Award Data

SINCE THEIR DISCOVERY NEUTRONS HAVE REMAINED ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT FORMS OF RADIATION TO DETECT. THE MOST EFFECTIVE NEUTRON DETECTORS IN CURRENT USE ARE GAS FILLED DETECTORS EMPLOYING EITHER 3HE OR BF3 AS THE DETECTION MEDIUM. UNFORTUNATELY, GAS FILLED DETECTORS SUFFER FROM A NUMBER OF DEFICIENCIES INCLUDING LARGE SIZE (GASES HAVE LOW VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY FOR STOPPING NEUTRONS), MECHANICAL FR ...

65050 To achieve a high degree of interaction between the positron and electron beams in the Next Linear Collider, the interacting beams must be aligned to within 1 nanometer. Low frequency vibration from auxiliary equipment and from local ground vibration causes relative motion of the two beams and therefore must be damped. Furthermore, longer term ground motions require periodic realignment of ...

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65616 Many types of ground-based atmospheric radiation instruments, both broadband and spectral, need to be mounted on sun-tracking platforms. However, commercially available solar trackers are: (1) either very large, expensive, heavy-duty platforms made to hold multiple instruments, or simple drive mechanisms that require precise alignment and user input; (2) can only operate in ¿predicti ...

Aerosol particles have important impacts on visibility, acid deposition, climate, and human health. A large fraction of the anthropogenic aerosol is generated from energy-related activities, and carbonaceous species are known to constitute a significant fraction of ambient aerosol mass in many locations. In particular, black carbon (BC), formed in combustion processes, is believed to have a stro ...

60344 The identification of fast, bright scintillators is a continual goal among scientists who design and manufacture radiation detection systems. Unfortunately, the scintillator is often the limiting technology that impedes product development and adds substantial cost. Many materials have been tried, but few can deliver both qualities. The two approaches are (1) making small incremen ...

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65349 The quest for alloys capable of extended use under severe service conditions has recently prompted interest in dual-phase Cr/TaCr2 intermetallic alloys. However, their brittleness and poor fracture toughness at ambient temperature have greatly limited their applicability. To overcome these disadvantages, this project will conduct alloy design and development using a macroalloying and m ...

65573 The use of neutrons for materials characterization is growing. As more powerful neutron sources become available, corresponding advances in neutron detectors will be required. However, advances in neutron detectors have come slowly, compared to other types of detectors (x-rays, charged particles), because of weaknesses in the detecting gas medium. This project will develop pyrolitic boro ...