1971 Commencement Program, Summer

https://scholarship.law.ua.edu/commencement_programs/1008/thumbnail.jp

A dimension raising hereditary shape equivalence

Abstract. We construct a hereditary shape equivalence that raises transfinite inductive dimension from ω to ω + 1. This shows that ind and Ind do not admit a geometric characterisation in the spirit of Alexandroff's Essential Mapping Theorem, answering a question asked by R. Pol

GIS-Based Environmental Long-Term Monitoring Web Portal Phase II

A GIS-based online portal was developed to store, analyze, and display data from multiple sources pertinent to the ALDOT Coliseum Boulevard groundwater contaminant plume site in Montgomery Alabama. These sources comprise various consultants involved with the site including geotechnical companies, water testing labs, law firms, and management personnel from ALDOT/ADEM. The goal of this portal was to centralize information into a single location for easy access by all of these groups while also consolidating a number of activities in relation to data collection, verification, and preparation. The culmination of these goals resulted in a data-driven Plume Web map. The web map is able to display and query the numerous monitoring points and regions related to the site. On selection of these locations, the web map presents associated data and documents for download. In a similar manner, the property owner\u2019s parcels affected by the plume can be selected or queried and legal documents relating to that property displayed. For more robust data retrieval, there are several tools capable of querying data based on multiple locations, location types, and constituents. The Search Documents tool can perform similar functions for ascertaining files based on their type and associated location. Any data and documents can be uploaded to the portal through one of two easy to use tools. The Upload Documents tool allows user to upload a file and input related information into several fields for future acquisition. The Import Data tool accepts comma separated value sheets for well specific data (e.g., contaminant lab testing and groundwater elevation data). The lab data uploaded to the site is put through a verification process before final import to the database. Part of this verification process involves the data location names being potentially assigned through an alias list. This alias list is flexible with the Add Alias tool, which will allow for more versatile data import in case of future well name changes. Several layers can be toggled on the map as well such as groundwater velocity and elevation contour maps. These map layers (typically created for display in the Annual Report) can now be generated directly in the online portal with the Generate Annual Report Figures tool (beta-testing ongoing). Many of the data-based tables in the annual report are now available for generation in the Reports tool. These features contribute to a streamlined and unified environmental site management process. The portal is available for use with login credentials at https://plume.caps.ua.edu

Recyclable transmission line (RTL) and linear transformer driver (LTD) development for Z-pinch inertial fusion energy (Z-IFE) and high yield.

Z-Pinch Inertial Fusion Energy (Z-IFE) complements and extends the single-shot z-pinch fusion program on Z to a repetitive, high-yield, power plant scenario that can be used for the production of electricity, transmutation of nuclear waste, and hydrogen production, all with no CO{sub 2} production and no long-lived radioactive nuclear waste. The Z-IFE concept uses a Linear Transformer Driver (LTD) accelerator, and a Recyclable Transmission Line (RTL) to connect the LTD driver to a high-yield fusion target inside a thick-liquid-wall power plant chamber. Results of RTL and LTD research are reported here, that include: (1) The key physics issues for RTLs involve the power flow at the high linear current densities that occur near the target (up to 5 MA/cm). These issues include surface heating, melting, ablation, plasma formation, electron flow, magnetic insulation, conductivity changes, magnetic field diffusion changes, possible ion flow, and RTL mass motion. These issues are studied theoretically, computationally (with the ALEGRA and LSP codes), and will work at 5 MA/cm or higher, with anode-cathode gaps as small as 2 mm. (2) An RTL misalignment sensitivity study has been performed using a 3D circuit model. Results show very small load current variations for significant RTL misalignments. (3) The key structural issues for RTLs involve optimizing the RTL strength (varying shape, ribs, etc.) while minimizing the RTL mass. Optimization studies show RTL mass reductions by factors of three or more. (4) Fabrication and pressure testing of Z-PoP (Proof-of-Principle) size RTLs are successfully reported here. (5) Modeling of the effect of initial RTL imperfections on the buckling pressure has been performed. Results show that the curved RTL offers a much greater buckling pressure as well as less sensitivity to imperfections than three other RTL designs. (6) Repetitive operation of a 0.5 MA, 100 kV, 100 ns, LTD cavity with gas purging between shots and automated operation is demonstrated at the SNL Z-IFE LTD laboratory with rep-rates up to 10.3 seconds between shots (this is essentially at the goal of 10 seconds for Z-IFE). (7) A single LTD switch at Tomsk was fired repetitively every 12 seconds for 36,000 shots with no failures. (8) Five 1.0 MA, 100 kV, 100 ns, LTD cavities have been combined into a voltage adder configuration with a test load to successfully study the system operation. (9) The combination of multiple LTD coaxial lines into a tri-plate transmission line is examined. The 3D Quicksilver code is used to study the electron flow losses produced near the magnetic nulls that occur where coax LTD lines are added together. (10) Circuit model codes are used to model the complete power flow circuit with an inductive isolator cavity. (11) LTD architectures are presented for drivers for Z-IFE and high yield. A 60 MA LTD driver and a 90 MA LTD driver are proposed. Present results from all of these power flow studies validate the whole LTD/RTL concept for single-shot ICF high yield, and for repetitive-shot IFE