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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2010

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Project

The Global Precipitation Measurement (GP!v1) mission is an international cooperative effort to advance the understanding of the physics of the Earth's water and energy cycle. Accurate and timely knowledge of global precipitation is essential for understanding the weather/climate/ecological system, for improving our ability to manage freshwater resources, and for predicting high-impact natural hazard events including floods, droughts, extreme weather events, and landslides. The GPM Core Observatory will be a reference standard to uniformly calibrate data from a constellation of spacecraft with passive microwave sensors. GPM is being developed under a partnership between the United States (US) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Japanese Aerospace and Exploration Agency (JAXA). NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), in Greenbelt, MD is developing the Core Observatory, two GPM Microwave Imager (GMI) instruments, Ground Validation System and Precipitation Processing System for the GPM mission. JAXA will provide a Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) for installation on the Core satellite and launch services for the Core Observatory. The second GMI instrument will be flown on a partner-provided spacecraft. Other US agencies and international partners contribute to the GPM mission by providing precipitation measurements obtained from their own spacecraft and/or providing ground-based precipitation measurements to support ground validation activities. The Precipitation Processing System will provide standard data products for the mission.

Azarbarzin, Ardeshir↗
DOE OSTI2016

Reduction of spectral interferences and noise effects in laser ablation molecular isotopic spectrometry with partial least square regression – a computer simulation study

The fundamental analytical accuracies and precisions attainable by laser ablation molecular isotopic spectrometry (LAMIS), with emphasis on the impacts from spectral interferences and measurement noise, were investigated by means of computer simulation. The study focused on the analysis of a minor isotope at sub- to single-percentage abundance level. With a natural abundance about 1.1% for 13 C, the C 2 Swan band (d 3 II g - a 3 II u ) with Δν = + 1 was selected as a representative system. The characteristics (e.g., noise amplitude and distribution, signal strength, and signal-to-background ratio) of the simulated spectra were experimentally characterized. Partial least square (PLS) regression was used to extract isotopic information from the simulated molecular spectra. In the absence of any spectral interference and with the use of a calibration set consisting of eleven isotopic standards, the theoretical accuracies and precisions with signal accumulation from 100 laser shots are about 0.002% and 0.001%, respectively, in absolute percentage abundance of 13 C. The theoretical analytical accuracies slightly degrade, but are adequate for many applications, to 0.004% and 0.008% respectively, for calibrations involving only three and two isotopic standards. It was found that PLS regression is not only immune to both source-flicker and photon-shot noise, but is also effective in differentiating the spectral patterns from the analyte against those from spectral interferences. The influences of spectral interference from single or multiple atomic emission lines were simulated, and new ways to minimize their impacts were formulated and demonstrated. It was found that the wavelength range selected for the computation of the normalization factor should not contain any spectral-interfering peak, and a properly chosen wavelength range increases the tolerance of spectral interference by at least one order of magnitude. With matrix-matched calibration standards, the precisions (expressed as RSDs of the determined 13 C isotopic abundances) degrade from ~ 1% in the absence of spectral interference, to ~ 3&#8240, 10&#8240 and 20&#8240 with multiple spectral-interfering peaks that are 10 ×, 100 × and 1000 ×, respectively, stronger than the molecular bandhead of the analyte. The study concluded that PLS regression is a powerful and indispensable tool for extraction of isotopic information from LAMIS spectra.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1940

Standards for discharge measurement with standardized nozzles and orifices

The following standards give the standardized forms for two throttling devices, standard nozzles and standard orifices, and enable them to be used in circular pipes without calibration. The definition of the standards are applicable in principle to the calibration and use of nonstandardized throttling devices, such as the venturi tube. The standards are valid, likewise, as a basis for discharge measurements in the German acceptance standards.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2025

Application of Raman Spectroscopy to Determine Uranium Content in ADUN Solution

The work presented in this report is part of the ongoing efforts to address the nuclear material control and accounting needs for advanced reactor fuel fabrication facilities. This work was supported by the Materials Protection, Accounting, and Control Technologies (MPACT) program under the US Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy‘s Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Supply Chain program. The activities and engagements under the MPACT program are designed to support a robust US civilian nuclear energy enterprise. In the work described in this report, we supported MPACT objectives by developing measurement techniques that could be used for material accounting and process monitoring and by working with industry partners to identify existing gaps and areas for improvement. Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been working with commercial tristructural isotropic (TRISO) fuel fabricators such as Standard Nuclear to develop technology for rapid and cost-effective uranium content assessment. This work has focused on demonstrating advanced measurement techniques (e.g., Raman spectroscopy) that can be used for rapid, reliable, and cost-effective routine measurements of uranium content in feed solutions and liquid waste streams as well as for monitoring in-line process measurements and product streams. Specifically, this report explores techniques for accurately determining uranium content in acid-deficient uranyl nitrate (ADUN) solutions and detecting low uranium concentrations in ammonia solutions. Developing such measurement techniques will benefit TRISO fuel fabrication facilities, facilities involved in other parts of the fuel cycle that require online monitoring of aqueous solutions, and potentially molten salt fuel reactors. This work supports developing Raman spectroscopy procedures to determine uranium concentrations in ADUN solutions, which are used as feedstock in the sol–gel process for creating TRISO fuel. Some additional benefits of using Raman spectroscopy for uranium quantification in fabrication facilities include enabling online monitoring of the chemical process, which would provide near real-time feedback; eliminating the need for sample transfers, preparation, or dilution; providing nondestructive measurements; and user friendliness. In this fiscal year, FY25, we determined the identity of the unknown Raman band at approximately 853 cm−1 that was discovered in ADUN Raman spectra in FY24, created calibration curves and determined uranium concentrations of two ADUN solutions, and compared the Raman results to results obtained from inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and Davies–Gray titration. Furthermore, we have identified focus areas for experimentation in future fiscal years. A key result is that the accuracy of using Raman can provide accuracy comparable to destructive analysist techniques, With a well-developed calibration curve, using standards and a large number of samples (more than five samples), uncertainty on the order of 1%–3% is achievable. Given that the uncertainties achieved by Raman spectroscopy were on the order of the uncertainties achieved using ICP-MS, we conclude that with a well-developed procedure Raman spectroscopy can be used to determine uranium concentrations in ADUN solutions for NMC&A applications. The benefits of such an approach are that the time and effort will be less than that of comparable destructive analysis techniques, with approximately the same level of technical expertise. This will be attractive to operators of fuel fabrication facilities as it will lower costs and improve efficiencies.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS2013

A New Approach for Spectroradiometric Calibration Consistency on the Ground and in Space

A Space-based Calibration Transfer Spectroradiometer (SCATS) is combined with a ground calibration spectral albedo radiometric standard which consists of an opaque quartz glass Mie scattering diffuser (MSD) which has very good Lambertian scattering properties in both reflectance and transmittance modes. This system provides the capability for determining long term changes in the spectral albedo calibrations which operate in the solar reflective wavelength region. The spectral albedo calibration would be traceable to the SIRCUS and STARR NIST calibration facilities. The on-orbit radiometric standard is the Sun. The NIST traceable ground spectral albedo calibration is invariant between the ground and on-orbit over the instrument lifetime due to the use of a field of view defining mechanical baffle to differentiate between radiance and irradiance.

Heath, Donald F.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Calibration of X-Ray Diffraction Instruments for Residual-Stress Measurement

The deficiencies of existing standard iron and nickel samples for calibration by means of X-ray diffraction are noted. These standards cannot be used in calibration by magnetic noise recording. A new calibration method based on X-ray diffraction is proposed, using plane samples of the material employed in the manufacture of the actual structures. Theoretical analysis provides the basis for the development of null standards in which a plane sample is deformed by pure flexure or in a cantilever-beam configuration.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

Investigating the practicality of a minimally defined co-axial HPGe detector model using MCNP

An MCNP model of a co-axial HPGe detector, defined by the specification sheet and without parameter optimization, was used to assess practicality for efficiency characterization and complex spectra simulation. Simulated efficiencies, with and without Gaussian energy broadening, were compared against an experimental calibration for a standard counting geometry. Results show that this minimal detector model predicted efficiencies within 6% of experimental values at energies above 100 keV, while including energy broadening offered little improvement. Furthermore, this work shows that extensive detector characterization and optimization of parameters is not absolutely necessary, thereby reducing the experimental burden associated with detector modeling for many applications.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

A New Quantification Method Using Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry-based quantification method has advanced rapidly. In general, the methods for accurate quantification rely on the use of authentic target compounds or isotope-labeled compounds as standards, which might be not available or difficult to synthesize. To tackle this grand challenge, this paper presents a novel approach, based on electrochemistry (EC) combined with mass spectrometry (MS). In this approach, a target compound is allowed to undergo electrochemical oxidation and then subject to MS analysis. The oxidation current recorded from electrochemistry (EC) measurement provides information about the amount of the oxidized analyte, based on the Faraday’s Law. On the other hand, the oxidation reaction yield can be determined from the analyte MS signal changes upon electrolysis. Therefore, the total amount of analyte can be determined. In combination with liquid chromatography (LC), the method can be applicable to mixture analysis. The striking strength of such a method for quantitation is that neither standard compound nor calibration curve is required. Various analyte molecules such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and rutin as well as peptide glutathione in low quantity were successfully quantified using our method with the quantification error ranging from − 2.6 to + 4.6%. Analyte in a complicated matrix (e.g., uric acid in urine) was also accurately measured. .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2019

X-Ray Stereo Digital Image Correlation

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is a well-established, non-contact diagnostic technique used to measure shape, displacement and strain of a solid specimen subjected to loading or deformation. Yet, measurements using standard DIC can have significant errors or be completely infeasible in challenging experiments, such as explosive, combustion, or fluid-structure interaction applications, where beam-steering due to index of refraction variation biases measurements or where the sample is engulfed in flames or soot. To address these challenges, we propose using X-ray imaging instead of visible light imaging for stereo-DIC, since refraction of X-rays is negligible in many situations, and X-rays can penetrate occluding material. Two techniques of creating an appropriate pattern for X-ray DIC are presented, both based on adding a dense material in a random speckle pattern on top of a less-dense specimen. A standard dot-calibration target is adapted for X-ray imaging, allowing the common bundle-adjustment calibration process in commercial stereo-DIC software to be used. High-quality X-ray images with sufficient signal-to-noise ratios for DIC are obtained for aluminum specimens with thickness up to 22.2 mm, with a speckle pattern thickness of only 80 μm of tantalum. The accuracy and precision of X-ray DIC measurements are verified through simultaneous optical and X-ray stereo-DIC measurements during rigid in-plane and out-of-plane translations, where errors in the X-ray DIC displacements were approximately 2–10 μm for applied displacements up to 20 mm. Finally, a vast reduction in measurement error—5–20 times reduction of displacement error and 2–3 times reduction of strain error—is demonstrated, by comparing X-ray and optical DIC when a hot plate induced a heterogeneous index of refraction field in the air between the specimen and the imaging systems. Subsequently, these findings show the feasibility of using X-ray-based stereo-DIC for non-contact measurements in exacting experimental conditions, where optical DIC cannot be used.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2015

Qualification and initial characterization of a high-purity 233 U spike for use in uranium analyses

Several high-purity 233 U items potentially useful as isotope dilution mass spectrometry standards for safeguards, non-proliferation, and nuclear forensics measurements are identified and rescued from downblending. By preserving the supply of 233 U materials of different pedigree for use as source materials for certified reference materials (CRMs), it is ensured that the safeguards community has high quality uranium isotopic standards required for calibration of the analytical instruments. One of the items identified as a source material for a high-purity CRM is characterized for the uranium isotope-amount ratios using thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). Additional verification measurements on this material using quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) are also performed. As a result, the comparison of the ICPMS uranium isotope-amount ratios with the TIMS data, with much smaller uncertainties, validated the ICPMS measurement practices. ICPMS is proposed for the initial screening of the purity of items in the rescue campaign.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Fast, quantitative, and nondestructive evaluation of hydrided LWR fuel cladding by small angle incoherent neutron scattering of hydrogen

A non-destructive neutron scattering method to precisely measure the uptake of hydrogen and the distribution of hydride precipitates in light water reactor (LWR) fuel cladding was developed. Zircaloy-4 cladding used in commercial LWRs was used to produce hydrided specimens. The hydriding apparatus consists of a closed stainless steel vessel that contains Zr alloy specimens and hydrogen gas. Following hydrogen charging, the hydrogen content of the hydrided specimens was measured using the vacuum hot extraction method, by which the samples with desired hydrogen concentration were selected for the neutron study. Optical microscopy shows that our hydriding procedure results in uniform distribution of circumferential hydrides across the wall. Small angle neutron incoherent scattering was performed in the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This study demonstrates that the hydrogen in commercial Zircaloy-4 cladding can be measured very accurately in minutes by this nondestructive method over a wide range of hydrogen concentrations from a very small amount ( 20 ppm) to over 1000 ppm. The hydrogen distribution in a tube sample was obtained by scaling the neutron scattering rate with a factor determined by a calibration process using standard, destructive direct chemical analysis methods on the specimens. This scale factor will be used in future tests with unknown hydrogen concentrations, thus providing a nondestructive method for absolute hydrogen concentration determination.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Quantitative Separation of Unknown Organic–Metal Complexes by Liquid Chromatography–Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is widely recognized to control the solubility and reactivity of trace metals in the environment. However, the mechanisms that govern metal-DOM complexation remain elusive, primarily due to the analytical challenge of fractionating and quantifying metal–organic species within the complex mixture of organic compounds that comprise DOM. Here, we describe a quantitative method for fractionation and element-specific detection of organic–metal complexes using liquid chromatography with online inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC–ICP-MS). The method implements a post-column compensation gradient to stabilize ICP–MS elemental response across the LC solvent gradient, thereby overcoming a major barrier to achieving quantitative accuracy with LC–ICP-MS. With external calibration and internal standard correction, the method yields concentrations of organic–metal complexes that were consistently within 6% of their true values, regardless of the complex’s elution time. We used the method to evaluate the effects of four stationary phases (C18, phenyl, amide, and pentafluoroylphenyl propyl) on the recovery and separation of environmentally relevant trace metals (Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) in Suwannee River Fulvic Acid and Suwannee River Natural Organic Matter. The C18, amide, and phenyl phases generally yielded optimal metal recoveries (>75% for all metals except Pb), with the phenyl phase separating polar species to a greater extent than C18 or amide. We also fractionated organic-bound Fe, Cu, and Ni in oxidized and reduced soils, revealing divergent metal-DOM speciation across soil redox environments. Finally, by enabling quantitative fractionation of DOM-bound metals, our method offers a means for advancing a mechanistic understanding of metal–organic complexation throughout the environment.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Calibration-free analysis of Li isotope ratios using laser ablation and laser absorption spectroscopy

We introduce a rapid, calibration-free, all-optical method for high-precision lithium isotope ratio measurements in solid materials using laser ablation combined with tunable laser absorption spectroscopy. A new asynchronous acquisition method is used to acquire time-resolved, high-resolution spectra of the 6Li and 7Li D1 and D2 transitions near 671 nm. Isotope ratios and atomic column densities are extracted from measured spectra via a physics-based fitting model including hyperfine structure. Under 1 Torr air, spectra recorded = 0.75 ms after plasma onset exhibit narrow linewidths corresponding to Doppler temperatures = 400 K, enabling resolution of the isotope peaks with high signal-to-noise ratios. Analysis of LiAlO2 samples with varying 6Li:7Li ratios demonstrates isotopic precisions of 0.6–1.7% for spectra acquired in 30 s. Isotope ratios determined from the spectral fits show accuracy within –0.3% to –1.7% of reference ICP-MS measurements without requiring calibration to external standards. By eliminating sample preparation and enabling spatially resolved isotopic mapping, this method offers a rapid analysis approach to lithium isotope determination in solid materials relevant to nuclear energy, safeguards, and geochemistry.

Phillips, Mark C.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Confirmation of a star formation bias in type Ia supernova distances and its effect on the measurement of the Hubble constant

Previously we used the Nearby Supernova Factory sample to show that Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) having locally star-forming environments are dimmer than SNe Ia having locally passive environments. Here we use the Constitution sample together with host galaxy data from GALEX to independently confirm that result. The effect is seen using both the SALT2 and MLCS2k2 lightcurve fitting and standardization methods, with brightness differences of 0.094 ± 0.037 mag for SALT2 and 0.155 ± 0.041 mag for MLCS2k2 with R{sub V} = 2.5. When combined with our previous measurement the effect is 0.094 ± 0.025 mag for SALT2. If the ratio of these local SN Ia environments changes with redshift or sample selection, this can lead to a bias in cosmological measurements. We explore this issue further, using as an example the direct measurement of H {sub 0}. GALEX observations show that the SNe Ia having standardized absolute magnitudes calibrated via the Cepheid period-luminosity relation using the Hubble Space Telescope originate in predominately star-forming environments, whereas only ∼50% of the Hubble-flow comparison sample have locally star-forming environments. As a consequence, the H {sub 0} measurement using SNe Ia is currently overestimated. Correcting for this bias, we find a value of H{sub 0}{sup corr}= 70.6 ± 2.6 km s{sup –1} Mpc{sup –1} when using the LMC distance, Milky Way parallaxes, and the NGC 4258 megamaser as the Cepheid zero point, and 68.8 ± 3.3 km s{sup –1} Mpc{sup –1} when only using NGC 4258. Our correction brings the direct measurement of H {sub 0} within ∼1 σ of recent indirect measurements based on the cosmic microwave background power spectrum.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

SU-E-T-594: Out-Of-Field Neutron and Gamma Dose Estimated Using TLD-600/700 Pairs in the Wobbling Proton Therapy System

Purpose: Secondary fast neutrons and gamma rays are mainly produced due to the interaction of the primary proton beam with the beam delivery nozzle. These secondary radiation dose to patients and radiation workers are unwanted. The purpose of this study is to estimate the neutron and gamma dose equivalent out of the treatment volume during the wobbling proton therapy system. Methods: Two types of thermoluminescent (TL) dosimeters, TLD-600 ({sup 6}LiF: Mg, Ti) and TLD-700 ({sup 7}LiF: Mg, Ti) were used in this study. They were calibrated in the standard neutron and gamma sources at National Standards Laboratory. Annealing procedure is 400°C for 1 hour, 100°C for 2 hours and spontaneously cooling down to the room temperature in a programmable oven. Two-peak method (a kind of glow curve analysis technique) was used to evaluate the TL response corresponding to the neutron and gamma dose. The TLD pairs were placed outside the treatment field at the neutron-gamma mixed field with 190-MeV proton beam produced by the wobbling system through the polyethylene plate phantom. The results of TLD measurement were compared to the Monte Carlo simulation. Results: The initial experiment results of calculated dose equivalents are 0.63, 0.38, 0.21 and 0.13 mSv per Gy outside the field at the distance of 50, 100, 150 and 200 cm. Conclusion: The TLD-600 and TLD-700 pairs are convenient to estimate neutron and gamma dosimetry during proton therapy. However, an accurate and suitable glow curve analysis technique is necessary. During the wobbling system proton therapy, our results showed that the neutron and gamma doses outside the treatment field are noticeable. This study was supported by the grants from the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CMRPD1C0682)

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2015

MO-F-CAMPUS-T-05: Design of An Innovative Beam Monitor for Particle Therapy for the Simultaneous Measurement of Beam Fluence and Energy

Purpose: Monitoring the prescribed dose in particle therapy is typically carried out by using parallel plate ionization chambers working in transmission mode. The use of gas detectors has several drawbacks: they need to be calibrated daily against standard dosimeters and their dependence on beam quality factors need to be fully characterized and controlled with high accuracy. A detector capable of single particle counting is proposed which would overcome all these limitations. Combined with a gas ionization chamber, it will allow determining the average particle stopping power, thus providing an effective method for the online verification of the selected particle energy and range. Methods: Low-Gain Avalanche Detectors (LGADs) are innovative n-in-p silicon sensors with moderate internal charge multiplication occurring in the strong field generated by an additional p+ doping layer implanted at a depth of a few µm in the bulk of the sensor. The increased signal-to-noise ratio allows designing very thin, few tens of microns, segmented LGADs, called Ultra Fast Silicon Detectors (UFSD), optimized for very fast signal, which would be suitable for charged particle counting at high rates. A prototype UFSD is being designed for this purpose. Results: Different LGAD diodes have been characterized both in laboratory and beam tests, and the results compared both with those obtained with similar diodes without the gain layer and with a program simulating the signal in the sensors. The signal is found to be enhanced in LGADs, while the leakage current and the noise is not affected by the gain. Possible alternative designs and implementations are also presented and discussed. Conclusion: Thanks to their excellent counting capabilities, UFSD detectors are a promising technology for future beam monitor devices in hadron-therapy applications. Studies are ongoing to better understand their properties and optimize the design in view of this application.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-C-207A-04: Accuracy of Acoustic-Based Proton Range Verification in Water

Purpose: To determine the accuracy and dose required for acoustic-based proton range verification (protoacoustics) in water. Methods: Proton pulses with 17 µs FWHM and instantaneous currents of 480 nA (5.6 × 10{sup 7} protons/pulse, 8.9 cGy/pulse) were generated by a clinical, hospital-based cyclotron at the University of Pennsylvania. The protoacoustic signal generated in a water phantom by the 190 MeV proton pulses was measured with a hydrophone placed at multiple known positions surrounding the dose deposition. The background random noise was measured. The protoacoustic signal was simulated to compare to the experiments. Results: The maximum protoacoustic signal amplitude at 5 cm distance was 5.2 mPa per 1 × 10{sup 7} protons (1.6 cGy at the Bragg peak). The background random noise of the measurement was 27 mPa. Comparison between simulation and experiment indicates that the hydrophone introduced a delay of 2.4 µs. For acoustic data collected with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 21, deconvolution of the protoacoustic signal with the proton pulse provided the most precise time-of-flight range measurement (standard deviation of 2.0 mm), but a systematic error (−4.5 mm) was observed. Conclusion: Based on water phantom measurements at a clinical hospital-based cyclotron, protoacoustics is a potential technique for measuring the proton Bragg peak range with 2.0 mm standard deviation. Simultaneous use of multiple detectors is expected to reduce the standard deviation, but calibration is required to remove systematic error. Based on the measured background noise and protoacoustic amplitude, a SNR of 5.3 is projected for a deposited dose of 2 Gy.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-T-141: Proton Dose Validation in a Phantom Beyond TRUFILL N-BCA Embolization Glue

Purpose: To validate the treatment planning system predicted proton dose beyond a heterogeneity (n-BCA glue) by making a measurement in a custom acrylic phantom. Methods: A custom cubic acrylic phantom was designed for this experiment. A container was designed to fit in the phantom. This container was filled with TRUFILL™ n-Butyl Cyanoacrylate(n-BCA) glue. When the container was placed in the phantom, its center was at a distance of 7.4cm from the entrance. This depth allows us to make measurements around the center of modulation of a 126 MeV proton beam with a 3cm spread-out-Bragg peak. To make measurements at other beam energies, additional acrylic can be added in front of the phantom, to adjust the depth of the heterogeneity. A diamond detector was cross calibrated against a standard cylindrical ion chamber in a 126MeV beam. The diamond detector was then used to make dose measurements beyond the inhomogeneity. The measurement was repeated with the container filled with water. Several measurements were made at each setup, to check reproducibility of measurements. Results: For the same number of Tic3R1 counts, the dose measured with the diamond detector beyond n-BCA glue was 1.053 times the dose measured beyond the water filled container. This result is in agreement with the measured stopping power of glue (1.06). These measurements were in agreement with the dose predicted by the treatment planning system when the electron density of the heterogeneity was replaced with 1.06 before the dose calculation. Conclusion: Our initial measurements validate the dose predicted by our treatment plan in the presence of heterogeneity in a phantom. The material tested (n-BCA glue) is commonly used in the treatment of AVM’s prior to an SRS treatment. An error in dose predicted by the treatment plan in the presence of the glue can be detrimental in a single fraction high dose SRS treatment I received the n-BCA liquid embolic system samples from Codman and Shurtleff, Inc.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗