MATRIC is working with AKJ to develop improved cold weather treatments for coal transport and expand their freeze conditioning product line and increase their market share. These products are sprayed on the sidewalls of the railcars and the coal itself to reduce the amount of freezing and decrease adherence to the walls. Current products are ineffective under certain conditions.

Dr. Frank Ma, the scientist leading this effort says, “We have learned so much in a short time on this project and the results have taken us in different directions than we had anticipated.” A key accomplishment was developing a technique to quantitatively measure the effectiveness of different formulations. Using this approach it has been possible to obtain information that is leading to several new formulas with improved performance.

These early formulations are specifically designed to prevent coal from freezing to the walls of rail cars. New formulations are being developed for the direct treatment of coal.

The primary science objective of Phoenix is to measure water and complex organic molecules in the arctic plains of Mars where the Mars Odyssey orbiter has discovered evidence of ice-rich soil very near the surface. In addition, a stereoscopic camera onboard will reveal a high-resolution perspective of the landing site’s geology and will also provide range maps that will enable the science team to choose ideal sample collection locations. Multi-spectral capability will enable the identification of local minerals and microscopes onboard the spacecraft will reveal features as small as one one-thousandth the width of a human hair.

Jon McCullough, MATRIC Senior Systems Engineer, is providing support of the assurance of software for several of the instruments on the Mars Phoenix Lander, including requirements traceability and validation. Jon, a veteran of five spacecraft development efforts at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, has taken up the challenge of ensuring the proper operation of the new lander.

“Our job is one of the most important in the spacecraft development process,” Jon stated recently. “We must find all of the hidden errors in the software so that the Mars Phoenix Lander can operate safely and accomplish its significant scientific mission.”

The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century by Thomas L. Friedman This is one of the most enlightening books written on the impact of global economy and its implications to your business.

Forbes Magazine: China to Boost Coal Production, Promote Research Into Clean Coal. China, much like the United States, is watching energy prices soar and have developed a strategy that focuses on coal.