Materials Research & Design (United States)

The structures, physicochemical and thermodynamic properties of materials are becoming increasingly amenable to treatment by first-principles (ab initio) quantum mechanical simulations. Calculations containing a few hundred atoms are now routine, thanks to improvements in computer technology and computational techniques. Schemes to determine electronic structures more accurately and to treat more complex systems continue to be developed. A growing number of scientists and engineers are becoming aware of the power of these approaches. By applying these new computational tools, materials science and technology is expected to enter a new era of accelerated progress and efficiency.

Alcan Smelters & Chemicals Ltd. initiated construction of the final phase of the Kemano Completion Project in north-central British Columbia to divert additional water from the Nechako Reservoir to the existing powerhouse. The Nechako Reservoir was created by the construction of the Kenney Dam in Nechako Canyon, a natural barrier to salmon migration. The Nechako River downstream of Nechako Canyon supports important runs of sockeye and chinook salmon. This additional diversion of Nechako River flow creates the potential of high water temperatures and increased thermal stress to migrating sockeye salmon enroute to their spawning grounds in Nechako River tributaries. To achieve specific downstream water temperature objectives during sockeye salmon migration each summer, a two-level outlet facility adjacent to Kenney Dam is to be constructed to release cooling water at 10°C to the Nechako River. Results of mathematical modelling of Nechako River water temperatures show that, based on specified design criteria, a maximum Kenney Dam release of 167 m 3 /s at 10°C would be required to meet the downstream water temperature objectives.

ASTM Committee E-7 on Nondestructive Testing is composed of ten technical subcommittees. Volume 03.03 of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards presently contains eight glossaries which have been issued by these subcommittees, and other definitions can be found in an additional ten methods and practices. A review of these 17 documents has revealed several terms with two dissimilar definitions, and in some cases these definitions had been issued by one subcommittee. In an attempt to bring some order out of this chaos, we are proceeding as follows: 1. All terms (eight to date) which are common to the various disciplines have been placed under the jurisdiction of the editorial subcommittee. 2. A master glossary, which will contain all the terms currently found in the 17 documents, is being developed. 3. This glossary will be divided into sections, one for each subcommittee, and each of the technical subcommittees will retain jurisdiction over all the terms in its section. The eight common terms and any subsequent similar terms will appear in a separate section. 4. Where two or more definitions for one term currently exist, both will be shown until the subcommittee decides to eliminate one, combine them, or redefine the term. 5. A list of all terms in all the sections, showing in which section they may be found, will be appended to the master glossary. 6. If new subcommittees are added or new glossaries required, the terms will be added to the master glossary as a new separate section.