The response of smoke detectors to pyrolysis and combustion products from aircraft interior materials

The following projects were completed as part of the effort to develop and test economically feasible fire-resistant materials for interior furnishings of aircraft as well as detectors of incipient fires in passenger and cargo compartments: (1) determination of the sensitivity of various contemporary gas and smoke detectors to pyrolysis and combustion products from materials commonly used in aircraft interiors and from materials that may be used in the future, (2) assessment of the environmental limitations to detector sensitivity and reliability. The tests were conducted on three groups of materials by exposure to the following three sources of exposure: radiant and Meeker burner flame, heated coil, and radiant source only. The first test series used radiant heat and flame exposures on easily obtainable test materials. Next, four materials were selected from the first group and exposed to an incandescent coil to provide the conditions for smoldering combustion. Finally, radiant heat exposures were used on advanced materials that are not readily available

An improved model of vector mesons in holographic QCD

We analyze the sector of dimension-three vector meson operators in the "hard wall" model of holographic QCD, including the vector and axial currents, dual to gauge fields in the bulk, and the tensor operator $\bar{\psi}\sigma^{\mu\nu}\psi$, dual to a two-form field satisfying a complex self-duality condition. The model includes the effect of chiral symmetry breaking on vector mesons, that involves a coupling between the dual gauge field and the two-form field. We compute the leading logarithmic terms in the operator product expansion of two-point functions and the leading non-perturbative contribution to the tensor-vector correlator. The result is consistent with the operator product expansion of QCD. We also study the spectrum of vector mesons numerically.Comment: 19 page

Reducing the parameter space for Unparticle-inspired models using white dwarf masses

Based on astrophysical constraints derived from Chandrasekhar's mass limit for white-dwarfs, we study the effects of the model on the parameters of unparticle-inspired gravity, on scales $\Lambda_U > 1 \; TeV$ and $d_U \approx 1$.Comment: 4 pp., 4 Fig., to appear in PR

Investigations of high power problems in space shuttle antenna designs

A study program is discussed which includes a survey of industry and government laboratories and was undertaken to determine the state of the art in dealing with problems of high power levels in reentry antenna design. A laboratory program to develop techniques for testing dielectric materials for effects on RF transmission is also considered, with emphasis on high power applications in space and reentry flights. The study program resulted in a set of guidelines for avoiding breakdown in antenna design. A discussion of temperature effects on dielectric breakdown is also given. From the laboratory program, a description is presented of techniques for (1) heating with a carbon arc image furnace, (2) temperature measurement (using thermocouples and an infrared pyrometer), (3) mass spectrometric monitoring of outgassing, (4) testing for RF breakdown in both heated dielectrics and the dielectric/air and dielectric/plasma interfaces. Data and observations are reported from technique development using candidate shuttle materials falling into three categories: (1) lightweight refractory foams, (2) dense RF window materials, and (3) ablative materials

Micotoxinas em amêndoas da castanheira-do-brasil.

Durante a palestra serão discutidos os problemas inerentes à presença de aflatoxinas na cadeia produtiva de castanha-do-brasil, os resultados obtidos durante o desenvolvimento do projeto e seu potencial impacto para a melhoria da qualidade deste produto

Micotoxinas em amêndoas da castanheira-do-brasil.

Durante a palestra serão discutidos os problemas inerentes à presença de aflatoxinas na cadeia produtiva de castanha-do-brasil, os resultados obtidos durante o desenvolvimento do projeto e seu potencial impacto para a melhoria da qualidade deste produto

On the connection of Gamma-rays, Dark Matter and Higgs searches at LHC

Motivated by the upcoming Higgs analyzes we investigate the importance of the complementarity of the Higgs boson chase on the low mass WIMP search in direct detection experiments and the gamma-ray emission from the Galactic Center measured by the Fermi-LAT telescope in the context of the $SU(3)_c\otimes SU(3)_L\otimes U(1)_N$. We obtain the relic abundance, thermal cross section, the WIMP-nucleon cross section in the low mass regime and network them with the branching ratios of the Higgs boson in the model. We conclude that the Higgs boson search has a profound connection to the dark matter problem in our model, in particular for the case that ($M_{WIMP} < 60$ GeV) the BR($H \rightarrow 2$ WIMPs) $\gtrsim 90$. This scenario could explain this plateau of any mild excess regarding the Higgs search as well as explain the gamma-ray emission from the galactic center through the $b\bar{b}$ channel with a WIMP in the mass range of 25-45 GeV, while still being consistent with the current limits from XENON100 and CDMSII. However, if the recent modest excesses measured at LHC and TEVATRON are confirmed and consistent with a standard model Higgs boson this would imply that $M_{WIMP} > 60$ GeV, consequently ruling out any attempt to explain the Fermi-LAT observations.Comment: 8 pages, 9 figure

Assessment of thermal damage to polymeric materials by hydrogen deflagration in the Three Mile Island Unit 2 Reactor Building

Thermal damage to susceptible material in accessible regions of the reactor building was distributed in non-uniform patterns. No clear explanation for non-uniformity was found in examined evidence, e.g., burned materials were adjacent to materials that appear similar but were not burned. Because these items were in proximity to vertical openings that extend the height of the reactor building, we assume the unburned materials preferentially absorbed water vapor during periods of high, local steam concentration. Simple hydrogen-fire-exposure tests and heat transfer calculations duplicate the degree of damage found on inspected materials from the containment building. These data support estimated 8% pre-fire hydrogen concentration predictions based on various hydrogen production mechanisms

Assessment of extent and degree of thermal damage to polymeric materials in the Three Mile Island Unit 2 reactor building. Volume VI

Thermal damage to susceptible materials in accessible regions shows damage-distribution patterns that indicate nonuniform intensity of exposure. No clear explanation for nonuniformity is found in existing evidence; e.g., in some regions a lack of thermally susceptible materials frustrates analysis. Elsewhere, burned materials are present next to materials that seem similar but appear unscathed - leading to conjecture that the latter materials preferentially absorb water vapor during periods of high local steam concentration. Most of the polar crane pendant shows heavy burns on one half of its circumferential surface. This evidence suggests that the polar crane pendant side that experienced heaviest burn damage was exposed to intense radiant energy from a transient fire plume in the reactor containment volume. Tests and simple heat-transfer calculations based on pressure and temperature records from the accident show that the atmosphere inside the reactor building was probably 8% hydrogen in air, a value not inconsistent with the extent of burn damage. Burn-pattern geography indicates uniform thermal exposure in the dome volume to the 406-ft level (about 6 ft below the polar crane girder), partial thermal exposure in the volume between the 406- and 347-ft levels as indicated by the polar crane cable, and lack of damage to most thermally susceptible materials in the west quadrant of the reactor building; some evidence of thermal exposure is seen in the free volume between the 305- and 347-ft levels

Assessment of extent and degree of thermal damage to polymeric materials in the Three Mile Island Unit 2 Reactor building

This paper describes assumptions and procedures used to perform thermal damage analysis caused by post loss-of-coolant-accident (LOCA) hydrogen deflagration at Three Mile Island Unit 2 Reactor. Examination of available photographic evidence yields data on the extent and range of thermal and burn damage. Thermal damage to susceptible material in accessible regions of the reactor building was distributed in non-uniform patterns. No clear explanation for non-uniformity was found in examined evidence, e.g., burned materials were adjacent to materials that appear similar but were not burned. Because these items were in proximity to vertical openings that extend the height of the reactor building, we assume the unburned materials preferentially absorbed water vapor during periods of high, local steam concentration. A control pendant from the polar crane located in the top of the reactor building sustained asymmetric burn damage of decreasing degree from top to bottom. Evidence suggests the polar-crane pendant side that experienced heaviest damage was exposed to intense radiant energy from a transient fire plume in the reactor containment volume. Simple hydrogen-fire-exposure tests and heat transfer calculations approximate the degree of damage found on inspected materials from the containment building and support for an estimated 8% pre-fire hydrogen