Non-U.S. Funders of Media Assistance Projects

Examines support for independent media by government agencies, foundations, and multi-national groups outside the U.S. and provides a list of active donors in the field. Explores the effectiveness of media assistance efforts

The Radio Source Population of Globular Clusters

Globular clusters host a myriad of dynamically-formed objects, some of which may be black hole X-ray binaries. The existence of such systems in globular clusters has yet to be confirmed, but deep radio observations may efficiently find them. The MAVERIC survey was conceived with this goal in mind. In this thesis I present its results, highlighting black hole candidates, contrasting them with neutron star systems, and gauging their nature

A4_7 Falling Angels & Demons

This paper investigates the chance of survival when jumping out of a high-flying helicopter. First it is found that the related scene described by Dan Brown in ‘Angels & Demons’ is plausible, and then a different case is considered. By considering the balance of forces and drag caused by using a piece of fabric as an improvised parachute, it was found that a landing on a solid material would very likely cause a fatality whatever the case. However a landing in water may be survivable with good form and an extra-extra-extra-extra-large t-shirt

A4_8 Magnetic Force Field

The aim of this paper was to determine whether a bullet or other charged particle could be deflected using a magnetic field. By considering the force on a charge due to a magnetic field it was found that very high field strength would be necessary to deflect even a single electron, let alone anything with more mass. For this reason magnetic force-fields are not viable for use in protection outside of very acute circumstances, such as from the solar wind. However if the objective is to protect an astronaut performing extra-vehicular activities near the solar wind (an unlikely prospect) it may be useful

A4_6 Honey I Shrunk the Blood Vessels

The 1989 family film ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’ describes a number of children being reduced to ¼ inch high after an accident involving an ‘electromagnetic shrink ray’. This paper considers the effect this phenomenon would have on the circulatory system. By considering the blood vessels it is found that, in order to maintain adequate flow rate, the blood pressure drop throughout the body would need to increase by a factor of 200. The heart rate would also be required to increase by a factor of 200. It is not considered plausible that the body would survive this.    Â

A4_2 Walking on Sunshine

This paper investigates the solar power output necessary for someone to be supported against Earth’s gravity by radiation pressure alone. By making some estimates regarding human proportions, and calculations based on known information, it shows that it is not feasibly possible to walk on sunshine as the radiation flux from the sun is around 3 billion times too small. Further that it would require a very large increase in solar mass to come anywhere near possible - roughly 530 times the current mass

A4_4 Getting into a flap

Mankind has strived to achieve flight for millennia. This report explores the logistics of flying using only the hands for propulsion. It is hypothesised that simply twisting of the hand and flapping is enough to achieve the necessary net movement of air. It is found that the arms would have to flap at a frequency of 447Hz in order to maintain flight. A lower limit to the required power is calculated to be 1.3kW. Â

A4_5 Harvesting the Gas Giants

The four gas giants in the solar system contain more than 80% hydrogen. This report examines the possibility of using this as a fuel source in the future by harvesting it with a spacecraft descending into their atmosphere.   Â

A4_1 War of the Worlds

H.G. Wells popular novel ‘The War of the Worlds’ involved the invasion of Earth by Martians who arrived via cylinders fired from enormous space guns mounted on Mars. This report explores the logistics of such artillery based on the technology of the time. By calculating the required escape velocity of Mars and considering the mass of the cylinders, an estimate of the necessary gunpowder is found to be over 120 tonnes. The resulting acceleration is then explored and found to be upwards of 100g. It is hypothesised that, whilst this would prove fatal to humans, Martians may be able to survive and so Wells theory is not entirely without merit