Inexpensive, large-diameter, radar tracking and calibration spheres

Plastic models of polystyrene beads are produced to within 0.02 cm accuracy, in various diameters designed to meet exact requirements of particular radar system frequency spectrum. They are inexpensive and do not require special handling imposed on metal spheres

A Re-Application of Neo-Plasticism: De Stijl Architecture in a Contemporary Context

This thesis will apply the principles of neo-plasticism to a contemporary building and site. The aim of this project is to extend de Stijl architecture into a contemporary context, making use of modern building methods and materials in an effort to express the full potential of the neoplastic project. In order to achieve this one must select a site that is contextually scarce as well as one that will allow the building to be experienced from all sides. A site that is not contextually rich will enable a sense of self-referentiality within the project which is a critical theme to address in neoplastic work. As such, the building will assume an autonomous role, distancing itself from exterior phenomena. A site that also allows the building to be viewed from all sides will further promote the sense that the building is completely independent as well as evoke a sense of weightlessness that is so imperative to de Stijl works. A building will serve as the vehicle for testing this contention, as this project aims to apply principles of neo-plasticism to architecture. In this, it will be important to understand the formal and spatial potential provided by the use of newer materials and building methods. Fully understanding these possibilities will enable one to meet and exceed the general principles outlined the neo-plastic manifesto

Small scale production and some reactions of 2-methylfuran

Methylfuran has been produced from furfural in the laboratory in 91% overall yield by vapor phase hydrogenation over a copper chromite catalyst at atmospheric pressure;A small pilot plant has been constructed for vapor phase hydrogenation of furfural to methylfuran. Methylfuran has been produced in 80% overall yield in this unit;In the laboratory 23 g of methylfuran were produced per gram of copper chromite used, while in the pilot plant 23 pounds of methylfuran were produced per pound of catalyst;The complex copper-ammonium chromate should be decomposed at temperatures below 350° in order to obtain a copper chromite catalyst that is active for the vapor phase hydrogenation of furfural to methylfuran;Small amounts of metals such as calcium or barium are necessary to stabilize the chromite catalyst against reduction;The mol ratio of hydrogen to furfural should be greater than 10:1 in order to obtain good conversion of furfural to methylfuran with one pass of the furfural over the catalyst;The catalyst bed temperature is not a critical factor in the hydrogenation of furfural to methylfuran as long as it is maintained in the range of 200--230°;The vapor pressures of methylfuran have been measured at 15°, 25° and 30°;The total vapor pressures of the furfural-methylfuran system have been determined at 20°, 25.6°, and 30°;The vapor-liquid equilibria of the furfural-methylfuran system have been determined at 738 mm;The reaction of methylfuran with formaldehyde and a wide variety of primary and secondary amine hydrochlorides has been found to give the corresponding Mannich bases. The synthesis of 17 new furfuryl amines by this reaction has been described;The reaction of methylfuran or furfuryl alcohol, with formaldehydes and ammonium chloride has been found to give a nitrogen containing polymer which may find uses as an ion exchange resin;Methods have been described for producing light colored resins from methylfuran by uses of acid catalysts

Evaluation of conventional power systems

The technical, economic, and environmental characteristics of (thermal, nonsolar) electric power plants are reviewed. The fuel cycle, from extraction of new fuel to final waste management, is included. Emphasis is placed on the fossil fuel and nuclear technologies

Jim McCarthy’s achievements at the intersection of science with public policy

Along with his distinguished research career as a biological oceanographer and marine biologist and his inspiring service as a teacher, advisor, and mentor to students and junior colleagues at Harvard University, Jim McCarthy has been a scientific statesman of the first order, bringing insights from his research and his deep understanding of the role of science in society into the arenas of management of scientific enterprises and public and policy-maker education about the science relating to some of the greatest challenges of our time. His roles at the intersection of science with public issues have included stints as director of the Harvard Museum of Comparative Zoology, cochair of the Working Group II (Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability) for the Third Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, chair of the Board of the Union of Concerned Scientists, chair of the Scientific Committee of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program, vice chair of the New England Climate Impact Assessment, and member of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, among others. In all of these roles, he has been a model of insightful leadership, selfless service, integrity, and commitment to science and the public interest

Optimal Rotational Load Shedding via Bilinear Integer Programming

This paper addresses the problem of managing rotational load shedding schedules for a power distribution network with multiple load zones. An integer optimization problem is formulated to find the optimal number and duration of planned power outages. Various types of damage costs are proposed to capture the heterogeneous load shedding preferences of different zones. The McCormick relaxation along with an effective procedure feasibility recovery is developed to solve the resulting bilinear integer program, which yields a high-quality suboptimal solution. Extensive simulation results corroborate the merit of the proposed approach, which has a substantial edge over existing load shedding schemes.Comment: 6 pages, 11 figures. To appear at the conference of APSIPA ASC 201