“…The solar panels will populate the gothic chapel roof, producing an approximate 105,000 kWh of energy a year – enough to run the chapel’s electricity, and saving around £20,000 in energy bills per year. The college confirmed that any excess energy would be sold off to the national grid.
Solar panels perform better when listening to music:
A 2013 study by researchers at Imperial College London and Queen Mary University of London showed that solar panels actually work better when exposed to music, of multiple genres. Scientists at the university proved that when exposed to high pitched sounds, like those found in rock and pop music, the solar cells’ power output increased by up to 40 percent. Classical music was also found to increase the solar cells’ energy production, but slightly less so than rock and pop, as it generally plays at a lower pitch than pop and rock. Whether they know it or not, British band Coldplay are just one of the artists benefitting from this research. During their 2021 tour, they installed solar photovoltaic panels in the build-up to each show, “behind the stage, around the stadium and where possible in the outer concourses”…
To determine how much electrical power and lighting 12 kilowatts (kW) will provide for an educational facility, we need to consider the following factors:
Power Distribution: How the 12 kW will be distributed across different electrical needs such as lighting, computers, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and other equipment.
Lighting Requirements: The specific lighting requirements per square foot or room, which can vary based on the type of facility (classrooms, libraries, laboratories, etc.).
Efficiency of Lighting: The type of lighting used (e.g., LED, fluorescent, incandescent) as this affects the power consumption and lighting output.
We start with lighting.
Lighting Efficiency:
LED lights are highly efficient, typically around 100 lumens per watt.
Fluorescent lights are less efficient, around 60-70 lumens per watt.
Lighting Power Calculation:
12 kW (12,000 watts) of LED lighting at 100 lumens per watt would provide: 12,000 watts×100 lumens/watt=1,200,000 lumens
Illumination Requirements:
Classroom: Approximately 300-500 lux (lumens per square meter).
Library or laboratory: Approximately 500-750 lux.
Area Coverage:
If we target 500 lux (which is 500 lumens per square meter), we can calculate the area covered by the lighting: (1,200,000 lumens)/ 500 lux=2,400 square meters
Now we need to allocate power to other loads.
Lighting: Assuming 50% of the 12 kW goes to lighting:
Lighting Power: 6 kW (6,000 watts)
Using the previous calculation: 6,000 watts×100 lumens/watt=600,000 lumens
Area Coverage for lighting (at 500 lux): (600,000 lumens)/500 lux=1,200 square meters
Other Electrical Needs:
Computers and equipment: Typically, a computer lab might use around 100 watts per computer.
HVAC: This can vary widely, but let’s assume 4 kW is allocated for HVAC and other systems.
Breakdown:
Lighting: 6 kW
Computers/Equipment: 2 kW (e.g., 20 computers at 100 watts each)
HVAC and other systems: 4 kW
Summary
Lighting: 12 kW can provide efficient LED lighting for approximately 1,200 square meters at 500 lux.
General Use: When distributed, 12 kW can cover lighting, a computer lab with 20 computers, and basic HVAC needs for a small to medium-sized educational facility.
The exact capacity will vary based on specific facility needs and equipment efficiency.
Gabriel Fauré’s “Cantique de Jean Racine” is a choral work composed in 1865 when Fauré was 19. Written for a four-part choir, it’s a setting of a Latin text by the 17th-century French playwright Jean Racine, which reflects a deep, devotional tone. The text is a hymn of praise and supplication, asking for divine grace and mercy.
Fauré’s composition is noted for its lyrical beauty and sophisticated harmony, showcasing his early mastery of choral writing. The piece begins with a serene, flowing melody in the sopranos, which is then developed and harmonized throughout the choir. The work features lush, rich chords and a gentle, flowing rhythm, characteristic of Fauré’s style, blending simplicity with depth. Its mood is one of quiet contemplation and reverence, aligning with the text’s themes of divine worship and reflection.
This British festive pastry has origins dating back to the 13th century when European Crusaders returned from the Middle East with recipes containing meats, fruits, and spices. These early pies, known as “mincemeat pies,” combined minced meat (usually mutton), suet, fruits, and spices such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, symbolizing the gifts of the Magi. In the 16th century, the pies were rectangular, representing Jesus’ crib.
Over time, the meat content reduced, and by the Victorian era, the recipe had evolved to primarily include dried fruits, suet, and spices, aligning with the modern version of the mince pie. Traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas season, mince pies are now small, round pastries filled with a mixture called mincemeat, which typically contains no meat but a blend of dried fruits, sugar, spices, and sometimes brandy or other spirits.
Last night, after a 3 year break, we were delighted to once again host our Festive Networking Drinks 🎄 in person, at the Oxford & Cambridge Club, London.
We had a great turn out with almost 60 fellows, students & alumni braving the cold to socialise & network with their peers. pic.twitter.com/WX7aVskMsi
— Kellogg College, University of Oxford (@KelloggOx) December 14, 2022
Abstract.This article makes three related arguments. First, that although many definitions of the smart city have been proposed, corporate promoters say a smart city uses information technology to pursue efficient systems through real-time monitoring and control. Second, this definition is not new and equivalent to the idea of urban cybernetics debated in the 1970s. Third, drawing on a discussion of Rio de Janeiro’s Operations Center, I argue that viewing urban problems as wicked problems allows for more fundamental solutions than urban cybernetics, but requires local innovation and stakeholder participation. Therefore the last section describes institutions for municipal innovation and IT-enabled collaborative planning.
So proud to announce the @ellisoninst is beginning construction on our new campus at the @UniofOxford and broadening our mission: Science & Engineering for Humanity. EIT develops & deploys technology in pursuit of solving four of humanity’s most challenging & enduring problems.… pic.twitter.com/vSkHWSS8EK
This content is accessible to paid subscribers. To view it please enter your password below or send [email protected] a request for subscription details.
Birds are social creatures and many species have complex social networks. Social networks are defined as the patterns of social interactions between individuals within a population. Here are some things that are known about the social networks of birds:
Communication: Birds use a variety of vocal and visual cues to communicate with one another, such as calls, songs, displays, and body language. Communication plays an important role in establishing and maintaining social connections between individuals.
Social hierarchies: Within bird flocks, there may be social hierarchies, where some individuals have more dominant positions than others. Dominant individuals may have access to better food sources, mating opportunities, and nesting sites.
Mate choice: Many bird species choose mates based on social signals, such as displays, vocalizations, and courtship behavior. Mate choice can influence the structure of social networks within a population.
Information sharing: Birds may share information about food sources and predator threats with one another. For example, some bird species engage in “public information use,” where they use the behavior of other individuals as a signal about the quality of a food source or the presence of predators.
Family bonds: Some bird species form long-lasting family bonds, where parents and offspring remain together for extended periods of time. Family bonds can influence the social structure of bird populations and may contribute to the formation of social networks.
Overall, the social networks of birds are complex and dynamic, and play important roles in many aspects of bird behavior, including mating, foraging, and avoiding predators. Studying bird social networks can provide insights into the evolution of social behavior and the ecological factors that shape animal populations. We examine the risks (and reward) of bird behavior on education community campuses.
Birds present several hazards to overhead electric and telecommunication circuits:
Electrocution: Birds that perch or nest on power lines or other electrical equipment can come into contact with live electrical wires and be electrocuted if their body presents a path to ground potential.
Nesting: Birds may build nests on or near power lines or other electrical equipment, which can create a fire hazard if the nest materials come into contact with electrical components. Nests can also cause power outages if they interfere with the electrical flow or if birds build nests in inconvenient locations, such as on transformers or other important components.
Collisions: Birds may collide with power lines while in flight, which can cause injury or death to the birds and also damage power lines or equipment. In some cases, these collisions can also cause power outages or fires.
Droppings: Bird droppings can build up on power lines and electrical equipment, which can create a safety hazard if the droppings come into contact with electrical components. Droppings can also cause corrosion or damage to equipment over time.
Accordingly, the 2023 National Electrical Safety Codespecifies minimum clearances between power lines and surrounding trees and vegetation to help prevent birds from coming into contact with the lines; requires the use of bird guards or other protective devices on power lines in areas where birds are likely to perch or nest and, where possible; removal of nests from power lines and equipment to prevent fire hazards and equipment damage.
Additionally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed guidelines for the protection of birds and other wildlife from power line hazards. These guidelines provide recommendations for utilities on how to identify and manage potential bird hazards on power lines and equipment. The International Electrotechnical Commission has developed similar standards
Flight is the most complex form of movement in the animal kingdom. Bird research has informed how humans design airplanes. For example:
Wing design: Bird wings have evolved over millions of years to provide efficient lift and maneuverability. Researchers have studied the shape, size, and structure of bird wings to design airplane wings that are more efficient and fuel-efficient. For example, the shape of the wings of the Albatross inspired the design of the wings of the Boeing 777, which has one of the highest fuel efficiencies of any commercial aircraft.
Flight control: Researchers have studied how birds control their flight, particularly during takeoff and landing. This research has led to the development of technologies such as wing flaps, slats, and spoilers, which help airplanes achieve better control during takeoff and landing.
Aerodynamics: The study of bird flight has also helped researchers understand the complex physics of aerodynamics, such as airflow patterns, lift, drag, and turbulence. This understanding has led to the development of more advanced computer simulations and wind tunnel testing, which are used to design airplanes that are more aerodynamically efficient.
Materials: Birds have lightweight but strong bones and feathers, which have inspired researchers to develop new lightweight materials for use in airplane construction. For example, carbon fiber composites, which are used extensively in modern airplanes, were inspired by the lightweight but strong structure of bird bones.
There are standards and regulations for bird control in various industries and settings. These standards and regulations aim to prevent bird strikes, which can be dangerous for aircraft, and to manage bird populations that can cause damage or spread disease. For example:
The Federal Aviation Administration in the United States requires airports to have a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan that includes bird control measures. This plan must address the potential for bird strikes and detail strategies for reducing the risk, such as habitat modification, bird scaring techniques, and lethal control methods in extreme cases.
In the agriculture industry, there are guidelines and regulations for bird control to prevent crop damage and protect public health. The US Environmental Protection Agency regulates the use of bird repellents and bird poisons to ensure that they are used safely and do not harm non-target species or the environment.
There are also international standards for bird control in certain industries, such as the oil and gas industry, which has guidelines for managing bird populations that could be impacted by oil spills.
“A Girl Writing; The Pet Goldfinch” 1870 Henriette Browne
Bird control on college and university campuses should prioritize humane and non-lethal methods to manage bird populations and prevent bird-related hazards. Here are some best practices for bird control on college and university campuses:
Habitat modification: Modify the campus environment to make it less attractive to birds. This may involve removing or trimming trees and vegetation that provide food and shelter for birds, reducing open water sources, and using bird netting or barriers to block access to areas where birds may nest.
Education: Educate students, faculty, and staff about the importance of bird control and the negative impacts of feeding birds on campus. Encourage the campus community to report bird-related hazards, such as bird nests in building ventilation systems or bird droppings on walkways.
Non-lethal deterrents: Use non-lethal bird deterrents, such as visual scare devices, noise makers, and bird repellents, to discourage birds from congregating on campus. These methods are often effective in the short term but may need to be rotated or changed periodically to maintain their effectiveness.
Integrated pest management: Implement an integrated pest management (IPM) plan that includes bird control measures. IPM is a holistic approach that combines multiple strategies to manage pests, including birds, in an environmentally responsible and effective manner.
Monitoring and evaluation: Monitor the effectiveness of bird control measures on campus and evaluate their impact on bird populations and hazards. Adjust strategies as needed to ensure that they are effective and humane.
Overall, a comprehensive and humane approach to bird control on college and university campuses should prioritize prevention and management of bird hazards while minimizing negative impacts on bird populations and the environment.
New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwBpic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
