Superconducting spin precession magnets for a new neutron spectrometer

The required field shape of optimal Larmor precession magnets to obtain the bestpossible homogeneity is B0cos2(¿z/L). In practice this field shape is approximated by 30 superimposed concentric solenoids. The coils are made with an extreme dimensional precision with a typical error of 10 ¿m. A special winding technique in combination with a relatively thin superconducting wire of 230 ¿m diameter provided a significant overall accuracy. In this paper the design and construction aspects of the superconducting Larmor precession magnets will be discussed. Results of the magnetic field optimisation as well as preliminary test results of the magnets are presented. However, the ultimate performance will be investigated when the magnets are put into operation in the new neutron Larmor precession spectrometer at the Institut Laue Langevin

The Role of Intermediary Organizations in Eco-Efficiency Improvements in SMEs: A Multi-Case Study in the Metal and Mechanical Engineering Industries in Germany

Corporate Sustainability (CS) links environmental and social issues to the corporate level by integration into conventional management. Thereby, companies can achieve sustainable organizational development and contribute to the sustainable development of society. One criterion of CS, among others, is eco-efficiency which aims to achieve environmental and economic excellence. By combining environmental issues with economic performance, aiming for eco-efficiency can be a practical starting point for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) reorienting their conventional management with small, not too radical steps. Considering the peculiarities of SMEs and inherent resource constraints, collaboration with intermediary organizations can promote this process. Through such collaboration SMEs have access to comprehensive and external expertise, can solve problems at the business level, establish new forms of partnerships and engage in learning networks. To identify the role of intermediary organizations in the process of aiming for eco-efficiency, this study chose a qualitative exploratory research using the multi-case study approach. Thereby drivers, barriers and matters related to adopting eco-efficiency through collaboration were identifiable. Owners and managers of SMEs operating in the metal- and mechanical engineering industries in Germany were interviewed. These companies took part in the ECOPROFIT®-scheme Germany, a partnership model between public and private organizations aiming to improve eco-efficiency. In this model local authorities act as intermediary organizations in terms of facilitating change and mediating between partners. The findings of this study suggest that eco-efficiency may be a suitable first step for SMEs to move towards CS as it presents a win-win situation. The role of intermediary organizations as initiators and facilitators to overcome challenges and barriers specific to SMEs is also indicated by the presented study

ASTEC V1.3 Code Assessment on the STORM Aerosols Mechanical REsuspension Test (A Fission Product Transport Study)

The European severe accident analysis code ASTEC is assessed on the most representative STORM tests. Two aerosol resuspension modules are used to calculate the resuspended fraction of aerosols deposited in the primary circuit model of STORM facility. It was concluded thta concerning the final mass fraction and mainly the kinetics of aerosol resuspension in turbulent pipe flow conditions there is a need for further code assesment and for improvement of resuspension models implemented in the current version of SOP"HAEROS/ASTEC V1.3 code. This is under way in the Source Term area of the SARNET project.JRC.F.4-Nuclear design safet

Actor and Institutional Dynamics in the Development of Multi-Stakeholder initiatives

As forms of private self-regulation, multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) have emerged as an important empirical phenomenon in global governance processes. At the same time, MSIs are also theoretically intriguing because of their inherent double nature. On the one hand, MSIs spell out CSR standards that define norms for corporate behavior. On the other hand, MSIs are also the result of corporate and stakeholder behavior. We combine the perspectives of institutional theory and club theory to conceptualize this double nature of MSIs. Based on a stage model that looks at the interplay of actor and institutional dynamics, we generate insights into why actors join a voluntary MSI, how the various motivations and intentions of the actors influence the standard development, and how these as well as the MSI design are subsequently influenced by both external (institutional) and internal (club) dynamics

CIRCUIT AND CONTAINMENT ASPECTS OF PHÉBUS EXPERIMENTS FPT0 AND FPT1

The Phebus FP severe accident experiments FPT0 and FPT1 were performed at Institut de radioprotection et de sûreté nucléaire (IRSN, Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute) Cadarache (France) in 1993 and 1996 respectively. In each test a 1 m long bundle of fuel rods plus a silver indium cadmium control rod was heated to an advanced state of degradation in the Phebus reactor, and the materials released were swept by an injected steam flow through a model circuit and into a miniature containment vessel. Test FPT0 used fresh fuel, while in FPT1 the fuel had a burnup of 23 GWd/tonne. In an international effort coordinated by the European Commission Joint Research Centre and IRSN intensive analytical study of data from the circuit and containment was performed using a variety of models and computer codes, seeking to reconcile the wide variety and copious quantity of online and post-test data available and to draw conclusions. The present consolidation report makes a critical survey of the degree of success achieved and draws conclusions as to where understanding can be considered good and where it appears necessary to perform further analytical work, factoring in both findings from other tests of the Phebus FP series and from other experimental programmes.JRC.F.5-Nuclear Reactor Safety Assessmen

Passive alignment stability and auto-alignment of multipass amplifiers based on Fourier transforms

The stability properties of Fourier-based multipass amplifier to misalignments (tilts) of its optical components has been investigated. For this purpose, a method to quantify the sensitivity to tilts based on the amplifier small signal gain has been elaborated and compared with measurements. To improve on the tilt stability by more than an order of magnitude a simple auto-alignment system has been proposed and tested. This study, combined with other investigations devoted to the stability of the output beam to variations of aperture and thermal lens effects of the active medium, qualifies the Fourier-based amplifier for the high-energy and the high-power sector.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figure

A 2 1/2D interpretation of the Basque magnetic anomaly: geodynamical implications

The Basque magnetic anomaly (BMA) follows aNW-SE trend over the Basque country with intensities up to 250 nT and displays a paired negative part to the north with intensities down to -60 nT. A model of the magnetic properties of the crust in the area has been carried out that takes into account previous geological and geophysical data. The models proposed indicate a mafic wedge ofmaterials with a magnetic susceptibility ofO.07 SI. This wedge is composed mainly ofUpper Cretaceous mafic intrusives with minor lower crustal rocks and reaches a minimum depth of5-7 km increasing to 12 km towards the northeast. Rocks on top ofthe anomalous wedge are deep marine facies rocks in transition to normal continental platform facies rocks to the southwest, and suggest that during the Upper Cretaceous this zone underwent crustal thinning due to rifting. Tectonic inversion during the Alpine deformation gave rise to displacement on a basal thrust and emplacement ofthe mafic wedge towards the northeast. The southeastern termination of the BMA may be produced by the lateral termination of the mafic rocks that constitute the anomalous wedge in a transform fauIt reIated to rifting processes

Intermediaries driving eco-innovation in SMEs: A qualitative investigation

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify the role intermediaries can play in an small to medium‐sized enterprise's (SME's) pursuit for corporate sustainability with a focus on eco‐innovation. The research identifies drivers and barriers for eco‐innovation, and highlights effects induced through collaboration between SMEs and local authorities, on the one hand, and consultancies, on the other.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on an exploratory qualitative interview study among German SMEs of the metal and mechanical engineering industry that have participated in “Ecoprofit”, an intermediary based program that aims at introducing organizations to the concept of sustainable development through implementation of eco‐innovations.FindingsThe key findings are that first, the proactive approach by a public intermediary (here local authority) is one essential push factor to trigger eco‐innovations in SMEs with low absorptive capacity. Second, it is found that SMEs may need facilitation for eco‐innovation from different types of intermediaries (public and private) with different levels of support, which can range from customized and individual to more loosely held support, such as networks.Originality/valueThis study discusses the challenges of corporate sustainability with a focus on eco‐innovations for SMEs and proposes a “complex intermediary” consisting of a local authority and consultancies as one means to engage SMEs in sustainability. Moreover, it focuses on SMEs in the B2B context, organizations that are often overlooked despite their vast impact. Furthermore, by using a single industry approach, in‐depth findings for the metal and mechanical engineering industry are presented.</jats:sec

Elastic Time Reversal Mirror Experiment in a Mesoscopic Natural Medium at the Low Noise Underground Laboratory of Rustrel, France

A seismic time reversal experiment based on Time Reversal Mirror (TRM) technique was conducted in the mesoscopically scaled medium at the LSBB Laboratory, France. Two sets of 50 Hz geophones were distributed at one meter intervals in two horizontal and parallel galleries 100 m apart, buried 250 m below the surface. The shot source used was a 4 kg sledgehammer. Analysis shows that elastic seismic energy is refocused in space and time to the shot locations with good accuracy. The refocusing ability of seismic energy to the shot locations is roughly achieved for the direct field, and with excellent quality, for the early and later coda. Hyper-focussing is achieved at the shot points as a consequence of the fine scale randomly heterogeneous medium between the galleries. TRM experiment is sensitive to the roughness of the mirror used. Roughness induces a slight experimental discrepancy between recording and re-emitting directions degrading the quality of the reversal process.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures - This paper aimed at describing time reversal mirror method applied at mesoscopic scale to a natural medium in the frame of an active seismic experiment. The results confirm the hyper-focusing process in an anelastic medium and the efficiency of scattered waves within the coda to refocus at the source using the time reversal mirro