Blooning to New Heights

There is a new approach to space tourism, giving Virgin Galactic a bit of competition.  Zero2infinity is in the testing phases of its “bloon” passenger space pod, and expects to make its first flight in 2013.  The space pod can reach heights of 36 kilometers, high enough to give its two pilots and four passengers a view of the earth’s curvature and the blackness of space above.  Passengers will also be able to view stars above, and dawn emerging over the planet. 

The bloon is powered on helium, and uses zero propellants.  Because of this, bloon is zero emissions and produces zero sound emissions.  On its return to earth, the bloon releases its helium as it separates from the pod.  At which point, a parafoil is deployed and the pod is safely lowered to earth, guided by airbags. 

Interested in teaching your students more about Space Science? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Space Science – Everyday Astronauts.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about Space Science? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Source:

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/204180/20110826/zero2infinity-balloon-bloon-for-near-space-travel-by-2013-richard-branson-virgin-galactic-pod-spanis.htm

http://www.inbloon.com/

3-D Printers and Circuit Boards

3-D printers, rising in popularity for their ability to print 3-D images, may soon be used in a way never thought possible: printing circuit boards.  CEO of 3-D printing company Ponoko, David Ten Have, predicts circuit boards will be printed in 18-24 months.  This circuit board creation will be made possible through a method of printing known as “additive printing,” in which materials such as plastics, metals, and rubber are layered to create the 3-D image.

Ten Have notes that this printing process is not yet to the point where microprocessors will be printed.  Currently, the auto, nautical, aerospace and military industries use 3-D printers in different testing facilities for part manufacturing.  CEO of Autodesk, Carl Bass, says 3-D printing could reinvent workplace collaboration. 

Interested in teaching your students more about Electronics? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Electronics – The Science of Circuit Boards.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about Electronics? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Source:

http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2011/11/3d-printing-autodesk/

Rabies Cases Down for Bats in IL

While once leading state in rabies cases for bats, McHenry County, IL has noticed an 86% decline in cases of rabid bats.   In 2010, McHenry County had 22 of the 117 rabid bat cases in the year.  This year, McHenry County has had only three of the 44 total rabid bat cases for the year (now that bat hibernation season has begun). 

McHenry County celebrated rabies awareness on World Rabies Day on September 28^th.  They recommend “bat-proofing” homes, keeping pets current on rabies vaccinations, and avoiding wild animals.  Contrary to popular believe, one cannot determine whether or not a wild animal has rabies by simply looking at the animal.  Any wild mammal can transmit rabies to other mammals, including humans.    

Interested in teaching your students more about Ecology? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Ecology – Bats: Creatures of the Night.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about Ecology? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Source:

http://algonquin.patch.com/articles/rabid-bats-in-mchenry-county-down-86

Retrofitting the Golden Gate Bridge

An earthquake that occurred October 17, 1989 is motivating San Francisco to retrofit the Golden Gate Bridge.  The bridge will be retrofitted to withstand a 8.0 or greater magnitude earthquake, should the epicenter be near the bridge.  Without retrofitting the bridge, an earthquake 7.0 or greater magnitude with an epicenter near the bridge could possibly close the bridge for an extended period of time. Without the Golden Gate Bridge, many people would be unable to travel from San Francisco to the rest of Marin County without use of a ferry, as it is an important transportation link.

Just how likely is such a massive earthquake in the San Francisco area? According to a study conducted by the US geological survey, there is a 62% probability of at least one magnitude 6.7 or greater earthquake in the San Francisco Bay area to occur before 2031.  Since 1992 engineers have been working to develop methods of retrofitting the bridge to withstand such magnitudes.

Interested in teaching your students more about Engineering? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Engineering – Bridges by Design.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about Engineering? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Source:

http://www.goldengatebridge.org/projects/retrofit.php  

Cargill Exceeding Energy Standards

In an effort to meet the Chicago Climate Exchange’s required 6% annual greenhouse gas reduction target, Cargill has announced that it has reduced emissions at its US facilities by 11%.  Cargill, long-time sponsor of SCIENCE SCREEN REPORT, credits this progress to reductions that have taken place at its US facilities over the recent years. 

At its beef and pork processing plants, Cargill captures 20 to 25% of its methane emissions to use as fuel.  For two consecutive years, Cargill's corn milling plants have earned the US environmental protection agency's energy star symbol.  At this rate, Cargill is successfully making progress toward its 2015 environmental sustainability goals.  

Interested in teaching your students more about Energy? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Energy – Transforming Renewable Resources Part 1 and 2.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about Energy? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Source:

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/02/4025098/cargill-reduces-ghg-emissions.html

Virgin Galactic: LEED-ing the Way into Space

800 guests were in attendant to Virgin Galactic’s recent dedication ceremony at its new home at Spaceport America, in Southern New Mexico.  During the ceremony, Virgin Galactic’s WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo took to the skies, impressing spectators. 

There was also a dedication of the LEED certified, Gold standard, 120,000sqft hangar and terminal where the two vehicles will be housed.  Designed by Sir Norman Foster, the facility is constructed of local materials and built using regional construction techniques.  The building is equipped with geothermal heating and cooling. 

Interested in teaching your students more about Space Science? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Space Science – Everyday Astronauts.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about Space Science? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Source:

http://www.virgingalactic.com/news/item/sir-richard-branson-and-new-mexico-governor-susana-martinez-dedicate-the-virgin-galactic-gateway-/

"Snowtober"

Last week, while meteorologists were keeping an eye on a tropical system in the Caribbean, a freak snow storm formed in the Northeast.  Out of season, and carrying 20+ inches of snow, this snowstorm fulfilled meteorologist’s expectations of being of being a potentially disastrous event. 

The way in which the storm was coming in to the Northeast resulted in rapid accumulation of snow on trees, for which the limbs could not handle.  Power lines were taken out as branches snapped throughout the region, leaving homes powerless for days. 

Interested in teaching your students more about the Environment? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode Environment – Science for a Healthy Planet.  If your school would like to receive this free resource, visit http://www.ssrvideo.com/nhcmsp.html.   

Interested in speaking to students about Environment? E-mail Fallon@ssrvideo.com

Source:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/recalling-snowtober-to-remember_2011-11-01?role=