NASA is jettisoning some stuff they don’t need, now that the Shuttle program has ended, through their “Tiles for Teachers” and “Space Food for Schools” programs. There is even a link to lesson plans for grades 2-4, 5-8 and 9-12. There are a few rules, but they look fairly innocuous.

Spread the word to the teachers in your circle. Be the cool parent!

So you have all the facts, here’s the actual NASA press release:

“NASA Offers Shuttle Tiles And Space Food To Schools And Universities”

NASA is offering space shuttle heat shield tiles and dehydrated astronaut food to eligible schools and universities. The initiative is part of the agency’s efforts to preserve the Space Shuttle Program’s history and technology and inspire the next generation of space explorers, scientists and engineers.

The lightweight tiles protected the shuttles from extreme temperatures when the orbiters re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere. The food, which was precooked or processed so that refrigeration is unnecessary, is ready to eat or could be prepared simply by adding water or by heating. Schools can register for a login ID and request a tile or food at: http://gsaxcess.gov/NASAWel.htm

Click on the appropriate icon to log on to the request page. Eligible institutions use National Center for Education Statistics or Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System numbers assigned by the U.S. Department of Education to apply for the artifacts. Requests will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Because the tiles and food are government property, a transfer protocol is observed. Recipients will be responsible for a shipping and handling fee, which is payable to the shipping company through a secure website. “Tiles for Teachers” are offered for the shipping and handling fee of $23.40. “Space Food for Schools” is offered in one package containing about three space food items for a shipping and handling fee of $28.03.

If additional assistance is needed with registration, send an email to: HQ-NASA-AWG@mail.nasa.gov

For more information on tiles, food and other NASA artifacts available to museums and libraries, visit: http://artifacts.nasa.gov/

For lesson plans based on the tiles, visit: http://artifacts.nasa.gov/shuttle_tiles_teachers.htm

 

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A Tribute to Anthony G. Evans, special issue: Journal of the American Ceramic Society, June 2011, Vol. 94, Issue Supplement s1

Big families have a hard time saying goodbye. There is always one more thing to mention, one more remembrance to share, one more witticism to impart, one more hug to give. It’s especially tough when the farewell is marking the passing of a beloved family member.

So it is with the ceramic materials science and engineering family and the death two years ago of Anthony G. Evans. Just shy of 67 when he died in September of 2009, the breadth and depth of Tony’s scholarship has had an enormous impact on the field of ceramic science. His influence will continue through those he trained and with whom he worked.

This “extended” family has gathered to honor Evans by publishing a special tribute issue of the Journal of the American Ceramic Society. Evans’ colleagues past and present have contributed 26 articles, including 24 original articles. In a testimony to the momentum and scope of his research program, eight of the articles include Evans as a coauthor.

The issue’s organizing committee included Carlos Levi, Arthur Heuer, Manfred Rühle, Frank Zok, Tresa Pollock and Robert McMeeking.

It will be sent automatically to Journal print subscribers. Non-subsription copies of the issue are $11 each and can be ordered by contacting Wiley directly at customer@wiley.com with the subject line “Tony Evans supplement.”

The Table of Contents can be viewed at the Wiley website: Journal of the American Ceramic Society, June 2011, Vol. 94, Issue Supplement s1.

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ACerS’ publishing partner Wiley is making a limited number of free article downloads from their comprehensive Online Library (each valued at $30) available to members on a monthly basis. Because the number of downloads is limited, ACerS is inviting each member to one free download per month while response to the new program is assessed. Articles may be downloaded from any Wiley content area.

To access articles, log into the ACerS website (ceramics.org), click on Knowledge Center > ACerS/Wiley Download Direct > Access the ACerS/Wiley Download Direct Program. Select a topic, search for an article, view the abstract to make sure it’s the right article, and click on the pdf or html link. Or click here to get started.

It’s yours for free!   

Clicking on the pdf or html link does constitute a download, so reviewing the abstract before download is recommended.

Remember, one article download per month, per member. If you need more than one article, contact Marcia Stout at mstout@ceramics.org to see if additional downloads are available.

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Screenshot of new online ceramicSOURCE homepage

The staff at The American Ceramic Society has just released a fantastic new online “marketplace” tool— the “ceramicSOURCE‘— for anyone looking for raw material suppliers, testing and evaluation equipment vendors, material handling equipment, etc.

ceramicSOURCE also goes beyond supplies and hardware, and features a comprehensive listing of “soft” services such as consultants, research groups, engineering services, education institutions and other associations.

I’ve been testing the operations of ceramicSOURCE for several days and I can guarantee you its is one of the best specialty directories found online, delivering the live linking, email features, social networking tools and search functions that individual ACerS members, businesses and institutions have been asking for.

Although it might not necessarily be obvious, there are really two sides to an online tool like ceramicSOURCE: One side contains search and sharing tools aimed at users; the other side contains the tools for listers to create an account and then manage and update their information, and learn about ways to enhance their marketing opportunities in ceramicSOURCE.

Let’s take a quick look at each side. First, for users, when you first go to ceramicSOURCE opening page, you have several search options: “Search by Keyword” (like a Google search), “Search by Location,” or “Browse by Product Category.” Users also have access to an “Advanced Search” option that allows them to combine search words, locations, proximity parameters (e.g., if you are looking for a supplier within 50 miles of your location), etc.

So, for example, if a user wants to find suppliers of alumina, just enter “alumina” as a keyword. The resultant search might look something like this (please note, I have included just the first few of the 126 companies that were suggested by the system):

Users can scroll through the listings, and if they find an entity they are interested in, they can click immediately on the links to the entity’s phone number, fax, website or email. Users can share their find with others and create a “favorites” list to keep track of organizations they may contact frequently.

Users can access even more information if the lister has a “showcase” listing. Showcase listings include a Google map locator, photo galleries, a contact form and, possibly, videos and news releases from the entity. Here is a sample of a single expanded ceramicSOURCE showcase listing:

The listing may also indicate if the lister is an ACerS Corporate Member, an MS&T Exhibitor, etc.

If users find something they like, they can post a link to their Facebook page or wall, on a friend’s wall, to a group or send to a group. Likewise with Twitter.

Now on to the listers side of ceramicSOURCE. For new listers, access begins by clicking on the “Add Your Company” tab, which will take them to a page showing listing options, including free, “premium” and “showcase” choices. Next, they pick their listing options and then click on either the “Add Listing” or “Contact Us” links.

My suggestion is to begin with the free option, and the “Add Listing” link will lead new listers through the process of setting up their free account and company/organization information. Here is what the top of the new account page looks like:

New listers should make sure they click on the “Continue” button on the bottom of the page — this will trigger the process of getting the free listing approved.

ACerS will be eager for any feedback from either users or listers on ways to make the system even more useful.

One final note: As it does every year, ACers still will produce a printed version of ceramicSOURCE Product/Service/Company directory in the December 2011 issue of the Bulletin.

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Micromeritics, a manufacturer of particle and nanotechnology instruments and equipment, is offering a free materials characterization workshop and plant tour on March 15, 2011, at its headquarters located in Norcross, Ga. The company says the workshop will benefit scientists, laboratory supervisors and technicians in industry and academia where knowledge of the physical characteristics of powders and solids is essential.

Three presentations are being given by Micromeritics staff scientists. The presentations will conclude with a question and answer session. The sessions will be followed by a tour of the company’s manufacturing facility.

• Determination of Particle Size Distribution of Powders by Various Analytical Methods, Including Characterization of Particle Shape – led by Anthony Thornton, director of Product Integrity and Performance
  Six methods, including one for characterizing shape of particles, will be discussed. A description of each method, including the principle of operation, data reduction and reporting and advantages and applications, will be provided. Methods to be discussed are X-ray monitored gravity sedimentation, static laser light scattering, dynamic laser light scattering, electrical sensing zone, air permeability and dynamic image analysis.

• An Examination of Chemisorption - A Powerful Tool Widely Used in the Study and Characterization of Catalysts – led by Simon Yunes, senior application scientist
  Chemical adsorption analyses can provide much of the information needed to evaluate catalyst materials in the design and production phases, as well as after a period of use. The chemical adsorption isotherm reveals information about the active surface of a material and researchers have used if for many years as a standard analytical tool for the evaluation of catalysts. In addition, thermo-programmed techniques have emerged as an indispensible companion to chemisorption isotherm analyses.

• Physical Adsorption - A Powerful Technique for Determining the Surface and Pore Structure of Solids – led by Jeff Kenvin, group leader of the Scientific Services Group and Jacek Jagiello, senior scientist
  This seminar will compare traditional techniques for surface area and pore structure to modern techniques including the use of non-local density functional theory and statistical mechanics. Additional topics will also include the use high pressure adsorption and the determination of the heat of adsorption for adsorbents.

For detailed information, presentation descriptions and to register for the workshop and plant tour, visit Micromeritics.

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