Cinnamon & Honey: Nature's Defense Systems

Thinking outside the bag ...: Cinnamon & Honey - Interesting / Simple / Why Not?...: Cinnamon & Honey - Interesting / Simple / Why Not? by Weekly World News April 2012 I'll bet the drug companies won't like this one ...

New Blog!!!! I've abandonded this one, thanks!!!

Hey everybody!  Hope you're enjoying all the great posts about various subjects of interest.  I'll be moving EVERYTHING within the next couple of weeks, so please be patient with me.  Students who are using my work as secondary sources:  do not panic, my new blog is located at:

eclecticspot.wordpress.comeclecticspot.wordpress.com

I've had some difficulties with the blogspot blog all of the sudden and I need this new url, so all academic writings will be the same and located on the new blog.

Thanks

The Retrofitted Kammback: The Ability to Improve MPGs

The Retrofitted Kammback by               S. Johnston
Using the design principles of aerodynamicist and auto engineer Dr. Wunibald Kamm, I was able to manufacture a retrofit version of his brainchild, the “Kammback”.  In doing so, my personal vehicle experienced significant design changes.  These changes contributed greatly to optimizing its efficiency and ultimately gave great insight as to Dr. Kamm’s genius.		The Ability to Improve MPGs

Spencer Johnston

4/10/2011

The Ancient Engineers HUM2930

Dr. George Brooks

Valencia Community College, Orlando Florida

The Retrofitted Kammback: The Ability to Improve MPGs

          The Kammback is an automotive design type created by Dr. Wunibald Kamm.  Dr. Kamm, an automotive engineer and aerodynamicist designed the Kammback to enhance the performance and efficiency of passenger automobiles. The Kammback is an automotive design that capitalizes on the principle of aerodynamics. Automobiles have a relatively short history, beginning with the Benz Motorwagen in 1886¹.  Aerodynamics in cars has an even shorter history.  It wasn’t until engineers of the 1930s, including Dr. Wunibald Kamm of Germany, began to consider aerodynamics as an important aspect of automotive design and functionality. 

Kamm is responsible for what is now known as the “Kammback”.  This automotive design employs a smooth, tapered back that promotes positive airflow through aerodynamic principle (figure 1).  Automobiles donning a Kammback would see greater fuel economy as well as handling.  After perfecting his design, the time had come for Kamm to implement it.  He did so with BMW in 1948².  Although several vehicles have integrated Kamm’s design throughout the years, perhaps his research has done more good conceptually than practically.  In other words, his work was not in vain.  Through the work he had done, other automotive engineers learned how to further understand the benefits of aerodynamics in their designs.

Kamm’s design principles were not used broadly in the engineering of automobiles at first.  Automotive design of the 1950s and 60s was primarily focused on high-performance muscle cars.  Sadly, much of the accomplishments in automotive aerodynamic design fell to the wayside during this time of excess.  Although widely deemed as aesthetically pleasing and fun to drive, cars such as the ’57 Chevy and the ’67 Ford Mustang did little to nothing in terms of progressing towards further efficiency. 

Following the years of muscle cars, Americans experienced an oil crisis in 1973.  During this time, political pressures amounted to depleted availability of fuel for vehicles.  This crisis also included incredibly high prices when scarce fuel was available.  This was the beginning of modern concern over fuel efficiency in American vehicles.  Finally aerodynamics would return to the forefront of automotive engineering. 

The new concern seemed to affect people big and small.  For instance, in 1973, General Motors introduced the “Aerovette”, which was an aerodynamically superior corvette, designed by a team of GM engineers, perhaps for the conscientious well-to-do sports car enthusiast³. An interesting tidbit is that the program for the Aerovette was shut down by John Delorean, who would later become the founder of Delorean Motor Company and the infamous Delorean DMC-12.⁴   Perhaps he knew of his plans to build the iconic car that was featured in Back To The Future.  The Delorean remains a cult favorite among car enthusiasts.  Myself as someone who enjoys aerodynamics found the use of rear window louvres to be a monumental plus.

In the years to come, cars were getting smaller, lighter in weight and more aerodynamic than ever.  Cars in the mid-1970s utilized the Kammback and similar designs from time to time, an example being the Chevrolet Vega Kammback (figure 2). 

Because aerodynamics plays a major role in the performance of automobiles’ fuel economy, modern engineers and designers often employ its principles in their beginning stages of work.  Recently, cars, trucks, vans and even commercial applications have begun to receive treatments that are far more aerodynamic than their predecessors, which ultimately help to meet the demands of consumers who are fighting back against skyrocketing gas prices of the early 21^st century.  Although these automobiles are moving in the right direction, there is still a significant shift towards aerodynamic design that is much needed. 

Perhaps the most exciting execution of aerodynamics in automobiles is found in the aftermarket.   In fact, one is hard-pressed to find a car on the road today without a spoiler of some sort, most of which are quite obviously after thoughts.  Very few of these affect gas mileage or flow very much either.  The excitement I’m referring to is a new trend referred to as “ecomodding”.  Essentially, ecomodding is the modification of one’s vehicle to obtain better fuel efficiency, which in turn lessens cost of operation and the environmental impact of said vehicle. 

Last year, I purchased a used turbo diesel Volkswagen beetle in an attempt to improve my gas mileage, and ultimately, save my family money.  Already, I have had great success in doing so.  The car’s frugalness has saved upwards of $1400.  Unfortunately, as I have done more research, I have learned that the beetle’s design, albeit cute, is flawed.  I do love the appearance of the beetle.  It is iconic.  It is fun.  It is aerodynamically retarded.  As an efficiency nut and young student of practical engineering, I find this to be almost a paradox.  Why wouldn’t they make the design of the beetle more aerodynamic?  Is this a joke?  Can’t we have it all? 

In my own personal attempt to improve my car’s gas mileage, I saw an opportunity in this assignment to construct a Kammback of my own.  With the knowledge that the beetle has horrible gas mileage as it was, I knew that any improvement would go a long way.  Because of the car’s convex rear windshield, it was somewhat challenging to approach the merging of the car with the kammback.  I found that many materials lacked tinsel.  One day during the political season, I noticed an abundance of campaign signs and thought, “those look good”.  So, after the elections were over, I obtained several of the signs and began constructing the beetle’s kammback.

When I began my experiment with constructing the kammback to attach to my car, I wasn’t as optimistic as you might expect.  After visiting dozens of websites of other people like myself who were attempting to gain high mileage from the vehicles they already owned, I finally came to the conclusion that no one had done exactly this to a beetle before. 

Finally, I dove right into making the thing.  First, I made several measurements to ensure that the pieces were symmetrical.  Corrugated plastic, which is what these infamous signs are made from, were actually quite ideal for this project.  A simple measurement marked the axis of symmetry on one of the signs.  These two triangles became my sides.  I then measured the distance from the front of the would be kammback to the rear.  Conveniently, the signs that I used for the top of the kammback were the same length as the “triangles” I had cut from the other signs.  From here, the process included using duct tape to secure the cuts together as well as to the windshield itself.

After construction was complete, I decided the best way of testing the kammback’s performance was to take it on the highway.  Typically my car averages around 42 miles per gallon on the highway.  This already was a two mile per gallon improvement over the EPA’s estimate of 40.  Because accuracy was important to the authenticity of my project, I fueled up and drove solely on the highway before filling up once again to get a read of my fuel efficiency.   To my amazement, the kammback provided an additional 13.5 miles per gallon, raising my highway fuel economy to 55.5 mpg.

Reflecting upon my project, I’m delighted at my results.  In spite of the extensive observations I’ve made on sites like ecomodder.com, I truly did not expect the increase in efficiency that I obtained.  It is easy to underestimate human ingenuity.   Perhaps more interesting to me is that the vast majority of drivers on the road have, in their own ways, overestimated the efficiency in their respective vehicles.  Sure, today’s automobiles are engineered brilliantly.  But, would it bother these other people to know the difference that just a smidge of extra effort put forth on the drawing board would make in their lives?  14 miles per gallon is semi monumental.  Considering that there are more sport utility vehicles, minivans and other large vehicles on the road today than ever, it seems as though there are more that stand to benefit from an aerodynamic design than not.  For instance, a Ford Explorer averages 19 mpg on the highway according to the EPA⁶.

It is interesting how certain technologies have become standard in our lives.  For the same matter, it can be just as interesting as to why other meaningful strides in technology have not.  Perhaps the modern design of automobiles is what we’ve been conditioned to appreciate in a car, truck or other.  But from an outsider’s perspective, I’m almost positive that there is virtually no difference between an aerodynamic powerhouse (figure 3) and a Ford Taurus (figure 4).

However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  A prime example of this would be the western wagon wheel.  Because of the arduous process a wagon wheel’s design and manufacture demands, it is often regarded as a display of beauty to those who are informed about its construction.  In the same way, aerodynamic features of automobiles can be quite pleasing to the eye.  However, a lack of understanding the function of this design often leads the public to experience “an aesthetic nightmare” (Moreira).  Ah, the ignorance.  Before reading about it, I was ignorant of the wagon wheel’s beauty, even the beauty of these aerodynamic designs.  That’s why being as informed as possible about the things we surround ourselves with is important.

To some things up, I have truly learned a lot about automotive design and aerodynamics.  I feel really good about these concepts and think that being informed about them is important as a consumer and as a member of society.  I say a member of society because these damn cars are taking over everything.  Everyone has one.  Some people have two or three.  Mind you these two or three aren’t getting more aerodynamic as they accumulate either!  In the long run I hope that my beetle kammback will do two things:  get me better mileage and get people thinking more about aerodynamics.

Figure 1: 1944 BMW 328 Kamm prototype, via bmwism.com

Figure 2: Chevrolet Vega 2-Door Kammback, via http://expo-beauty.eu

Figure 3: Mercedes Benz Bionic Car, via Mercedes Benz

Figure 4:  Ford Taurus, via Ford

Works Cited:

1.    benz patent-motorwagen patent DE_00037435_A.pdf (application/pdf Object)

2.   http://homepage.mac.com/christopher.z/hobby/80-AMXitems/Information/production/KammbackStory.html

3.   http://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/Aerovette

4.   http://www.deloreanmuseum.org/man.html

5.   Back To The Future, 3 July, 1985.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/

6.   http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymake/Ford2006.shtml

7.   Moreira, David.  “Auto-Future: Active Aerodynamics”, TheTruthAboutCars.com, January, 2009. 

Other Sources of Study:

-Traffic, by Tom Vanderbilt

-2 Million Cars: Driving Toward Sustainability, by Daniel Sperling and Deborah Gordon

-EcoModder.com

Can Biofuels Be Sustainable?

“Can Biofuels Be Sustainable?”

    The concept of biofuels as a sustainable resource is quite possibly the most important environmental question one could ask.  A question of such complex nature deserves ample research and careful consideration.  Especially subjective is the use of the word sustainable.  In this context, it is meant to be taken quite literally.  However, it is my interpretation that quite simply:  YES.  Biofuels CAN be sustainable.  Unfortunately, society demands an explanation of an ironically less utilitarian nature.

The simple “yes” answer that I gave before can be summed up rather simply.  The question of biofuel is inferring a comparison to that of conventional means of generating mass energy, being coal, oil and natural gas.  We know that eventually these nonrenewable resources will run out, leaving us feeling rather empty.  However, by using various forms of biofuels, we can rest assure that as long as we grow the necessary crops, our energy needs will be secure, hence, the simplistic nature of biofuels’ sustainability.

Sadly, more often than not, the definition of “sustainable” is skewed.  Within the article, we are given many examples of why or how rather biofuels at this stage of the game are financially upside down.  This brings up a critical issue that most novel concepts must in some way address.  I am of course referring to the concept of “is this going to pay for itself?”  I call it the “is this going to pay for itself?” concept because that’s what is most commonly thought of, voiced, and ultimately what makes people’s minds for them in terms of political and economic thinking.  When thought of rationally, this makes very little sense.  For instance, does a sports car “pay for itself”?  No?  Why would you expect clean energy to do the same?  This absurdity lends itself nicely to the question of biofuels.

http://bookstore.teriin.org/images/books/Biofuel-Cover.jpg

    Can biofuels be sustainable?  Yes.  Can they be expensive?  You bet they can.  But in the long run, the sustainable nature of biofuels has less to do with economics and more to do with climate change, energy security and overall quality of life.

Climate Change

It is known that human activity is contributing significantly to the amount of carbon being released into the atmosphere.  Technically, the rate at which this is happening as a result of our non-renewable energy use is unsustainable.  Biofuels harness the power of perhaps nature’s greatest gifts, while emitting up to 80% less greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.  In terms of climate change, it is apparent that biofuels are the most sustainable solution to conventional woes of current industrious achievement.  Also of great importance to be noted is that there are little to no requirements of change on the behalf of industry itself.  Only the fuel itself is what changes, not the machines, nor the operators used to carry out given tasks.

Climate change is certainly the skeleton of the environmental model we examine today.  It is the effect in cause and effect.  Without consequences of this nature, perhaps we would go on using fossil fuels and other nonrenewable sources until the last drop was had.  Ironically, it is climate change that has communicated many of the dangers associated with the burning of non-renewables and thus, given us more reason to seek alternatives. 

Energy Security

            The future of the world’s energy needs has been more than hazy over the last century.  Questions about where fuel would come from to power our machines in the coming years are important ones that aren’t likely to disappear without proper research and development of biofuels.

            Biofuels offer a very simple solution in the ways of energy security.  As long as its respective crops are being grown, it will continue to provide energy.  This is the very definition of renewable energy and in turn offers undoubtedly the most yield for the least amount of energy input as well.

            In America, many believe that we have already tapped the majority of our oil reserves.  Biofuels provide an alternative that perhaps America would stand to benefit from the most.  America’s farmlands are rich and vast.  If ample amounts were devoted to biofuel crops, not only would America’s energy needs be met, but they’d be met in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner.

Librarianship

Spencer Johnston

Scholarly Journal LIS

LIS 2941

Seguin, Dalrymple

Annette Lamb and Larry Johnson have written “Bring Back the Joy”, an entry in a scholarly journal pertaining to librarianship.  The purpose of this writing is to assist librarians in teaching methods through creative means.  Much of the text is pertinent to librarians in K-12 schools.

http://www.lauracaseyinteriors.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/big-plant-in-library.jpg

From the very beginning, the two authors make it be known that “creativity is declining”, especially in terms of its being utilized in an academic setting.  Children and young adults undoubtedly have imaginative thought processes.  Ideally, this knowledge is highly applicable in a teacher or librarian’s realm.

Much of today’s concerns about the future of librarianship are focused on technology and its place in the library.  “Is technology a friend or foe of the library?” is a popular question.  “Bring Back the Joy” sheds positive light on the uncertainty of libraries futuristic future.

As time goes on, media consumption and computer literacy are continuing to snowball.  This is not a bad thing.  In fact, for the library and information science communities, it’s quite good.  Lamb and Johnson offer alternatives to dry lesson plans that utilize young people’s knack for technology.  This not only improves the students’ perception of the library as being dated (as I have overheard), it also appeals to the creative learning bone.

The suggestions that are made help to think outside the box.  When integrated into lessons, audio books, visual thesauruses, and animation tools serve exceptionally well.  Perhaps most interesting to me was using “avatar generators” to help young authors envision the characters in their writings.

I understand and appreciate the holistic approach of this article.  It is very similar to the book I’ve been reading entitled “Ideas for Librarians Who Teach” by Naomi Lederer.  This is inevitably the human aspect of integrating valuable technologies into libraries and its respective classroom environments.  I feel it’s very important to keep in mind that without proper education and execution of such technological advancements, their worth as tools is virtually lost.  This reminds me of those television programs that talk about “the world without humans”.  All that is left is ridiculously huge shells of buildings that no longer serve a meaningful purpose.

In summary, this particular scholarly journal entry helps to perpetuate our advancements in technology and their respective places in the library in particular.  The suggestions it offers serve two main purposes.  Its conventional purpose, being an aid to librarians and related staff, is relatively simplistic.  However, unconventionally, the article serves the library community in another complimentary and perhaps alleviating way:  job security!  For me, it has shed new light on what has been conveyed to me as a bit of a paradox.  Hopefully other students of library science will feel the same way that I do in that technology is to be used as a tool, not feared as a replacement.