Climate Change and the Future of Nuclear Power

Session J2: AAPT Tutorial: Anthropogenic Global Warming: Anthropogenic Global Warming--Illuminating Some of Its Scientific and Methodological Flaws

Laurence I. Gould — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 14:00:00 PST

Session J1: AAPT Tutorial: Anthropogenic Global Warming: Data Supporting Anthropogenic Global Warming: Balancing Ecology with Economics

Paul H. Carr — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:00:00 PST

Session G1: Plenary Session: Nuclear Power and Climate Change - TerraPower's Traveling Wave Reactor

Tyler Ellis — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:40:00 PST

TerraPower is moving forward with detailed plans for a sustainable, economic, and safe nuclear reactor. The Traveling Wave Reactor (TWR) -- a reactor in the 500-megawatt electric range - uses unique core physics to initiate a breed and burn wave which can be completely sustained in fertile material. This process allows the TWR to convert depleted uranium waste into usable fuel as the reactor operates, providing a sustainable base-load power source. TerraPower is the first company to create a practical engineering embodiment of this previously studied concept thanks to a powerful advanced reactor modeling interface, developed in-house, which enables the analysis of traveling wave reactor technology in a way that has not been possible before. This presentation will provide more detail about the origins of the TWR, the project's current status as well as some of the safety differences between TWRs and currently operating light water reactors.

Session G1: Plenary Session: Nuclear Power and Climate Change - Climate v. Climate Alarm

Richard S. Lindzen — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:50:00 PST

The underlying physics of climate contains important elements that are widely agreed on though frequently misunderstood. In this lecture, the basic physics of greenhouse warming are simply described. It will be shown that the dynamic mixing of the troposphere is essential to the mechanism. It will further be shown that there is nothing intrinsically alarming in the basic physics. Alarm depends critically on the assertion that the climate system is dominated by large positive feedbacks that greatly amplify such warming as may be due to increasing CO2 alone. The nature of possible feedbacks will be described, and the conditions for observationally determining such feedbacks will be explained. It will be seen that the feedback factors, themselves, can be subject to fluctuations, so that large positive feedbacks could occasionally lead to instability. A variety of attempts to evaluate such feedbacks will be described. Some will be shown to be clearly incorrect. The remaining approaches suggest that feedbacks are small and even negative, suggesting little basis for alarm.

Session G1: Plenary Session: Nuclear Power and Climate Change - When Sciences Fails Society: Toxicology's 20th Century Legacy

Edward J. Calabrese — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 10:00:00 PST

This presentation provides an assessment of hormesis, a dose-response concept that is characterized by a low-dose stimulation and a high-dose inhibition. It will trace the historical foundations of hormesis, its quantitative features and mechanistic foundations, and its risk assessment implications. It will be argued that the hormetic dose response is the most fundamental dose response, significantly outcompeting other leading dose-response models in large-scale, head-to-head evaluations used by regulatory agencies such as the EPA and FDA. The hormetic dose response is highly generalizable, being independent of biological model, endpoint measured, chemical class, physical agent (e.g., radiation) and inter-individual variability. Hormesis also provides a framework for the study and assessment of chemical mixtures, incorporating the concept of additivity and synergism. Because the hormetic biphasic dose response represents a general pattern of biological responsiveness, it is expected that it will become progressively more significant within toxicological evaluation and chemical and radiation risk assessment practices as well as having numerous biomedical applications. Particular application will be directed towards how hormesis may affect the risk assessment process for chemicals and ionizing radiation.

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F4: Theory: The Horizon of the Universe could be the source of the Electroweak Force

Richard Kriske — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 09:12:00 PST

In Physics the problem of observers and observed plays a central role. A Blue Photon in is created, in one observers reference frame, that is far from another observer, at the Horizon of the his reference frame, when it reaches him it is a red photon, because there is a third observer present and that is the photon itself. The photon carries information with itself in its travels, as to where the time-normal was where it was created. If one agrees that the time normal points away from the observer at the Horizon, photons coming from there are red shifted, this is true of Black Hole Horizons as well. What about photons coming from over the Horizon? They go to radio frequency, but then are Blue Shifted using the same paradigm. The only way to Blue Shift a photon in this way is to give it mass and all of the trappings of mass, like charge. This is a particular type of Blue Shifting where the time vector points in an unusual direction. This CPT violation is commonly seen in the Electroweak Force, as at the Horizon the time vector only points out, away from the observer and is no longer part of 4 dimensional space-time. This symmetry breaking at the Horizon causes the Electromagnetic Force to become the Electroweak Force, and a Gauge is establish that is easily recognized. Using this idea a General Procedure for the Construction of Matter from Energy can be written. The easier parts are seen in a slightly curved environment like the Sun.

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F4: Theory: For AAPT: Teaching the Wave Mechanics of McLeods' Stringy Electron, Explicit Nucleons, and Through-the-Earth Projections of Constellations' Stick Figures

David Matthew McLeod — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 09:00:00 PST

McLeods' NEF11{\#}22 submission is from their same-title INVITED presentation at Frontiers in Optics 2011, San Jose, CA. It shows how Hooke's law for electron, proton and neutron strings build electromagnetic waves from strings. These are composed of spirally linked, parallel, north-pole oriented, neutrino and antineutrino strings, stable because of magnetic repulsions. Their Dumbo Proton is antineutrino-scissor cut, and compressed in the vicinity of a neutron star, where electrostatic marriage occurs with a neutrino-scissor cut, and compressed, electron, so a Mickey Neutron emerges. Strings then predict electron charge is \textbf{\textit{-- 1/3 e}}, Dumbo P is 25 {\%} longer than Mickey N, and Hooke says relaxing springs fuel three separate inflations after each Big Bang oscillation. Gravity can be strings longitudinally linked. Einstein says Herman Grid's black diagonals prove human vision reads its information from algebraically-signed electromagnetic field diffraction patterns known by ray-tracing, not difficult Spatial Fourier Transformation. High-schoolers understand its application to Wave Mechanics, and agree that positive-numbered probabilities do not enter to possibly displease God. Stick figure constellations detected, like Phoenix, Leo, Canis Major, and especially Orion, fool some observers into false beliefs in things like UFHumanoids, or Kokopelli, Pele and Pamola!

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F4: Theory: Hermann Grid's Dark Diagonals Disprove QM's ``Beliefs,'' Reveal Stringy Electron, Nucleons, Stick Figure Constellations

Roger David McLeod et al. — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:48:00 PST

Vision detects electric field amplitude information from spatial Fourier transforms, SFTs, of object space. Optics states: at focal, not image, surfaces, for Hermann, and pincushion, grids. Von B\'{e}k\'{e}sy's skin pressure experiments prove brain circuitry interprets focal diffraction patterns as inverse SFTs. This knocks out QM beliefs, enhanced by Schr\"{o}dinger's electron assertions. Mc Leods' electron string model, based on a neutrino in chiral embrace with a parallel, magnetically repellant, antineutrino, transversely aligned in continuous pairings along each wave-string's closure. This generalized, in Recife, PE, Brazil, to the three-ring, up quark, down quark, up quark, of our \textbf{\textit{Dumbo Proton}}, underpass-overpass string. Cut by an antineutrino scissor, and merged with our compressed, neutrino-cut electron, a \textbf{\textit{Mickey Neutron}} with over- or underpass pairs only, emerges, is unstable, and is of \textbf{\textit{4/3 e}} string units length. \textbf{\textit{Dumbo Proton}} is \textbf{\textit{5/3 e}} units; this string theory predicts a \textbf{\textit{Trinitarian Electron}}, with charge \textbf{\textit{-1/3 e}}, whatever phase, Standing Wave Up, SWU, Traveling Wave, TW, or Standing Wave Down, SWD. It explains solar neutrino flux factor 3 shortfall. Camcorders capture this electron at gigapower \textbf{\textit{n}} values. \textbf{\textit{Peruvian Nazcans recorded high energy, composite nucleon trajectories for us, as ``applied optical (VISION) physicists.'' }}

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F4: Theory: A non-QM explanation of Jacques' (2007) ``Wheeler gedanken experiment with delayed choice,'' without delayed choice

Jeffrey Boyd — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:36:00 PST

The publication in Science in 2007 of Jacques et al ``Experimental realization of Wheeler's delayed-choice gedanken experiment,'' appears to demonstrate many counter-intuitive ideas. The solidity of those conclusions depends on whether quantum mechanics (QM) provides the ONLY available explanation of the experiment. By thinking outside the box we have arrived at a different explanation of that experiment. QM is the box outside of which we think, not because of criticism of QM, but in order to explore an unconventional viewpoint. Our explanation is based on elementary waves. We find no delayed choice. What appears to be delayed choice is an illusion. We also find local cause and effect. This does not prove that our way of thinking is correct. It simply means that we propose an alternative explanation of the experiment that does not lead to all those counter-intuitive ideas.

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F4: Theory: Hadronic Parity Violation

Jared Vanasse — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:24:00 PST

For 50 years the field of hadronic parity violation has been unresolved. Since the 1980's the standard theoretical framework for hadronic parity violation has been the DDH model. However, discrepancies between the DDH model and experiment have called the use of this model into question. At low energies a new model independent analysis of hadronic parity violation can be carried out via pionless effective field theory. With the use of pionless effective field theory and new precision experiments, focusing on systems with $\mathrm{A} \leq 4$ in order to eliminate nuclear physics uncertainties, the field of hadronic parity violation at low energies will finally be understood. This talk will give an overview of the theory and possible future experiments in this old yet still exciting field.

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F4: Theory: Density Matrices in the Quenching of Positronium by Electron Exchange

Sudha Swaminathan et al. — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:12:00 PST

Electron exchange in a single collision between \textit{ortho} positronium and a target with one unpaired electron can result in the conversion (quenching) of the long-lived \textit{ortho} positronium into the short-lived \textit{para} positronium. The probabilities of forming \textit{para} and\textit{ ortho} positronium after the collision are calculated using angular-momentum coupling and density-matrix techniques. The fraction of the initial \textit{ortho} positronium that is converted to \textit{para} positronium (quenching fraction) is given in terms of complex scattering amplitudes labeled with total electron spin. Quenching fractions are obtained for polarized and unpolarized targets, with and without detection of the spin of the target after the collision.

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F4: Theory: New insights into the nucleon structure through bag model studies of the energy momentum tensor

Matthew Neubelt et al. — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:00:00 PST

Information about the energy momentum tensor of the nucleon can in principle be inferred from studies of generalized parton distribution functions which enter the description of hard exclusive reactions. Presently the data do not yet allow to deduce model-independent information, and results from effective models are of great interest. We present first results on the energy momentum tensor of the nucleon from the MIT bag model. In particular, also the bag model predicts the constant d1 to be negative in agreement with results from lattice QCD, and other approaches.

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F3: Cosmology, Theory: Visualizing the Superposition Process

Michael Ambroselli et al. — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 09:00:00 PST

We demonstrate the dynamic evolution of superposition effects using two intersecting beams of electromagnetic radiation, to underscore the importance of visualizing interaction processes. Recordable fringes within the volume of superposition have time evolving bright fringe patterns, because the two superposed E-vectors oscillate through zero values while staying locked in phase. If a detector registers steady, stable bright fringes, it must do so by time integration. The QM recipe to model energy exchange by taking the square modulus of the sum of the complex amplitudes has this time integration built into it. We also discuss the importance of assigning proper physical processes to the mathematical relationships whenever possible: the algebraic symbols should represent physical parameters of the interactants and the mathematical operators connecting the symbols should represent allowed physical interaction processes and the guiding force.

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F3: Cosmology, Theory: The Universe is not expanding

Ari Brynjolfsson — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:48:00 PST

Plasma redshift cosmology is a new cosmology that is far superior to the conventional Big-Bang cosmology. It shows that the universe is not expanding, and that there is no accelerated expansion. Closer analyses show that the equations leading to the Big-Bang are wrong or inadequate as they do not take properly into account: the dielectric constant, essential quantum effects, and important effects of the hot plasma, including the plasma frequency in intergalactic space. Plasma redshift cosmology explains the observed solar redshifts, the redshifts of stars, galaxies, quasars and the intergalactic plasma. Comparison with measured solar redshifts shows that Gravitational redshifts of optical lines reverse as the photons move from the Sun to the Earth. This shows that the optical photons are gravitationally repelled and not attracted as surmised in the Big-Bang cosmology. This shows that as star-matter concentrates at the center of galaxies, it turns so hot that the thermal collisions transform old star-matter to photons and primordial matter. This way the universe can renew itself for ever. The primordial matter can diffuse away from the center and is often seen surrounding the galaxy-centers. No Dark Energy, Dark matter, or Black Holes are needed to explain the observations

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F3: Cosmology, Theory: Blogging as a Research Tool

Douglas Sweetser — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:36:00 PST

I work on variations of the Maxwell Lagrange density using quaternions and hypercomplex products of covariant 4-derivatives and 4-potentials. The hope is to unify gravity with the symmetries found in the standard model. It is difficult for someone outside academia to get constructive criticism. I have chosen to blog once a week at Science20.com since March, 2011. Over thirty blogs have been generated, most getting more than a thousand views (high mark is 5k for ``Why Quantum Mechanics is Wierd''). The tools used for web and video blogging will be reviewed. A discussion of my efforts to represent electroweak symmetry with quaternions convinced me I was in error. Instead, my hope is to exploit the observation that U(1) is formally a subgroup of SU(2). A battle over gauge symmetry may be reviewe

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F3: Cosmology, Theory: Relativity on Rotated Graph Paper

Robert Salgado — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:24:00 PST

We present visual calculations in special relativity using spacetime diagrams drawn on graph paper that has been rotated by 45 degrees. The rotated lines represent lightlike directions in Minkowski spacetime, and the boxes in the grid (called light-clock diamonds) represent ticks of an inertial observer's lightclock. We show that many quantitative results can be read off a spacetime diagram by counting boxes, using a minimal amount of algebra.

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F3: Cosmology, Theory: Understanding Cosmological Probes of the Dark Side: Computational Studies of Type Ia Supernovae

Robert Fisher et al. — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:12:00 PST

Each Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) event has very nearly the same intrinsic brightness regardless of where or when in the universe it exploded. Consequently, SNe Ia provide us with standard candles which have enabled precision cosmological measurements leading to the discovery of the acceleration of the expansion of the universe, and of dark energy -- fundamental work recognized by this year's Nobel prize committee. However, despite these advances, the nature of the progenitors which give rise to SNe Ia, and of the explosion mechanism itself, remain mysterious. While evidence strongly suggests that the progenitors consist of at least one near-Chandrasekhar mass white dwarf in a binary system, both the type of companion, and the precise total mass of the system (either near-critical, or sub- or super-Chandra) are being actively investigated. I will discuss recent computational simulations which have begun to unravel the mystery of these remarkable explosions which probe the dark side of the cosmos.

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F2: Energy, Climate, Nuclear Medicine: A Network Model and Computational Approach for the Mo-99 Supply Chain for Nuclear Medicine

Ladimer Nagurney et al. — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:48:00 PST

Technetium-99m, produced from the decay of Molybdenum-99, is the most commonly used radioisotope for medical imaging, specifically in cardiac and cancer diagnostics. The MO-99 is produced in a small number of reactors and is processed and distributed worldwide. We have developed a tractable network model and computational approach for the design and redesign of the MO-99 supply chains. This topic is of special relevance to medical physics given the product's widespread use and the aging of the nuclear reactors where it is produced. This generalized network model, for which we derived formulae for the arc and path multipliers that capture the underlying physics of radioisotope decay, includes total operational cost minimization, and the minimization of cost associated with nuclear waste disposal, coupled with capacity investment (or disinvestment) costs. Its solution yields the optimal link capacities as well as the optimal MO-99 flows so that demand at the medical facilities is satisfied. We illustrate the framework with a Western Hemisphere case study. The framework provides the foundation for further empirical research and the basis for the modeling and analysis of supply chain networks for other very time-sensitive medical products.

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F2: Energy, Climate, Nuclear Medicine: Is Earth's sea level currently rising? If so are humans responsible?

Peter Glanz — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:36:00 PST

This paper presents the experimental evidence concerning sea level change. A historical perspective is also offered.

Session F: Contributed Oral Papers – F2: Energy, Climate, Nuclear Medicine: Biochar As a Renewable Energy Source

Richard Stein — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 08:12:00 PST

Biochar is a form of charcoal prepared by heating biomass in limited air. It is porous and has high surface area, maintaining much of the morphology of the biomass. The heat for its preparation arises primarily from burning volatiles emitted upon heating. About half the chemical energy in the biomass is contained in the biochar, about 40\% is used for the conversion, and about 10\% may be used as a local heat source. The biochar can serve as a soil additive where it acts as a template for the growth of bacteria and fungi which then lead to improved growth of biomass by as much as several hundred percent. It remains inert in the soil for many years. Thus, it sequesters the carbon, originally coming from the carbon dioxide absorbed during the photosynthesis occurring during the growth of the biomass. Its use reduces fertilizer and water needs and to pollution arising from the run-off of fertilizer and emission of noxious vapors. Its use is best done at a local level, close to sources of biomass from farm and forest waste. The Pioneer Valley Biochar Initiative along with the Center of Agriculture of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst is promoting the use of biochar on local farms which reduces their dependence on energy arising from fossil fuel and nuclear sources.