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Hydrogen Properties for Energy Research (HYPER) Laboratory Cool. Fuel.

Forget space elevators, we need a space pipeline!

A few years ago I attended a seminar on using extremely long carbon nanotubes for a space elevator. And so I started thinking…

Here’s the wiki for the space elevator concept. Here’s a graphic:

To be clear, space elevators may be harder than controlled thermonuclear fusion to achieve (that’s at least 50 years out). Although carbon nanotubes may have the strength to make it possible, the very best we can do could be ~1m in length. Compare that to the image above and you see how far we have to go. Not to mention running an … » More …

ME 527 Lesson 25: Corresponding States

We’re now shifting gears, and deviating from the syllabus, to touch on a classic topic that will set the stage for our Fluid Friday discussions this Friday.

A fantastic book I’ve recently discovered covering the last half of class is “How fluids unmix: Discoveries by the School of Van der Waals and Kamerlingh Onnes” by Johanna Levelt-Sengers. The book covers the primary historical context from which we can understand the status quo. Levelt-Sengers studies in Kamerlingh Onnes’ lab under Michels and is very familiar with the historical background.

The real triumph of the Van der Waals equation started from the very beginning. Van der … » More …

Lessons learned from the first five years: Building community

A letter came in the mail the other day that I’ll be granted tenure in August… and so it goes.

Looking back on the last and first five years at WSU there are a lot of lessons learned.

One of the most important being how to build a supporting, thriving community. I remember my old boss Dave Bahr asking me, “So what are you really trying to do?” My immediate response: “build a community.” I naively told my friend P.K. that it would take 3 years to build community, he laughed and said “eight.” In short, I had no idea what it took to build community, I just … » More …

Lessons learned from the first five years: What to teach

A letter came in the mail the other day that I’ll be granted tenure in August… and so it goes.

Looking back on the last and first five years at WSU there are a lot of lessons learned.

One of the most important being what to teach. Dr. Chuck’s adage is best, “Always remember what you’re teaching your students, because all they remember is confidence.” That’s confidence in both you and themselves. Even that simple word, confidence, is complicated.

I was lucky that my first class was undergrad thermodynamics — a foundational class with a well established process, one that I was well prepared to deliver. … » More …

Lessons learned from the first five years: How to spend your startup

A letter came in the mail the other day that I’ll be granted tenure in August… and so it goes.

Looking back on the last and first five years at WSU there are a lot of lessons learned.

One of the most important being how to spend your startup. This is one of those things that everyone has an opinion about, so listen politely, do what you think is best. What I’m about to tell you is something that I was not told, nor have heard, which is why I’m telling you.

The first and most important thing to do when you get to WSU … » More …