los Alamos. In the interest of better understanding the cause; the product engineer/program recommended further examination of the crack. This report discusses the examination of the crack found in the weld cross section of simulant clad SC0234. Metallography, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy techniques (EDS) where used in the analysis of the crack and the surrounding weld microstructure.
The CarbonSAFE Phase II: Storage Complex Feasibility project, entitled “Establishing an Early CO 2 Storage Complex in Kemper County, Mississippi: Project ECO 2 S,” demonstrates that the subsurface adjacent to the Kemper County energy facility can safely and permanently store commercial-scale volumes of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). Project ECO 2 S is led by the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB). Mississippi Power Company (MPC) serves as the site host. The project includes technical and field implementation support from Advanced Resources International (ARI) and obtains analytical support from two national laboratories (Los Alamos and Lawrence Berkeley), a host of universities, and other key participants. A 30,000-acre area of interest was established. Three new characterization wells were drilled to facilitate the detailed geologic analyses, characterization, and modeling of three prospective storage reservoirs. The results verify and validate that the subsurface reservoirs examined have gigatonne CO 2 storage potential. This final report documents the achievements of the project team in successfully attaining the goals and objectives set forth for the project and summarizes the results of the feasibility study.
W-8 is part of the Weapon Systems (W) Engineering Division. W Division provides the system engineering and program management necessary to sustain the safety, reliability, and security of Los Alamos National Laboratory’s assets in the active United States nuclear stockpile: the B61, W76, W78, and W88.
Brief article discussing the contributions of Dr. Arianna Wright Rosenbluth to work done at Los Alamos and to computer science in general.
The presentation to forging vendors gives an overview of Los Alamos National Laboratory's vessel program and its needs along with the contract process.
Los Alamos National Lab (LANL) is concerned about potential interactions between a tin-antimony pewter material used for localized radiation shielding and stainless-steel containers used for storage and movement of radioactive materials when containers are subjected to elevated temperatures. The specific concern is whether pewter constituents can diffuse into grain boundaries and lead to embrittlement of the stainless steel, potentially compromising the ability of stainless steel components to maintain containment. This work will provide a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the depth of penetration of the pewter coating constituents into stainless steel when the test coupons are subjected to a range of thermal environments. The results of the present work will allow LANL to determine conditions for safely using the pewter lined containers.
An overview of Los Alamos National Laboratory is given, primarily related to the Deputy Director of Science, Technology and Engineering (DDSTE) perspective.
Employee resource groups at Los Alamos National Laboratory are described and the value of diversity in the workforce was emphasized.
National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC), located at the Nevada Nuclear Security Site (NNSS) operated by Los Alamos National Laboratory, is our nation’s only general-purpose critical experiments facility and is one of only a few that remain operational throughout the world. NCERC Directly Contributes to Important National and International Missions and is Making Investments in Pipeline and the Facility for enduring capability and expanding missions. More detailed capabilities are described.
The agenda for the presentation is as follows: Human Factors; Accident Review (Tokai Mura, Siberian Chemical Combine); Procedures; Accident Review (Los Alamos Waste Recovery); Environmental Distractions; Accident Review (Idaho Fuel Reprocessing); and, Equipment Reliability.
A team of researchers from both the Air Force Institute and Technology and Los Alamos National Laboratory are developing a paint that contains a material called quantum dots which can optically measure deformation of a surface. Quantum dots are the same materials used in new QLED television displays; however, they can also be used for a multitude of sensing applications such as deformation. The researchers used a new method of applying an interfacial layer between the quantum dot paint and the surface under investigation to help adhesion in harsh environments. The primary motivation behind this research is to make both quality assurance and maintenance of aircraft easier for the warfighter. The researchers’ efforts started in 2019 and are continuing. The technology works by shining a light onto the surface of the paint and the dots will emit back a wavelength of light that relates to the amount of deformation the surface is going through. This has the promise to allow for real-time 2D surface measurements that is more affordable than other 2D surface measurement alternatives.
Researchers at Los Alamos have developed the Earth-field Resonance Detection and Evaluation devices, or ERDE (German for “Earth”) which brings portable chemical analysis and identification into the field. ERDE uses the Earth’s magnetic field to perform nuclear magnetic resonance measurements without the need for sample preparation, costly cryogens, or calibration procedures, meaning it is extremely user-friendly. In fact, using the Earth’s magnetic field allows detection and identification of chemical species through non-magnetic pipes without sampling, reducing the likelihood of costly biofouling. This innovative new device brings together these outstanding benefits to improve processes in the detection of noxious chemicals in water supplies as well as the identification of toxic materials anywhere. There are two fully-functional ERDE prototypes and efforts are underway to miniaturize the system further for improved portability, increased sensitivity, and expanded capabilities. The Laboratory is seeking qualified licensing or CRADA partners to finalize development of this system.
Plutonium oxide powders from various production lines at Los Alamos National Laboratory are stored and transported in specially designed “SAVY-4000”, “Hagan”, or other containment systems. Cerium oxide powder has been used as a less-hazardous simulant powder for testing accidental release from these containers under various operational scenarios. This work investigates the development and use of fluorescent cerium oxide powders as a more easily detectable, and potentially quantifiable, simulant powder for plutonium oxide container systems
When I arrived at Los Alamos in 2003, the Laboratory’s long-retired third director was still a very popular figure. He was so popular, in fact, that he enjoyed an honor typically reserved for only the most adored and outrageous pop stars and Brazilian footballers: He was known by one name. Back then, most Lab staff knew exactly who you were talking about when you referred to “Harold.” Harold Agnew was at the helm from 1970 – 1979, though his career here began when he was still just in his 20s. He was recruited to work on the U.S. government’s top-secret project to build the first atomic bombs and help bring a swift end to World War II. Harold died in 2013 at 92, but March 28 would have been his 100th birthday. Although he’s no longer here to celebrate with us, we can gain inspiration by remembering his remarkable life of service – and mischief. Both are now well-documented in the collections of the National Security Research Center (NSRC), the Lab’s classified library, which also includes unclassified pieces of our history. The NSRC’s newest addition to its collections comes from Harold’s son John Agnew, who just recently gave me a box of about 250 images and about 15 documents that belonged to his dad. The contents are nothing short of remarkable, one-of-a-kind, and in some cases, hilarious. As the NSRC staff are accessioning these pieces into the Lab’s collections, looking through these materials is a chance for me to remember our former director and my friend.
They are at it again, on this occasion just in time for National Library Week. Last year, staff members from the National Security Research Center (NSRC, the Laboratory’s classified library) recommended their favorite books and movies about Los Alamos National Laboratory during the Manhattan Project. This time out, NSRC Director Riz Ali and Senior Historian Alan Carr, joined by Historian Nicholas Lewis, tackle a greater challenge, recommending their favorite books, publications and documentaries that cover the Laboratory’s history after World War II.
Charged particle physics, implicit Monte Carlo (IMC) radiation transport, and Sn radiation transport were recently added to the code LUMOS developed by the Lagrangian Applications Project at Los Alamos National Laboratory. This advancement is part of an effort to increase LUMOS’s applicability across a wide variety of problems of interest to the Laboratory including application to inertial confinement fusion (ICF). ICF implosion physics is of interest to the Lagrangian Applications Project because 1) ICF fusion research is a critical mission driver at the laboratory and 2) ICF fusion is a key research area for students and new staff members during the on-boarding process.
The objectives of this training are to introduce you to the various aspects of security at Los Alamos National Laboratory, help you understand the role of security in your work, and let you know where to get answers to security related questions.