Student Abstracts at INL:

Converting RELAP5-3D Environmental Library to Fortran 90. RILEY CUMBERLAND (North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695) DR. GEORGE MESINA (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415)

RELAP5-3D is being converted to Fortran 90 to increase code legibility and longevity. As part of that effort, the RELAP5 subdirectory called the Environmental Library (EL) has been converted to Fortran 90 with the additional requirement to increase code readability and conciseness. The EL is comprised of service subroutines that perform table look-ups, interpolations, and solutions to linear systems, among other things. To improve readability, each EL subroutine was initially restructured the commercial tool, For_Struct, which applies uniform coding style rules and reorganizes to code to eliminate jumps in logic flow paths (GO TO statements). Afterwards, manual modifications were made to further improve readability. These modifications included eliminating multiple returns, entry points and virtually every GO TO statement. Pre-compiler directives also reduce legibility; these were eliminated manually by replacing machine-specific code with machine-independent Fortran 90 intrinsics and by moving other directives into Fortran 90 modules or new subroutines. The files were further processed as groups by abstracting coding repeated in several subroutines into separate, reusable subroutines. An example of this was the many search loops reduced to two subroutines. In addition, a mnemonic subscripting system was used in many subroutines and transmitted through a new Fortran 90 module. Another improvement was rewriting the subroutines from older fixed format Fortran to the more modern free-source format. To achieve this, another pre-compiler that alters the code for 32-bit or 64-bit integer machines was eliminated by creating and using a bit-transfer subroutine of Fortran 90 constructs. Additionally, handling the declaration with a kind parameter set in a module by formatting all floating point constants as double precision was also necessary to convert to free format. The three multi-file processes improved conciseness. Measurements of improved readability and conciseness were made. The conversion process resulted in a sizable reduction in the number of line labels and GO TO statements, an indicator of readability. The number of pre-compiler directives was reduced dramatically, improving conciseness and readability. The number of lines of commented lines increased slightly while the number of non comment lines, an indicator of conciseness, decreased slightly. This process has clearly improved the readability of the code.

Determination of Silica in Uranium Casting Pins Samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). MEGAN LONGO (Albertson College of Idaho, Caldwell, ID, 83605) DR. JEFFREY GIGLIO (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415)

An analytical method was developed for the determination of Silica (Si) in Uranium casting pins. The new method utilized an Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES) for the determination of Si at 250.69 nm and 251.611 nm. The Si lines yielded instrument detection limits (3s) of 0.007 and 0.02 µg/mL, respectively. The method detection limits for the new analytical method are 50 µg/g in the solid. An interfering element correction had to be employed because of a spectral interference from U. The U concentration in the solutions analyzed by ICP-AES was approximately 1150 µg/mL. Spiked sample recoveries yielded complete recoveries, within the experimental error of the analysis. The new ICP-AES method was compared to a molybdenum blue colorimetric method. Results were comparable, within the experimental error of both measurements.

Dirty Bomb Simulation Experiment: Usability, Control Condition Selection, and Composite Mission Performance. TIM KLEIN (Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331) DAVID BRUEMMER (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415)

To further the understanding and evaluation of the problems of usability, control condition selection, and composite mission success related to human robot interaction in high stress conditions, a dirty bomb experiment and simulation field study was conducted in an as-near-as-possible real world situation. This paper focuses on the simulation portion of the study with emphasis on the theory that the robot performing under semi autonomous control conditions will show improved holistic performance when compared to manual control conditions. The simulation utilized the current control conditions and interface methods available to the robot system. In the simulation, the participants were asked to find three simulated radioactive sources using the two control conditions, the Shared control using a joystick providing continuous operator control or the newer semi-autonomous Target control. Both control conditions use the robot intelligence kernel (RIK) developed by the Robotic and Human Systems Group at the Idaho National Laboratory for optimized mission success along with environment and robot system safety protection. The data collection came from three different techniques, logged communications from the RIK, participant self evaluation questionnaires, and administrator observations. The greatest differences found during data analysis appear in the participant evaluation characteristics of input and workload demands and the perceptions of control and understanding, shown by comparison and statistical tests of the control conditions. The results show that with an approximate difference of 92-seconds there is no statistically significant difference between the control conditions with respect to the average time taken to complete the task. The results of the holistic composite performance equation, represented by the non control condition specific performance characteristics, favor the Target control condition in which the participants felt less demand and had a higher feeling of mission performance and control. As a design tool, the simulation provides a useful adjunct to field studies and provides insightful evidence, if not entirely conclusive, to continue the development of the Target control condition for use in urban search and rescue, situations involving object detection, and in reducing human exposure during environmentally hazardous missions.

Evaluating Electrical Conductivity Measurements to Determine Water Flow Rates. RAY TUGMAN (California State University, Fresno, Fresno, Ca, 93706) EARL MATTSON (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415)

Centrifuges are used to measure hydraulic properties and solute transport in porous medias. Although the centrifuge is attractive due to the large centrifugal force that it can apply, a major drawback of the centrifuge method is the difficulty of measuring flow rates while the test is in progress. To overcome this limitation, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) scientists are investigating if water flow rate can be determined through the analysis of electrical conductivity measurements in the effluent cup. A prototype electrical conductivity meter was designed and built that can continuously record and transmit electrical conductivity measurements of the effluent while the centrifuge is spinning. The objective of this work is to evaluate the feasibility of the electrical conductivity prototype as to its ability to measure flow rate. If we know the initial volume, the initial electrical conductivity, the electrical conductivity at any given time and the input conductivity, we can calculate the cumulative flux. By plotting the cumulative flux as a function of time, we will produce a graph whose slope is equivalent to the flow rate. In the steady flow tests, the flow rate determined by the cumulative flux of the actual flow rate was constant throughout the experiment and within approximately 2.5% of the actual flow rate. The cumulative flux appears to be nosier in the latter ½ of the data set . In the variable flow test, the calculated cumulative flux predicts the correct shape of the measured cumulative flux curve; however, the calculated cumulative efflux is biased slightly high. This electrical conductivity meter needs further evaluation in the following areas: 1) the effects of mixing in the centrifuge ; 2) long term probe drift-how much will the probe drift during experiments lasting several days; 3) Optimization of solution initial volumes and concentrations.

Evaluation of relative metal nucleophilicities of diphenyldithiophosphinate ligands using gas-phase dissociation reactions. CHRISTOPHER LEAVITT (Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, 67260) ANITA GIANOTTO (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415)

The relative metal cation nucleophilicities of a series of unique diphenyldithiophosphinate ligands were evaluated by forming [metal-mixed ligand]^- complexes, then fragmenting them using competitive collision induced dissociation. The bis(trifluoromethylphenyl)dithiophosphinate anions are of high interest because they have demonstrated potential for exceptional separation of Am³⁺ from lanthanide trications. With respect to sodium and europium (III), the unmodified diphenyldithiophosphinate anion (L_u^-) was compared with three different ligands, which varied in terms of the position of the trifluoromethyl (TFM) group on the phenyl rings: bis(ortho-TFM) (L₁^-), (ortho-TFM)(meta-TFM) (L₂^-), and bis(meta-TFM) (L₃^-). Relative to Na⁺, the unmodified L_u^- anion was the strongest nucleophile. Comparing the TFM derivatives, the bis(ortho-TFM) derivative, L₁^-, was found to be the strongest nucleophile, while the bis(meta-TFM), L₃^-, was the weakest, and the mixed ortho,meta derivative was intermediate. Similar experiments were performed using europium nitrate complexes; ionic dissociation of these complexes always produced the anionic TFM ligands, showing again that the unmodified L_u^- was the strongest nucleophile. The europium (III) nitrate complexes also underwent redox elimination of radical ligands. The tendency of the ligands to undergo oxidation and be eliminated as neutral radicals followed the same trend as the nucleophilicities for Na⁺, viz. L_u^- > L₁^- > L₂^- > L₃^-.

Fabrication Manual for the Fuels and Applied Science Building. MEGAN DIXON (University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, 83843) JARED M. WIGHT (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415)

The Fuels and Applied Science Building (FASB) in the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is a radiological facility where significant scientific research and development occur. This summer, INL research facilities were scheduled for several inspections in preparation for an upcoming Department of Energy (DOE) safety audit. Groundwork for these inspections included both paperwork and physical preparation which impacted the majority of FASB researchers and postponed the originally planned summer research activity entirely. The majority of the research occurring in FASB is conducted for the Reduced Enrichment for Research and Test Reactors (RERTR) fuel development program. The RERTR program is tasked to convert civilian research and test reactors worldwide from High Enriched Uranium (HEU) to Low Enriched Uranium (LEU). This research includes the development of advanced high-density LEU fuels. The program has developed a uranium-molybdenum monolithic fuel foil and is currently developing techniques to clad the fuel in aluminum. Friction Bonding (FB) is a bonding process used to clad the uranium alloy foils. Friction bonding works by applying pressure with a rotating tool. This generates heat, softens the material, and creates a bond by producing a plastic flow of metal on both sides of the fuel plate. Another cladding process, Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP), uses high temperature and pressure to bond the metallic fuels to the cladding. Other work for the RERTR program includes development of high-density dispersion fuels using the same type of fuel alloy. The dispersion process consists of many steps including: production of uranium alloy powder, compaction with aluminum powder, and the hot rolling of the compacts in an aluminum frame to form a fuel plate. Process information about the various RERTR projects was acquired from appropriate researchers and compiled to create a poster which will be placed inside FASB to educate visitors about the projects being conducted.

Georeferenced Image Registration of Aerial Imagery. JASON KOTENKO (Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA, 16444) RYAN HRUSKA (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415)

Photography captured from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be used in a variety of applications ranging from security to thematic analysis of geographic areas. Images taken from an aerial platform of the earth’s surface must be overlaid to form a single mosaic, this is called image registration. Georeferencing is the process of accurately projecting the images onto a common reference frame. To accomplish this, invariant features were extracted from each image. The search space for matching these features between images was narrowed through the analysis of telemetry data about the location and attitude of the UAV when the picture was taken.

Marine Mussel Adhesive Protein Production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. KINDRA ENGELS (Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99163) FRANK ROBERTO (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415)

The adhesion proteins used by Mytilus edulis (blue mussel) to cling to surfaces in an aqueous environment have many features, such as strength and water resistance, that make them a potentially useful adhesive. Three M. edulis foot proteins (Mefp) will be the focus of this study: Mefp-1 (115 kDa), which forms a hardened sheath around the byssal threads, Mefp-2 (42-47 kDa), which adds stability near the attachment site, and Mefp-3 (5-7 kDa), which may act as an adhesion primer. Because it takes 10,000 mussels to obtain 1g of an individual native mussel adhesive protein, a more practical production method was investigated. Mussel adhesive protein genes were introduced into clones of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with Mefp-1 in clone #21, Mefp-2 in clone QTB10, and Mefp-3 in clone #11. S. cerevisiae cultures (20 liters) were grown in a 2% galactose SC-U induction medium at 30 °C with shaking and harvested by centrifugation. Growth was monitored by spectrophotometry. Cells were homogenized and lysed in an acidic breaking buffer with glass beads in a bead beater. After centrifuging again, the recombinant mussel adhesive protein in the supernatant was purified by dialysis with nanopure water and a sodium borate solution (pH 8.5). Centrifugal filter devices concentrated the proteins. Protein concentration was determined using a Bradford assay with bovine serum albumin as a standard. Samples were analyzed by electrophoresis. Results from growth curves revealed that 20 L cultures had optimal harvest times after 24 hours and cell pellet wet weights of 114.55g (#21), 102.69g (QTB10), and 185.512g (#11) were obtained. Electrophoresis of #21 and QTB10 purified proteins resulted in bands near the expected size ranges of recombinant proteins Mefp-1 and Mefp-2. In conclusion, the results suggest that adhesive protein production in S. cerevisiae cells is possible and that purification methods successfully concentrated the adhesive proteins. This method could potentially be used to produce recombinant adhesive protein quantities that would normally require the sacrifice of thousands of mussels. The M. edulis recombinant adhesive proteins obtained may be used for various studies involving the proteins’ adhesive potential and further formulation development.

National University Consortium Capability Catalog Development. MICHALENA GROSSHANS (Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, 45810) ROGER MAYES (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415)

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) established a National University Consortium (NUC) to enhance collaboration with university faculty and further integrate university research and development with INL programs. Five Academic Centers of Excellence (ACE), each with a different focus that aligns with the INL mission, have also been established. The NUC schools and the respective ACEs are as follows: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Advanced Reactor Fuels and Materials Technology), North Carolina State University (Simulation and Modeling), The Ohio State University (Instrumentation & Control and Reactor Safety), Oregon State University (Thermal Fluids and Reactor Safety) and the University of New Mexico (Non-Proliferation Science and Technology). To facilitate collaboration between university and INL researchers, the INL created a catalog of unique equipment, laboratories, projects, software, computers, libraries etc., at each NUC facility, all connected to points of contact. The catalog features data organized by Research Focus, Subcategory, Keywords, Institution, Location, College, Department, Function/Capability, Description, Resource Type, Collaborators/Sponsors/Partners, URL, Point of Contact including phone number and e-mail, and Notes/Miscellaneous Information. The research foci were identified by the ACEs and aligned with the laboratory’s strategic plan. During this effort, information available on each university’s website was researched thoroughly and gaps in the information were identified. Faculty and researchers at each university have been asked to fill in the gaps. However, most requests are pending response. The catalog is currently configured as an Excel spreadsheet which will later provide INL researchers with an online, searchable database. To maintain this catalog, continual updates will be needed to keep information current. Future efforts will also capture the capabilities of the INL to make the database useful for university researchers. Documentation to support these efforts is available in the form of a user’s guide which provides insight as to how the spreadsheet was generated and organized. This will allow someone else to continue project development and potentially help end users improve the quality of searches.

Scheduling. DARREN JOHNSON (Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg, ID, 83440) RICK STATEN (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415)

I was tasked to perform data entry work on Excel spreadsheets and Primavera Project Manager Gant Charts. I worked on several projects, most of which pertained to the testing of new fuels. My tasks were to create logical connections between series of activities. These activities were individual steps within a project and when tied together they create a logical sequential order that can be followed in order to finish a project correctly and on time. The projects I have been working on are both on-going and future projects that may not be started yet. This is a continuum report that will be on-going after I leave the INL.

Triethyl phophate degradation by INL microorganisms. SARA MONTGOMERY (Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, 14623) YOSHIKO FUJITA (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415)

Large amounts of radioactive contaminants including 90Sr and uranium have been released into the subsurface of several Department of Energy sites. Long term sequestration of these pollutants is important to limit the threat of groundwater contamination. The goal of this study is to evaluate the use of triethyl phosphate (TEP) as a reactive agent or amendment to sequester and immobilize 90Sr in phosphate minerals. TEP can be degraded by microorganisms, resulting in the release of inorganic phosphate which can then react with Sr and other metals to form poorly soluble phosphate minerals. These minerals should be stable under environmental conditions, resulting in the immobilization of the target contaminants. TEP degradation and liberation of inorganic phosphate by microbes from soil collected at the Vadose Zone Research Park at the INL were monitored in enrichments containing soil and TEP at 1 mM and 10 mM concentrations. The effect of ethanol added as a supplemental carbon and electron source was also evaluated. TEP degradation appears to occur similarly in enrichments with and without ethanol. However, fluctuations in TEP concentrations suggest that problems with measuring TEP exist. In addition, relative to TEP degradation, the phosphate released is approximately 1/1000th of the concentration of the TEP apparently degraded. The fact that this amount of phosphate is so small could be attributed to the microorganisms utilizing phosphate for growth, sorption of phosphate to sediments, and/or precipitation. There was an effort to obtain a pure microbial culture capable of degrading TEP. Visible colony growth was observed on agar plates containing 1 mM and 10 mM TEP. However, growth was also observed on agar plates without TEP, suggesting that microbes may be using the agar for growth. DNA extractions were performed on the original sediment samples and enrichments. The extracts will be subjected to phylogenetic microarray analysis to characterize the microbial communities. We conclude that TEP degradation by INL subsurface microorganisms may occur, but mass balances on the TEP and phosphate are difficult to obtain, and improved analytical methods may be needed in order to elucidate TEP degradation rates.

Using In Situ Reactors to Assess Natural Attenuation of TCE. ALISON ROPE (Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 83406) DEBORAH NEWBY (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415)

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a major groundwater contaminant in the United States. In the past it was used as a metal degreaser, a textile cleaner, and an anesthetic. Use at Test Area North 35 (TAN 35) as a metal degreaser left a large plume of the contaminant in the Snake River Plane Aquifer (SRPA). TCE is a likely human carcinogen and the EPA requires its removal from the groundwater. Many studies of the possible natural attenuation of TCE have been conducted, including extensive studies of methane oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs) native to the SRPA. These methanotrophs degrade TCE into carbon dioxide and water using the enzyme soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO). The degradation of TCE by aerobic methanotroph metabolism has been well documented by a variety of enrichment studies, but an actual rate for the natural degradation rate (i.e. using an environment as closely simulated to the aquifer as possible) has never been found.We believe that TCE co-metabolism is controlled by coupled biogeochemistry (e.g., methane production and consumption) and hydrology (e.g., rate of fluid movement in primary flow paths). In order to minimize artifacts created by a laboratory environment, six flow through in situ reactors (FTISR) were placed into the aquifer and allowed to incubate. All reactors were packed with crushed basalt taken from the aquifer and had water pumped through at two different rates (1 m/day and 0.1 m/day) with three reactors at each flow rate. These rates were chosen specifically to simulate the environment in different parts of the aquifer. Over the eight month period, the reactors were colonized by both attached (living on the basalt surface) and planktonic (not attached) methanotrophs. The methanotrophs were allowed to colonize naturally; no chemicals or nutrients were added to the reactors. Molecular indicators of TCE co-metabolism (enzyme activity, expression of cometabolic genes and proteins) will be evident in these cells. The indicators of microbial potential and activity (sMMO expression) can be correlated with TCE degradation rates and used for refinement of computational (and site specific) models of natural attenuation. TCE degradation was analyzed over a five-day period. We will use reverse transcriptase real time PCR to determine if methanotrophs expressed the sMMO enzyme responsible for TCE oxidation.

VISION Simplified Interface for Education. JOSEPH GRIMM (Brigham Young University Idaho, Rexburg, Idaho, 83460) JACOB J JACOBSON (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415)

VISION (Verifiable Fuel Cycle Simulation Model), a dynamic model of the US commercial nuclear fuel cycle, allows the user to manipulate the parameters of the model to analyze multiple nuclear fuel cycle scenarios. The model was created in a program called Powersim with inputs and outputs through Excel. Analysis is possible using the output graphs, charts, and tables in Powersim and Excel. There is an advanced version of VISION which allows the user to run the fuel cycle via three methods: base cases, manual mode, and user defined base cases. The base case mode allows the user to click on one of more than 60 base case scenarios; following the selection the remaining variables are set automatically. Manual Mode allows the user to set parameters via seven different interface pages in which there are multiple graphs, table inputs, slider bars and buttons. User defined base cases allow the user to set all of the parameters through the Excel input files which is extremely complex. Due to the advanced nature of the VISION interface it was unable to meet the needs of potential educational institutions for use in fuel cycle classes. Therefore it became necessary to create a simplified version of the VISION interface in order for it to be usable and understandable within an educational setting such as a college classroom or elsewhere outside of the INL. Using the capabilities of Powersim in which VISION was created, my task was to take the four base case scenarios and the three fuel cycle parameters chosen by my mentor and create a new simplified educationally friendly user interface. The four base cases would set all of the parameters within the model automatically for the user except for the three parameters shown on the interface screen. The new interface allows the user to use the VISION model without having to go through the gauntlet of setting all the user inputs. Thus they can concentrate on the system behavior rather on the modeling environment. The new interface is going to be in use this fall by five major universities in their fuel cycle classes within their nuclear programs.

Wind energy educational outreach program: Bringing Wind Energy to Schools. BRENT CUMMINGS (Brigham Young University-Idaho, Rexburg, ID, 83465) GARY SEIFERT (Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, 83415)

Educational outreach programs play an important role in the proliferation of renewable energy sources throughout the United States. An outreach website named "Wind Energy for Educators" was developed by educators in Idaho in order to educate the public about wind energy. This website contains information on wind energy, and also has some lesson plans on wind and how to use the energy that the wind contains. By teaching students in the classroom about renewable energy and its potential they can make educated decisions in the future about whether they want to support renewable energy projects or not. They will also be aware of possible career opportunities that are available to them. As part of the outreach program a skystream wind turbine was erected at Skyline High School in Idaho Falls, Idaho. The turbine will allow the students at the high school to participate in some hands on learning. It is also located next to an interstate highway where it can be seen by the public. The data gathered about the energy produced by the turbine will be recorded and made available to students via a web site for educational purposes. Education modules that use the information gathered about the turbine are being developed. These modules will deal with subjects such as understanding what a kilowatt hour is, CO2 emissions, sound monitoring, and others. Although the turbine will not significantly reduce the schools expenditures for energy, it will provide many useful educational opportunities.