On May 19 Endeavour's astronauts accomplished the No. 1 objective of their mission, successfully installing the $2 billion cosmic ray detector, the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS), on the International Space Station to scan the invisible universe for years to come.
Month: May 2011
Energy Secretary Chu “disappointed” with NSF for pulling out of DUSEL
Energy Secretary Steven Chu says that he’s “very disappointed” with the National Science Foundation (NSF) for pulling out of a planned $875-million underground science lab in South Dakota.
Gravity Probe B demonstrates Einstein theory
A high-powered team of physicists and engineers has concluded that NASA’s $700 million Gravity Probe B (GP-B) experiment demonstrated two key aspects of Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, but not to the hoped-for degree of confidence.
Particle accelerators applications include baby diapers
In symmetry, Elizabeth Clements reports on one of the myriad, yet surprising, applications for particle accelerators: baby diapers!
KEK Director General assesses earthquake damage, tells repair plans
Atsuto Suzuki, Director General at KEK, the Japanese high energy accelerator research organization, reported on damage caused by the recent earthquake and recovery prospects in his “DG’s Corner” column: First of all, I would like to express my deepest appreciation for the messages of concern, sympathy and encouragement that we received from all over the world since the major earthquake of March 11. We are working to restore KEK as quickly as possible to its original condition so it can once again function as the exceptional research facility it was hitherto. Your messages do help a great deal in this difficult time.
Superconductivity pioneer Paul Chu featured in exhibit
Superconductivity Pioneer Paul Chu was featured in an unusual exhibit in Texas. A white lab coat and a pair of worn sneakers are almost standard-issue items for a research facility, but they don't seem to rise to the rank of museum exhibit. Yet, that’s exactly where you can find one particular lab coat and an old pair of shoes worn by renowned superconductivity pioneer Paul Chu of the University of Houston.
Paul Chu expected more progress by now
Superconductivity pioneer Dr. Paul Chu expected faster progress since his discoveries, he told Cold Facts Editor Theresa Boehl in a recent brief interview. Cold Facts: Did you have any idea of the potential impact of superconductivity when you were doing your groundbreaking research years ago? Chu: Yes, I think I did. I did realize the potential could be very great. But unfortunately, its direct impact, in my view, remains in the potential stage. I would expect it should be better.
Mathias Kläui Wins Kurti Science Prize
Oxford Instruments NanoScience announced that Professor Mathias Kläui from the SwissFEL, Paul Scherrer Institut and the Laboratory of Nanomagnetism and Spin Dynamics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, is the 2011 recipient of the Nicholas Kurti European Science Prize.
NASA to send up teachers on SOFIA
NASA has selected six teachers to work with scientists aboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) during research flights in May and June. This is the first team of educators selected to participate in SOFIA’s Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program.
LBNE Takes a “Hive’s Worth” of Experts
In the May symmetry, in an article titled, “LBNE: the inside buzz on a new science project,” Amelia Williamson Smith reports that planning and designing the $900 million Long Baseline Neutrino Experiment takes more than a village. It takes a hive’s worth of scientists, engineers, technicians, accountants, and other specialists of every stripe.
More than 15,000 attend Goddard Open House
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt MD hosted more than 15,000 visitors under gray but rain-free skies on May 14. The Explore@NASA Goddard event was the center’s first open house since 2008, according to Robert Garner of the Center.
Berkeley Lab Researcher Wins DOE Early Career Award
Among the 65 Early Career Research Program award recipients announced last week by DOE’s Office of Science is Paolo Ferracin of the Superconducting Magnet Group in the Accelerator and Fusion Research Division at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory.
Looking for heat conductivity values of CuCrZr in the low temperature range of 4 to 300K
I'm a student of physical engineering and I am looking for heat conductivity values of CuCrZr in the low temperature range of 4 to 300K. Jakub Voňka Brno University of Technology Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Specifications or drawings for a 3/4" X 18" Brookhaven Bayonet
Does anyone have the specifications or know where we can find drawings for a 3/4" X 18" Brookhaven Bayonet?