Compliant hydrodynamic fluid journal bearing

An air bearing structure is described that prevents destructive bending moments within the top foil. Welds are eliminated by mounting the top bearing foil in the bearing cartridge sleeve without using a space block. Tabs or pins at the end of the top bearing foil are restrained by slots or stops formed in the cartridge sleeve. These structural members are free to move in a direction normal to the shaft while being restrained from movement in the direction of shaft rotation

Energy Conversion and Utilization Technologies Program (ECUT) electrocatalysis research

The general field of electrocatalysis, from both the technical and business standpoints is accessed and research areas and approaches most likely to lead to substantial energy/cost savings are identified. The overall approach was to compile and evaluate available information, relying heavily on inputs/recommendations of research managers and technical personnel in responsible positions in industry and at universities. Some promising approaches identified to date include the use of transition metal compounds as electrocatalysts and the use of the new electrochemical photocapacitance spectroscopy (EPS) technique for electrocatalyst characterization/development. For the first time, an oxygen electrocatalyst based on the K2NiF4 structure was synthesized, investigated and compared with a perovskite analog. Results show that this class of materials, based on Ni(3+), forms very efficient and stable O2 anodes in basic solution and suggest that other structure-types be examined in this regard. The very difficult problem of dinitrogen and carbon dioxide electroreductions is addressed through the use of biological model systems which can mimic the enzyme processes in nature

Olympus propagation studies in the US: Propagation terminal hardware and experiments

Virginia Tech is performing a comprehensive set of propagation measurements using the Olympus satellite beacons at 12.5, 20, and 30 GHz. These data will be used to characterize propagation conditions on small earth terminal (VSAT)-type networks for next generation small aperture Ka-band systems. The European Space Agency (ESA) satellite Olympus was launched July 12, 1989. The spacecraft contains a sophisticated package of propagation beacons operating at 12.5, 19.77, and 29.66 GHz (referred to as 12.5, 20, and 30 beacons). These beacons cover the east coast of the United States with sufficient power for attenuation measurements. The Virginia Satellite Communications Group is completing the hardware construction phase and will begin formal data collection in June

THE EVALUATION PROCESS FOR THE PUBLIC POLICY EDUCATION PROJECT

Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Effect of water injection and off scheduling of variable inlet guide vanes, gas generator speed and power turbine nozzle angle on the performance of an automotive gas turbine engine

The Chrysler/ERDA baseline automotive gas turbine engine was used to experimentally determine the power augmentation and emissions reductions achieved by the effect of variable compressor and power engine geometry, water injection downstream of the compressor, and increases in gas generator speed. Results were dependent on the mode of variable geometry utilization. Over 20 percent increase in power was accompanied by over 5 percent reduction in SFC. A fuel economy improvement of at least 6 percent was estimated for a vehicle with a 75 kW (100 hp) engine which could be augmented to 89 kW (120 hp) relative to an 89 Kw (120 hp) unaugmented engine

THE CASE OF WATER RESOURCES

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Phase field approach to heterogeneous crystal nucleation in alloys

We extend the phase field model of heterogeneous crystal nucleation developed recently [L. Gránásy, T. Pusztai, D. Saylor, and J. A. Warren, Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 035703 (2007)] to binary alloys. Three approaches are considered to incorporate foreign walls of tunable wetting properties into phase field simulations: a continuum realization of the classical spherical cap model (called Model A herein), a non-classical approach (Model B) that leads to ordering of the liquid at the wall, and to the appearance of a surface spinodal, and a non-classical model (Model C) that allows for the appearance of local states at the wall that are accessible in the bulk phases only via thermal fluctuations. We illustrate the potential of the presented phase field methods for describing complex polycrystalline solidification morphologies including the shish-kebab structure, columnar to equiaxed transition, and front-particle interaction in binary alloys

Crawling Water Beetles of Wisconsin (Coleoptera: Haliplidae)

(excerpt) Haliplidae are smail water beetles, less than 5 mm long, that frequently occur in abundance in ponds, marshes, sloughs, and swamps and also along the margins of slow streams or lakes where there is not severe wave action. Adults are readily recognized by their yelloa- to orange ground color with black maculations on the elytra and sometimes on the head and pronotum (Figs. 1,3,4). They have a distinctive shape, being broadest at the basss of the elytra and tapered toward the posterior end. The metacoxae are covered by dis~ctive plates that are unique among water beetles (Fig. 2). The tarsi and tibiae of the adults are modified for swimming, and the beetles can swim quite well, although they mostly crawl among the vegetation. Adults and larvae are found among vegetation upon which they feed, filamentous algae being the primary source of food for most species, but detrims and animal material may form a portion of the diet in some species. In Wisconsin most species probably have a one-year life cycle and overwinter as adults. Eggs are laid during spring and early summer, usually in or upon algae. There are three larval instars, and pupation takes place in moist soil above the water line. Larvae have been derrihd for only a few species, so identification is based upon adult characteristics