Recent content by Utwig

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    The Cobalt Bomb: The Doomsday Device That Never Was

    Hi, Even if its cgi, I still think the vid is pretty sweet. Must have taken a bit of time to produce, wouldn't want one of them to go off on a virtual city near me... :) Utwig
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    Which way does a high voltage spark jump?

    Hi, The video link below shows what has already been said, but in quite a dramatic way. http://www.break.com/index/747-struck-by-lightning.html Notice how the lightning seems to form all at once along its entire length? From stuff I have read on websites etc, I think the differences...
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    The Cobalt Bomb: The Doomsday Device That Never Was

    Hi, A video link of the russian Tsar nuke being tested. http://www.break.com/index/russian-tsar-hydrogen-bomb-explosion.html Food for thought eh? wouldn't want one of those going off in a city near me. Utwig
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    How can I make my wheel motor electromagnets stronger for a high school project?

    Hi, Sounds like a fun project! You can get some good magnets and cores by salvaging auto parts. Solenoid cores are usually either iron or steel, and any starter motors will have decent magnets and coils in them. There is a hefty solenoid on most car ignition systems, or the door lock on many...
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    Difference between direct coupled and transformer coupled?

    Hi, You often have transformer couplings when you want to add an element of intrinsic safety to an environment. Intrinsic safety means all your supplies are effectively isolated via the transformers, a set-up often found in warship ammunition magazines or flight decks (where fuel is present)...
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    How many more dwarf planets can be named after deities?

    Hi, A dwarf planet discovered in 2005 has now got a name, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080918234427.htm how many more do you think are out there? I am betting a lot. Utwig
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    What is the link between nuclear weapons and nuclear power stations?

    Hi, Yep, I have no doubt plutonium can be made in other kinds of reactor, but I've only really ever had experience with the breeder type, and pressurised water kind. I could have put down a lot more detail, but was really only trying to highlight the link between commercial power generation...
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    What is the link between nuclear weapons and nuclear power stations?

    Hi The link really centres around a kind of reactor called a breeder or fast breeder reactor. In general, we use U235 to produce power, and also to make weapons with. U235 is refined from an ore called yellow cake via gas centrifuges usually linked together in series, so the output of one...
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    Whats the holdup with Fusion Power?

    Hi, I think the time delay has a lot to do with the pressure, heat issues, but mostly because the only really large scale attempt, in Europe anyway, is happening in France. Yes, I am English. Utwig
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    Role of Pre-Amplifier in Nuclear Electronic Systems

    Hi, Im guessing from your description the circuit is in relation to a piece of test equipment? If that is the case, there are 2 factors that have a fairly high priority, the first being noise as you want the amplified signal to be as noise free, or accurate, as possible, the second is really...
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    3 phase vs. single phase power

    Hi, I’d contact my supplier and get the cost of having a star/delta 3 phase transformer installed, you never know, it may be a cheaper option. In general the main advantage of having 3 phases available is that there is one less component to go wrong, the phase converter. Another little side...
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    Increase Pump Volume with DC Motor Speed Control | Beginner's Guide

    Hi, A quick note of caution as you don’t mention if your liquid is volatile or not, DC motors have a horrible tendency to arc across the contacts internally so if you are trying to pump petrol or something, please proceed with extreme caution in a very well ventilated space, if you don’t your...
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    Does Geological Evidence Support the Existence of Planet X?

    Hi, As you can probably tell from the post, I am not really a true believer, but am certainly curious. The crackpot you mentioned is probably a chap called Zacoria who has published a number of books on the subject. To be honest, I put him in the same bucket as that other fella Von Daniken...
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    Is the World Really Ending in 2012 as Some Predictors Claim?

    Hi, Nah, not really, it was something I remember reading while looking for the orbital period of Sol around the galaxy itself. As it wasn’t the focus of the study at the time it just got filed under ‘Interesting junk I can bore the crap out of people at parties with’, hence the word should...
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    Stargazing Is a Radio Telescope Less Sensitive on the Galactic Plane?

    Hi Many things affect the sensitivity of radio receivers, either radio telescope, RADAR or just plain old radio. The biggest culprit is usually noise as this can have a very large impact on what you are trying to receive. It does follow that if you are looking into a field where there are...
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