Much of the mass of the
Universe is missing, consisting of "dark matter" that science has not been able
to detect. An axion is a hypothetical elementary particle that may account for much
of this dark matter. Some 100 trillion are thought to be packed into every cubic
centimeter of space in our galaxy. Scientists, however, have been unable to prove the
axion exists. Now, a radio frequency amplifier based on a new type of Superconducting
Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) should make it possible to detect the elusive axion.
According to the California Air
Resources Board, diesel exhaust accounts for approximately 24 percent of the particulate
emissions from all fuel combustion sources statewide. There is an increasing concern about
adverse public health impacts of diesel exhaust. Moreover, most of the diesel particulate
emissions are very small in size and difficult to measure. Now, researcher Arlon Hunt has
created an instrument up to the challenge of measuring and analyzing
individual vehicle emissions as well as sampling air quality in the field.
Window and lighting systems in
buildings are not operated as an integrated system. As a result, windows and skylights
that bring natural light to the buildings interior rarely reduce a buildings
energy use as much as they could. A six-year research effort here shows how natural lighting can reduce the
total electricity and peak energy demand of commercial buildings occupied in the
daytime by between 20 and 40 percent.