Reports on technological advancements in the fields of solar collectors, thermal storage systems, and solar heating and cooling systems. Diagrams aid in the understanding of the thermodynamics of the systems. (CP)

Explains a new method of detecting radioactive isotopes by counting their accelerated ions rather than the atoms that decay during the counting period. This method increases the sensitivity by several orders of magnitude, and allows one to find the ages of much older and smaller samples. (GA)

At the University of Southern California solar-access design research project, Barry Knowles and students have devised a solar envelope: the largest volumetric container over a land parcel that allows solar access to all adjacent neighbors within useful time constraints. (Author/MLF)

This experiment uses the effect of the relativistic mass increase of electrons on the results of x-ray photoelectron spectrometry to obtain the rest energy of electrons. (BB)

Surveys new laser techniques and a variety of spectroscopic experiments that can be used to detect, measure and study very small numbers of atoms on molecules. The range of applicability of these techniques is also included. (HM)

Discusses how technological advancement, in particular: the explosion in useful wavelengths and the revolution in telescope design and fittings, multiplies astronomers' grasp of the cosmos. (HM)

A plan for the disposal of nuclear reactor wastes in Sweden is outlined. The discussion also examines the possible hazards not considered in this plan. (MDR)

Discusses interactions between electromagnetic radiation and matter, the concept of fluctuating atomic or molecular dipoles, light-scattering, absorption, and photoluminescence. (SL)

Discusses the need to include instruction on solar energy concepts in chemistry courses. (SL)

Describes exercises for students to estimate the magnitude of energy available through solar power, wind, atmospheric electricity, heat capacity of air, and latent heat of air. (SL)

Discusses Hertz vector potentials and demonstrates their application to the calculation of electric and magnetic dipole radiation and to the propagation modes of a rectangular waveguide. (Author/SL)

Describes an experiment for determining the blackbody radiation constant hc/k, utilize a conventionally built cavity and a single-beam, single-window Perkin-Elmer 12-C model spectrometer. (SL)

Analyzes section 8 of Einstein's relativity paper of 1905, "On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies," in its historical context. Relates this section to the rest of the relativity paper, to the genesis of relativity theory, and to contemporaneous work on radiation theory. (Author/MLH)

Describes 5 solar energy experiments that can be used in secondary school: flat-plate collector, solar thermoelectric generator, simple concentrators, solar cell, and natural storage of solar energy. (MLH)

Describes a set of student projects, each involving about 240 hours of laboratory time, covering the following topics: wind power monitoring, wind generator design, solar power, and the heat pump. (MLH)