CONCAP 4: A Complex Autonomous Payload (CAP) for growing organic thin films in microgravity

A GAS facility has been developed for carrying out low temperature experiments. The arrangement being used on CONCAP IV-01 is designed for thin film growth in microgravity and can process up to twelve samples per mission. The nonlinear optical oven hardware can also be made suitable for other low temperature applications, such as gradient freeze and solution growth of crystals

Sinusoidal shaped hollow fibers for enhanced mass transfer

Inducing secondary flows and vortices is known to enhance mass transport. They can be imposed by structured flow channels for instance. In particular, these vortices reduce fouling and concentration polarization. In this work we present a new method of producing hollow fiber membranes with a sinusoidal change in diameter over the fiber length. We engineered a pulsation module that imposes a sinusoidally fluctuating bore liquid flow rate. Harmonic bore flow conditions can be varied over a wide range. The fluctuating bore liquid flow rate translates into axial membrane properties varying with respect to inner bore diameter and wall thickness. The resulting narrowing and widening of the membrane lumen channel are hypothesized to induce secondary vortices to the liquid inside the membrane lumen known as the Bellhouse effect. Improved oxygen transport from shell-to-lumen side prove superiority over straight hollow fiber membranes in G/L absorption process. We anticipate the dynamic flow module to be easily integrated into currently existing hollow fiber membrane spinning processes

Nickel metal hydride, a flight experiment

A nickel metal hydride battery was discharged at high rate in a microgravity environment. Data from the flight is compared to data taken on the earth's surface

Spirit Airlines, Inc. v. Northwest Airlines, Inc.: A Case for Increased Regulation of the Airline Industry

The relatively short history of the airline industry is characterized by sudden shifts and divergent standards that attempt to negotiate a complex market. High demand, uniqueness of service, and difficulty of market entry render the market particularly susceptible to monopolization among competitors. Recently, the rise of the low-cost carrier business model has exposed high barriers to entry into the airline market. In attempts to remedy the harm against both prospective market entrants and consumers, lowcost carriers have levied price predation claims against entrenched legacy airlines. Due to the difficulty in negotiating the divide between predatory behavior and lawful competition, courts have been justifiably reticent to penalize carriers for competitive pricing of passenger fare. However, despite the likely legality of the pricing structure of incumbent airlines, other exclusionary practices, such as gate monopolization, fortify high barriers to entry and highlight the need for a shift in judicial and regulatory standards. Through analysis of the decision in Spirit Airlines, Inc. v. Northwest Airlines, Inc., this Note analyzes antitrust issues within the helpful framework of contestability theory and considers judicial and regulatory changes to benefit new entrant airlines and consumers

A fishery at risk and the limits to adaptation

Cambodia’s small-scale fisheries support the livelihoods of a major part of the country's rural population and play a crucial role in food security. Climate change-related impacts alongside geopolitical changes harm the aquatic ecosystems the fishery depends on, and thus contain a great threat to both food security and rural fishery-based livelihoods in the country. During the last two decades, the government of Cambodia has implemented major political reforms aiming towards decentralising the management of natural resources. Following that, local organisations called Community Fisheries have been established as the main local level institution to organise the management of fishery resources. Being the main local institution responsible for fishery-based livelihoods and natural resource management, Community Fisheries are now essential when dealing with climate-related impacts on fishery in their local communities. Through field visits and semi-structured interviews with Community Fishery committees and members from five Cambodian Community Fisheries in three different provinces, this thesis seeks to understand how the work of Community Fishery organisations can contribute to reduce livelihood vulnerability and strengthen the local communities’ capacity to adapt to climate-related impacts. Furthermore, the thesis discusses Community Fisheries socio-political role on climate change adaptation. Community Fisheries conduct various measures and livelihood strategies to meet local challenges in their villages, that can improve both generic and specific capacities to adapt and reduce livelihood vulnerability in their local communities. However, the impacts from the various changes the communities are dealing with seem to exceed the limit of adaptation on a local level in a long-term perspective