Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Mathematics, Physics And Engineering: Philosophical Transactions A Triennial Issue

Mathematics, Physics And Engineering: Philosophical Transactions A Triennial Issue

October 30, 2003

Four highlighted papers from this issue (full contents listed below):

Solar Sailing: mission applications and engineering challenges by Dr CR McInnes
Solar sailing is emerging as promising form of advanced spacecraft propulsion that can enable exciting new space science mission concepts. Solar sails exploit the momentum transported by solar photons, the quantum packets of energy of which sunlight is composed, by reflecting photons from a large deployable sail. The reflected photons impart a small, but continuous pressure on the sail, allowing continuous acceleration of the solar sail and its payload. Without the need for propellant, high-energy missions such as planetary sample return and fast missions to the outer solar system can be enabled with the use of only a modest launch vehicle. In addition, new families of exotic and highly unusual orbits have been identified which are unique to solar sails, and can also enable new ways of performing space science missions.
Contact: Dr Colin McInnes, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Glasgow, GLASGOW, G12 8QQ




Intelligent machines in the 21st century: automating the processes of inference and inquiry by Dr KH Knuth
The last century saw the application of Boolean algebra toward the construction of computing machines. Developments in the mathematical theory of inference have endowed these computing machines with the ability to learn by making inferences from data. This revolution is just beginning as new computational techniques continue to make difficult problems more accessible. This paper explores recent advances in our understanding of the foundations of inference and inquiry, which promise to enable us to design machines that not only can learn, but also ask questions. Automation of both inference and inquiry will allow robots to perform science in the far reaches of our solar system and in other star systems by enabling them not only to make inferences from data, but also to decide which question to ask, experiment to perform, or measurement to take given what they have learned and what they are designed to understand.
Contact: Dr Kevin Knuth, Computational Sciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Mail Stop 269-3, MOFFETT FIELD, CA 94035, USA

Engineering the next generation of large area displays: prospects and pitfalls by Dr JD Carey
From mobile phones to sporting stadia, display screens are an everyday part of modern life. Current television technology uses a cathode to scan a single electron beam across a screen to generate the image; meaning that larger screens mean increased depth is required which is both bulky and expensive. Multiple sources is one alternative, and carbon based electronic materials are being actively researched as possible cathode materials. One form under investigation is Diamond-like carbon which is a mirror-smooth semiconducting thin film that can be grown over large areas and at low temperatures. Although films can be deposited uniformly over m2, we show that to understand its material properties it is necessary to examine the material at a nanometer level. The other contender for large area cathodes are rolled up sheets of graphite-basedlayers called carbon nanotubes, in which electrons are emitted from the nanotube tips. The race is on to see which of these two materials will be the first to come to the market.
Contact: Dr David Carey, Advanced Technology Institute, School of Electronics and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, GUILDFORD, GU2 7XH

Wind turbines in the offshore environment by Dr BW Byrne and Professor GT Houlsby
Offshore wind is an important natural resource that must be harnessed as the UK and the world strives to follow more environmentally friendly energy policies. As recently as July 2003 the UK Government announced the intention of developing up to 6 Giga-Watts of offshore wind power in the near future. To do this large wind turbines will need to be erected offshore, most probably 5 to 20 kilometres from the coast, where the water can be as deep as 20m. The development of these large turbines will require a multi-disciplinary approach including components of civil, mechanical, electrical and control engineering. This paper, however, concentrates on the civil engineering problems, and in particular how the structures can be connected to the sea-floor so that they do not move when large forces from winds, waves or currents occur. Standard design approaches to this aspect of the problem are costly, so new foundation designs are explored. The paper concludes by giving an overview of current research that aims to reduce the uncertainties in designing these new foundations. It is anticipated that this research will assist the development of cost effective offshore wind farms.
Contact: Dr Byron Byrne, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, OXFORD, OX1 3PJ


FULL LIST OF CONTENTS

Introduction - Visions of the future by young scientists
J. M. T. Thompson

Mathematics and statistics

How to count curves: from nineteenth century problems to twenty-first century solutions
I. Strachan

Pattern formation in large domains
A. M. Rucklidge

A black box at the end of the rainbow: searching for the perfect Preconditioner
J. M. Ford

Bayesian computation: a statistical revolution
S. P. Brooks

Physics and optics

Recent progress in Bose-Einstein condensation experiments
S. L. Cornish and D. Cassettari

Unconventional superconductivity and novel quantum order
E. Pugh

Parametric light generation
M. Ebrahimzadeh

Organic materials for second-harmonic generation: advances in relating structure to function
J. M. Cole

Recent advances in electron imaging, image interpretation and applications: environmental scanning electron microscopy
D. Stokes

The carbon nanocosmos: novel materials for the twenty-first century
M. Terrones and H. Terrones

Electronics and nanoscience

Molecular bioelectronics
J. J. Davis

Ultrafast nanomagnets: seeing data storage in a new light
R. J. Hicken

Near-field microscopy: throwing light on the nanoworld
D. Richards

Computers, robots and displays

Intelligent machines in the twenty-first century: foundations of inference and inquiry
K. H. Knuth

Modelling the world in real time: how robots engineer information
J. Davison

Engineering the next generation of large-area displays: prospects and Pitfalls
J. D. Carey

Engineering and materials

Foundations for offshore wind turbines
B. W. Byrne and G. T. Houlsby

Multilayered materials: a palette for the materials artist
S. J. Lloyd and J. M. Molina-Aldareguia

The concept of drift and its application to multiphase and multibody problems
I. Eames

New directions in fluid dynamics: non-equilibrium aerodynamic and microsystem flows
J. M. Reese, M. A. Gallis and D. A. Lockerby

Solar sailing: mission applications and engineering challenges
C. R. McInnes

Royal Society, The



Science Research Departments



Earth Science

Alternative Energy  |   Anthropology and Archaeology  |   Earthquakes and Volcanoes  |   Environment and Nature News  |   Global Warming  |   High-Energy and Particle Physics  |   Ozone Hole  |   Scientists Slow Light  |   Tsunami


Space Science

Astronomy and Space News  |   Black Holes  |   Chandra X-Ray Observatory  |   Extrasolar Planets  |   Hubble Telescope  |   International Space Station  |   Jupiter Galileo Mission  |   Jupiter Cassini Mission Flyby  |   Mars Exploration  |   Mars Odyssey 2001  |   Mars Global Surveyor  |   Mars Polar Lander  |   Mars Climate Orbiter  |   Mars Pathfinder  |   Meteors and Asteroids  |   Mir Space Station  |   NEAR Asteroid Probe Mission  |   Pluto Planet Debate |   Search for Extraterrestrial Life  |   Space Shuttle Program  |   Space Shuttle Mission: STS-102  |   Space Weather


Life Science

Animal News  |   Biotechnology and Genetics  |   Brain Research  |   Human Cloning  |   Dinosaur and Fossil Discoveries  |   Endangered Species  |   Gene Therapy  |   Genetically Modified Food  |   Stem Cell Research  |   Whales and Whaling
Scientific Explorer's Mind Blowing Science Kit for Young Scientists

Scientific Explorer's Mind Blowing Science Kit for Young Scientists
by Scientific Explorer

Mind blowing experiments to delight and educate young scientists! Erupt a color changing volcano.  Mix up magic ooze with a mind of its own.  Play with sand that never gets wet.  Mix safe chemicals and watch colors change before your eyes. You'll amaze yourself and your friends as you explore the science behind these truly remarkable reactions.



The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You! (Everything Kids Series)

The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book: Boil Ice, Float Water, Measure Gravity-Challenge the World Around You! (Everything Kids Series)
by Tom Robinson (Author)

Science has never been so easy - or so much fun! With The Everything Kids' Science Experiments Book, all you need to do is gather a few household items and you can recreate dozens of mind-blowing, kid-tested science experiments. High school science teach Tom Robinson shows you how to expand your scientific horizons - from biology to chemistry to physics to outer space.

You'll discover answers to questions like:
Is it possible to blow up a balloon without actually blowing into it?
What is inside coins?
Can a magnet ever be "turned off"?
Do toilets always flush in the same direction?
Can a swimming pool be cleaned with just the breath of one person?

Get ready to enter the laboratory and learn how to conduct cool experiments, understand scientific terms...

Scientific Explorer's Disgusting Science - A Kit for Studying the Science of Revolting Things

Scientific Explorer's Disgusting Science - A Kit for Studying the Science of Revolting Things
by Scientific Explorer

Grow your own friendly germs and fuzzy molds. Mix up a batch of coagulating fake blood. Even make a stinky intestine. learn the science behind unmentionable bodily functions while doing some truly NASTY Experiments.  Ages 8+



The Science Book: Everything You Need to Know About the World and How It Works (National Geographic)

The Science Book: Everything You Need to Know About the World and How It Works (National Geographic)
by National Geographic (Author), Marshall Brain (Foreword)

A delight for the casual reader, yet so complete and wide-ranging that science buffs and students will welcome it, The Science Book encapsulates centuries of scientific thought in one richly illustrated volume. Natural phenomena, revolutionary inventions, and the most up-to-date investigations are explained in detailed text, and 2,000 vivid illustrations—including 3-D graphics and pictograms—make the information even more accessible and amazing to discover.

The Science Book offers both a general overview of topics for the browsing reader and more specific information for those seeking deeper insight into a particular subject. Six major sections, ranging from the universe and planet Earth to biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, encompass everything from microscopic life...

Scientific Explorer's The Magic Science Wizard's Kit

Scientific Explorer's The Magic Science Wizard's Kit
by Scientific Explorer

Cast real smoke from your fingertips, make a wizard wand, and whip up color-changing potions in your test tube laboratory. Also included are laminated cards with wizard facts, an instruction booklet with 11 activities, lab equipment, and mysterious wizard powders that will mix together to mystify you!



Scientific Explorer's Tasty Science Chemistry in the Kitchen Kit

Scientific Explorer's Tasty Science Chemistry in the Kitchen Kit
by Scientific Explorer

Who knew science could taste so good? With this kit, you’ll whip up cupcakes, cookies, candy, and more—all in the name of science! Learn what makes cakes rise, candy crystallize, and more real chemistry happen in the kitchen. Tasty Science is packed with ingredients, recipes, activity cards, a test tube laboratory, and lots more to explore the science of taste.



The Complete Book of Science, Grades 5-6

The Complete Book of Science, Grades 5-6
by School Specialty Publishing (Author)

The Complete Book of Science for grades 5 to 6 teaches children important science skills!

Children complete a variety of exercises that help them develop a number of skills in this 352 page workbook. Including a complete answer key this workbook features a user-friendly format perfect for browsing, research, and review.

Over 4 million in print! The best-selling Complete Book series offers a full complement of instruction, activities, and information about a single topic or subject area. Containing over 30 titles and encompassing preschool to grade 8 this series helps children succeed in every subject area!

...

Magic School Bus Journey into the Human Body Science Kit

Magic School Bus Journey into the Human Body Science Kit
by Young Scientist Club

The Magic School Bus and Ms. Frizzle take Young Scientists on a wild ride into the human body with these breathtaking experiments. Young Scientists bend bones, make joints, map taste buds, expand lungs, build a stethoscope, measure lung capacities and heart rates, perform the iodine starch test, spin glitter, simulate synovial fluid, create a human body poster, and much, much more! This exciting kit includes a life-size poster with eight sheets of body part stickers. So put on your seat belts, students, and get ready to discover The Human Body!

Scientific Explorer's Glow in the Dark Fun Lab Science Kit

Scientific Explorer's Glow in the Dark Fun Lab Science Kit
by Scientific Explorer

You will love setting up your own Glow in the Dark Fun Lab. Create a light
wand, make your own glow stick, and even generate a human-powered light.



What Is the World Made Of? All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2)

What Is the World Made Of? All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 2)
by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld (Author), Paul Meisel (Author)

Did you ever walk through a wall? Drink a glass of blocks? Have you ever played with a lemonade doll, or put on milk for socks? This latest addition to the Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science series introduces the youngest readers to an important science concept: the differences between solids, liquids, and gases. Any child who wants to know why he can't walk through a wall will enjoy Kathleen Zoehfeld's simple text and Paul Meisel's playful illustrations.



© 2009 BrightSurf.com