[en] The design of a Mars Mission Vehicle that would have to be launched by two very heavy lift launch vehicles is described along with plans for a mission to Mars. The vehicle has three nuclear engine for rocket vehicle application (NERVA) boosters with a fourth in the center that acts as a dual mode system. The fourth generates electrical power while in route, but it also helps lift the vehicle out of earth orbit. A Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV), a Mars transfer vehicle stage, and a Mars Excursion Vehicle (MEV) are located on the front end of this vehicle. Other aspects of this research including aerobraking, heat shielding, nuclear thermal rocket engines, a mars mission summary, closed Brayton cycle with and without regeneration, liquid hydrogen propellant storage, etc. are addressed

[en] The goal of demonstrating that the technique of the creeping waves (fast surface waves, head waves) is able to detect surface defects during inservice inspection of dissimilar metal welds was reached. The investigation was performed in several steps. Feasibility tests with different special ultrasonic probes on a number of flat plates with dissimilar metal welds (carbon steel, Inconel buffer weld, Inconel weld, stainless steel) have been performed using notches of different length and depth as reflector. In a further step, investigation continued on specimens with fatigue cracks in various interfaces. Finally, measurements were confirmed on curved reference blocks with the actual weld configuration. Transverse and longitudinal notches with a depth of 1 mm and a length of 10 mm served as reflector and were clearly indicated. Investigation showed very satisfactory results which besides were confirmed by detecting a real weld defect, a crack in a safe end directly from fabrication of less than 2.5 mm depth

[en] In the last years testing of welded joints has become more complicated. It is given too little importance to localization of flaws, though exact knowledge of the flaw position often is the first step in interpreting the test results. The amplitude still is the most important criterion for acceptance of a finding or repair of defect. Acoustic holography, phased arrays, focused acoustic fields, synthetic aperture focussing techniques and pattern recognition techniques will in course of time improve the interpretation of ultrasonic findings. (orig./RW)

[en] We present a quadratic Finite Element approach to discretize the Kohn-Sham equations on structured non-uniform meshes. A multigrid FAC preconditioner is proposed to iteratively solve the equations by an accelerated steepest descent scheme. The method was implemented using SAMRAI, a parallel software infrastructure for general AMR applications. Examples of applications to small nanoclusters calculations are presented

[en] This document presents the views of the Canadian Wind Energy Association regarding the 2004 federal budget. As the fastest growing source of electricity in the world, wind energy possesses environmental and economic benefits. Producing no air and water pollution, wind energy is a proven commercially available technology which does not destroy ecosystems, generate solid wastes or any other types of wastes. It is expected that wind energy will generate somewhere between $1 and $2 billion in investment, along with 8,000 to 16,000 jobs for each 1,000 megawatts (MW) of new installed capacity in Canada. In addition, wind energy contributes to electricity price stability, diversifies rural economies, substitutes for natural gas as the country's new primary source of electricity generation, and mitigates the risk of unscheduled and total power outages. The Association recommends that Canada adopt a target of 10,000 MW by 2010. In addition, it recommends strengthening the Wind Power Production Incentive (WPPI) program (cost of $146 million per year for 15 years), and strengthening the Federal Government's Green Power Procurement program (cost of $24 million per year for 10 years). 1 tab

[en] We were able to demonstrate that in even plates and samples both grooves and fatigue cracks can be detected with a good signal-to-noise distance. It was easy to tell the difference between signals indicating eroded grooves and those indicating fatigue cracks. Excellent results were also obtained for curved objects with grooves of 1mm depth and 10mm length. The qualification of the testing technology for zigzag grooves was confirmed by means of an object with a crack resulting from a factory flow. (orig./RW)

[en] The promotion of sustainable energy technologies under a competitive electricity market in Alberta was discussed. The electric power industry in Alberta is currently in a crisis with rising electricity prices. The government has tried to mitigate the impacts by providing large rebates to help ease the financial burden on consumers. The author argued that unless the fundamental causes of the problem are dealt with, Albertans will soon face even larger problems. This paper described a new approach to electricity sector planning in Alberta. In particular, the approach focused on conserving energy and improving energy efficiency as well as on increasing the use of low-impact renewable energy such as small hydro, wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and waste fuel generators and cogenerators. New policies would protect consumers from price and resource instability as well as from human health and environmental degradation. Additional policies would promote diversity in electricity supply and competition. Competition encourages electricity suppliers to work through market based mechanisms instead of government regulation or intervention. Competition in the electricity markets may also lead to increased customer choice, a larger number players in the electricity generation sector, and greater opportunities for trade. Increased competition may force producers to develop cost effective technologies that promote sustainable development to mitigate some environmental impacts. 3 tabs

[en] This assessment of provincial government performance on climate change is intended as a 'baseline' prior to the implementation of the National Implementation Strategy on Climate Change, (NIS) scheduled to be signed by the federal and provincial Ministers of Energy and Environment in Quebec City in October 2000. Participants are also expected to agree on a 'First Business Plan' for the NIS at that same meeting, including identification of measures each of the provincial governments plan to institute to address climate change issues over the next two to three years. The report is based on performance of government activity in climate change in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec , the five provinces that together account for 89 per cent of Canada's total GHG emissions, against the greenhouse gas emission measures identified by the various provincial governments on various occasions over the past 10 years. Nine areas of potential activity to address climate change with a total of 38 criteria were used. Each criterion was used to determine whether or not a provincial government has implemented a specific measure that will likely be an integral component of a national effort to address climate change. The nine categories forming the base of the assesment were: transportation, electricity generation,buildings, industry, readiness to facilitate emissions trading, 'own house in order' other sources of GHG, promoting GHG reduction technology development, and enhancing awareness and public education. All provincial governments received a very poor, failing grade . (The 'best': British Columbia with 30.5 per cent; the 'worst': Saskatchewan with 20.5 per cent). The report characterizes the last 10 years as 'the lost decade' with respect to government action on the issue of climate change. It points out that time is running out; provincial governments have to make the effort to be part of the solution to climate change, or they will have solutions imposed on them by other levels of governments or the marketplace. tabs

[en] Short communication. 2 figs

No abstract available