Comments for QUEST Community Science Blog - KQED http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog Science, Environment, and Nature in the SF Bay Area Tue, 13 May 2008 12:57:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 Comment on Producer's Notes - In the Kitchen with Aerogel by William Murray http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/04/01/producers-notes-in-the-kitchen-with-aerogel/#comment-57316 William Murray Mon, 12 May 2008 11:58:55 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/04/01/producers-notes-in-the-kitchen-with-aerogel/#comment-57316 Dear Sir/Madam, I am currently studying an MSc course in Automotive Engineering at Birmingham City University in the UK. As part of this course, I am required to investigate new/alternative materials and manufacturing processes and my chosen area of study is ‘The Possible use of Aerogel as an Energy Absorption Material in Crash Helmets’. I have a number of questions regarding this topic and any information you could supply would be greatly appreciated: -What kind of aerogel would you recommend for this type of application - I was thinking numerous layers of flexible aerogel composite blanket due to ease of manufacture of the helmet. In your opinion, are these blankets effective as energy absorbers? -Most importantly, I require energy absorption properties for the aerogel and its approximate cost. - I understand the benefit of the presence of fibers in producing a material that is easily moldable, but how does the addition of fibers affect the energy absorption properties? Thanking you in advance, Regards, William Murray Dear Sir/Madam,

I am currently studying an MSc course in Automotive Engineering at Birmingham City University in the UK. As part of this course, I am required to investigate new/alternative materials and manufacturing processes and my chosen area of study is ‘The Possible use of Aerogel as an Energy Absorption Material in Crash Helmets’.

I have a number of questions regarding this topic and any information you could supply would be greatly appreciated:

-What kind of aerogel would you recommend for this type of application - I was thinking numerous layers of flexible aerogel composite blanket due to ease of manufacture of the helmet. In your opinion, are these blankets effective as energy absorbers?

-Most importantly, I require energy absorption properties for the aerogel and its approximate cost.

- I understand the benefit of the presence of fibers in producing a material that is easily moldable, but how does the addition of fibers affect the energy absorption properties?

Thanking you in advance,

Regards,

William Murray

]]> Comment on Into the Inferno: The Science of Fire by Craig Rosa http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/09/25/into-the-inferno-the-science-of-fire/#comment-57283 Craig Rosa Sat, 10 May 2008 01:10:14 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/09/25/into-the-inferno-the-science-of-fire/#comment-57283 Schwarzenegger orders fines for overgrown properties - The Associated Press Published Friday, May 9, 2008 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is instructing state fire officials to begin fining rural homeowners who fail to clear their properties of brush, trees and dry grass. Schwarzenegger says clearing around homes is particularly important because of this year's dry conditions throughout the state. A 2005 law required that homeowners who live near forests or grasslands increase the so-called "defensible space" around their houses from 30 feet to 100 feet. State Fire Marshal Kate Dargan says inspectors have issued few citations to homeowners who ignore the law. Instead, firefighters have focused on educating them about the dangers of overgrown properties. During a Capitol news conference on Friday, Schwarzenegger said he is ordering inspectors to be more strict about citing homeowners who don't act. Fines can range from $100 to $500. If homeowners still refuse, officials can clean up the property and send them the bill. For more information about defensible space requirements log on to: www.fire.ca.gov Schwarzenegger orders fines for overgrown properties

- The Associated Press

Published Friday, May 9, 2008

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is instructing state fire officials to begin fining rural homeowners who fail to clear their properties of brush, trees and dry grass.

Schwarzenegger says clearing around homes is particularly important because of this year’s dry conditions throughout the state.

A 2005 law required that homeowners who live near forests or grasslands increase the so-called “defensible space” around their houses from 30 feet to 100 feet.

State Fire Marshal Kate Dargan says inspectors have issued few citations to homeowners who ignore the law. Instead, firefighters have focused on educating them about the dangers of overgrown properties.

During a Capitol news conference on Friday, Schwarzenegger said he is ordering inspectors to be more strict about citing homeowners who don’t act.

Fines can range from $100 to $500. If homeowners still refuse, officials can clean up the property and send them the bill.

For more information about defensible space requirements log on to: www.fire.ca.gov

]]> Comment on Mittens for Bears and Other Tales by Craig R. http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/05/07/mittens-for-bears-and-other-tales/#comment-57281 Craig R. Fri, 09 May 2008 23:35:37 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/05/07/mittens-for-bears-and-other-tales/#comment-57281 Amazing story - I had no idea that the bears were kept *alive* for the harvesting of their bile. Amazing story - I had no idea that the bears were kept *alive* for the harvesting of their bile.

]]> Comment on Producer's Notes: Disappearing Frogs by Kishore Hari http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/05/06/producers-notes-disappearing-frogs/#comment-57259 Kishore Hari Wed, 07 May 2008 07:19:37 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/05/06/producers-notes-disappearing-frogs/#comment-57259 Tyrone Hayes spoke at Down to a Science in March. His argument (well articulated in the web only feature) is persuasive, startling, and motivating. In fact, Tyrone has "crossed the line" in advocating the ban of atrazine. More info can be found on his website: www.atrazinelovers.com If you're interested in seeing Tyrone rap (that's right I said rap) more on this topic, check out this video I posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MxrH4lN0-A Tyrone Hayes spoke at Down to a Science in March. His argument (well articulated in the web only feature) is persuasive, startling, and motivating. In fact, Tyrone has “crossed the line” in advocating the ban of atrazine. More info can be found on his website: www.atrazinelovers.com

If you’re interested in seeing Tyrone rap (that’s right I said rap) more on this topic, check out this video I posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MxrH4lN0-A

]]> Comment on Reporter's Notes: Moving Day by Lauren Sommer http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/05/02/reporters-notes-moving-day/#comment-57235 Lauren Sommer Tue, 06 May 2008 20:58:28 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/05/02/reporters-notes-moving-day/#comment-57235 Unfortunately we didn't have quite enough time to fit it all in! But QUEST has done another story on the architecture of the building. You can watch it here: http://www.kqed.org/quest/television/view/155 Unfortunately we didn’t have quite enough time to fit it all in! But QUEST has done another story on the architecture of the building. You can watch it here:
http://www.kqed.org/quest/television/view/155

]]> Comment on Famous African American Scientists by Shauntrell http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/01/23/famous-african-american-scientists/#comment-57228 Shauntrell Tue, 06 May 2008 14:12:03 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/01/23/famous-african-american-scientists/#comment-57228 I cant find any african american scientist for my science project. I cant find any african american scientist for my science project.

]]> Comment on Future History: Plastic Water Bottles - take our poll by Alan of berkeley http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/04/29/future-history-plastic-water-bottles-take-our-poll/#comment-57218 Alan of berkeley Mon, 05 May 2008 18:33:06 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/04/29/future-history-plastic-water-bottles-take-our-poll/#comment-57218 Since plastic is going to become a worse problem, why not go back to using glass and metal lids?? Find a way to enclose the glass in soft cloths or shockproof (and plastic) foam so that the glass is drinkable, fillable and washable. Since plastic is going to become a worse problem, why not go back to using glass and metal lids?? Find a way to enclose the glass in soft cloths or shockproof (and plastic) foam so that the glass is drinkable, fillable and washable.

]]> Comment on Reporter's Notes: Moving Day by AaronTaylorHarvey http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/05/02/reporters-notes-moving-day/#comment-57214 AaronTaylorHarvey Mon, 05 May 2008 15:48:07 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/05/02/reporters-notes-moving-day/#comment-57214 Good story, but I wonder how you could get through that whole thing witout mentioning the architecht of this ultra green building? Renzo Piano managed to design many elegant solutions to these issues of sustainability and animal presentation. ATH Good story, but I wonder how you could get through that whole thing witout mentioning the architecht of this ultra green building? Renzo Piano managed to design many elegant solutions to these issues of sustainability and animal presentation.

ATH

]]> Comment on The Creation of a Controversy by Barry Starr http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/12/24/the-creation-of-a-controversy/#comment-57109 Barry Starr Fri, 02 May 2008 15:57:57 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2007/12/24/the-creation-of-a-controversy/#comment-57109 Update: The creationist lost his lawsuit suggesting that it is acceptable to fire a scientist from an evolutionary lab if he or she believes in creationism. <a href="http://www.the-scientist.com/blog/display/54616/" rel="nofollow">Click here</a> for additional details. Update: The creationist lost his lawsuit suggesting that it is acceptable to fire a scientist from an evolutionary lab if he or she believes in creationism. Click here for additional details.

]]> Comment on Excellent conditions for skiing and supernovae by Courtney http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/03/24/excellent-conditions-for-skiing-and-supernovae/#comment-57092 Courtney Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:50:21 +0000 http://www.kqed.org/quest/blog/2008/03/24/excellent-conditions-for-skiing-and-supernovae/#comment-57092 Hi! I recently took a tour of the LBNL and you were speaking to us about SNAP and supernovae. I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed listening to you, and I think youre awesome! courtneymustkill@hotmail.com <3 Hi! I recently took a tour of the LBNL and you were speaking to us about SNAP and supernovae. I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed listening to you, and I think youre awesome!
courtneymustkill@hotmail.com
<3

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