A NASA researcher who did groundbreaking work in lightning protections for aircraft says that he'd be "astounded" if lightning caused the Air France crash over the Atlantic Ocean, because of the extensive shielding and other protections built into modern aircraft, including the A-330 that disappeared between Rio de Janeiro and Paris on Monday.
"They might have taken a hit, but it would have been part of a larger and more traumatic thing that must have happened to them," says Bruce Fisher, now chief engineer for NASA's Langley research services directorate.
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Friday, June 5, 2009
‘Colossal’ Magnetic Effect Under Pressure
Pressure has a unique ability to tune the electron interactions in a clean and theoretically transparent manner,” he added. “It is a direct and effective means for manipulating the behavior of electrons and could provide valuable information on the magnetic and electronic properties of manganite systems. But of all the effects, pressure effects have been the least explored.”
The researchers found that when a manganite was subjected to conditions above 230,000 times atmospheric pressure it underwent a transition in which its magnetic ordering changed from a ferromagnetic type (electron spins aligned) to an antiferromagnetic type (electron spins opposed). This transition was accompanied by a non-uniform structural distortion called the Jahn-Teller effect.
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The researchers found that when a manganite was subjected to conditions above 230,000 times atmospheric pressure it underwent a transition in which its magnetic ordering changed from a ferromagnetic type (electron spins aligned) to an antiferromagnetic type (electron spins opposed). This transition was accompanied by a non-uniform structural distortion called the Jahn-Teller effect.
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Algae: A New Way to Make Biodiesel
Algae — "seaweeds" in Latin — were some of the first plant-like organisms on Earth. They are photosynthetic, like land plants, and we consider them to be "simple" because they lack the many distinct organs found in land plants.
Because some algae species are oil rich, the amount of oil we can collect from them is hundreds of times greater than the amount of oil that can be collected from an equal amount of a traditional, plant-based, biodiesel feedstock like soybeans.
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Because some algae species are oil rich, the amount of oil we can collect from them is hundreds of times greater than the amount of oil that can be collected from an equal amount of a traditional, plant-based, biodiesel feedstock like soybeans.
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New type of membrane developed at Sandia may help make hydrogen hybrid cars a reality
Sandia National Laboratories researchers may have developed the key to making hydrogen cars a commercial reality.
A major roadblock in the development of hydrogen cars has been the lack of a reliable hydrogen fuel cell that works well in both dry and humid environments. Hydrogen fuel cells are electrochemical engines that come in several different varieties with the most common being the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. PEM fuel cells use oxygen from the air and pressurized hydrogen to create electricity, heat and water (steam) as byproducts. The electricity powers the electric motor that turns the wheels of the car.
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A major roadblock in the development of hydrogen cars has been the lack of a reliable hydrogen fuel cell that works well in both dry and humid environments. Hydrogen fuel cells are electrochemical engines that come in several different varieties with the most common being the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. PEM fuel cells use oxygen from the air and pressurized hydrogen to create electricity, heat and water (steam) as byproducts. The electricity powers the electric motor that turns the wheels of the car.
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High-pressure Compound Could Be Key to Hydrogen-powered Vehicles
Hydrogen-powered cars sound like a great idea, but how do you stuff enough hydrogen into a small, portable volume that’s practical as fuel? Help could be on the way in the form of a hydrogen-rich compound discovered by researchers in the Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Science at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.
The newly discovered material is a high-pressure form of ammonia borane, a solid material which itself is already imbued with ample hydrogen. By working with the parent material at high pressure in an atmosphere artificially enriched with hydrogen, the scientists were able to ratchet up the hydrogen content of the material by roughly 50 percent.
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The newly discovered material is a high-pressure form of ammonia borane, a solid material which itself is already imbued with ample hydrogen. By working with the parent material at high pressure in an atmosphere artificially enriched with hydrogen, the scientists were able to ratchet up the hydrogen content of the material by roughly 50 percent.
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Efficient New Light Unfolds Like Paper
The next time your lamp needs a new light bulb, you might change the lamp shade instead of the light bulb.
New research out of Germany and published in a recent issue of the journal Nature shows that cheap and thin organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) can create white light as bright as any compact fluorescent bulb for nearly half the electricity as many compact fluorescent light bulbs.
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New research out of Germany and published in a recent issue of the journal Nature shows that cheap and thin organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) can create white light as bright as any compact fluorescent bulb for nearly half the electricity as many compact fluorescent light bulbs.
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EJ200 Engine Sets New Standards On-wing
The first EJ200 engine has achieved the significant milestone of 1,000 engine flying hours onboard a Royal Air Force (RAF) Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.
Engine EN1030 was the first to be built to the Full Operational Clearance standard at the Rolls-Royce assembly facility in Bristol (UK) and was delivered to the RAF in 2003. Since then it has flown in two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft in service with 3, 29 and 11 Squadrons, at RAF Coningsby. EN1030 is scheduled to continue flying until 1,200 engine flying hours are achieved, whereupon it will be removed for scheduled maintenance.
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Engine EN1030 was the first to be built to the Full Operational Clearance standard at the Rolls-Royce assembly facility in Bristol (UK) and was delivered to the RAF in 2003. Since then it has flown in two Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft in service with 3, 29 and 11 Squadrons, at RAF Coningsby. EN1030 is scheduled to continue flying until 1,200 engine flying hours are achieved, whereupon it will be removed for scheduled maintenance.
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Blast-Guard - Interior Blast Protection Systems
Ballista-Tek(tm) the specialist interior blast protection division of Exmoor Trim Limited has developed Blast Attenuating Vehicle Seating and Floor Matting designed to increase survivability and reduce injury to Troops in Armoured and Light vehicles.
Vehicle Seating - Purpose built seating which features heavy duty seat frame with GRP/Kevlar double shell with integrated 'Blast-Guard(tm)' Tiles to reduce the effects of both Blast and Shock waves, offering improved protection for troops. Integral harness restraints and Outlast(r) adaptive comfort fabric ensure increased ride comfort along with safety. The system also offers additional protection by the integration of special SF blast Tile fitted beneath seat bases. The flexible design allows the integration of both Blast and Ballistic materials enabling the seat to be suitable for most vehicles. Options include runners for driver and commanders versions and side mounts, allowing the seat to be fitted to interior bulk heads by means of a special Mark 1 tested track system.
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Vehicle Seating - Purpose built seating which features heavy duty seat frame with GRP/Kevlar double shell with integrated 'Blast-Guard(tm)' Tiles to reduce the effects of both Blast and Shock waves, offering improved protection for troops. Integral harness restraints and Outlast(r) adaptive comfort fabric ensure increased ride comfort along with safety. The system also offers additional protection by the integration of special SF blast Tile fitted beneath seat bases. The flexible design allows the integration of both Blast and Ballistic materials enabling the seat to be suitable for most vehicles. Options include runners for driver and commanders versions and side mounts, allowing the seat to be fitted to interior bulk heads by means of a special Mark 1 tested track system.
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US Army Awards DRS $120 M for Tactical Quiet Generators
DRS Technologies, Inc. announced today that it received approximately $120 million in multiple follow-on delivery orders under pre-existing contracts from the U.S. Army's Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey to manufacture more than 7,200 Tactical Quiet Generators (TQG) in various sizes.
The generators are in 3-, 5-, 10-, 15- and 100-kilowatt power output sizes, and will be manufactured by DRS Fermont in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Delivery of the generator sets started in the early part of 2009 and will run through January 2011. DRS TQGs provide military forces with a reliable power source that is lightweight, quiet and can be used in remote field locations wherever electrical power is needed. DRS next-generation 100-kilowatt TQG features an advanced electronic diagnostics and prognostics package, and a state-of-the-art digital control panel. A 200-kilowatt TQG is also offered with this feature, but not part of this contract award.
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The generators are in 3-, 5-, 10-, 15- and 100-kilowatt power output sizes, and will be manufactured by DRS Fermont in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Delivery of the generator sets started in the early part of 2009 and will run through January 2011. DRS TQGs provide military forces with a reliable power source that is lightweight, quiet and can be used in remote field locations wherever electrical power is needed. DRS next-generation 100-kilowatt TQG features an advanced electronic diagnostics and prognostics package, and a state-of-the-art digital control panel. A 200-kilowatt TQG is also offered with this feature, but not part of this contract award.
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Microwave Missiles: High-Energy Weapons in the Air Force
The High Power Microwave Technologies Branch of the Air Force Research Laboratory is looking for an innovative approach for non-lethal weapons technology that targets enemies' electronic systems. Here are projects looking to turn microwaves into technology-disabling weapons.
New research into high-power microwaves could make them a crucial tool of electronic warfare. The U.S. Air Force’s newest directed-energy weapon program, the Counter-Electronics High-Powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP), would create a weapon that fires powerful bursts of HPM, frying the electronics of multiple targets without harming people or other infrastructure.
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New research into high-power microwaves could make them a crucial tool of electronic warfare. The U.S. Air Force’s newest directed-energy weapon program, the Counter-Electronics High-Powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP), would create a weapon that fires powerful bursts of HPM, frying the electronics of multiple targets without harming people or other infrastructure.
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New Army Rifle Fires Laser-Guided Smart Bullets With Onboard Targeting Chips
It would be hard to describe a bullet as smart, but what if that bullet was laser-guided, radio-controlled, and carried an onboard targeting CPU? The US Army has announced the creation of the XM25 rifle, which can fire a new type of explosive round that fit that exact description. Imagine the implications: hitting targets inside buildings or hiding around walls. Whoa.
First, the scope on the rifle has a laser that gauges the distance to the target. The soldier can set exactly where the 25-millimeter bullet will detonate by adding or subtracting 3 meters from that point. Then, the scope will send a radio signal to a chip inside the bullet telling it how far it should travel before exploding.
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First, the scope on the rifle has a laser that gauges the distance to the target. The soldier can set exactly where the 25-millimeter bullet will detonate by adding or subtracting 3 meters from that point. Then, the scope will send a radio signal to a chip inside the bullet telling it how far it should travel before exploding.
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Fianium's new US applications lab aims to prove materials-processing strength of ultrafast fiber lasers
Ultrafast fiber laser manufacturer Fianium (Southampton, England) has opened a new, US-based micro-materials processing applications lab. Fianium established the facility to enable work with OEMs in testing material samples and to highlight the processing results attainable with its picosecond fiber lasers. Fianium aims to prove that ultrafast fiber lasers are superior for materials processing of a diverse range of targets, including materials--such as polymers, glasses, organic tissue and reflective metals--that have historically proven difficult to process using conventional DPSS lasers.
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Options Expand in Heavy Lift
In the airlift world, the unexpected is the rule. The U.S.—with by far the largest domestic market—has long dominated the segment, but may now be on the verge of losing leadership.
The Obama administration has announced its intention to cap production of the Boeing C-17 at 205 aircraft. Boeing, during 2008, proposed continuing the C-17A line while working on the C-17B, a substantially modified version for shorter, softer airfields. But the C-17B would have taken until 2016 to get into production, meaning that the price for 40-60 B models would include six more years of C-17As.
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The Obama administration has announced its intention to cap production of the Boeing C-17 at 205 aircraft. Boeing, during 2008, proposed continuing the C-17A line while working on the C-17B, a substantially modified version for shorter, softer airfields. But the C-17B would have taken until 2016 to get into production, meaning that the price for 40-60 B models would include six more years of C-17As.
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Raytheon's SLAMRAAM Demonstrates Ability To Intercept UAS
Raytheon's Surface Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile successfully intercepted a maneuvering unmanned aircraft system (UAS) during a flight test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
"This test highlighted the flexibility and adaptability networked sensors and shooters bring to the warfighter to respond to today's evolving threats," said Pete Franklin, vice president for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' National and Theater Security Programs.
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"This test highlighted the flexibility and adaptability networked sensors and shooters bring to the warfighter to respond to today's evolving threats," said Pete Franklin, vice president for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' National and Theater Security Programs.
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Boeing Submits Proposal For USMC Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Demon
Boeing has submitted a proposal offering its A160T Hummingbird for the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory's Immediate Cargo Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Demonstration Program.
"The Marines have identified an urgent need for unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver supplies in lieu of putting trucks and personnel on dangerous roads," said John Groenenboom, A160T program manager for Boeing.
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"The Marines have identified an urgent need for unmanned aerial vehicles to deliver supplies in lieu of putting trucks and personnel on dangerous roads," said John Groenenboom, A160T program manager for Boeing.
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