Award Data

75336S A broad category of experiments in astro-particle and high energy physics requires the construction of ultra-high-purity and ultra-low-radioactive-background, cubic-meter-scale vessels to be used as containers for ionization and scintillation media. Double-beta decay experiments, solar neutrino experiments, and dark matter searches would all benefit from this technology. Plastics are amo ...

79237 Although solid-state power modules are becoming increasily important components in energy systems (e.g., wind turbines) and in vehicle propulsion systems (e.g., hybrid vehicles), the requirements for these power modules are beginning to exceed the limits of silicon-based power modules. Therefore, a switch to silicon carbide power modules, which can operate at higher operating temperatures a ...

78301S One of the most widely used geophysical methods for monitoring flow within the shallow subsurface is Electrical Resistively Tomography (ERT). The latest generation of ERT systems can monitor data to a precision of around 1%, allowing in situ changes to be interpreted within a few percent. In turn, subsurface temperature changes can be monitored to within a few degrees Centigrade, low lev ...

76166B Although permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) are an important treatment option for groundwater remediation, no reliable methods are available to monitor or predict their long-term behavior. The large-scale implementation of reactive barriers will require a means of monitoring their long-term degradation. For example, gaps can occur in the placement of the reactive material, particularly w ...

Concentrated aquatic animal production facilities (CAAP) have recently fallen under new EPA effluent limitations. Compliance with these guidelines creates the opportunity to improve effluent and recycled water quality. Cavitation caused by our FYNAJETS and the collapse of micro-bubbles in water is a low energy, high efficiency method of applying thermal and mechanical stress and chemical oxidati ...

This project entails a comprehensive approach to developing an innovative solution to heads-up display navigation for marine vessels that addresses the required hardware, the sources of raster and vector navigation and marine charting data, and the means to convey these data to watch standers on the bridge in a manner that enhances their performance. During Phase I we identify specific heads-up d ...

79431S Negative-electron-affinity (NEA) photocathodes, which produce polarized electrons, are a vital component of electron accelerators. The Next Linear Collider (NLC) will require a polarized electron beam intensity at least 20 times greater than that which can be produced with strained GaAs, which is used in the current generation of photocathodes. In addition, the degree of electron polariz ...

75225S The elevated level of vibrations complicates the achievement of sub-nanometer stability for the final focusing lenses in supercolliders. This project will develop a radiation-hardened seismic (vibration) sensor, with sub-nanometer precision and fully immune to strong magnetic fields, for monitoring the stability of the final focusing lenses. In Phase I, two electrochemical prototype sens ...

79108S DNA and protein chip microarray technology relies upon fluorescent labels to visualize DNA hybridization and antigen/antibody binding. A recent breakthrough at Oak Ridge National Laboratory has demonstrated the possibility of label-free detection of DNA hybridization using a microcantilever as the "chip reader." A label-free analyte sensing system would: (1) solve the problem with photob ...

A large area (diameter > 200 micrometer) mesa type InGaAs/InAlAs avalanche photodiode with a novel surface passivation technique is proposed for photon counting at eye-safe wavelength of > 1.4 micrometer. The device is expected to exhibit high detection efficiency, low dark count rate with minimal afterpusling, due to the small k factor of InAlAs gain material and the unique mesa sidewall treatmen ...