Merits of flywheels for spacecraft energy storage

Flywheel energy storage systems which have a very good potential for use in spacecraft are discussed. This system can be superior to alkaline secondary batteries and regenerable fuel cells in most of the areas that are important in spacecraft applications. Of special importance, relative to batteries, are lighter weight, longer cycle and operating life, and high efficiency which minimizes solar array size and the amount of orbital makeup fuel required. Flywheel systems have a long shelf life, give a precise state of charge indication, have modest thermal control needs, are capable of multiple discharges per orbit, have simple ground handling needs, and have characteristics which would be useful for military applications. The major disadvantages of flywheel energy storage systems are that: power is not available during the launch phase without special provisions; and in flight failure of units may force shutdown of good counter rotating units, amplifying the effects of failure and limiting power distribution system options; no inherent emergency power capability unless specifically designed for, and a high level of complexity compared with batteries. The potential advantages of the flywheel energy storage system far outweigh the disadvantages

Battery-package design provides for cell cooling and constraint

Lightweight battery-package provides for even cooling of individual alkaline cells, constraint against cell expansion, and convenient placement of cells. The battery package also provides for venting of the cells and includes instrumentation to measure cell temperature, pressure, and voltage

Special Test Methods for Batteries

Various methods are described for measuring heat generation in primary and secondary batteries as well as the specific heat of batteries and cell thermal conductance. Problems associated with determining heat generation in large batteries are examined. Special attention is given to monitoring temperature gradients in nickel cadmium cells, the use of auxiliary electrodes for conducting tests on battery charge control, evaluating the linear sweep of current from charge to discharge, and determining zero current voltage. The fast transient behavior of batteries in the microsecond range, and the electrical conductance of nickel sinters in the thickness direction are also considered. Mechanical problems experienced in the vibration of Ni-Cd batteries and tests to simulate cyclic fatigue of the steel table connecting the plates to the comb are considered. Methods of defining the distribution of forces when cells are compressed during battery packaging are also explored

Nickel cadmium cell designs negative to positive material ratio and precharge levels

A review is made of the factors affecting the choices of negative-to-positive materials ratio and negative precharge in nickel-cadmium cells. The effects of these variables on performance are given, and the different methods for setting precharge are evaluated. The effects of special operating requirements on the design are also discussed

Analytical modeling of battery cycle life

An analytical model related to the physical and chemical processes involved in battery wear and failure is discussed. The model is described using the data from the Crane tests

Folds in 2D String Theories

We study maps from a 2D world-sheet to a 2D target space which include folds. The geometry of folds is discussed and a metric on the space of folded maps is written down. We show that the latter is not invariant under area preserving diffeomorphisms of the target space. The contribution to the partition function of maps associated with a given fold configuration is computed. We derive a description of folds in terms of Feynman diagrams. A scheme to sum up the contributions of folds to the partition function in a special case is suggested and is shown to be related to the Baxter-Wu lattice model. An interpretation of folds as trajectories of particles in the adjoint representation of $SU(N)$ gauge group in the large $N$ limit which interact in an unusual way with the gauge fields is discussed.Comment: 56 pages, latex, followed by epsf, 13 uuencoded epsf figure

Global large scale structures in the F region

Measurements of neutral densities, temperatures and ion density and temperature by the Atmosphere Explorer C and E satellites exhibit fluctuations made up of coherent waves of scale size from hundreds to thousands of kilometers. The fluctuations in the AE-C data are found at times of low magnetic activity to extend from the auroral region in one hemisphere across the equator to the corresponding region in the other hemisphere with little change in apparent wavelength. The fluctuations in the AE-E data similarly exhibit at times of low magnetic activity nearly uniform wave structure encircling the equatorial belt. Typical examples of waves of more than 1000 km apparent wavelength in both the AE-C and AE-E data are presented. These observations during quiet times may be explained by a system of quasi-stationary waves excited by the auroral belts that are distributed about the Earth possibly with tidal or sub-tidal periods and scale lengths determined by the structure of the belts. According to this interpretation, Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance (TID's) are manifestations of transient wave systems moving past a ground observatory that result from changes in magnetic activity with periods and scale sizes associated with the regions of enhanced auroral activity. Some evidence suggesting tidal-like stationary waves from the Millstone Hill incoherent scatter radar is presented

Large N Phase Transitions and Multi-Critical Behaviour in Generalized 2D QCD

Using matrix model techniques we investigate the large N limit of generalized 2D Yang-Mills theory. The model has a very rich phase structure. It exhibits multi-critical behavior and reveals a third order phase transitions at all genera besides {\it torus}. This is to be contrasted with ordinary 2D Yang-Mills which, at large N, exhibits phase transition only for spherical topology.Comment: CERN-TH.7390/94 and TAUP-2191-94, 6pp, LaTe

The String Theory Approach to Generalized 2D Yang-Mills Theory

We calculate the partition function of the $SU(N)$ ( and $U(N)$) generalized $YM_2$ theory defined on an arbitrary Riemann surface. The result which is expressed as a sum over irreducible representations generalizes the Rusakov formula for ordinary YM_2 theory. A diagrammatic expansion of the formula enables us to derive a Gross-Taylor like stringy description of the model. A sum of 2D string maps is shown to reproduce the gauge theory results. Maps with branch points of degree higher than one, as well as ``microscopic surfaces'' play an important role in the sum. We discuss the underlying string theory.Comment: TAUP-2182-94, 53 pages of LaTeX and 5 uuencoded eps figure

"Third places" and social interaction in deprived neighbourhoods in Great Britain

This paper explores social interaction in local ‘public’ social spaces such as local shops, pubs, cafés, and community centres in deprived neighbourhoods. More specifically, it examines the importance, role and function of these places, which have been described by Oldenberg and Brissett (Qual Sociol 5(4):265–284, 1982), Oldenburg (Urban design reader. Architectural Place, Oxford, 2007) as being “third places” of social interaction after the home (first) and workplace (second). It does so by drawing on data gleaned from in-depth interviews with 180 residents in six deprived areas neighbourhoods across Great Britain, conducted as part of a study of the links between poverty and place funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The paper notes that local third places are an important medium for social interaction in these areas, although their importance appears to vary by population group. It notes that shops appear to be a particularly important social space. It also identifies some of the barriers to social interaction within third places and concludes by highlighting some of the key implications for policy to emerge from the research