Advanced Computational Infrastructure and Research Computing Infrastructure for the 21st-Century: Time to Go Long and Go Deep [RealPlayer]
http://www.cise.nsf.gov/lecture_2002_04_10.htm
This Web site provides a lecture given on April 10, 2002, by Dr. Dan Reed, the director of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). To view the hour-long presentation, you will need RealPlayer software and probably a high speed Internet connection. In his talk, Dr. Reed considers computing infrastructure of the future and the "social processes related to science and technology." A particular focus is on grid computing (a major project of the NCSA) and how it will affect 21st century research in science and engineering. He also explores implications for specific disciplines, including physics and systems biology. [CL]
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Software Testing and Verification
http://www.research.ibm.com/journal/sj41-1.html
The current issue of the IBM Systems Journal examines many aspects of software testing and verification. This new material contains ten articles written by workers in the IBM Research Division. Some of the papers, such as Testing z/OS, might be specific to IBM operations; however, most can be useful to individuals or companies implementing similar testing strategies. One article in particular discusses three case studies of Orthogonal Defect Classification and how it can be used "to improve software testing." Although the issue cannot be downloaded as a whole, individual papers can be viewed or downloaded in various formats. [CL]
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Electronic Journal of Probability, Electronic Communications in Probability [.pdf, .ps, .gz, .dvi]
http://math.washington.edu/~ejpecp/
The latest volumes of the Journal of Probability (EJP) and Electronic Communications in Probability (ECP) are new for 2002. These annual publications are offered by the Department of Mathematics at the University of Washington and are affiliated with the Institute of Mathematical Statistics. The ECP and EJP have eight and nine papers, respectively, which deal with highly specialized topics in probability research. The material contains rigorous proofs and discussions of various processes. For interested researchers, the site also has information about paper submission to be considered for inclusion. The journals are free online, and readers can register for a free email subscription. [CL]
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Electronic Visualization Laboratory [Flash]
http://www.evl.uic.edu/home.html
The Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL) is a graduate research program that attempts to merge science and art with computers. Located at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the lab's focus is on "virtual reality and real-time interactive computer graphics." Because electronic visualization covers a wide range of topics, there are many areas of research within EVL. The lab's Web site has extensive information about past and ongoing projects, which are grouped into several general categories on the main page. Most of the projects have research papers and publications included online. [CL]
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Inventory of Electric Utility Power Plants in the United States 2000 [.pdf]
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/ipp/ipp_sum.html
In March 2002, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released this comprehensive report of electric generating plant capacity for the year 2000. Over 300 pages in length, the document contains detailed discussions, tables, and charts of the country's electric utilities. There is a large amount of capacity and usage data that is broken down into primary energy source categories, including coal, gas, hydroelectric, nuclear, petroleum, and renewables. Much of the information is divided into statistics for individual states. The report also has "a 5-year summary (2001-2005) of proposed changes to existing generating units." [CL]
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Naval Research Laboratory Factbook and Review [.pdf]
http://tid-www.nrl.navy.mil/factbook.html
The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) Factbook is an overview of the research operations and technological development conducted by the US Navy. It is updated annually, and the version on this Web site is "current as of January 2002." After a brief discussion of the many areas of research at the NRL, the work of individual directorates is outlined. This includes ocean and atmospheric science and technology, space technology, and systems research, among others. Because the factbook has mostly general information about the lab's various divisions and bureaucracy, users should look at the NRL Review (also at this Web site), which has more specific descriptions about research projects for the different directorates. [CL]
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The Digest of Engineering Statistics 2002 [.pdf]
http://www.engc.org.uk/publications/stats_digest.asp
The Engineering Council is an organization that "promotes and regulates the engineering profession in the UK." The Digest of Engineering Statistics is a good collection of facts and figures, published annually by the council. It takes a very broad view of the engineering and technology industries, and examines the social and economic trends that affect people in related fields. The digest assesses the current state of engineering, ranging from secondary and higher education to potential employment. There is also a focus on gender issues within such disciplines, specifically the disproportionate population of males to females. This report may be especially useful for individuals planning to pursue a career or college degree in this area. [CL]
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Information Systems and Databases in Overview
http://www.dechema.de/f-infsys-e.htm
The DECHEMA is a German scientific and technical society that fosters research in chemical engineering, biotechnology, and environmental protection. A new feature on the society's Web site is DETHERM, an online database of pure substances and mixtures that contains "thermophysical property data for design and optimization of chemical plants." Most of the other databases mentioned on the site are not free; however, there is also a lot of information about the research with which the society is involved. The Karl Winnacker Institute of DECHEMA, for example, investigates bioprocess engineering, high temperature materials, and electrochemistry and corrosion. [CL]
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A Maths Dictionary for Kids [Flash]
http://www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com/
Enthusiast Jenny Eather is the creator of an unique online resource for grade school mathematics students. Called A Maths Dictionary for Kids, the site has over 400 entries arranged alphabetically that explain key math terms and concepts in a simple, straightforward manner. Besides giving definitions, each topic has an interactive activity that demonstrates its use and significance. Some of the activities are quizzes that let the students practice what they have learned, while others show the students how to achieve the correct results based on their own inputs. The friendly interface and relevant content should let children have fun and learn at their own pace. [CL]
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Space-Age Living: Building the International Space Station [Flash, RealPlayer, IPIX]
http://school.discovery.com/schooladventures/spacestation/
The popular Learning Adventures series at DiscoverySchool.com (last mentioned in the March 8, 2002 NSDL Physical Science Report) has a feature on the International Space Station. Its assembly is one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever, and this site explains a few of the details of the multi-year process. In the Mission Basics section, there are specific facts, discussions about various aspects of the station, and virtual tours of some of the stations modules. Astronaut profiles and a video of underwater training for space walks are also offered. Putting It Together describes the main components of the station and shows a timeline of its construction, from 1998 to 2006. Children can also submit their opinions about living in space. [CL]
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Calculus.org: The Calculus Page [QuickTime, .tex]
http://www.calculus.org/
The Calculus Page is operated by the Department of Mathematics at the University of California, Davis. Although it gives links to many other online calculus resources, the site has excellent material of its own that is useful for both students and instructors. High school and college students taking beginning and intermediate level calculus will find problem sets with solutions and sample exams. There are also animations that demonstrate several fundamental concepts, as well as humorous excerpts from a recently published calculus book. For instructors, there are numerous demonstrations and experiments described on the site that will keep students interested. [CL]
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SteelMATTER: An Interactive Website for Ferrous Metallurgy [Real Player]
http://www.matter.org.uk/steelmatter/
SteelMATTER is a "series of interactive educational software resources aimed at helping students understand the key concepts and relationships in ferrous metallurgy." Guided Study is the main section of the site, which describes the six stages of steel production. Starting the guided study can be slightly confusing because of poor site organization; instead of taking users directly to the first stage, an interactive quiz is presented before any material is covered. However, this can easily be bypassed by clicking the Raw Materials link at the bottom of the page. From this point, the site provides a good, step-by-step overview of the processes involved in making steel. There are also numerous Java applets accessible from the main page that simulate many metallurgy processes. [CL]
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Virtual Training Suite
http://www.vts.rdn.ac.uk/
The Resource Discovery Network (RDN) offers this large collection of Internet tutorials that are geared toward specific subject areas. Students with limited Internet skills should find this site a very valuable resource for their coursework. The main categories are engineering and mathematics; humanities; physical sciences; health and life sciences; and social sciences, business, and law. Each tutorial introduces various classifications of Internet material, including specific sites related to the subject area. For the sites that are shown, an icon allows the user to put the site into a "links basket" for viewing at a later time. Interactive quizzes reinforce some of the basic principles of navigating the Internet. [CL]
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NASA Connect [.pdf, RealPlayer]
http://connect.larc.nasa.gov/
The NASA Connect Web site serves as a complement to the television program on PBS with the same name. It offers many resources for math, science, and technology teachers for grades six to eight. There are many lesson guides available for past and upcoming episodes, so educators are able to prepare the material before the episode airs. Although the lesson plans directly correspond to the television show, they can be used separately as well. Most of the lesson topics use hands-on science experiments to introduce math and technology concepts. Episodes from previous seasons are given in Real Video format in the Library of Shows section. [CL]
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Building Big [Flash]
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/
Building Big is a very informative site about the engineering principles required to build large structures, including bridges, domes, skyscrapers, dams, and tunnels. The interactive labs presented on the site discuss the various factors (e.g. forces, materials, loads, shapes) that need to be considered when designing large buildings. Fun challenges test these concepts for each of the five structures by putting students in charge of various construction projects. The student needs to weigh the pros and cons of particular designs and choose which is best for a given scenario. There are also many interviews with different structural engineers that will help students understand what working in this field is like. [CL]
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Twisted Pair
http://www.twysted-pair.com/
A good introduction to some fundamental electronics concepts is available online at the Twisted Pair home page. Three of the most important equations in electronics (Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's Voltage Law, and Kirchhoff's Current Law) are briefly explained, and the resistor puzzle demonstrates basic circuit analysis with parallel resistors. Another section discusses a more advanced topic about the hysteresis loop, which is a property of electromagnetics. A dictionary of electronics terms and common abbreviations are also included on the site. Twisted Pair offers a TTL/CMOS tutorial and the first two parts of a more in-depth electronics tutorial free for download; however, the remaining parts require payment. [CL]
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Web|3D SDK: Spring 2002 Software Development Kit
http://sdk.Web3d.org/
The Web3D Consortium has just released its "semi-annual collection of software tools, specs, and resources" for the developer community, with a focus on Extensible 3D Graphics. The Software Development Kit (SDK) Web site is divided into two parts, labeled Disk 1 and Disk 2 (because it is primarily distributed on CD). The material presented in the SDK consists of Web3D language specifications and source code, descriptions of several tools and viewers, applicable resources, and a few content libraries. Although this site has plenty of good information, it can be difficult to navigate at first. This site is also reviewed in the April 26, 2002 Scout Report.
[CL]
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Engineer Girl!
http://www.engineergirl.org/nae/cwe/egmain.nsf/?Opendatabase
Operated by the National Academy of Engineering, Engineer Girl is a Web site that increases awareness of the opportunities that exist in this profession for women and girls. There is a lot of material covered on the site that will give anyone a good understanding of what engineering is and why it is important. Information about the many different disciplines within engineering are explained in such a way as to spark interest in girls. Tips that will help girls orient their education toward engineering are also included, like what classes to take, how to prepare for college, and how to get scholarships. Some links to other useful Internet resources are scattered around the site, as well as some interesting facts about women and engineering. [CL]
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Time-Warp Archive of Vintage Technology Through the Decades
http://www.time-warp.org/
The time-warp project is dedicated to preserving information about the advancement of technology. It currently focuses on specific innovations of the 20th century. The site lets users travel decade by decade through illustrated living rooms typical of the period. Technology is grouped into several categories, such as televisions, calculating machines, radio, photography, and telephones. For a given selection, examples of the technology representative of the decade are shown. These include specific models with pictures and a description. The one downfall to the site is that the archive is somewhat small; however, submissions are encouraged to make the collection more comprehensive. [CL]
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Efficient Windows [.pdf]
http://www.efficientwindows.org/
The Efficient Windows Collaborative (EWC) operates this informative site about the benefits and energy saving characteristics of efficient windows. A good overview of the various types is given in the How Windows Work section. This explains many different glazings, frames, and operating designs of the windows. The three main technologies used to improve insulating performance are covered, and another section highlights some advantages of efficient windows. The Web site also offers fact sheets with statistics for various cities around the US. If users are interested in switching to efficient windows for their homes, there is plenty of information about how to make the best selection. [CL]
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Macaulay 2 Home Page [.tar, .gz]
http://www.math.uiuc.edu/Macaulay2/
Two mathematics professors at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are the authors of Macaulay 2, a powerful software tool that supports "research in algebraic geometry and commutative algebra." The Macaulay 2 home page offers the program's source code free for download, which can be compiled under the UNIX, Windows, or Macintosh operating systems. There is also extensive online documentation, a user's guide, and many detailed examples that provide a solid introduction for new users or a handy reference for experts. For further information, the site has several links to papers that refer to Macaulay 2. [CL]
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Exporting Harm: The High Tech Trashing of Asia [.pdf]
http://www.ban.org/E-waste/technotrashfinalcomp.pdf
Exporting Harm: The High Tech Trashing of Asia is an alarming article published on February 25, 2002, by the Basel Action Network and the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition. It sheds light on the largely unknown problem of electronic waste, or the disposal of electronic devices (e.g., computers, televisions, etc.). According to the article, major industrial countries export such waste to less developed countries in Asia. Due to the toxicity of the waste, it creates serious environmental concerns. The article examines the ramifications of this "E-waste" in a few Asian countries and presents possible solutions. On the main page, an audio recording of a National Public Radio broadcast about E-waste is currently available. [CL]
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Electric Power Research Institute: Journal Online
http://www.epri.com/journal/default.asp
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) produces an online journal that covers many important developments in power generation and distribution. Most of the articles deal with technological breakthroughs in this field; this can include, for example, environmental issues, energy efficiency, energy storage, and power plant operation. The EPRI journal is divided into six departments on the Web site. In the Field is a section that describes the latest applications and innovations at EPRI. The Discovery section looks more closely at the research conducted at the institute. Some of the articles may note a particular product available for purchase; however, all of them can be viewed without cost. [CL]
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Global Science and Technology Week
http://www.ostp.gov/html/gstw/2002/gstw.html
April 28, 2002, marks the start of the third annual Global Science and Technology Week (GSTW). This is a nationwide initiative that encourages children's appreciation and awareness of science and technology, shows how it affects their lives, and portrays how it benefits society. The GSTW home page highlights a few online events and student activities that will happen during the week. One is the Ask a Scientist or Engineer project, which lets anyone submit a technical question on the Web site and get a response from an expert. This requires a short, free registration. Another interesting item is the live Webcast of engineers and scientists, which includes high profile people from organizations like Argonne National Laboratory and the San Diego Supercomputer Center. [CL]
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Fluid Power
1. For Students of All Ages
http://www.nfpa.com/default.asp?pid=7
2. Introduction to Fluid Power: Training Series on How Hydraulics and Pneumatics Work
http://www.tpub.com/fluid/
3. Fluid Power Web
http://www.fpweb.com/
4. Welcome to Fluid Power Journal.com
http://www.fluidpowerjournal.com/
5. Hydraulics
http://home.wxs.nl/~brink494/index_e.html
6. Welcome to IHA: Institute of Hydraulics and Automation
http://www.iha.tut.fi/
7. HOPSAN: A Package for Simulation of Hydraulic Systems
http://www.flumes.ikp.liu.se/hopsan.html
8. Purdue News: Water-Hydraulic Vehicle Built by Purdue Students
http://news.uns.purdue.edu/UNS/html4ever/010919.Krutz.mower.html
Hydraulics and pneumatics are both forms of fluid power, a common means of driving and controlling mechanical motions. It is one of the three kinds of power, with the other two being mechanical and electrical. Fluid power systems are widely used in most machinery, such as automobiles and construction equipment.
The National Fluid Power Association (1) has an excellent introduction to the topic, which includes a general overview and descriptions of over 20 practical applications. It also looks at the current state of fluid power technology and how it has progressed in recent years. For a more detailed discussion of fluid power principles and how hydraulic and pneumatic devices operate, Integrated Publishing (2) offers twelve chapters of material, complete with diagrams. Fluid Power Web (3) is a comprehensive source of information about components, vendors, and software. Ideas and Applications is an especially interesting section, as it periodically gives a new article about clever, innovative ways of using fluid power systems. Every two months, the Fluid Power Society (4) publishes a journal with a few articles about industry news and trends. Three specialized issues are offered each year, and there is an archive with issues that date back to 1998. A complete hydraulics system is broken down into its constituent parts and explained at this Web site (5). The author uses many drawings and animations to illustrate the physical processes involved in hydraulics. The Institute of Hydraulics and Automation (6), located at the University of Tampere in Finland, has a very active research program with many focus areas. Telerobotics, mobile hydraulics, cavitation, and virtual testing are all investigated at the institute, and project descriptions in each of these areas are given on the site. The Division of Fluid Power Technology (7) at a Swedish university has developed a digital simulation tool for fluid power system design. Called HOPSAN, the software can be freely downloaded from the Web site to run on the Windows operating system (a Fortran compiler is required for Windows 95 and newer). Students at Purdue University (8) have recently built "what is thought to be the first vehicle that uses water in all of its hydraulic systems." This article highlights the students' achievement and considers the rationale behind this original design. [CL]
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Below are the copyright statements to be included when reproducing annotations from The NSDL Scout Report for Math, Engineering, and Technology.
The single phrase below is the copyright notice to be used when reproducing any portion of this report, in any format:
From The NSDL Scout Report for Math, Engineering, & Technology, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2002. http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/
The paragraph below is the copyright notice to be used when reproducing the entire report, in any format:
Copyright Susan Calcari and the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, 1994-2002. The Internet Scout Project (http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/), located in the Computer Sciences Department of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, provides information about the Internet to the U.S. research and education community under a grant from the National Science Foundation, number NCR-9712163. The Government has certain rights in this material. Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of the entire Scout Report provided this paragraph, including the copyright notice, are preserved on all copies.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, or the National Science Foundation.
For information on additional contributors, see the Internet Scout Project staff page:
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