Department of Energy FY 2012 Congressional ... - The FIRE Place

(dollars in thousands)
FY 2010
Actual
Approp
FY 2011
Request
FY 2012
Request
Dynamic Materials Properties 86,371 96,984 111,836
Dynamic Materials Properties develops the fundamental knowledge and physics-based models
that describe and predict the behaviors of weapon materials in environments of extreme conditions
of temperature, stress, strain, and strain rates.
In 2012, the following activities will begin or continue under Dynamic Materials Properties:
developing the aging and process-aware fundamental plutonium multi-phase EOS and other
properties, especially high-priority data identified as required for the FY 2015 Initial Conditions
milestone associated with National Boost Initiative. Acquiring the data required to understand the
role of plutonium and surrogate materials in fundamental physics mechanisms will continue to be
the principal activity of the subprogram. These experiments will be conducted at laboratory
facilities including the Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) facilities, as well as at DOE/Science
synchrotron radiation national user facilities. Other materials data (as detailed in the classified
Primary and Secondary Assessment Plans) will be conducted at LANSCE, Z and other laboratory
facilities under this sub-program. A series of tests will be executed on JASPER and other gas and
powder gun facilities under pressures and temperatures and with different loading characteristics
to provide information important to the improvement of EOS models. In studies of high explosive
behavior, size scaling will be performed to directly measure late-time kinetic effects in insensitive
high explosives and conventional high explosives. Key materials data on polymers, foams and
other materials will also continue to be generated and analyzed. Another key element of Dynamic
Materials Properties will focus on informing decisions on investment for future experiments (from
small-scale to integral) and related pegposts for the Predictive Capability Framework. Key, peerreviewed
integral experiments that inform our understanding of the initial conditions established
in a primary, with a focus on the dynamic response of plutonium will also be conducted.
Dynamic Materials Properties also funds the SSAA Program. The SSAA program provides
financial assistance to approximately 40 academic institutions in two areas of unique relevance to
weapons science: low energy nuclear science and materials under extreme conditions.
Advanced Radiography 28,489 23,594 27,058
Advanced Radiography develops the sources and diagnostics used by the enterprise to develop
and optimally utilize the tools required to perform radiographic and dynamic materials
experiments. The majority of the work will be accomplished at DARHT, Site 300, Sandia Area
IV, NNSS, and pRad at LANSCE. Containment of explosively-driven experiments will be a
continuing focus and will enable these experiments to have a minimal impact on the environment.
The development of radiographic requirements and advanced analysis of radiographic information
will be pursued to establish the need for future radiographic capabilities.
Weapons Activities/
Science Campaign Page 89
FY 2012 Congressional Budget