Apollo applications program data archives

Apollo applications program data archives to collect, store, retrieve, and distribute experiments-related dat

Modification of Aluminium Surface Using Picosecond Laser for Printing Applications

Ultrafast picosecond laser pulses of wavelength of 1064nm have allowed the surface modification of anodised aluminium plate for potential industrial application. The interaction of the laser with the substrate created a hydrophilic surface, giving a contact angle of less than 10 degrees. On examination under a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), it was observed that these surfaces have an interesting ‘lotus-leaf’ like structure. It has been found that these laser processed hydrophilic surfaces revert with time. The potential for application in the printing industry is strong due to the reusability and sustainability of the process materials; initial trials confirm this. This technology would offer extra advantages as a non-chemical process without the need for developer, thereby reducing the overall cost and time of printin

A mechanical, thermal and electrical packaging design for a prototype power management and control system for the 30 cm mercury ion thruster

A prototype electric power management and thruster control system for a 30 cm ion thruster is described. The system meets all of the requirements necessary to operate a thruster in a fully automatic mode. Power input to the system can vary over a full two to one dynamic range (200 to 400 V) for the solar array or other power source. The power management and control system is designed to protect the thruster, the flight system and itself from arcs and is fully compatible with standard spacecraft electronics. The system is easily integrated into flight systems which can operate over a thermal environment ranging from 0.3 to 5 AU. The complete power management and control system measures 45.7 cm (18 in.) x 15.2 cm (6 in.) x 114.8 cm (45.2 in.) and weighs 36.2 kg (79.7 lb). At full power the overall efficiency of the system is estimated to be 87.4 percent. Three systems are currently being built and a full schedule of environmental and electrical testing is planned

Mass study for modular approaches to a solar electric propulsion module

The propulsion module comprises six to eight 30-cm thruster and power processing units, a mercury propellant storage and distribution system, a solar array ranging in power from 18 to 25 kW, and the thermal and structure systems required to support the thrust and power subsystems. Launch and on-orbit configurations are presented for both modular approaches. The propulsion module satisfies the thermal design requirements of a multimission set including: Mercury, Saturn, and Jupiter orbiters, a 1-AU solar observatory, and comet and asteroid rendezvous. A detailed mass breakdown and a mass equation relating the total mass to the number of thrusters and solar array power requirement is given for both approaches

Visualising gas heating from an RF plasma loudspeaker

In an electro-acoustic transduction mechanism, an ac modulation (here in the audio frequency range) of the electric field in an atmospheric pressure air plasma gives rise to a rapid increase in the gas temperature and dimensions of the gas volume. As in natural lightning, the rapid expansion in the ionised column though the air produces external pressure variations at the modulation frequency.  \ud Spatial and temporal measurement of the gas temperature can identify the nature of the thermal expansion and provide a direct approach to understanding its relationship to the sound pressure wave that is generated. However, the established method through spectroscopic measurement of rotational line emission from nitrogen molecules is limited to the main current channel where relaxation and subsequent optical emission of the excited nitrogen molecules occurs. The wider picture is revealed through the use of the Schlieren method where the refractive index gradients caused by gas heating in the plasma are imaged

Effect of Increasing Levels of Condensed Corn Distillers Solubles on Performance of Finishing Steers

A trial was conducted as a randomized block design to assess the effects of condensed corn distillers solubles (CCDS) on performance and carcass merit of yearling steers (n = 21 6) fed 90% concentrate finishing diets. CCDS was included at 0 (MSBM), 5 (5CCDS1, 10 (IOCCDS), or 20% (20CCDS) of diet DM, replacing soybean meal, molasses, and corn. Average daily gain increased (PC .051 for steers fed CCDS but, along with a numerical trend (P= .14) of increasing DMI, resulted in no improvement in FIG (P\u3e.20). Steers were harvested on day 108. Carcass weight and dressing percent for steers fed CCDS were greater than control steers (P\u3c .01). Other carcass characteristics did not differ by treatment (P \u3e .20). Ruminal fluid was collected by stomach tube from steers (n = 72) at -.5, + 1, +4, and + 7 hours from feeding. Values reported are means across sampling times. Ruminal fluid pH was higher for CCDS fed cattle than MSBM (P\u3c.05). Butyrate increased with increasing CCDS level (PC .05). Differences in acetate, propionate, and NH3N were not significant (P\u3e .20). The CCDS was an effective protein and energy source in 90% concentrate corn-based finishing diets. Based on performance, maximum inclusion rate is at least 20% of diet DM

Relationship marketing and customer retention lessons for South African banks

21Banking industries are very competitive, and banks are facing service delivery challenges. Relationship marketing is a strategy for building and maintaining relationships with clients, and customer retention is important for banks as it refers to the maintaining of profitable banking clients. Therefore, this article addresses the need for further understanding of relationship marketing and customer retention of banks, and related lessons that can be learned from banks in Canada and the United Kingdom (UK). A self-developed, structured questionnaire was distributed via convenience snowball sampling to banking clients in South Africa, Canada and the UK. The findings revealed that six banking service delivery variables influence banks’ relationship marketing and customer retention. Fee structures and the ethical behaviour of banks are regarded as the most important focus areas for banks. Canada was identifiedas  The country with the most highly regarded banks in terms of relationship marketing, customer retention, empowerment of bankemployees and personalisation of banking services. UK banks werehighlighted as superior in setting fee structures, communication strategies and ethical behaviour. Therefore, strategies implemented by Canadian and UK banks relating to the variables were adapted to fit South African banks as well as institutions in other developing countries. The implementation of the recommendations of the  Article may lead to improved client relationships and increased customer retention rates, which will be beneficial to banks, their clients and the countries in which they operate. The study also resulted in the development of a conceptual model that could be used in future relationship marketing research