The Internet Scout Project
Search Archives
 
The NSDL Scout Report for Physical Sciences-- Volume 3, Number 2



January 23, 2004 | Volume 3, Number 2
Research

Research

VDADC: Virtual Domain Application Data Center [Java]

http://www.ceosr.gmu.edu/~vdadcp/

This website features the Virtual Domain Application Data Center (VDADC); a proposed online database that would provide earth science and remote sensing professionals access to environmental data sets and necessary internet tools. Researchers can learn how VDADC can supplement data centers by holding small, but valuable, data sets for specific groups. The interactive prototype available at this website demonstrates access to remote sensing and other global change data as well as the usage of visualization and analysis tools. The example includes information on El Nino, monsoon phenomenon, and land and ocean studies. Scientists looking for an easier way to search through available data sets will find this project, created by the Center for Earth Observing and Space Research (CEOSR) at George Mason University, very valuable. [RME]



ICE Sat: The Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite [pdf]

http://icesat.gsfc.nasa.gov/index.html

"ICESat (Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite) is the benchmark Earth Observing System mission for measuring ice sheet mass balance, cloud and aerosol heights, as well as land topography and vegetation characteristics." Visitors can learn how the data being collected can assist in answering many climatic questions including the impacts ice sheets can have on sea level and the affects of polar clouds and haze on climate. The website discusses ICESat's Spacecraft and GLAS instrument, which is the first lidar apparatus created for continuous global observations of the Earth. Teachers and students will find many links to educational resource materials. Through the website, users can also submit their questions to the ICESat science team.
[RME]



Alaska Climate Research Center -- Contrails: improved forecasting technique [pdf]

http://contrail.gi.alaska.edu/

Improved Contrail Forecasting Techniques is an Alaska Climate Research Center project investigating and forecasting aircraft contrail formations in Fairbanks, Alaska. By downloading the online comprehensive report, students and researchers can learn about the project's methods, findings, algorithms, and future work. Visitors will find graphs of temperatures and derived contrail layers from soundings at thirteen locals within this sub-artic region. The site also features thirty three-hour forecast loops and altitude animations of the contrail layers overhead the region. [RME]



Canadian Institute for Climate Studies [Microsoft PowerPoint]

http://www.cics.uvic.ca/

The Canadian Institute for Climate Studies, created by the Meteorological Service of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, investigates the variability and potential change of climate systems and applies this knowledge to decision making in the public and private sectors. This expansive website illustrates the research pursuits of the four divisions: Climate Scenarios, Climate Applications, Management of Climate Related Research, and Outreach and Education Initiatives. Researchers can discover the Climate Research Network's efforts to develop computer models of climate systems that incorporate landscape effects and the role of clouds, aerosols, and radiation. Interested visitors can also learn about membership options and how to obtain Canadian climate data. [RME]



Rice University: Colvin Group [pdf]

http://nanonet.rice.edu/

The Colvin Group at Rice University deals with the control and understanding of material properties on nanometer length scales. Some members of the group work to "develop new chemical approaches to forming uniform nanocrystals, and highly ordered porous solids" while "others focus on using these materials as tools for answering fundamental questions about nature, such as the characteristic length scales in glasses and liquids." Researchers can learn about the numerous projects undertaken by the group including understanding the superprism phenomena, the preparation of perfect nanocrystals of metal oxides, and the synthesis of quartz particles in the sub-micron to nanoscale size regime. Students and educators can find helpful tutorials describing the nanoscience field of study. The website also provides many of the group's published papers. [RME]



The University of Warwick: Superconductivity & Magnetism Group [pdf]

http://www.phys.warwick.ac.uk/supermag/index.html

This website presents the Superconductivity and Magnetism Group's three main research pursuits: single crystal growth and sample preparation; measurements of magnetic, thermodynamic, and transport properties; and neutron scattering studies. Students and educators can learn about the history of superconductivity, while researchers will find detailed descriptions of Warwick University's facilities -- which include infrared image furnaces, a radio frequency generator, a multi-angle position sensitive spectrometer, and a Quantum Design Physical Properties Measurement System. The site also provides downloads of many of the group's publications. [RME]



OCMS: Oxford Centre for Molecular Sciences [QuickTime]

http://www.ocms.ox.ac.uk/

Located at the University of Oxford, the Oxford Centre for Molecular Sciences (OCMS) involves scientists from many different disciplines who share an interest in the structure and function of proteins. Researchers can learn about OCMS's current research dealing with macromolecular complexes and chemistry. The website features the individual research interests and related publications for twenty key scientists. Students and professionals can learn about the abundance of facilities and expertise available to OCMS personnel including the Crystallisation Laboratory, the imaging plate detectors, and electron microscopes. This extensive website also provides links to the many departments at Oxford involved with OCMS. [RME]



University of Arizona: Center for Mineral Resources [jpeg, Macromedia Flash Player]

http://www.geo.arizona.edu/cmr/index.html

The Center for Mineral Resources, an economic geology program at the University of Arizona, explores the basin and range geology of southern Arizona. Scientists can learn about the many projects undertaken at the center involving metallogenesis, geochemistry, petrology, mineralogy, deposit modeling, porphyry deposits, as well as iron oxide, copper, and gold deposits. Through the use of animations and diagrams, students can find simple explanations of the evolutionary tree for Henderson porphyry molybdenum deposit and the emplacement of the Birch Creek intrusion. Visitors can appreciate Arizona's amazing landscape through the many images embedded within the website. [RME]



For information on additional contributors, see the Internet Scout Project staff page.

NSF Andrew W Mellon Foundation University of Wisconsin Libraries University of Wisconsin
Copyright © 2009 Internet Scout Project. | Reproduction information