Morris S. Good

Thermal Cycling Effects on the Thermoelectric Properties of n-Type In,Ce-Based Skutterudite Compounds

Abstractn-Type In-filled CoSb3 is a known skutterudite compound that has shown promising thermoelectric (TE) properties resulting in high dimensionless figure of merit values at elevated temperatures. Use in various waste heat recovery applications will require survival and operation after exposure to harsh thermal cycling environments. This research focused on uncovering the thermal cycling effects on TE properties of n-type In0.2Co4Sb12 and In0.2Ce0.15Co4Sb12 skutterudite compositions as well as quantifying their temperature-dependent structural properties (elastic modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson’s ratio). It was observed that the Seebeck coefficient and resistivity increased only slightly in the double-filled In,Ce skutterudite materials upon thermal cycling. In the In-filled skutterudites the Seebeck coefficient remained approximately the same on thermal cycling, while the electrical resistivity increased significantly after thermal cycling. Results also show that the thermal conductivity marginally decreases in the case of In-filled skutterudites, whereas the reduction is more pronounced in In,Ce-based skutterudite compounds. The possible reason for this kind of reduction can be attributed to grain pinning effects due to formation of nanoinclusions. High-temperature structural property measurements (i.e., Young’s modulus and shear modulus) are also reported. The results show that these structural properties decrease slowly as temperature increases and that the compounds are structurally stable after numerous (up to 200) thermal cycles.

An estimate of biofilm properties using an acoustic microscope

Noninvasive measurements over a biofilm, a three-dimensional (3-D) community of microorganisms immobilized at a substratum, were made using an acoustic microscope operating at frequencies up to 70 MHz. The microscope scanned a 2.5-mm by 2.5-mm region of a living biofilm having a nominal thickness of 100 mum. Spatial variation of surface heterogeneity, thickness, interior structure, and biomass were estimated. Thickness was estimated as the product of the speed of sound of the medium and the interim between the highest signal peak and that of the substratum plane without biofilm. The thickest portions of biofilm were 145 mum; however, slender structures attributed as streamers extended above, with one obtaining a 274-mum height above the substratum. Three-dimensional iso-contours of amplitude were used to estimate the internal structure of the biofilm. Backscatter amplitude was examined at five zones of increasing height from the substratum to examine biomass distribution. Ultrasound-based estimates of thickness were corroborated with optical microscopy. The experimental acoustic and optical systems, methods used to estimate biofilm properties, and potential applications for the resulting data are discussed

METHODS FOR THE IN‐SITU CHARACTERIZATION OF CAST AUSTENITIC STAINLESS STEEL MICROSTRUCTURES

Cast austenitic stainless steel (CASS) that was commonly used in U.S. nuclear power plants is a coarse‐grained, elastically anisotropic material. Its engineering properties made it a material of choice for selected designs of nuclear power reactor systems. However, the material manufacturing and fabrication processes result in a variety of coarse‐grain microstructures that make current ultrasonic in‐service inspection of components quite challenging. To address inspection needs, new ultrasonic inspection approaches are being sought. However, overcoming the deleterious and variable effects of the microstructure on the interrogating ultrasonic beam may require knowledge of the microstructure, for potential optimization of inspection parameters to enhance the probability of detection (POD). The ability to classify microstructure type (e.g. polycrystalline or columnar) has the potential to guide selection of optimal NDE approaches. This paper discusses the application of ultrasonic and electromagnetic methods...

Cell Phone Detection Techniques

A team composed of Rick Pratt, Dave Puczyki, Kyle Bunch, Ryan Slaugh, Morris Good, and Doug McMakin teamed together to attempt to exploit cellular telephone features and detect if a person was carrying a cellular telephone into a Limited Area. The cell phone’s electromagnetic properties were measured, analyzed, and tested in over 10 different ways to determine if an exploitable signature exists. The method that appears to have the most potential for success without adding an external tag is to measure the RF spectrum, not in the cell phone band, but between 240 and 400MHz. Figures 1- 7 show the detected signal levels from cell phones from three different manufacturers.

Cleareye In-Ground and In-Concrete DIV Inspections: FY11 Final Report

This report summarizes the results of a series of feasibility testing studies for in-ground and in-concrete imaging/detection technologies including radar imaging and acoustic time-of flight method. The objectives of this project are: (1) Design Information Verification (DIV) Tools for In-Concrete Inspections - To determine the feasibility of using holographic radar imaging (HRI), radar imaging, and acoustic time-of-flight (TOF) non-destructive evaluation technologies to detect, locate and identify pipes and voids embedded in standard-density and high-density concrete walls that typify those the IAEA will need to verify during field inspections; (2) DIV Tools for In-Ground Inspections - To determine the feasibility of using HRI and radar imaging non-destructive evaluation technologies to detect, locate, and identify objects buried at various depths made of various materials (metal, plastic, wood, and concrete) and representing geometries that typify those the IAEA will need to verify during field inspections; and (3) Based on the results of the studies, recommend the next steps needed to realize fieldable tools for in-concrete and in-ground inspections (including detection of deeply buried polyvinyl chloride [PVC] pipes) that employ the technologies shown to be feasible.

Nuclear Energy Research Initiative Project No. 02 103 Innovative Low Cost Approaches to Automating QA/QC of Fuel Particle Production Using On Line Nondestructive Methods for Higher Reliability Final Project Report

This Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (NERI) project was tasked with exploring, adapting, developing and demonstrating innovative nondestructive test methods to automate nuclear coated particle fuel inspection so as to provide the United States (US) with necessary improved and economical Quality Assurance and Control (QA/QC) that is needed for the fuels for several reactor concepts being proposed for both near term deployment [DOE NE & NERAC, 2001] and Generation IV nuclear systems. Replacing present day QA/QC methods, done manually and in many cases destructively, with higher speed automated nondestructive methods will make fuel production for advanced reactors economically feasible. For successful deployment of next generation reactors that employ particle fuels, or fuels in the form of pebbles based on particles, extremely large numbers of fuel particles will require inspection at throughput rates that do not significantly impact the proposed manufacturing processes. The focus of the project is nondestructive examination (NDE) technologies that can be automated for production speeds and make either: (I) On Process Measurements or (II) In Line Measurements. The inspection technologies selected will enable particle “quality” qualification as a particle or group of particles passes a sensor. A multiple attribute dependent signature will be measured and used for qualification or process control decisions. A primary task for achieving this objective is to establish standard signatures for both good/acceptable particles and the most problematic types of defects using several nondestructive methods.

Stable multibubble sonoluminescence

A multibubble standing wave pattern can be generated from an acoustic wave reflected from a flat surface. By adding a second transducer at 90 deg from the transducer generating the standing wave, a three‐dimensional volume of stable single bubbles can be established. Further, the addition of the second transducer operating at the same frequency stabilizes the bubble pattern so that individual bubbles may be studied. The size of the bubbles and the separation of the standing waves depend on the frequency of operation. Two transducers, operating at frequency of 630 kHz, provided the most consistent results for the configuration used in this study. The bubbles exhibit bright sonoluminescence. Spectral measurements are in progress. Effect of the shape of the configuration will be discussed along with the standing wave patterns, spectral data, and pictorial results of separation of individual bubble sonoluminescence in a multibubble sonoluminescence environment.

Ultrasonic Intrinsic Tagging for Nuclear Disarmament: A Proof-of-Concept Test

The Office of Nonproliferation Policy of the Department of Energy (DOE/NA-241) requested Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to evaluate ultrasonic intrinsic tag (UIT) technology as a potential means to uniquely identify weapon components during dismantlement activities. PNNL performed a blind test to uniquely identify an item, solely based on UIT signatures out of a population of five inert trainers. A conclusion was that a high confidence exists that the ultrasonic intrinsic tag system is able to perform well as either a confidence building measure or an authenticating technology to assure an item is genuine. UIT signatures are intrinsic to the material and location on an item; therefore, external markings on an item were unnecessary. A fixture that mated to the lifting lugs of the B61 trainer was used to consistently place the UIT reader to the same location on an item to acquire a meaningful UIT signature.

Sonoluminescence and multi‐bubble cavitation phenomena for selected research and industrial applications

Single bubble sonoluminescence (SBSL), multi‐bubble sonoluminescence (MBSL), multi‐bubble sonochemiluminescence (MBSCL) and other high power ultrasound cavitation and noncavitating ultrasound process stream interaction phenomena are known to produce a wide range of both physical and chemical effects that depend upon the system and operating conditions employed. Three interacting regimes are under investigation (a) high power and high frequency (including noncavitating systems), (b) single bubble resonance/sonoluminescence and (c) multi‐bubble high power sonochemical processing. In all cases these involve various reactors, including possible schemes for continuous material feeding and processing for selected chemical, nonaqueous fluids and biological research and industrial applications. High power sonochemical and noncavitating ultrasound processing applications and a review of literature pertaining to the potential of high power processing, including fusion are discussed. Work includes the investigation ...

Development of enhanced ultrasonic imaging for in-situ inspection of a tension-stressed threaded fastener

A laboratory system was developed that utilized an ultrasonic pulse-echo technique to detect very small cracks emanating from the thread root of a tensile-stressed fastener. Primary benefits were (1) the ability to inspect the fastener without its removal from the structure, (2) much improved detection sensitivity to small cracks, and (3) easy interpretation of data. The fastener of interest had threads with nominal inner and outer diameters of 1.8 cm (0.73 in.) and 2.2 cm (0.86 in.), respectively, and a thread pitch of 3.1 threads per centimeter (8.0 threads per in.). A plastic washer was placed over the fastener nut to shield the nut from ultrasound and thereby eliminate spurious signals. B-scan images provided feedback to align the ultrasonic scanner and fastener for optimal detection sensitivity. A tone-burst pulser-receiver controlled excitation frequency and bandwidth to maintain focal properties, minimize backscatter noise from the base material, and increase penetration into the coarse-grained Inconel. A custom ultrasonic transducer was used to optimize the focal properties over the inspection zone of 2.3 cm to 3.3 cm (0.9 in. to 1.3 in.) from the threaded end of the fastener. A calibration part with four 1.0-mm (0.040-in.) deep notches spanning the length of the inspection zone was used to calibrate distance-amplitude correction and system sensitivity. Custom B-scan and C-scan views were used to present data to the inspector and optimize the signal-to-noise ratio. A direct comparison was made between ultrasonic and destructive test images. Details of system hardware, data- acquisition procedure, analysis, and plans for a portable hand-held system for field inspection are provided.