Award Data

The overall quality and the comprehensive strength, in particular, of concrete are critically dependent on the water content in the concrete mixture. It is also essential to know if the concrete has reached a stage of moisture equilibrium before surface finishes such as paint or carpet can be applied. At present, no reliable method or easy-to-use instrument exists for determining the moisture co ...

In response to the increasing demand for better understanding of the manufacturing processes and the machining systems, a new testing standard--ASME B5.54 and a family of new testing instruments have been developed for evaluating the performances of a variety of CNC machining centers. Because of the advancement and versatility of the new instruments, test data are being collected at a much higher ...

We will develop technology, termed a Ruggedized Wind Measurement System (RWMS), to measure directly extreme winds with high space and time resolution, focusing on the winds that occur beneath hurricanes at land fall. This development effort will include design, fabrication of two prototype RWMS units, and a series of proof-of-concept demonstrations in strong mountain-induced downslope and severe t ...

AT MULTI-UNIT NUCLEAR GENRATING STATIONS, CONTROL ROOM OPERATORS ARE GENERALLY LICENSED TO OPERATE ALL SIMILAR UNITS. SIMULATOR TRAINING CONDUCTED AT THE LICENSEE TRAINING FACILITY OCCURS ON ONE SIMULATOR WHICH MAY NOT EXACTLY MIMIC ANY UNIT. INADEQUATE TRAINING ON UNIT-TO-UNIT AND UNIT-TO-SIMULATOR DIFFERENCES, IN CONJUNCTION WITH LIMITED PER-PERSON SIMULATOR TRAINING HOURS, CAN RESULT IN INCREAS ...

It is proposed to develop a miniature guarded hot plate apparatus that can be used to determine the thermal conductivity or thermal resistance of very small specimens (1 to 3 cm square) of thermal insulation materials over a temperature range from at least -40 degrees Celsius to +65 degrees Celsius, with the apparatus having the capability to carry out measurements under controlled environments of ...

WHEN ROTATING MACHINERY DETERIORATES, VIBRTION PATTERSN CHANGE. WHEN BEARING FREQUENCIES APPEAR, THEN INCREASE IN AMPLITUDE, BEARING FAILURE LOOMS. THE SAME WITH VALVES; WHEN THEY LEAK, THEY VIBRATE. AS LEAKAGE INCREASES, THE VIBRATION PATTERN CHANGES. THERE ARE MANY OTHERS. THE KEY IS KNOWING WHERE AND HOW DEEPLY TO LOOK. THE KEY IN OLDER REACTOR PLANTS IS TO UNOBTRUSIVELY, ECONOMICALLY BACKFIT S ...

CHANGES IN PLANT STATUS, EITHER BEFORE OR DURING AN ACCIDENT SEQUENC CAN CONSIDERABLY AFFECT ITS OUTCOME; BOTH THE ACTURAL OUTCOME AND THAT PREDICTED BY PROBABILISTIC RISK ASSESSMENT. IN ORDER TO ACCURATELY REPRESENT THE POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS AND THEIR PROBABILITIES, THE PRA MODEL MUST CONSIDER THE DYNAMIC CHARACTER OF THE PLANT, IT'S SYSTEMS AND OPERATORS. A LIVING, DYNAMIC PRA IS ONE IN WHICH ALL T ...

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Nanosize, non-oxide ceramic powders such as silicon carbide and its composites, are desirable for use as components in high-power microelectronic devices and tubes, sensors, optical mirrors, filters, nozzles, panels and sheets in many energy related applications. The properties required for these applications include high-temperature strength, high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion, lig ...

Recent catastrophic failures of Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (SCUBA) aluminum gas cylinders and similar air tanks have generated the need for a highly reliable, low cost inspection method to insure the integrity of these tanks. The failures of these tanks have been the result of crack formation in the neck and shoulder area. The cracks originate from the interior wall and can re ...