I Have The Power!

Videos of Nucleate Boiling Under Microgravity Posted on You Tube

I have been searching the academic literature in preparation for a NASA grant I am writing to build a power plant for next-generation deep space probes. Among the primary challenges to be addressed through this design is a means maximize transfer of heat (and therefore energy) into a liquid in zero gravity.

I came across a series of illuminating You Tube videos posted by Dr. Ben Longmier of NASA showing behavior of liquid water taken in on-orbit, zero-gravity experiments. Particularly fascinating to me is the “Nucleate Boiling in Microgravity” video. Watching these movies, keep in mind that there is no gravity to induce buoyancy to pull the vapor bubbles away from the heated surface. Thus, bubbles are expelled by other forces in the liquid that are subsidiary in terrestrial boiling.

A longer video called “Boiling water with a soldering iron in microgravity”, which contains more commentary and technical information is also posted at You Tube. This movie, unfortunately, is highly pixilated and does not show the awing detail of its shorter counterpart.

These videos and the complimentary underlying research demonstrate the ongoing value derived from NASA’s microgravity investigations of fluid thermo-physical properties. Never in a terrestrial experiment could such exquisite video be taken, and this visual data is critical to improving our fundamental understanding of heat transfer (and energy transfer) mechanisms.

Enforcement Lacking for Hybrid Parking Spots

Who knew that environmental stewardship could also yield a better parking spot? It can; that is, unless someone decides to park their conventional car in your hybrid parking spot.

Recently, companies like Home Depot, Office Depot, and IKEA have created special parking spots for owners of hybrid vehicles. For example, CBC News reports “Ikea to introduce anti-idling program, hybrid preferential parking spots”. These spots seem to be especially popular in urban areas where parking is at a premium.

I had not seen a hybrid-designated parking spot until I visited the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to having a progressive environmental policy, the Kierland also has a few special parking spots reserved for hybrids.

Ironically, drivers of non-hybrid vehicles don’t seem to discriminate between regular spots and designated hybrid spots (as is evident from the picture above). In fact, abuse of hybrid spots seems to be among the top impediments facing this emerging trend. For example, a recent post on the Kicking Tires blog complains “Home Depot Hybrid Parking Abused”.

An early remedy reported by the Denver Post in “Companies give preferential parking to hybrid vehicles” was enacted in Aspen, Colorado where special permits now enable hybrids to park for extended periods in 2-hour spots. However, true enforcement of green parking cannot really be imposed until ordinances are enacted to fine drivers who wrongfully park their gas guzzlers in hybrid spots. Following in the footsteps of handicapped parking spots, I predict enforced hybrid parking spots are just over the horizon.

Duke’s Smart Home Signals Beginning of Green Universities

Duke University has claimed the first LEED-platinum-rated residence hall on the planet. This achievement signals the beginning of a welcome and inevitable greening of university campuses nation-wide. To remain attractive and relevant, higher education institutions must ride the wave of positive public sentiment toward sustainable living and renewable energy.

Since its opening in November 2007, the Duke Smart Home has provided a “living laboratory” for students in engineering and science while proving it is possible to live green on college campuses. This summer, the dorm became Duke’s first platinum LEED building, receiving 59 out of 62 available points in the LEED rating system.

As Lynne Shallcross of ASEE Prism magazine reports in “A Living Laboratory”, the Duke Smart Home is a 6000 square foot, 10-resident dormitory sponsored by Home Depot. It also serves as a research laboratory and outreach center utilized by over 200 Duke students.

In addition to its leadership in promoting green living, the Duke Smart Home appeals to me for its ability to attract undergraduates into hands-on engineering experiences early in their academic careers.

ASEE Prism quotes Tom Rose, director of the Smart Home, as saying “The whole idea behind the program is to take something that would normally be done by contractors and professional engineers and turn that over to students and let them take a test drive in the real world.”

Mr. Rose also maintains a blog, The Tom Show, which covers the Smart Home (among other things). For more information, visit the Duke Smart Home Web site, http://www.smarthome.duke.edu/ , which contains details about ongoing projects, student residents, and program accolades.