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NASA NTRS1991

Review of Rover fuel element protective coating development at Los Alamos

The Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) entered the nuclear propulsion field in 1955 and began work on all aspects of a nuclear propulsion program with a target exhaust temperature of about 2750 K. A very extensive chemical vapor deposition coating technology for preventing catastrophic corrosion of reactor core components by the high temperature, high pressure hydrogen propellant gas was developed. Over the 17-year term of the program, more than 50,000 fuel elements were coated and evaluated. Advances in performance were achieved only through closely coupled interaction between the developing fuel element fabrication and protective coating technologies. The endurance of fuel elements in high temperature, high pressure hydrogen environment increased from several minutes at 2000 K exit gas temperature to 2 hours at 2440 K exit gas temperature in a reactor test and 10 hours at 2350 K exit gas temperature in a hot gas test. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the rationale for selection of coating materials used (NbC and ZrC), identify critical fuel element-coat interactions that had to be modified to increase system performance, and review the evolution of protective coating technology.

Wallace, Terry C.↗

DOE OSTI2012

Information about Practicums at Los Alamos

The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center is the premier facility for neutron science experiments ranging from cross section measurements, neutron scattering experiments, proton radiography, cold neutrons, actinide neutronic properties, and many other exciting topics. The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory is home to several powerful magnets, including the one that created the first non-destructive 100 Tesla field in March 2012. They probe the electronic structure of superconductors, magnetic properties of materials (including magneto-quantum effects). Research is also conducted in correlated materials, thermoacoustics, and magnetic properties of actinides. The Trident Laser has a unique niche with very high power, short pulse experiments, with a peak power of 10{sup 20} W in short pulse mode. Discoveries range from production of monoenergetic MeV ion beam, nonlinear kinetic plasma waves, the transition between kinetic and fluid nonlinear behavior and other laser-plasma interaction processes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2020

A Standard Operating Procedure for the Inadvertent Discovery of Native American Human Remains and Associated Funerary Objects, Sacred Objects, or Objects of Cultural Patrimony at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL or Laboratory) is one of several national laboratories that support the mission of the United States Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Los Alamos Field Office (Field Office). It is located in Los Alamos and Santa Fe Counties, New Mexico. LANL occupies approximately 40 square miles of land owned by the U.S. Government and under the administrative control of DOE/NNSA. Cultural resources management at LANL is the responsibility of the Field Office’s Cultural Resources Program Manager, with the assistance and facilitation of the LANL Environmental Stewardship Group (ES) Cultural Resources Programs (archaeology and historic buildings), which are part of the LANL Environmental Protection and Compliance (EPC) Division. LANL, which is primarily located on the Pajarito Plateau, is extremely rich in cultural resources. Nearly 2,000 archaeological sites have been recorded at LANL, based on the systematic archaeological survey of ~90% of LANL lands. Most of the known sites (~ 85%) date from the Ancestral Pueblo Late Coalition and Classic Periods of around AD 1150 to 1600. The remaining sites date to the Archaic Period (ca. 5500 BC to 600 AD), the Late Developmental and Early Coalition Periods (ca. 900 to 1200), and the Homestead Period (ca. 1890 to 1942).

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2025

2024 Results for Avian Monitoring at the Technical Area 36 Minie Site, Technical Area 39 Point 6, Technical Area 16 Burn Ground, and DARHT at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) biological subject matter experts in the Environmental Protection and Compliance Division initiated a multi-year program in 2013 to monitor avifauna (birds) at two open detonation sites and one open burn site on LANL property. Additional monitoring began in 2017 at a third firing site, the Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) Facility. In this annual report, we compare monitoring results from these efforts among years to identify and evaluate firing and open burn site impacts on the local bird community. The objectives of this study are • to determine whether LANL operations impact bird abundance, species richness, or diversity; • to examine occupancy and nest success of secondary-cavity nesting birds that use nest boxes; and • to examine chemical concentrations (such as radionuclides, inorganic elements, and/or organic compounds) in nonviable eggs and deceased nestlings that are collected opportunistically with the upper-level bounds of background concentrations, when available. During May through July 2024, LANL biologists completed multiple avian point count surveys at each of the following treatment sites: • Technical Area (TA) 36 Minie Site, • TA-39 Point 6, • TA-16 Burn Ground, and • DARHT. We recorded a total of 1,088 birds that represented 65 species at the four treatment sites and compared these results with data from their associated control sites. In 2024, abundance and species richness at treatment and control sites continued to trend similarly from year to year, with minor random deviations expected from bird communities. Species richness at firing sites differed little from the previous year’s values. Two new bird species were observed at the firing sites—cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) and pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus). Shannon diversity values at TA-36 Minie Site, TA-39, and DARHT were statistically higher than one or more of their associated controls. Annual species diversity at treatment sites was high in 2024 across all firing sites relative to similar habitat control sites. We also monitored avian nest boxes to compare occupancy and nest success data from nest boxes at treatment sites with the overall avian nest box monitoring network and against a subset of relevant control sites. Nest box success has decreased at both treatment and control sites since monitoring began, suggesting that overlapping climatic factors are responsible for patterns of declining nest success. In 2024, nonviable avian eggs and one nestling were opportunistically collected at Bandelier National Monument, TA-16 Burn Ground, TA-36 Minie, TA-39 Point 6, and DARHT. All egg samples and the one nestling sample were evaluated for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which were detected from all locations, including the control site at Bandelier National Monument. Overall results from 2024 continue to suggest that operations at the four treatment sites are not negatively impacting bird populations. This long-term project will continue to monitor for any changes over time.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2015

Portable MRI developed at Los Alamos

Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory are developing an ultra-low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system that could be low-power and lightweight enough for forward deployment on the battlefield and to field hospitals in the World's poorest regions. "MRI technology is a powerful medical diagnostic tool," said Michelle Espy, the Battlefield MRI (bMRI) project leader, "ideally suited for imaging soft-tissue injury, particularly to the brain." But hospital-based MRI devices are big and expensive, and require considerable infrastructure, such as large quantities of cryogens like liquid nitrogen and helium, and they typically use a large amount of energy. "Standard MRI machines just can't go everywhere," said Espy. "Soldiers wounded in battle usually have to be flown to a large hospital and people in emerging nations just don't have access to MRI at all. We've been in contact with doctors who routinely work in the Third World and report that MRI would be extremely valuable in treating pediatric encephalopathy, and other serious diseases in children." So the Los Alamos team started thinking about a way to make an MRI device that could be relatively easy to transport, set up, and use in an unconventional setting. Conventional MRI machines use very large magnetic fields that align the protons in water molecules to then create magnetic resonance signals, which are detected by the machine and turned into images. The large magnetic fields create exceptionally detailed images, but they are difficult and expensive to make. Espy and her team wanted to see if images of sufficient quality could be made with ultra-low-magnetic fields, similar in strength to the Earth's magnetic field. To achieve images at such low fields they use exquisitely sensitive detectors called Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices, or SQUIDs. SQUIDs are among the most sensitive magnetic field detectors available, so interference with the signal is the primary stumbling block. "SQUIDs are so sensitive they'll respond to a truck driving by outside or a radio signal 50 miles away," said Al Urbaitis, a bMRI engineer. The team's first generation bMRI had to be built in a large metal housing in order to shield it from interference. Now the Los Alamos team is working in the open environment without the large metal housing using a lightweight series of wire coils that surround the bMRI system to compensate the Earth’s magnetic field. In the future, the field compensation system will also function similar to noise-cancelling headphones to eradicate invading magnetic field signals on-the-fly.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗

DOE OSTI2012

Internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is located in Los Alamos, New Mexico. It provides support for our country's nuclear weapon stockpile as well as many other scientific research projects. I am an Undergraduate Student Intern in the Systems Design and Analysis group within the Nuclear Nonproliferation division of the Global Security directorate at LANL. I have been tasked with data analysis and modeling of particles in a fluidized bed system for the capture of carbon dioxide from power plant flue gas.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2025

Status of Federally Listed Threatened and Endangered Species at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) contains suitable habitat for three species protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA): Mexican spotted owl ( Strix occidentalis lucida ), Jemez Mountains salamander ( Plethodon neomexicanus ), and southwestern willow flycatcher ( Empidonax traillii extimus ). LANL biologists have documented two other species nearby and manage them for any potential impacts. These species are the western distinct population segment of the yellow-billed cuckoo ( Coccyzus americanus ) and the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse ( Zapus hudsonius luteus ).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2019

2018 Results for Avian Monitoring at the Technical Area 36 Minie Site, Technical Area 39 Point 6, and Technical Area 16 Burn Ground at Los Alamos National Laboratory

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2020

2019 Results for Avian Monitoring at the Technical Area 36 Minie Site, Technical Area 39 Point 6, and Technical Area 16 Burn Ground at the Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory biologists in the Environmental Compliance and Protection Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) initiated a multi-year program in 2013 to monitor avifauna (birds) at two open detonation sites and one open burn site on LANL property. Monitoring results from these efforts were compared among years to monitor trends. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine whether LANL operations impact bird species richness, diversity, or abundance 2) evaluate trends in species abundance by feeding guild, and 3) examine occupancy and nest success of secondary-cavity nesting birds using nestboxes. LANL biologists completed the seventh year of this effort in 2019. Three bird point count surveys were completed at each of the treatment sites at the Technical Area (TA) 36 Minie site, the TA-39 point 6, and the TA-16 burn ground between May and July 2019. A total of 853 birds representing 53 species were recorded at the three treatment sites and compared to their associated controls. Occupancy and nest success data from nestboxes at treatment sites were compared with the overall avian nestbox monitoring network. In 2019 the species richness and diversity at the treatment sites were not statistically different from their associated controls. Rarefaction and extrapolation plots for all years through 2018 suggest that over time the species diversity was statistically different between treatments and controls, although the diversity was higher at the treatment sites than the control sites. Avian abundance showed more variability but treatment and controls were trending together year to year. The mean number of granivores, insectivores, and omnivores varies from year to year, but there is not a significant trend at any of the treatment sites. The dominant feeding guild at the treatment sites continues to be insectivores. The overall results from 2019 continue to indicate that operations at the three treatment sites are not negatively affecting bird populations. This long-term monitoring will continue to monitor for any changes over time.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2017

2016 Results for Avian Monitoring at the TA-36 Minie Site, TA-39 Point 6, and TA-16 Burn Ground at Los Alamos National Laboratory

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2018

2017 Results for Avian Monitoring at the TA-36 Minie Site, TA-39 Point 6, and TA-16 Burn Ground at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS) biologists in the Environmental Compliance and Protection Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) initiated a multi-year program in 2013 to monitor avifauna (birds) at two open detonation sites and one open burn site on LANL property. Monitoring results from these efforts were compared among years to monitor trends. The objectives of this study were to determine whether LANL operations impact bird species richness, diversity, abundance, or composition. Additionally, nesting success of secondary-cavity nesting birds was examined using nestboxes. LANS biologists completed the fifth year of this effort in 2017. The overall results from 2017 continue to indicate that operations are not negatively affecting bird populations; however, we are seeing some species turnover through time and that will continue to be monitored. Three bird point count surveys were completed at each of the treatment sites at the Technical Area (TA) 36 Minie site, the TA-39 point 6, and the TA-16 burn ground between May and July 2017. A total of 785 birds representing 59 species were recorded at the treatment sites. Three bird point count surveys were also completed at each of the control sites between May and July 2017. Occupancy and nest success data from nestboxes at treatment sites were compared with the overall avian nestbox monitoring network. Species richness and diversity at the treatment sites were not statistically different than their associated controls. Avian abundance showed more variability but treatment and controls were trending together year to year. Species composition seems to indicate some species turnover in the habitat types but very little difference between treatment and control sites.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2012

Floodplain Assessment for the Proposed Outdoor Fire Range Upgrades at TA-72 in Lower Sandia Canyon, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is preparing to implement actions in Sandia Canyon at Technical Area (TA) 72. Los Alamos National Security (LANS) biologists conducted a floodplain determination and this project is partially located within a 100-year floodplain. The proposed project is to upgrade the existing outdoor shooting range facilities at TA-72. These upgrades will result in increased safety and efficiencies in the training for Protective Force personnel. In order to remain current on training requirements, the firing ranges at TA-72 will be upgraded which will result in increased safety and efficiencies in the training for Protective Force personnel (Figure 1). These upgrades will allow for an increase in class size and more people to be qualified at the ranges. Some of these upgrades will be built within the 100-year floodplain. The upgrades include: concrete pads for turning target systems and shooting positions, new lighting to illuminate the firing range for night fire, a new speaker system for range operations, canopies at two locations, an impact berm at the far end of the 300-yard mark, and a block wall for road protection.

Basic Biological Sciences(59)↗

DOE OSTI2012

Floodplain Assessment for the Proposed Engineered Erosion Controls at TA-72 in Lower Sandia Canyon, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is preparing to implement engineering controls in Sandia Canyon at Technical Area (TA) 72. Los Alamos National Security (LANS) biologists conducted a floodplain determination and this project is located within a 100-year floodplain. The proposed project is to rehabilitate the degraded channel in lower Sandia Canyon where it crosses through the outdoor firing range at TA-72 to limit the loss of sediment and dissipate floodwater leaving LANL property (Figure 1). The proposed construction of these engineered controls is part of the New Mexico Environment Department's (NMED) approved LANL Individual Storm Water Permit. The purpose of this project is to install storm water controls at Sandia Watershed Site Monitoring Area 6 (S-SMA-6). Storm water controls will be designed and installed to meet the requirements of NPDES Permit No. NM0030759, commonly referred to as the LANL Individual Storm Water Permit (IP). The storm water control measures address storm water mitigation for the area within the boundary of Area of Concern (AOC) 72-001. This action meets the requirements of the IP for S-SMA-6 for storm water controls by a combination of: preventing exposure of upstream storm water and storm water generated within the channel to the AOC and totally retaining storm water falling outside the channel but within the AOC.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2013

SWEIS Yearbook 2011: Comparison of 2011 Data to Projections of the Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement for Continued Operation of the Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) operations data for CY 2011 mostly fell within the 2008 SWEIS projections. Operation levels for four LANL facilities exceeded the 2008 SWEIS capability projections – Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE), Solid Radioactive and Chemical Waste (SRCW), Materials Science Laboratory (MSL) and Radiochemistry Facilities. However, none of these capability increases caused exceedances in waste generation, radioactive air emissions, or NPDES discharge. Several facilities exceeded the SWEIS levels for waste generation quantities; however, all were one-time, non-routine events that do not reflect the day-to-day operations of the Laboratory. In addition, total site-wide waste generation quantities were below SWEIS projections for all waste types, reflecting the overall levels of operations at both the Key and Non-Key Facilities. Although gas and electricity consumption have remained within the 2008 SWEIS limits for utilities, water consumption exceeded the 2008 SWEIS projections by 10 million gallons in CY 2011.

Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization(32↗

DOE OSTI2018

An Historic Perspective of NPDES Individual Permit for Storm Water Discharges from Solid Waste Management Units at Los Alamos National Laboratory - 18667

The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the associated communities of Los Alamos and White Rock are located in Los Alamos County in north-central New Mexico approximately 60 mi north-northeast of Albuquerque and 25 mi northwest of Santa Fe. The 36-mi{sup 2} facility is situated on the Pajarito Plateau, which consists of a series of fingerlike mesas separated by deep east-to-west oriented canyons cut by predominately ephemeral and intermittent streams. The mesa tops range in elevation from approximately 7800 ft. on the flanks of the Jemez Mountains to about 6200 ft. at their eastern termination above the Rio Grande Canyon. The land surrounding the Laboratory is largely undeveloped. Public access to much of the facility is limited for safety and security reasons. Large tracts of surrounding land are held by the U.S. Forest Service (Santa Fe National Forest), the Bureau of Land Management (Bandelier National Monument), the General Services Administration and San Ildefonso Pueblo. Storm water discharges from Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs) have been regulated at the LANL since the early 1990's and have evolved into an Individual Stormwater Permit (IP) that may be one of the most complex in the nation. Historically, storm water discharges from SWMUs at LANL were regulated under a nationwide general permit using a watershed based approach requiring a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), monitoring at sub-watershed scale 'USGS like' gage stations, and inspection and maintenance of erosion controls. In 2001, the Cerro Grande Fire destroyed many Laboratory structures, residential homes and over 80,000 acres of forested lands in the upper watershed above Los Alamos that significantly changed the local hydrology. Several years later, a Federal Facilities Compliance Agreement (FFCA) was issued by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) that was followed by a Clean Water Act lawsuit filed by concerned citizens, the result of which required more focus on stormwater discharges from individual SWMUs and an IP covering over 400 Sites. The IP contains non-numeric technology-based effluent limitations, coupled with a comprehensive, coordinated inspection and monitoring program, to minimize pollutants in LANL's storm water discharges associated with historical industrial activities from specified Sites. Non-numeric technology-based effluent limitations include minimizing pollutants in discharges through erosion and sedimentation controls, management of run-on and runoff, employee training, inspection and maintenance of controls, annual reporting and public involvement. The IP establishes Target Action Levels (TALs) that are equivalent to New Mexico State water-quality criteria. These TALs are used as benchmarks to determine the effectiveness of control measures implemented under the IP. That is, storm water quality sample results from SWMU discharges are compared with applicable TALs. If one or more sample results exceed a TAL, LANL must take additional corrective action. The TAL results are also confounded by high levels of naturally occurring constituents such as aluminum and gross alpha, and urban constituents such as copper, zinc and PCBs which may not be a source from the regulated SWMU. Due to the remote rugged terrain, security access issues, number of monitoring locations, stringent TALs, reporting requirements and public involvement requirements, this permit is likely one of the most stringent and complex in the country. The Laboratory has implemented this permit in a compliant manner for the past seven years and is anticipating the issuance of a new permit in the next few months. This paper will cover permit requirements related to control measure installations, monitoring, reporting and public involvement as well as process improvements and remaining water quality initiatives such as developing studies to address issues such as discriminating between natural background levels and LANL-related contaminants during the execution of this unique permit. (author)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2014

Final Klystron Modulator Design, Testing, and Installation Plan for the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center Accelerator

Abstract Not Provided

Accelerator Design, Technology, and Operations↗

DOE OSTI2013

FLC Nomination: The Los Alamos National Security Venture Acceleration Fund

Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS), the manager of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL or the Laboratory), invests $1 million per year in economic development through a program known as Los Alamos Connect, formerly Northern New Mexico Connect. Administered by the Santa Fe, New Mexico-based, nonprofit economic development organization Regional Development Corporation in partnership with the Laboratory’s Technology Transfer Division (TT), Los Alamos Connect offers a variety of business development services and activities to assist entrepreneurs and businesses in northern New Mexico at no cost.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

DOE OSTI2014

SWEIS Yearbook-2012 Comparison of 2012 Data to Projections of the 2008 Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement for Continued Operation of Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL or the Laboratory) operations data for Calendar Year (CY) 2012 mostly fell within the 2008 Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement (SWEIS) projections. Operation levels for one LANL facility exceeded the 2008 SWEIS capability projections—Radiochemistry Facility; however, none of the capability increases caused exceedances in radioactive air emissions, waste generation, or National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) discharge. Several facilities exceeded the2008 SWEIS levels for waste generation quantities; however, all were one-time, non-routine events that do not reflect the day-to-day operations of the Laboratory. In addition, total site-wide waste generation quantities were below SWEIS projections for all waste types, reflecting the overall levels of operations at both the Key and Non-Key Facilities. Although gas and electricity consumption have remained within the 2008 SWEIS limits for utilities, water consumption exceeded the 2008 SWEIS projections by 27 million gallons in CY 2012.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗