Like many baby boomers, I am proud to have a World War II veteran in my family. Today we remember the reason the United States went to war back in 1941, not that there weren’t reasons to defend Europe earlier. On December 7th we were “brutally attacked” by the Empire of Japan in Pearl Harbor as President Roosevelt stated. The memory for me is only in story or in history books, but because I stood over the USS Arizona this past summer the surroundings are more real. Watching that oil ooze to the surface above the tombs of sailors in the silence of our group was an eerie feeling. Well worth putting on the list of National Parks to visit.
My father-in-law was an airmen in the European theater in WWII and I picked up a DVD detailing the B-26 he flew and I’m looking forward to giving it to him as a Christmas present. I think he’ll enjoy it. Today the company that sells these old film on DVD, Zeno’s Warbird Video Drive-in, is showing a few online films free online in remembrance of Pearl Harbor Day. If you are interested in warbirds from World War II, check it out the clips. Also Wikipedia has a great refresher on the attack.
Wow … not that long ago we were excited when efficiently advancement in solar cell technology hit 20 percent, now a Department of Energy funded research company has doubled that. According to the Alexander Karsar at the DOE, Boeing-Spectrolab achieved a world-record conversion efficiency of 40.7 percent, establishing a new milestone in sunlight-to-electricity performance. According to the DOE, the “breakthrough may lead to systems with an installation cost of only $3 per watt, producing electricity at a cost of 8-10 cents per kilowatt/hour, making solar electricity a more cost-competitive and integral part of our nation’s energy mix.”
The approach to achieving these impressive results has to do with using an optical concentrator to increase the intensity of the sun prior to hitting a solar cell. The structure is referred to as a “multi-junction solar cell” which is made up of several layers which capture part of the sunlight as it passes through the cell.
These new cells are make up of “multi-junction gallium arsenide-based solar cell devices,†multi-layered solar cells which converted about 16 percent of the sun’s available energy into electricity. In 1994, DOE’s National Renewable Energy laboratory broke the 30 percent barrier, which attracted interest from the space industry. Most satellites today use these multi-junction cells.
With the help of advancements like this, the Bush administration’s Solar America Initiative (SAI) may be able to meet the goal of producing enough power for two million homes by the year 2015 at a cost of only 5 to 10 cents per kilowatt/hour of zero-emission solar energy. (link for more information)
Not to be outdone by Mercedes, Volkswagen, Audi and Honda when it comes to 2008 ‘clean’ diesels here in US, BMW AG also plans to sell diesel cars in 2008 too, according to the Automotive News. Currently 63% of all the vehicles BMW sells in Europe are diesels so they are no stranger to the beasts. The company has not announced which models will be first to receive the Bluetec diesels, but considering that BMW paid more than $12 million in fines for failing to meet US fuel economy requirements last year, bring over more fuel efficient power plants won’t hurt in this area either.
According to the brief article, “Andreas Klugescheid, a U.S. spokesman for the company, said that the 2008 diesel introductions will be for all 50 states and that “BMW is keeping its product options open in case market conditions change in the next two years. Some industry observers predict the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will seek higher fuel economy requirements for cars and trucks.” Personally … my dream car would be a tuned BMW diesel … they are fantastic cars to drive!
It was an interesting day for Dr. Robert Gates nominated to replace Donald Rumsfeld as Defense Secretary, as he carefully handled questions from committee senators during today’s confirmation hearings. I found his candor surprising considering he was appointed by President Bush. His comments did seem middle of the road since when asked if “we were winning in Iraq” his answer was a single word — “no.” He was given a brief amount of freedom by Senator Lieberman to offer some thoughts on working toward unity if we were to be successful in an overall struggle against terrorism. He suggested that bipartisan support was needed much like we had during the long running cold war with the Soviet Union.
Another interesting segment is included in this 9 minute clip below in response to some pointed and speculative questions for Senator Byrd. Its worth a listen … I’m curious how support for his nomination is running nationally? I find it difficult to believe his confirmation will be held up, but with the political winds blowing in this country, anything is possible.
Big news for VW diesel lovers … according to an article in Autoweek, Volkswagen plans to sell the new Tiguan small SUV with a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine the US. The estimate is towards the end of next year and is said to be slated for all 50 states. With this small diesel SUV, Volkswagen will be in the unique position of having the only product to compete in the small SUV segment. (ie. Jeep Liberty CRD is no longer being offered)
Autoweek states that “VW unveiled a concept version of the 2008 Tiguan TDi last week at the Los Angeles Auto Show” and that “the engine is the next generation of VW’s long-running diesels and features a new common-rail, high-pressure fuel-injection system and several emissions components that use Bluetec technology.” This new vehicle is set to debut next fall with the gasoline engine, to be followed by the diesel in the US. Great news for all of us wanting a few VW diesel options. EDIT: 12/5/2006 – There was a question as to space behind the rear seat and decided to add this photo. Again … see links above for additional photos and remember that the eventual ‘stock’ version will probably have an interior similar to existing VWs. Also I thought the YouTube clip was worth posting?
Aren’t all gasolines sold at American filling stations all the same? According to Dr. Fuel Good from Shell Oil Company — No. Contrary to what 70% of American motorist think, not all gasolines are equal when it comes to protecting the internal parts of your car’s gasoline engine. Pat Goss from Motorweek and his guest discuss this subject and show a few valves that are running “tier one” gasoline and those running something less. In as little as 5000 miles there is a significant difference … so perhaps I will not question my wife’s loyalty to Shell V-Power gasoline?
My wife is busy pretending she is Mrs. Christmas and thinks I’m one of the elves — slave labor in decorating for Christmas and getting a tree if you ask me? I spotted this creative way to haul home a tree in a BMW! (and no its not me, but I found it worth a cell phone photo. )
Now that the Thanksgiving turkey has found its way to the waist line and Christmas cookies no doubt right are around the corner, its time for many Americans contemplate their propensity to over-eat … and probably make that worthless New Years weight-loss resolution too? Most know that regular exercise and better eating habits are the answer, but only a minority have the discipline to control our tendency to over-eat. Amidst the many scams, gimmicks, pills, etc, help might be on the way in the form of a drug that is showing promise in Europe … a drug called Rimonabant or trade named “Accomplia.” (by Sanofi-Aventis)
The drug is undergoing FDA approval and works to curb appetite and assist those having difficulty in reducing their calorie consumption. This might be a blockbuster drug when its given the okay. Big Pharma company Pfizer is also said to have an appetite control product that works very similar in the pipeline. My usual response to a “Hollywood” style drug to reduce weight is that we’re too focused on image, but if prescribed appropriately, the heath benefits associated with getting Americans to eat less will benefit all of us lowering health care costs?
Last Sunday afternoon I took a photo of a taildragger that I thought might be a friend flying down my way from Red Stewart Airfield. The Aeronca Champion ‘quietly’ made a couple slow turns above my house when I snapped this photo — I was thinking … “Mark is that you?” I doubt it … since this 1958 classic meandered west rather than northeast back towards Waynesville. (besides the N-number indicates the owner address as Hamilton, Ohio to my west.)
😉
Just in case you missed our EAA284 visit to Jim Hammond’s Hanger … here’s a link from one month ago.
My son came home and demonstrated the “scared pepper” — surface tension of water experiment today. I’m not sure I fully understand the ‘science’ behind the dish washing soap and water, but from an offset printing background we depend on surface tension and even enhance it with isopropyl alcohol or a substitute to dampen aluminum and polymer printing plates. As I recall, the molecular bond on the surface of water is like a very thin skin … visualize it like the bubbles you blow. When the soap hits the “bubble,” it bursts and takes the pepper with it. Whatever happens, it just another one of those interesting school experiments.
States went to war back in 1941, not that there weren’t reasons to defend Europe earlier. On December 7th we were “brutally attacked” by the Empire of Japan in Pearl Harbor as President Roosevelt stated. The memory for me is only in story or in history books, but because I stood over the USS Arizona this past summer the surroundings are more real. Watching that oil ooze to the surface above the tombs of sailors in the silence of our group was an eerie feeling. Well worth putting on the list of National Parks to visit.
According to the DOE, the “breakthrough may lead to systems with an installation cost of only $3 per watt, producing electricity at a cost of 8-10 cents per kilowatt/hour, making solar electricity a more cost-competitive and integral part of our nation’s energy mix.”
Not to be outdone by Mercedes, Volkswagen, Audi and Honda when it comes to 2008 ‘clean’ diesels here in US, BMW AG also plans to sell diesel cars in 2008 too, according to the 
questions from committee senators during today’s confirmation hearings. I found his candor surprising considering he was appointed by President Bush. His comments did seem middle of the road since when asked if “we were winning in Iraq” his answer was a single word — “no.” He was given a brief amount of freedom by Senator Lieberman to offer some thoughts on working toward unity if we were to be successful in an overall struggle against terrorism. He suggested that bipartisan support was needed much like we had during the long running cold war with the Soviet Union. 
Contrary to what 70% of American motorist think, not all gasolines are equal when it comes to protecting the internal parts of your car’s gasoline engine. Pat Goss from 
for many Americans contemplate their propensity to over-eat … and probably make that worthless New Years weight-loss resolution too? Most know that regular exercise and better eating habits are the answer, but only a minority have the discipline to control our tendency to over-eat. Amidst the many scams, gimmicks, pills, etc, help might be on the way in the form of a drug that is showing promise in Europe … a drug called 
My son came home and demonstrated the “scared pepper” — surface tension of water experiment today. I’m not sure I fully understand the ‘science’ behind the dish washing soap and water, but from an offset printing background we depend on surface tension and even enhance it with isopropyl alcohol or a substitute to dampen aluminum and polymer printing plates. As I recall, the molecular bond on the surface of water is like a very thin skin … visualize it like the bubbles you blow. When the soap hits the “bubble,” it bursts and takes the pepper with it. Whatever happens, it just another one of those interesting school experiments.