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Development of a new imaging technique at ORNL that can "see" new details of defects in high temperature superconductors and many other materials. Using this technique, scientists have learned that the achievement of high critical current densities in the oxide superconductors depends strongly on the geometry of certain defects. These high current densities are one requirement for practical applications of high temperature superconductors in electric motors, generators, and transmission lines. This result leads to renewed optimism that current densities in high temperature superconductors can be raised to useful levels.

Development at ANL of a new class of chemicals for environmental and nuclear waste applications. These chemicals, called thermally unstable complexants, are environmentally compatible chemical clean-up agents. They remove transuranic and other metal contaminants from waste streams to very low levels and, after further development, could be applied to nuclear wastes, ground water, and metallurgical processes.

0 Development of a mathematical technique that makes possible computer modeling of the propagation of cracks in materials, such as airplane fuselages and engine fan blades. The annual cost of fracturerelated damage in the U.S. has been estimated at over $10 billion. new mathematical technique, discovered at Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

This

has been implemented in a structural analysis computer program by Cornell University to form a useful tool in material structure studies.

FY 1991 BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES BUDGET REQUEST

The FY 1991 budget request for Basic Energy Sciences is $648.7 million. The request includes $503.7 million for Operating Expenses, $37.0 million for Capital Equipment, and $108.0 million for Construction. (Table 7)

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The Operating Expenses request maintains a strong core research program in each of the BES subprograms. Research in Materials Sciences continues to improve our theoretical and experimental capability to analyze the fundamental structure and behavior of materials. In doing so, materials research contributes to the development of new or substitute materials that can improve performance and efficiency in energy systems. It creates the capability to tailor materials properties to satisfy defined requirements, such as improved corrosion resistance in fossil plants, and to predict materials problems and service life. The 1991 request of $222.0 million will provide for continuing research programs in high temperature superconductivity, solid state physics, materials chemistry, metallurgy, and ceramics. Funding for support of major user facilities is also included in this request.

The Chemical Sciences subprogram, with an FY 1991 request of $150.5 million, investigates the chemical properties of matter and the interactions of the component molecules, atoms, ions, and electrons. Chemical sciences research ultimately affects such areas as production of fuels and chemicals from coal,

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nuclear waste separation, conversion of biomass (such as wood and leafy materials) into liquid fuels, and detection and measurement of harmful

products of energy processes. In FY 1991, the research program will emphasize areas relevant to the environment, waste management, and combustion. The FY

1991 budget request also includes support for major user facilities.

Applied Mathematical Sciences supports long-range mathematical and computational research. Computational methods provide insights into experimental data and simulate ideal experiments for testing analytical models. This subprogram advances all aspects of scientific computation--from proofs of theorems about mathematical equations to understanding the structure of parallel computer systems. With an FY 1991 request of $48.0 million, Applied Mathematical Sciences will continue to provide access to, and expand the capabilities of, the supercomputer network that is essential for researchers supported by the Office of Energy Research. Selected increases will be provided for research, fellowships, and problems identified in the Government-wide initiative in high performance computing. This initiative, which is being coordinated by the Federal Coordinating Committee on Science, Engineering and Technology (FCCSET), recognizes the need to maintain and extend U.S. leadership in high performance computing. As a major user of high performance computing and a pioneer of the use of supercomputers for modeling complex physical systems that are too dangerous, expensive, or poorly understood to build and test, DOE strongly supports this initiative and looks forward to playing a key role in achieving its objectives.

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The Engineering and Geosciences subprogram, with an FY 1991 request of $32.5 million, includes two broad disciplines. Research in engineering aims to expand our knowledge of the processes and concepts that underlie current engineering practice in energy technologies and to broaden the technical and conceptual base for solving future problems. The FY 1991 request will continue fundamental engineering research with emphasis on topics important for energy production and use, as well as those meeting the Department's longterm objectives for restoration of the environment. Such topics include flow of oil, gas, and water through porous materials such as soil and rocks and two phase flow in energy systems--for instance, mixtures of water and steam in nuclear reactors. Work is also underway on what are called intelligent machines, for example, the mobile robots to be used for cleanup of contaminated sites. In Geosciences, the research emphasizes the development of a predictive understanding of the energy-related aspects of geological, geophysical, and geochemical process related to the Earth. Emphasis in FY 1991 will be on high-resolution underground imaging related to enhanced oil recovery and waste management, as well as on continental scientific drilling. In the latter area, site studies to investigate existing geological structures will be carried out at Katmai, Alaska where drilling is scheduled to start in FY 1992.

The Advanced Energy Projects subprogram, with an FY 1991 request of $24.0 million, explores the feasibility of novel, energy-related concepts evolving from basic research that are at an early stage of scientific definition and, therefore, are not yet of practical use to technology programs. In FY 1991, research will continue on heavy ion accelerators with the goal of validating