A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF CHALLENGES TO MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN PUERTO RICO

This report, prepared for University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, is an independent assessment of the challenges to the development and management of marine protect areas (MPA) in Puerto Rico. Through analysis of five established MPA in Puerto Rico and interviews with key stakeholders that were involved in the establishment of MPA, we have documented lessons learned and possible solutions for successful MPA in Puerto Rico

Internal leak testing of MEMS valve components for space applications.

The current generation of MEMS valves does not meet the leak rate requirements necessary for use aboard spacecraft. Developing effective methods for performing measurements on valves of this scale have also proven difficult. In conjunction with NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center, new test equipment was developed to accurately measure leak rates for prototype valve seat and boss interfaces. The new equipment addresses previous problems with sealing and uneven loading, providing a tool usable to develop components that will meet desired leak rates