Studies in matter antimatter separation and in the origin of lunar magnetism

Antimatter experiments of the University of Santa Clara are investigated. Topics reported include: (1) planetary geology, (2) lunar Apollo magnetometer experiments, and (3) Roche limit of a solid body

Studies in matter antimatter separation and in the origin of lunar magnetism

A progress report, covering lunar and planetary research is introduced. Data cover lunar ionospheric models, lunar and planetary geology, and lunar magnetism. Wind tunnel simulations of Mars aeolian problems and a comparative study of basaltic analogs of Lunar and Martial volcanic features was discussed

A close encounter with a terrestrial dust devil

We report on an extremely well characterised encounter with a terrestrial dust devil, and its comparison with martian dust devils

Investigation of environmental indices from the Earth Resources Technology Satellite

The author has identified the following significant results. Land use change, water quality, and air quality indices have been calculated from analysis of ERTS-1 multispectral scanning imagery and computer compatible tapes. Specifications have been developed and discussed for an ERTS-1 environmental monitoring system which help to serve the information needs of environmental managers at the Federal, state, regional, and local level. General conclusions of the investigation are that ERTS-1 data is very useful in land use mapping and updating to 10-15 categories, and can provide an overall measure of air and water turbidity; however, more and better ground truth and possibly additional spacecraft sensors will be required if specific air and water pollutants are to be quantified from satellite data

Future exploration of Venus (post-Pioneer Venus 1978)

A comprehensive study was performed to determine the major scientific unknowns about the planet Venus to be expected in the post-Pioneer Venus 1978 time frame. Based on those results the desirability of future orbiters, atmospheric entry probes, balloons, and landers as vehicles to address the remaining scientific questions were studied. The recommended mission scenario includes a high resolution surface mapping radar orbiter mission for the 1981 launch opportunity, a multiple-lander mission for 1985 and either an atmospheric entry probe or balloon mission in 1988. All the proposed missions can be performed using proposed space shuttle upper stage boosters. Significant amounts of long-lead time supporting research and technology developments are required to be initiated in the near future to permit the recommended launch dates

Lunar maria and related deposits: Preliminary Galileo imaging results

During the Earth-Moon flyby the Galileo Solid State Imaging system obtained new information on lunar media. Imaging data in spectral bands from 0.4 to 1.0 micron wavelength provide color data for deposits on the western limb. General objectives were to determine the composition and stratigraphy of mare and related deposits for areas not previously seen well in color, and to compare the results with well-studied nearside maria. Initial results from images reduced with preliminary calibrations show that Galileo spectral reflectance data are consistent with previous earthbased observations

Scaling Relationships across Chemically Related Adsorbates for Fast Screening of Alloy Catalysts for Propane Dehydrogenation

A catalyst is a material which speeds up the rate of a specific reaction. A reaction that is of significant importance to the chemical industry is the selective transformations of light alkanes (ethane, propane), which are largely available in shale gas, to olefins. These olefins can then be converted into higher-value chemicals, materials, and fuels. However, there are several undesired reactions that take place alongside the main dehydrogenation reaction, so a catalyst of high selectivity is desired. Apart from the industrially used PtSn catalyst, work by our experimental collaborators has shown that various other Pt and Pd alloys (In, Zn) are also highly selective and active for propane dehydrogenation (PDH). We aim to use Density Functional theory (DFT) to determine the trends in catalytic reactivity and selectivity across a wider space of alloy catalysts. This can be achieved through the development of linear scaling relationships (LSR), which relate the thermodynamic adsorption properties of chemically related species on various alloys. Initial results on the Pd alloys (Pd3Sn, PdIn, PdZn) show that the alloys have lower binding energies as compared to a pure metal. These results can have implications on the higher selectivity observed on the alloys experimentally

Rheological Properties of Mudflows Associated with the May 1980 Eruptions of Mount St. Helens Volcano, Washington

Rheological properties of three recent mudflows at Mount St. Helens were estimated using techniques developed for determining the properties of debris flows based on the geometry of their deposits. Calculated yield strengths of 1100, 1000, and 400 Pa, maximum flow velocities of 10 to 31 m/s, volumetric flow rates of 300 to 3400 m3/s, and plastic viscosities of 20 to 320 Pa-s all compare favorably with measured and estimated values cited in the literature. A method for determining likely sites of future mudflow initiation based on these data is outlined

Autonomous system identification and control of MACE II using the Frequency Domain Expert algorithm

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/77122/1/AIAA-1999-4586-175.pd