Microbial populations in Antarctic permafrost: biodiversity, state, age, and implication for astrobiology

Antarctic permafrost soils have not received as much geocryological and biological study as has been devoted to the ice sheet, though the permafrost is more stable and older and inhabited by more microbes. This makes these soils potentially more informative and a more significant microbial repository than ice sheets. Due to the stability of the subsurface physicochemical regime, Antarctic permafrost is not an extreme environment but a balanced natural one. Up to 10(4) viable cells/g, whose age presumably corresponds to the longevity of the permanently frozen state of the sediments, have been isolated from Antarctic permafrost. Along with the microbes, metabolic by-products are preserved. This presumed natural cryopreservation makes it possible to observe what may be the oldest microbial communities on Earth. Here, we describe the Antarctic permafrost habitat and biodiversity and provide a model for martian ecosystems.     

Major new thrust for MEMS engines

The application of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to space flight is reviewed. The applications include use as microthrusters on mini-size and smaller satellites, in missile defense systems, and as propulsion systems for miniature unmanned aerial vehicles.     

Start-Up Transient of a DC-to-DC Converter Powered by a Current-Limited Source

An analysis technique is presented which permits the designer to explore the start-up transient of a dc-to-dc converter when it is powered by a current-limited source. The current versus voltage characteristics of the source are superimposed upon those of the dc-to-dc converter. By noting the nature of the intersection of these curves in the voltage-current plane, we are able to predict whether or not the converter is able to start up while powering a specified load.     

Relationships Among Classes of Self-Oscillating Transistor Parallel Inverters

It recently has been shown in the literature that many dc-to-squarewave parallel inverters which are widely used in power-conditioning applications can be grouped into one of two families. Each family is characterized by an equivalent RLC network. Based on this approach, a classification procedure is presented for self-oscillating parallel inverters which makes evident natural relationships which exist between various inverter configurations. By utilizing concepts from the basic theory of negative resistance oscillators and the principle of duality as applied to nonlinear networks, a chain of relationships is established which enables a methodical transfer of knowledge gained about one family of inverters to any of the other families in the classification array.     

DC-to-DC Converter Power-Train Optimization for Maximum Efficiency

A new way is given to describe the independent and dependent design variables of the power train of a dc-to-dc converter in terms of a multidimensional design-parameter space. These concepts provide a framework for examining the problem of design optimization of the power train, with particular emphasis on the maximization of converter efficiency. Numerous examples of important parameterspace surfaces illustrate some of the major relationships between core volume, switching frequency, and output power and between efficiency, ripple, and temperature rise of the energy-storage reactor. Also, the difference in performance between the continuous and discontinuous magnetomotive (MMF) force modes of operation is explored.