Automated installation of large platform utilities

The capabilities of the assembler in installing nonstructural platform systems were assessed. These systems include electrical power distribution, heat transport, command and data signal transmission, and payload data transmission. The effects of including installation of utilities on the assembly process and on the design, operation, and performance of the assembler were evaluated. In addition, any special requirements on the assembler and/or the platform due to the installation of utilities were identified. The procedure followed was to define a set of candidate utility characteristics and installation requirements, define and design installation concepts, and perform an assessment of impacts on the assembler and its operation

Solar collector performance evaluated outdoors at NASA-Lewis Research Center

An outdoor facility constructed to evaluate solar collector performance for conditions that would be encountered by collectors if they were incorporated in a solar heating/cooling system is described. Preliminary performance data is presented

Agriculture's Role in Energy Production: Current Levels and Future Prospects

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Summary of NASA Lewis Research Center solar heating and cooling and wind energy programs

Plans for the construction and operation of a solar heating and cooling system in conjunction with a office building being constructed at Langley Research Center, are discussed. Supporting research and technology includes: testing of solar collectors with a solar simulator, outdoor testing of collectors, property measurements of selective and nonselective coatings for solar collectors, and a solar model-systems test loop. The areas of a wind energy program that are being conducted include: design and operation of a 100-kW experimental wind generator, industry-designed and user-operated wind generators in the range of 50 to 3000 kW, and supporting research and technology for large wind energy systems. An overview of these activities is provided

Initial comparisons of solar collector performance data obtained out-of doors and with a solar simulator

A facility was constructed to evaluate solar collector performance outdoors for conditions that would be encountered by collectors if they were incorporated in a solar heating/cooling system. In addition to obtaining initial collector performance data, the outdoor facility will enable collector durability and degradation rates to be evaluated for operating periods of several months. The data obtained from the outdoor tests were compared to collector performance predicted on the basis of results obtained with a solar simulator. The performance measured outdoors was less than the predicted performance

DISCUSSION: THE SYSTEMS APPROACH -- RESEARCH OR RESEARCH MANAGEMENT

Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

The Evolving Ethanol Industry in the United States

This paper discusses the likely growth in the production of ethanol from grain in the United States over the next 4 to 5 years. It describes how the costs of production have changed and some of the major factors that are likely to impact profitability and rate of growth in the industry over this period. It discusses co-product production and utilization, and the impact of expanding ethanol production on land use. The final section briefly discusses recent progress in the production of liquid fuels from cellulose.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

AN INCOMPLETE CONTRACTS MODEL OF DAIRY ENTERPRISE ORGANIZATION

An empirical incomplete contracts approach is used to analyze optimal integration schemes in a Minnesota dairy farm supply chain that transfers feed and manure. The results show that the forage enterprise is the constraining factor. The preferred ownership structure is for a forage producer to own cropping and dairy assets.Industrial Organization, Livestock Production/Industries,