For release July 24, 2006
“Compared to a football field, a nanosecond is a
human hair lying on the goal post,” Dr. Bill Hofmeister told 30 high
school students from Tennessee Technological University President’s
Academy for Emerging Technologies.
“Solutions to our energy needs are just outside the Earth’s atmosphere,”
Dr. Gary Flandro assured them, adding, “You are about to make this
(harvesting resources from outer space) happen.”
Peter Sherrouse demonstrated the use of a double pulsed laser system to
measure the velocity of air as it flows around a cylinder, and Dr.
Donald C. Daniel alerted them to the Governor’s plans to open a high
school on the University of Tennessee Space Institute’s campus next year
for extra sharp science and math students.
Kenneth W. Hunter Sr., associate professor in Tech’s Basic Engineering
Program, accompanied the 10th and 11th-grade students to UTSI on July 19
as part of their “university experience.”
The 13-day residential program is designed to stimulate interest in
engineering, science, technology, and mathematics, Hunter said. The
students were chosen for the program from all parts of the state.
Welcoming the group was Dr. Daniel, UT associate vice president and
chief operating officer of UTSI, who explained the Institute’s mission
as a graduate school and research center.
A “revolution is in the making” that will soon make space tourism
available to the masses, Flandro said. Contrary to popular perceptions,
the professor insisted that Earth is “not a closed system.” He said a
solution to the expected depletion of fossil fuels lies on the moon
where there is a plentiful supply of Helium 3, essential for converting
thermonuclear energy from the sun.
Flandro, who years ago figured out a way to power a space probe on a
tour of the outer planets, urged the students to think in new ways.
Citing Burt Rutan’s success in bringing orbital flight capability
“within the reach of common man,” Flandro said small industries can do
space exploration more efficiently than the government and must become
more involved. Rutan, whose space ship won the $10 million Ansari X
Prize, insists that “young people must be allowed to participate,”
Flandro said.
Hofmeister, director of UTSI’s Center for Laser Applications, showed
some of the center’s laser capabilities after first leading a spirited
discussion on light, lasers, microscopic measurements of time and
substance, and many aspects of nano technology, including the study of
proteins.
“Proteins are the ultimate machine,” the research professor said.
“That’s why we study them and use lasers to help us understand them.”
Director Jim Goodman, Technical Research Support Group, welcomed the
visitors to other research labs for observing water and wind tunnels,
hypersonic research and various technical equipment, including a
Particle Imaging Velocimeter (PIV) device demonstrated by Sherrouse, who
also showed them the “spin lab” where major research is under way on
carbon fibers.
Afterwards, the group visited Arnold Engineering Development Center.
Engineer Peter Sherrouse and Megan Williams of Cosby view
tiny particles exposed by a laser beam in this Particle
Imaging Velocimeter. |
 Jim Goodman, right, points to a piece of vibrating metal on a “shaker table” while Sam Moore of Maury City and Wendell Bryant of Ooltewah and other students observe. |
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Dr. Bill Hofmeister shows how lasers are applied left, are
Sam Moore, Maury City, Ryan Colbert, Rockvale, Daniel
Hooper, Springfield, and Wendell Bryant of Ooltewah. |
 Canadian Air Force Capt. Walter Michalchuk, a UTSI graduate research assistant at UTSI, explained the water tunnel to visitors. With him are, from left, Ziad Aboulmouna of Tullahoma, Wendell Bryant of Ooltewah, Chelsea Ross and Ava Gooding both of Johnson City. |
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-- UTSI Photos
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| Writer: Weldon
Payne (931) 393-7222 wpayne@utsi.edu |
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