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Title: Physics Survey Overview

Abstract

An overview of a series of assignments of the branches of physics carried out by the Board on Physics and Astronomy of the National Research Council. It identifies further theories in physics and makes recommendations on preventive priorities. The Board on Physics and Astronomy (BPA) has conducted a new decadal survey of physics entitled ''Physics in a New Era''. The survey includes assessments of the main branches of physics as well as certain selected emerging areas. The various elements of the survey were prepared by separately-appointed National Research Council (NRC) committees. The BPA formed the Physics Survey Overview Committee (PSOVC) to complete the survey by preparing an overview of the field of physics to summarize and synthesize the results of the various assessments and to address cross-cutting issues that concern physics as a whole.

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
National Academy of Sciences National Research Council (US)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Research (ER) (US)
OSTI Identifier:
834358
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-98ER41069
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 30 Dec 2002
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY; RESEARCH PROGRAMS; ASTRONOMY; PHYSICS; RECOMMENDATIONS

Citation Formats

None, None. Physics Survey Overview. United States: N. p., 2002. Web. doi:10.2172/834358.
None, None. Physics Survey Overview. United States. doi:10.2172/834358.
None, None. Mon . "Physics Survey Overview". United States. doi:10.2172/834358. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/834358.
@article{osti_834358,
title = {Physics Survey Overview},
author = {None, None},
abstractNote = {An overview of a series of assignments of the branches of physics carried out by the Board on Physics and Astronomy of the National Research Council. It identifies further theories in physics and makes recommendations on preventive priorities. The Board on Physics and Astronomy (BPA) has conducted a new decadal survey of physics entitled ''Physics in a New Era''. The survey includes assessments of the main branches of physics as well as certain selected emerging areas. The various elements of the survey were prepared by separately-appointed National Research Council (NRC) committees. The BPA formed the Physics Survey Overview Committee (PSOVC) to complete the survey by preparing an overview of the field of physics to summarize and synthesize the results of the various assessments and to address cross-cutting issues that concern physics as a whole.},
doi = {10.2172/834358},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Dec 30 00:00:00 EST 2002},
month = {Mon Dec 30 00:00:00 EST 2002}
}

Technical Report:

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  • An aerial radiological survey was conducted during August 1980 to radiometrically survey a 10.4 km/sup 2/ area centered on the future site of the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) located near Princeton, New Jersey. All detected radionuclides were consistent with normal background emitters and no man-made gamma emitters were detected. Average aerial exposure rates normalized to one meter above the ground are presented in the form of an isopleth map.
  • Nuclear reactors have been a reliable energy source for many years. Commercial nuclear power plants have an unparalleled safety record. In fact, no power plants of conventional nature such as coal, petroleum, or hydroelectric have a better safety record. Nuclear plants are virtually pollution-free. But perhaps their biggest attractive feature is fuel economy. Only a hydroelectric power plant has a clear-cut lead on fuel cost, but they are restricted geographically to sufficient waterways that support them. These reasons, and many more, make nuclear reactors technically attractive as an energy source. It is the purpose of this paper to summarize somemore » basic reactor physics along with a simple description of different reactor types and their designs. This will yield some insight as to the technology and feasibility of nuclear reactors as power generators without imposing too much technical detail. When the facts are weighed against preconceived notions, nuclear energy is seen in a more favorable perspective.« less
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  • Three iron- to nickel-based austenitic alloys and three copper-based alloys are being considered as candidate materials for the fabrication of high-level radioactive-waste disposal containers. The austenitic alloys are Types 304L and 316L stainless steels and the high-nickel material Alloy 825. The copper-based alloys are CDA 102 (oxygen-free copper), CDA 613 (Cu-7Al), and CDA 715 (Cu-30Ni). Waste in the forms of both spent fuel assemblies from reactors and borosilicate glass will be sent to the prospective repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. The decay of radionuclides will result in the generation of substantial heat and gamma radiation. Container materials may undergo anymore » of several modes of degradation in this environment, including undesirable phase transformations due to a lack of phase stability; atmospheric oxidation; general aqueous corrosion; pitting; crevice corrosion; intergranular stress corrosion cracking; and transgranular stress corrosion cracking. Problems specific to welds, such as hot cracking, may also occur. A survey of the literature has been prepared as part of the process of selecting, from among the candidates, a material that is adequate for repository conditions. The modes of degradation are discussed in detail in the survey to determine which apply to the candidate alloys and the extent to which they may actually occur. The eight volumes of the survey are summarized in Sections 1 through 8 of this overview. The conclusions drawn from the survey are also given in this overview.« less
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