Our Calibration tests on the Stainless Steel cell within the Air Flow Calorimeter were long and slow.  Unfortunately, they were also somewhat inconsistent.  

We did two calibration runs.  The first one was nice and clean.  <data here>

The second one <data here> had some flaws in it, though.  We have not taken the efforts to fully analyze the causes because of limited man power and, frankly, more promising tests just around the corner. 

That whole apparatus has many undesirable attributes including a very long time constant and a complicated and unique set-up for the air flow calorimeter.  Despite the fact that we could see power changes as small as 50 mW with the AFC during some tests, we don't feel that it is the optimal path going forward.

We learned a lot in the development and commissioning of this test setup, though.  Much of what we learned is going into the next generation of calorimeter and test cell. 

The next version calorimeter is smaller, simpler, more responsive, and more accurate.  The test cells to go into it are similarly simpler less expensive and more conducive to rapid testing.  This new design basically made the Air Flow Calorimeter obsolete before we had even worked all the bugs out of it.  

The new version is what we are calling the Concentric Tube Calorimeter.  It is described here.  More on this progress as we commission it.

UPDATE#1 - New calorimeter video

Paul Hunt talks through his new calorimeter design that promises to have good accuracy with fast time constants at the same time as being small, cost effective and able to test both powders and wires.

Also - It is pretty, it will visually give an indication of what is going on in the cell!

In Other News:

We are in the midst of rearranging our lab room to allow for the new dual V1.3 cells.  We will be giving the new cells the premium space under the air hood.  The current apparatus will be relocated to a new counter.  Because the air flow patters are different, however, the calibrations done earlier will no longer be valid.  Any suggestions on what we should do with it, now?

V 1.3 Cells:

New parts from Mathieu for the V 1.3 test cells arrived today, triggering a flurry of activity finishing construction of the new cells.

UPDATE#2 - The nano powder kegs

Hi all, a new mini project on nano powder experiments has been launched over at:

http://www.quantumheat.org/index.php/collaborate/219-fishing-on-the-reef-powder-reactors-at-hug

join in - this is your time!