Energy Education Incentives: Evaluating the Impact of Consumer Energy Kits

Measuring the energy and environmental impact of residential energy education efforts is difficult. The E-Conservation residential energy management program uses consumer energy kits to document the impact of energy-efficient improvements. The consumer energy kit provides an incentive for individuals attending energy education workshop, helps consumers identify simple energy-saving technologies, and provides consumers with accessible energy-saving actions. As a result of consumers installing the compact fluorescent light bulbs and low flow showerheads in the energy kits, measureable savings in terms of annual energy savings, kilowatt hours, gallons of water used, and CO2 reduction are achieved

Energy Education Ideas that Work

Due to rising fuel prices, energy conservation is an area of considerable importance to consumers and researchers in the United States. This article discusses methods that North Carolina\u27s E-Conservation Program uses to reach and teach consumers about energy efficiency and conservation. This growing energy conservation initiative is the result of partnerships between the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, leading energy authorities, and local extension agents across the state

Combinatorial Hopf algebras from renormalization

In this paper we describe the right-sided combinatorial Hopf structure of three Hopf algebras appearing in the context of renormalization in quantum field theory: the non-commutative version of the Fa\`a di Bruno Hopf algebra, the non-commutative version of the charge renormalization Hopf algebra on planar binary trees for quantum electrodynamics, and the non-commutative version of the Pinter renormalization Hopf algebra on any bosonic field. We also describe two general ways to define the associative product in such Hopf algebras, the first one by recursion, and the second one by grafting and shuffling some decorated rooted trees.Comment: 16 page

Investigating Ramp Wave Propagation inside Silica Glass with Laser Experiments and Molecular Simulations

Under elastic shock compression silica glass exhibits a very specific behaviour. A shock propagating inside a material is usually seen as the propagation of a discontinuity. However in silica glass, shocks are unstable and lead to the propagation of a ramp wave where the shock front becomes gradually larger over time. Ramp waves were already reported in the literature, however their origin remain uncertain. This work presents an original study combining laser shock-induced experiments and molecular dynamics simulation aiming to improve the understanding of the mechanisms involved. Experimental ramp waves were directly observed using shadowgraphy technique allowing for an estimation of the head and tail velocities. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out in order to reproduce ramp waves and to gain insight into the material properties. Ramp waves were observed for both elastic and plastic shockwaves. In the latter case, the plastic waves were preceded by an elastic ramp precursor. The sound speed, related to the material compressibility, was found to decrease with increasing pressure, as observed experimentally for quasi-static hydrostatic loading, thus providing an explanation for the instabilities that lead to the propagation of ramp waves

The complex process of scaling the integration of technology enhanced learning in mainstream classrooms

The early optimism for how technology might transform teaching and learning practices in mainstream school classrooms has long faded in many countries around the world. Whilst early research findings suggested that this was due to obvious barriers such as access to the technology itself, more recent attempts to scale student-access have illuminated other factors and provided a more sound theoretical foundation for us to understanding the processes and products of scaling educational technology innovations. This keynote will use findings from key projects and initiatives to highlight what is being learned – and how this might inform future endeavours to realise a more 21st century curriculum

Two Planets, One Species: Does a Mission to Mars Alter the Balance in Favour of Human Enhancement?

In this chapter we examine the implications of a crewed mission to Mars, possible colonisation of the planet, and the wider implications this may have on genetic enhancement in both a terrestrial and space context. We consider the usage of both somatic and germ-line genetic engineering, and its potential impact on the evolution of Homo sapiens. We acknowledge that a mission to Mars may require the usage of such technologies if it is to be successful. Our investigation suggests that the use of such technologies might ultimately be linked with the transformation of our own species. We also consider projected timescales for the development of these genetic enhancements and the ethical questions raised by the possibility of speciation. Cooperation among spacefaring nations in this context and the development of norms for the use of such technologies is desirable