Implications of an anthropic model of evolution for emergence of complex life and intelligence

Structurally complex life and intelligence evolved late on Earth; models for the evolution of global temperature suggest that, due to the increasing solar luminosity, the future life span of the (eukaryote) biosphere will be "only" about another billion years, a short time compared to the approximately 4 Ga since life began. A simple stochastic model (Carter, 1983) suggests that this timing might be governed by the necessity to pass a small number, n, of very difficult evolutionary steps, with n < 10 and a best guess of n = 4, in order for intelligent observers like ourselves to evolve. Here I extend the model analysis to derive probability distributions for each step. Past steps should tend to be evenly spaced through Earth's history, and this is consistent with identification of the steps with some of the major transitions in the evolution of life on Earth. A complementary approach, identifying the critical steps with major reorganizations in Earth's biogeochemical cycles, suggests that the Archean-Proterozoic and Proterozoic-Phanerozoic transitions might be identified with critical steps. The success of the model lends support to a "Rare Earth" hypothesis (Ward and Brownlee, 2000): structurally complex life is separated from prokaryotes by several very unlikely steps and, hence, will be much less common than prokaryotes. Intelligence is one further unlikely step, so it is much less common still.     

Availability of O(2) and H(2)O(2) on pre-photosynthetic Earth

Old arguments that free O(2) must have been available at Earth's surface prior to the origin of photosynthesis have been revived by a new study that shows that aerobic respiration can occur at dissolved oxygen concentrations much lower than had previously been thought, perhaps as low as 0.05?nM, which corresponds to a partial pressure for O(2) of about 4?×?10(-8) bar. We used numerical models to study whether such O(2) concentrations might have been provided by atmospheric photochemistry. Results show that disproportionation of H(2)O(2) near the surface might have yielded enough O(2) to satisfy this constraint. Alternatively, poleward transport of O(2) from the equatorial stratosphere into the polar night region, followed by downward transport in the polar vortex, may have brought O(2) directly to the surface. Thus, our calculations indicate that this "early respiration" hypothesis might be physically reasonable.     

Cutting the bread

Why the draft Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects (PPWT) will not work - whereas the Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities may.     

The knowledge of knots: an interdisciplinary literature review

ABSTRACT

Knots can be found and used in a variety of situations in the 3D world, such as in vines, in the DNA, polymer chains, electrical wires, in mountaineering, seamanship and when ropes or other flexible objects are involved for exerting forces and holding objects in place. Research on knots as topological entities has contributed with a number of findings, not only of interest to pure mathematics, but also to statistical mechanics, quantum physics, genetics, and chemistry. Yet, the cognitive (or algorithmic) aspects involved in the act of tying a knot are a largely uncharted territory. This paper presents a review of the literature related to the investigation of knots from the topological, physical, cognitive and computational (including robotics) standpoints, aiming at bridging the gap between pure mathematical work on knot theory and macroscopic physical knots, with an eye to applications and modeling.     

Testing the H2O2-H2O hypothesis for life on Mars with the TEGA instrument on the Phoenix lander

In the time since the Viking life-detection experiments were conducted on Mars, many missions have enhanced our knowledge about the environmental conditions on the Red Planet. However, the martian surface chemistry and the Viking lander results remain puzzling. Nonbiological explanations that favor a strong inorganic oxidant are currently favored (e.g., Mancinelli, 1989; Plumb et al., 1989; Quinn and Zent, 1999; Klein, 1999; Yen et al., 2000), but problems remain regarding the lifetime, source, and abundance of that oxidant to account for the Viking observations (Zent and McKay, 1994). Alternatively, a hypothesis that favors the biological origin of a strong oxidizer has recently been advanced (Houtkooper and Schulze-Makuch, 2007). Here, we report on laboratory experiments that simulate the experiments to be conducted by the Thermal and Evolved Gas Analyzer (TEGA) instrument of the Phoenix lander, which is to descend on Mars in May 2008. Our experiments provide a baseline for an unbiased test for chemical versus biological responses, which can be applied at the time the Phoenix lander transmits its first results from the martian surface.     

Influences of H2O mass fraction and chemical kinetics mechanism on the turbulent diffusion combustion of H2–O2 in supersonic flows

Hydrogen is one of the most promising fuels for the airbreathing hypersonic propulsion system, and it attracts an increasing attention of the researchers worldwide. In this study, a typical hydrogen-fueled supersonic combustor was investigated numerically, and the predicted results were compared with the available experimental data in the open literature. Two different chemical reaction mechanisms were employed to evaluate their effects on the combustion of H₂–O₂, namely the two-step and the seven-step mechanisms, and the vitiation effect was analyzed by varying the H₂O mass fraction. The obtained results show that the predicted mole fraction profiles for different components show very good agreement with the available experimental data under the supersonic mixing and combustion conditions, and the chemical reaction mechanism has only a slight impact on the overall performance of the turbulent diffusion combustion. The simple mechanism of H₂–O₂ can be employed to evaluate the performance of the combustor in order to reduce the computational cost. The H₂O flow vitiation makes a great difference to the combustion of H₂–O₂, and there is an optimal H₂O mass fraction existing to enhance the intensity of the turbulent combustion. In the range considered in this paper, its optimal value is 0.15. The initiated location of the reaction appears far away from the bottom wall with the increase of the H₂O mass fraction, and the H₂O flow vitiation quickens the transition from subsonic to supersonic mode at the exit of the combustor.     

N2O微推力器性能及喷管热结构分析

针对采用氧化亚氮推进剂的单组元微推力器开展了比冲性能影响因素的分析,分析结果显示微推力器比冲与氧化亚氮分解效率及喷管扩张比有着密切关系。利用有限元分析法对高空及地面试验两种工况下氧化亚氮单组元微推力器喷管的结构温度场开展了数值仿真计算,并在结构温度场仿真计算的基础上进一步对地面试验用喷管的结构应力场进行了分析。初步试验表明,所设计的微喷管在地面工况下工作良好。     

Linear Shaped Charge Cutting Property and Charge Cutting Mechanism of Mg-Gd-Y-Zn Alloy

The linear shaped charge cutting technology is an effective technology for aircraft separation. It can separate invalid components from aircrafts timely to achieve light-weight. Magnesium alloy is the lightest metal material, and can be used to cast effective light-weight components of an aircraft construction. However, the application study of the linear shaped charge cutting technology on magnesium alloy components is basically blank. In response to the demand for the linear separation of magnesium alloys, the Mg-12Gd-0.5Y-0.4Zn alloy is selected to carry out the target shaped charge cutting test. The effects of the shaped charge line density, cutting thickness, and mechanical properties on the cutting performance of the alloy are studied. The shaped charge cutting mechanism is analyzed through the notch structure. The results show that the linear shaped charge cutting performance is significantly affected by the penetration and the collapse. The higher the linear density is, the stronger the ability of the linear shaped charge cutter is, and the greater the penetration depth is, which is advantageous. However, the target structure will be damaged when it is too large (e.g., 4.5 g?m-1). Within 12 mm, when the cutting thickness of the target increases, the penetration depth increases. The lower the tensile strength is, the greater the penetration depth is, and the more conducive the penetration depth to the shaped charge cutting is. When the elongation (EL) increases to 12%, the collapse of the target is incomplete and the target cannot be separated. When the tensile strength of the Mg-Gd-Y-Zn alloy is less than 350 MPa, the EL is less than 6.5%, the cutting thickness is less than 12 mm, and the linear shaped charge cutting of the magnesium alloy can be achieved stably.     

过氧化氢/煤油推力室试验件点火试验系统设计与实现

介绍了过氧化氢和煤油双组元推进剂采用火药进行点火试验的系统设计方案并对试验数据及录像进行了分析,结果表明该试验系统能满足设计要求.     

N2O4中铝含量的测定

提出了一种用分光光度计测定N2O4中铝含量的方法。先对样品进行预处理以消除N2O4本身颜色对比色的影响。给出了测定步骤。由实验确定的操作条件是:显色剂为玫红三羧酸铵溶液0.5 g/L,最佳用量5 mL,最大吸收波长530 nm。实验表明,该法测得的N2O4中铝含量的相对标准偏差小于5%,回收率大于96%。方法准确可靠。     

CBERS-O2热红外波段绝对辐射定标及其不确定性分析

文章介绍了2004年CBERS-O2星热红外波段绝对定标工作，结合野外试验情况和数据处理过程深入进行了不确定性因素分析（包括误差分析），并从亮温反演的角度分析定标精度，进而针对如何提高在轨卫星热红外波段绝对辐射定标的精度，进行了探讨。     

铍材应用及其切削工艺

铍材因其特殊的物理力学性能,在军工、航空航天等领域具有不可替代的作用,并且铍材的加工技术成熟度低,有其特殊性。本文介绍了铍材的性能和主要应用领域,如何实现安全高效的铍材加工方法和工艺关键,以及如何去除加工表面应力及损伤层的工艺方法。     

过氧化氢催化剂床结构研究

提出了分解过氧化氢的几种方法,特别介绍了银网结构的催化剂床.同时给出了计算催化剂床尺寸的方程式,分析了催化剂床各个组成部分的结构,列出了部分零件的尺寸示例以及催化剂床工作的常见故障.     

Infrared spectra and radiation stability of H2O2 ices relevant to Europa

In this paper we present spectra of H2O2-containing ices in the near- and mid-infrared (IR) regions. Spectral changes on warming are shown, as is a comparison of near-IR bands of H2O and H2O2-containing ices. An estimate of the A-value (absolute intensity) for the largest near- IR feature of H2O2 is given. Radiation-decay half-lives are reported for 19 K and 80 K, and are related to the surface radiation doses on Europa. The radiation data show that H2O2 destruction is slower at 80 K than 19 K, and are consistent with the claim that icy material in the outermost micrometer of Europa's surface has been heavily processed by radiation.     

Evaluation of Ir/Al2O3, Ir–Ru/Al2O3 and Ru/Al2O3 catalyst performance in a 5 N satellite thruster

Ir/Al₂O₃, Ir–Ru/Al₂O₃ and Ru/Al₂O₃ catalysts with approximately 33% metallic content in mass were prepared in 20 impregnation steps. For the Ru catalyst, two impregnation methods were employed: incipient wetness (chlorinated precursor) and by excess volume (non-chlorinated precursor). For the remaining catalysts, only incipient wetness impregnation was used with chlorinated precursors. Catalyst textural properties were evaluated before and after catalytic tests: metallic grade, specific area, mesopore volume distribution, metallic dispersion, and metallic particle average diameter. Catalysts were tested for hydrazine (N₂H₄) decomposition reaction in a 5 N satellite thruster and their performances were compared to Shell 405 commercial catalyst. Results showed that catalysts containing Ir were similar in performance to Shell 405 commercial catalyst and that the catalyst containing only Ru should not be used in cold starts.     

过氧化氢/煤油双组元推力室催化分解点火研究

针对小推力过氧化氢/煤油推力室催化分解点火进行研究.作为过氧化氢/煤油双组元发动机的技术途径之一,还可扩展应用于催化分解点火火炬、补燃循环发动机中.推力室采用细颗粒催化剂床分解90%浓度过氧化氢(90%H2O2),分解的高温燃气使煤油雾化、蒸发和点火并且自维持燃烧.研究工作包括了催化剂床和气液喷注器的设计、单组元分解特性、双组元点火可靠性、工作效率及稳定性研究.试验中采用热容式燃烧室,催化剂床采用轮毂式分配板和多孔式床支板,并检验了不同结构的分解燃气与燃料喷射、混合情况.研究结果显示,催化分解点火可靠性高,工作稳定,燃烧效率在95%以上.     

N2O/丙烷火箭发动机研制

为进行N2O/丙烷(C3H8)火箭发动机(NOP)试验,在亚拉巴马大学(UAH)新建了一座发动机试车台,装备了台架式推进剂供应系统、10001bsf(4448.22N)的推力架和数据采集系统.研究了N2O催化分解点火方案,对几种催化剂材料进行了评估.Shel1-405和钴基的ZSM-5性能良好,可使N2O充分分解,并点燃碳氢燃料,如丙烷.试验表明,纯N2O通过Shel1-405时,催化分解反应在400°F(204℃)时进行,如果加入少许碳氢燃料(例如丙烷或丙烯),此温度将下降到大约200°F(93℃).NOP发动机在L*=3m时,在混合比4.89到8.68之间进行了试验.在合适的热损失模型下,试验数据与理论计算结果相吻合.使NOP发动机稳定工作的范围基本确定为N2O流量＜0.270 1bm/sec(0.122kg/s),混合比在5～6之间.用辐射测量仪来测量发动机排气温度和羽流成分,用羽流皮托管校验推力数据.     

上面级飞行试验用H2O2/JP-8火箭发动机的催化剂床不稳定性

轨道科学公司和美国空军研究实验室所属的军用太空飞机技术规划办公室共同获得了NASA马歇尔空间飞行中心(MSFC)上面级飞行试验(USFE)项目合同.轨道公司正在设计研制一种廉价的新型液体火箭,火箭采用压力供应系统,推力为4,540N(10,000磅),推进剂为H2O2/JP-8.在NASA Stennis太空中心(SSC)进行的上面级飞行试验用燃烧室热试车时,当H2O2流量达到设计流量的1/3时,催化剂床发生了低频不稳定.本文介绍了上面级飞行试验催化剂床、燃烧室及其工作情况;讨论了催化剂床不稳定动力学;还介绍了用计算机动态模型模拟再现催化剂床的不稳定现象的情况.该计算模型建立在SSC试验数据的基础上,旨在探索解决催化剂床发生不稳定问题的可能方法.最后介绍了对催化剂床不稳定问题采取措施后,燃烧室的结构及其稳定工作情况.     

微切削摩擦磨损特性研究

在微切削领域中,以简单的常系数库伦摩擦模型作为金属切削过程为有限元仿真的摩擦模型仿真计算,与实际切削情况相差甚远;通过利用分子动力学仿真,研究了微切削过程中的摩擦现象,并基于最新微观摩擦学的研究成果,从理论上阐述了微切削与宏观切削摩擦过程中的不同,并应用到微切削加工中的微切削摩擦机理研究,有力的指导去深入地研究微切削加工机理。     

Fe_2O_3/石墨烯复合物的制备及催化性能研究

以氧化石墨烯和硝酸铁为原料,采用水热法制备Fe_2O_3/石墨烯复合物。采用XRD、FTIR、RAMAN、SEM等对其结构和形貌进行表征,并通过不同升温速率的TG-DSC研究Fe_2O_3/石墨烯复合物对HMX热分解催化作用。结果表明,在氧化石墨烯被还原为石墨烯过程中,同时Fe_2O_3纳米粒子负载于石墨烯片层上;Fe_2O_3/石墨烯复合物可使HMX热分解活化能降低51.13 kJ·mol~(-1),对HMX有较好的催化作用。