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At least 1,567 records · Page 87

Eye patches: Protein assembly of index-gradient squid lenses

A parabolic relationship between lens radius and refractive index allows spherical lenses to avoid spherical aberration. We show that in squid, patchy colloidal physics resulted from an evolutionary radiation of globular S-crystallin proteins. Small-angle x-ray scattering experiments on lens tissue show colloidal gels of S-crystallins at all radial positions. Sparse lens materials form via low-valence linkages between disordered loops protruding from the protein surface. The loops are polydisperse and bind via a set of hydrogen bonds between disordered side chains. Peripheral lens regions with low particle valence form stable, volume-spanning gels at low density, whereas central regions with higher average valence gel at higher densities. The proteins demonstrate an evolved set of linkers for self-assembly of nanoparticles into volumetric materials.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Critical differences in 3D atomic structure of individual ligand-protected nanocrystals in solution

Precise three-dimensional (3D) atomic structure determination of individual nanocrystals is a prerequisite for understanding and predicting their physical properties. Nanocrystals from the same synthesis batch display what are often presumed to be small but possibly important differences in size, lattice distortions, and defects, which can only be understood by structural characterization with high spatial 3D resolution. We solved the structures of individual colloidal platinum nanocrystals by developing atomic-resolution 3D liquid-cell electron microscopy to reveal critical intrinsic heterogeneity of ligand-protected platinum nanocrystals in solution, including structural degeneracies, lattice parameter deviations, internal defects, and strain. These differences in structure lead to substantial contributions to free energies, consequential enough that they must be considered in any discussion of fundamental nanocrystal properties or applications.

Kim, Byung Hyo↗

Study of the Optical Properties of CdZnSe/ZnS-Quantum Dot–Au-Nanoparticle Complexes

The interaction of gold nanoparticles (NPs) and semiconductor alloyed CdZnSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) in colloidal solutions is studied. It is shown that the photoluminescence intensity of QDs in a mixture decreases compared to that in the initial QD solution, which is caused by resonance nonradiative energy transfer from QDs to Au NPs in spontaneously formed aggregates. To control the formation of pairs of interacting QDs and Au NPs, we proposed have a method for creating QD–Au NP complexes bound by special molecules—ligands. It is shown that the morphology and optical properties of the samples obtained depend on the method of their preparation, in particular, on the chemical environment of QDs. It is found that the complexes form in the case of addition of hydrophilic Au NPs to hydrophobic QDs and that this almost does not change the optical properties of the latter compared to those of quasi-isolated QDs in colloidal solution.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Possibilities of surface-sensitive X-ray methods for studying the molecular mechanisms of interaction of nanoparticles with model membranes

The processes of structural rearrangement in a model membrane, i.e., an arachic acid monolayer formed on a colloidal solution of cerium dioxide or magnetite, are studied in situ in real time by the methods of X-ray standing waves and 2D diffraction. It is shown that the character of the interaction of nanoparticles with the monolayer is determined by their nature and sizes and depends on the conditions of nanoparticle synthesis. In particular, the structure formation in the monolayer–particle system is greatly affected by the stabilizer (citric acid), which is introduced into the colloidal solution during synthesis.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Polymer Composition Influence on Optical Properties of Laser-Generated Au Nanoparticles Based Nanocomposites

Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) stable colloid solution were prepared by laser ablation and fragmentation in liquid monomer isodecyl acrylate (IDA). Sizes of obtained nanoparticles were determined by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and were about 20 nm. Nanocomposites films were prepared from obtained stable colloid solution by UV-photocuring. To prepare solid polymer films different crosslinking diacrylates were used. Third-order nonlinear optical responses of prepared nanomaterials with different polymer matrix compositions were estimated by z-scan technique and compared.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nonradiative Energy Transfer in Hybrid Nanostructures with Varied Dimensionality

A composite nanostructure based on quasi-one-dimensional InP nanowires with an InAsP nanoinsert, grown on a Si(111) substrate by the method of molecular-beam epitaxy, and CdSe/ZnS zero-dimensional colloidal quantum dots is reported for the first time. The nonradiative resonance energy transfer between components of the hybrid nanostructure, namely, between the colloidal quantum dots and the nanoinsert, is experimentally confirmed.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Ordered and disordered skyrmion states on a square substrate

We examine the ordering of skyrmions interacting with a square substrate created from a modulation of anisotropy using atomistic simulations. We consider fillings of ƒ = 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 skyrmions per potential minimum as a function of magnetic field and sample size. For a filling of ƒ = 2.0, we find various dimer orderings, such as tilted dimer states, as well as antiferromagnetic ordering that is similar to the colloidal dimer ordering seen on square substrates. Furthermore, the ability of the skyrmions to change shape or annihilate produces additional states that do not occur in the colloidal systems. For certain parameters at ƒ = 2.0, half of the skyrmions can annihilate to form a square lattice, or a superlattice of trimers and monomers containing skyrmions of different sizes can form. At lower fields, ordered stretched skyrmion states can appear, and for zero field, there can be ordered stripe states. For ƒ = 3.0, we find ferromagnetic ordered trimers, tilted lattices, columnar lattices, and stretched phases. For fillings of ƒ = 1.5 and 2.5, we find bipartite lattices, different ordered and disordered states, and several extended disordered regions produced by frustration effects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mesoscale Particle-Based Model of Electrophoresis

Here, we develop and evaluate a semi-empirical particle-based model of electrophoresis using extensive mesoscale simulations. We parameterize the model using only measurable quantities from a broad set of colloidal suspensions with properties that span the experimentally relevant regime. With sufficient sampling, simulated diffusivities and electrophoretic velocities match predictions of the ubiquitous Stokes-Einstein and Henry equations, respectively. This agreement holds for non-polar and aqueous solvents or ionic liquid colloidal suspensions under a wide range of applied electric fields.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electrochemical Synthesis of Monodisperse Platinum-Cobalt Nanocrystals

The synthesis of platinum-cobalt nanocrystals (NCs) using colloidal solvothermal techniques is well understood. However, for monodisperse NCs to form, high temperatures and environmentally detrimental solvents are needed. We report a room temperature, aqueous method of platinum-cobalt NC synthesis using electrochemical reduction as the driving force for nucleation and growth. It is found that colloidal NCs will form in both the presence and absence of surfactant. Additionally, we report a monodisperse electrochemical deposition of NCs utilising a transparent conducting oxide electrode. The methods developed here will allow for a synthetic method to produce nanocatalysts with minimal environmental impact and should be readily applicable to other NC systems, including single- and multi-component alloys.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Large-scale Manufacturing of Nanoparticulate-based Lubrication Additives for Improved Energy Efficiency and Reduced Emissions

This project was funded under the Department of Energy (DOE) Lab Call on Nanomanufacturing for Energy Efficiency and was directed toward the development of novel boron-based nanocolloidal lubrication additives for improving the friction and wear performance of machine components in a wide range of industrial and transportation applications. Argonne's research team concentrated on the scientific and technical aspects of the project, using a range of state-of-the art analytical and tribological test facilities. Argonne has extensive past experience and expertise in working with boron-based solid and liquid lubrication additives, and has intellectual property ownership of several. There were two industrial collaborators in this project: Ashland Oil (represented by its Valvoline subsidiary) and Primet Precision Materials, Inc. (a leading nanomaterials company). There was also a sub-contract with the University of Arkansas. The major objectives of the project were to develop novel boron-based nanocolloidal lubrication additives and to optimize and verify their performance under boundary-lubricated sliding conditions. The project also tackled problems related to colloidal dispersion, larger-scale manufacturing and blending of nano-additives with base carrier oils. Other important issues dealt with in the project were determination of the optimum size and concentration of the particles and compatibility with various base fluids and/or additives. Boron-based particulate additives considered in this project included boric acid (H 3 BO 3 ), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), boron oxide, and borax. As part of this project, we also explored a hybrid MoS 2 + boric acid formulation approach for more effective lubrication and reported the results. The major motivation behind this work was to reduce energy losses related to friction and wear in a wide spectrum of mechanical systems and thereby reduce our dependence on imported oil. Growing concern over greenhouse gas emissions was also a major reason. The transportation sector alone consumes about 13 million barrels of crude oil per day (nearly 60% of which is imported) and is responsible for about 30% of the CO 2 emission. When we consider manufacturing and other energy-intensive industrial processes, the amount of petroleum being consumed due to friction and wear reaches more than 20 million barrels per day (from official energy statistics, U.S. Energy Information Administration). Frequent remanufacturing and/or replacement of worn parts due to friction-, wear-, and scuffing-related degradations also consume significant amounts of energy and give rise to additional CO 2 emission. Overall, the total annual cost of friction- and wear-related energy and material losses is estimated to be rather significant (i.e., as much as 5% of the gross national products of highly industrialized nations). It is projected that more than half of the total friction- and wear-related energy losses can be recovered by developing and implementing advanced friction and wear control technologies. In transportation vehicles alone, 10% to 15% of the fuel energy is spent to overcome friction. If we can cut down the friction- and wear-related energy losses by half, then we can potentially save up to 1.5 million barrels of petroleum per day. Also, less friction and wear would mean less energy consumption as well as less carbon emissions and hazardous byproducts being generated and released to the environment. New and more robust anti-friction and -wear control technologies may thus have a significant positive impact on improving the efficiency and environmental cleanliness of the current legacy fleet and future transportation systems. Effective control of friction in other industrial sectors such as manufacturing, power generation, mining and oil exploration, and agricultural and earthmoving machinery may bring more energy savings. Therefore, this project was timely and responsive to the energy and environmental objectives of DOE and our nation. In this project, most of the boron-based materials with known and potential anti-friction and -wear properties have been manufactured as colloidal additives and tested for their effectiveness in controlling friction and wear. Unlike other anti-friction and -wear additives, which consist of zinc, molybdenum, sulfur, phosphorus, and even chlorine, lubricious boron compounds considered in this project are made of boron, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, which are more environmentally benign. Among others, boric acid is a natural mineral (known in mineralogy as "sassolite"). Based on our earlier exploratory research, it was found to offer the best overall prospect in terms of performance improvements, environmental friendliness, and ease of manufacturing and, hence, cost effectiveness. Hexagonal boron nitride and borax also offered good prospects for improving the tribological properties of lubricated sliding surfaces. Boron oxide particles were found to be rather hard and somewhat abrasive and, hence, were not considered beyond the initial screening studies. In our bench-top tribological evaluation, we also demonstrated that those additives which worked well with engine oils could work equally well with very common gear oils. When added at appropriate concentrations, such gear oils were found to provide significant resistance to micropitting and scuffing failures in bench-top tribological test systems. Their traction coefficients were also reduced substantially and their scuffing limits were improved considerably. Such impressive tribological behavior of boron-based additives may have been due to their high chemical affinities to interact with sliding contact surfaces and to form slick and protective boundary films. Indeed, our surface studies have confirmed that most of the boron-based nanoparticulate additives prepared in our project possess a strong tendency to form a boron-rich boundary film on sliding contact surfaces. It is believed that the formation of such slick and highly durable boundary films is perhaps one of the fundamental reasons for their superior anti-friction, -wear, and -scuffing performance. Boron-based additives developed under this project have shown potential to reduce or replace the uses of environmentally unsafe sulfur- and phosphorus-bearing anti-wear and friction additives, such as zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) and molybdenum dialkyl dithiocarbamate (MoDTC), in current lubricating oils. Because ZDDP and MoDTC were suspected of adversely impacting the performance of after-treatment catalysts in current engines, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other regulatory agencies are demanding that the concentrations of these catalysts in current oils be curtailed drastically. The boron-based nano-additives developed in this project may help reduce the use of ZDDP and MoDTC additives and, hence, help ease the poisoning effects on after-treatment catalysts. When used as lubricity additives, these boron additives can chemically interact with sliding or contacting surfaces and form a protective and slick boundary film, which can, in turn, help reduce friction and wear and increase resistance to scuffing. In the cases of traditional anti-friction and -wear additives mentioned, such protective boundary films result from phosphorus, sulfur, and other elements in the additive package, and again they have been under increased scrutiny in recent years, mainly because of their adverse effects on after-treatment devices. Overall, the boron-based nano-additive technology of this project was shown to hold promise for a broad range of industrial and transportation applications where lower friction and higher resistance to wear and scuffing are needed. Due to more stringent operating conditions of modern machinery, rolling, rotating, and sliding components have been failing to meet the projected lifetimes, mainly because of failures related to mechanical wear, corrosion, and scuffing. The novel boron-based additive technology developed under this project may help such machine components to function reliably by cutting down the friction and wear losses and by increasing resistance to scuffing.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Assessment of Methods to Consolidate Iodine-Loaded Silver-Functionalized Silica Aerogel

The U.S. Department of Energy is currently investigating alternative sorbents for the removal and immobilization of radioiodine from the gas streams in a nuclear fuel reprocessing plant. One of these new sorbents, Ag 0 -functionalized silica aerogels, shows great promise as a potential replacement for Ag-bearing mordenites because of its high selectivity and sorption capacity for iodine. Moreover, a feasible consolidation of iodine-loaded Ag0-functionalized silica aerogels to a durable SiO 2 -based waste form makes this aerogel an attractive choice for sequestering radioiodine. This report provides a preliminary assessment of the methods that can be used to consolidate iodine-loaded Ag 0 -functionalized silica aerogels into a final waste form. In particular, it focuses on experimental investigation of densification of as prepared Ag 0 - functionalized silica aerogels powders, with or without organic moiety and with or without sintering additive (colloidal silica), with three commercially available techniques: 1) hot uniaxial pressing (HUP), 2) hot isostatic pressing (HIP), and 3) spark plasma sintering (SPS). The densified products were evaluated with helium gas pycnometer for apparent density, with the Archimedes method for apparent density and open porosity, and with high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) for the extent of densification and distribution of individual elements. The preliminary investigation of HUP, HIP, and SPS showed that these sintering methods can effectively consolidate powders of Ag 0 -functionalized silica aerogel into products of near-theoretical density. Also, removal of organic moiety and adding 5.6 mass% of colloidal silica to Ag0-functionalized silica aerogel powders before processing provided denser products. Furthermore, the ram travel data for SPS indicated that rapid consolidation of powders can be performed at temperatures below 950°C.

Ag-Functionalized Silica Aerogel↗

Milestone M4FT-13LL0807071: International Collaboration - Radionuclide Interactions and Transport in Geologic Repository Environments - Pu Interaction with Bentonite

The focus of this project is to investigate radionuclide interactions with natural and engineered materials, specifically the mineral bentonite that will be used in EU repositories and possibly in US high-level waste repository designs. These experiments are designed to develop a mechanistic understanding of Pu interactions with representative mineral substrates under granitic chemical conditions. The sorption/desorption experiments cover a large range of Pu concentrations and will be compared to sorption/desorption experiment with montmorillonite. The experiments are being coordinated with the Colloid Formation and Migration (CFM) international project led by Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and located at the Grimsel Test Site underground research laboratory in Switzerland. Experiments will be completed by 8/15/2014. Milestone M4FT-13LL0807071 is a progress report on this effort. The research is addressing the following FEPs/needs identified in the R&D Roadmap: 2.2.09.05 - radionuclide speciation and solubility in host rock; 2.2.09.55 - sorption of dissolved radionuclides in host rock; 2.2.09.59 - colloidal transport in host rock.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Chemical Control of Charge Trapping and Charge Transfer Processes at the Organic-Inorganic Interface within Quantum Dot-Organic Complexes

Within the research program funded through the Early Career Research Award we designed complexes of colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) and organic molecules in which the interfacial chemistry controls the electronic structure and dynamics of the excitonic state of the QD. The program included two main projects; (1) investigation of the mechanisms by which organic surfactants control the quantum confinement of excitonic charge carriers; and (2) development of models for electron transfer between QDs and adsorbed molecules as a function of interfacial chemistry. This project was extremely successful in that our achievements in those two areas addressed the great majority of questions we outlined in the original proposal and answered questions I did not think to ask in that original proposal. Our work led to the discovery of “exciton delocalizing ligands”, which change the electronic structure of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals by altering, with small synthetic modifications to their surfaces, their most defining characteristic – the quantum confinement of their excited states. It also led to detailed, quantitative descriptions of how the surface chemistry of a QD dictates, thermodynamically and kinetically, the probability of exchange of electrons between the QD and a small molecule. We used two of the three major techniques in the proposal (transient photoluminescence and transient absorption). Electrogenerated chemiluminescence was also proposed, but was too technically difficult with these systems to be useful. Instead, NMR spectroscopy emerged as a major analytical tool in our studies. With the fundamental advancements we made with this project, we believe that we can design QDs to be the next great class of visible-light photocatalysts.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Nanostructure-enhanced Phase Change Materials (NePCM) and HRD

Development and characterization of high aspect-ratio nanostructures tailored for dramatic improvements of thermal conductivity of phase change materials is proposed. This DOE renewal project builds upon a proven research record on development of a number of stable and functionality-proven colloids of metal oxide and metallic nanoparticles (avg. diameters less than 10 nm). These efforts followed original conceptualization and synergistic activities on promoting nanostructure-enhanced phase change materials (NePCM) and their utilization for thermal energy storage, waste heat recovery, thermal comfort, etc. Given this background, availability of promising preliminary results for the proposed target materials and formation of a new team of researchers, the investigators will focus on development of nanoadditives of metallic nanorods, functionalized carbon nanotubes, Graphene, graphite nanoplatelets, nanocomposites combining graphene with metal/metal oxide nanostructures and self-assembling carbon nanofiber-based nanomaterials. Specifically, the chemical synthesis group will identify procedures leading to nanorods of copper, copper oxide, silver and graphitic carbon exhibiting long-term stability against precipitation when dispersed in hydrocarbon solvents suitable for PCM applications. Important goals are to achieve nanorods with dimensions, including aspect ratio, that induce significant enhancements in thermal conductivity and also to control instabilities against rod precipitation during solvent freezing and melting. Another group will focus on developing complex nanoarchitectured nanocomposites through utilizing heterostructures that combine graphene with metal or metal oxide nanostructures. These heterostructures will be mixed with paraffin, fatty acids, or stearyl alcohol to realize novel NePCM. Fundamental studies will be performed by conducting materials and thermal characterization methods and structure-processing-properties relationships will be derived. In addition, growth mechanisms for the proposed heterostructures will be evaluated. Another research team will undertake a variety of approaches to functionalize the surfaces of nanostructured carbon-based materials, i.e. carbon nanotubes, Graphene and graphite nanoplatelets. The proposed techniques include both surfactant- and polymer-assisted dispersion of carbon nanotubes, Graphene and graphite nanoplatelets, in addition to microwave-initiated carbon nanotube growth to produce 3-D nanocarbon fillers for NePCM. Functionalized and pristine carbon nanotubes will also be subjected to a strong magnetic field to explore the effect of controlled alignment on the improved thermal conductivity. Microwave-initiated nanotube growth on the surfaces of the voids of graphite foam will be attempted to extend the previous work on thermal conductivity improvement of PCM that are impregnated into porous highly-conductive structures. Refinements of continuum modeling of colloids and most importantly, molecular dynamics-based mechanistic studies for carbon nanotubes and Graphene-based multi-component systems will be pursued. Finally, self-assembling carbon nanofiber-based NePCM will be investigated by another group. A highly-conductive carbon nanofiber network, which is created by a self-assembling approach, will host the PCM and enhance the thermal conductivity by several folds. Furthermore, the inert and relatively stable carbon nanofiber will be further utilized for creating low-mid range temperature NePCM and high-temperature NePCM by filling the porous space inside the self-assembling carbon nanofiber network with paraffin-based or salt-based PCM, respectively. Improved thermal energy charge/discharge performance and stable phase change temperature control features exhibited by this new generation of self-assembling carbon nanofiber-based NePCM will potentially impact many applications including solar energy storage systems.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Imaging Interfacial Electric Fields on Ultrafast Timescales (Final Report)

The goal of this project is to dynamically probe interfacial electric fields on ultrafast timescales and sub-micron length scales. The proposed method could be applied to a variety of heterointerfaces, with particular emphasis on interfaces involving colloidal quantum dots. The primary objective is development of an ultrafast nonlinear optical imaging technique with this capability. A secondary objective is obtaining new insights into excited state charge carrier dynamics in colloidal quantum dot solids and at quantum dot interfaces. Research activities involve validation of the technical approach, construction of the microscope, and synthesis and characterization of materials to be studied using the instrument.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Manufacturing of low-background copper electrical components for rare-event detection. Final report

This SBIR Phase I project developed the manufacturing capability for the production of ultra-low-background copper and lead for use in electronic interconnects and support architecture. Copper is an attractive electronic and support material because of its favorable conductivity and mechanical properties. Fortuitously, the material can also be electroplated with high radiopurity, particularly if the electroforming is performed in shielded, buried facilities within which the cosmogenic background is minimized. The machining of the electroformed copper into wires, feedthroughs, and support hardware can potentially introduce impurities through the shop environment or through the dies used in wire-drawing and part formation. During Phase I, we demonstrated an alternative low-cost solution-based approach in which copper nanoparticles are colloidally-grown and self-assembled into solids that can serve as thermal structures- such as cold-fingers, mechanical structures- such as the inner shielding lining, and electronic devices. We demonstrated ultrastrong, high-conductivity free-standing copper conductors during Phase I suitable for battery electrodes, interconnects, and cabling, all components that enable next-generation flexible electronics. In nanoparticle form, copper forms in a crystalline lattice with very low impurity content, but its self-assembly is facilitated by organic capping ligands that can serve as impurity sources. Upon the formation of a colloidal solid, the copper particles can be fused and the organic components evaporated through vacuum annealing. The study of ultra-pure copper was expanded during Phase I to include nanostructured lead, which is an important radiation-shielding material. By growing lead particles in a water-based solution the resulting solution can be poured into the desired form-factor mold, within which it will self-assemble and harden upon evaporation of the water and any organics. The effort during Phase II is designed to complete the development of the manufacturing process and to use that process to deliver high radio-purity copper and lead components to the rare-event detection community so that the noise-floor contribution from the surrounding materials is substantially eliminated.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

NA-22 Quarterly Report: April-June, 2020

At LLNL we contribute to two projects in NNSA-IAEC Science and Technology Working Group Area V: Basic Science of Waste Management & Subsurface Science. The motivation behind Topic Area V is to evaluate the scientific and safety case for an intermediate borehole to house Israel’s nuclear waste. WM1 (SNL lead) is Thermomechanical Damage (initially called Damage Accumulation and Wellbore Stability). This work focuses on evaluating the damage to the host rock induced by excavation and heat released from a possible radioactive waste repository/borehole. WM2 (LLNL lead) is Radionuclide Facilitated Transport in Carbonate Rock (initially called Colloidal Transport of Radionuclides). This work focuses on better understanding the transport of radionuclides and colloids from a nuclear waste repository/borehole in a vadose zone environment through experimentation and modeling. In the second quarter (this report) our work has been delayed in part due to COVID-19. LLNL went into shelter in place (SIP), minimum safe operations mid-March. Operations at LLNL have been slowly ramping up with 50% of the workforce back onsite in limited capacity and telecommuting widely used. The good news is that our labs opened up the last week in June and experiments are expected to start up again for WM2 Radionuclide Facilitated Transport in July. LLNL’s contribution to WM1 Thermochemical Damage modeling efforts also started back up in late June. We expect to be able to catch up on much of our work by the end of next quarter. The three national laboratories communication on a bi-monthly basis to make sure Area V projects remain on track and we have a monthly conference call with our Israeli counterparts to make sure we are communicating priorities and coordinating project details.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

NA-22 Quarterly Report: April-June, 2020

At LLNL we contribute to two projects in NNSA-IAEC Science and Technology Working Group Area V: Basic Science of Waste Management & Subsurface Science. The motivation behind Topic Area V is to evaluate the scientific and safety case for an intermediate borehole to house Israel’s nuclear waste. WM1 (SNL lead) is Thermomechanical Damage (initially called Damage Accumulation and Wellbore Stability). This work focuses on evaluating the damage to the host rock induced by excavation and heat released from a possible radioactive waste repository/borehole. WM2 (LLNL lead) is Radionuclide Facilitated Transport in Carbonate Rock (initially called Colloidal Transport of Radionuclides). This work focuses on better understanding the transport of radionuclides and colloids from a nuclear waste repository/borehole in a vadose zone environment through experimentation and modeling. In the second quarter (this report) our work has been delayed in part due to COVID-19. LLNL went into shelter in place (SIP), minimum safe operations mid-March. Operations at LLNL have been slowly ramping up with 50% of the workforce back onsite in limited capacity and telecommuting widely used. The good news is that our labs opened up the last week in June and experiments are expected to start up again for WM2 Radionuclide Facilitated Transport in July. LLNL’s contribution to WM1 Thermochemical Damage modeling efforts also started back up in late June. We expect to be able to catch up on much of our work by the end of next quarter. The three national laboratories communication on a bi-monthly basis to make sure Area V projects remain on track and we have a monthly conference call with our Israeli counterparts to make sure we are communicating priorities and coordinating project details.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗