Disorders in the colon can be expected to cause anomalies in its electrical signature and thus to be detectable by electromyography. In fact, studies have shown unusual colonic myoelectrical activity in patients having irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, diverticular disease, and other conditions. Although most of these studies involved invasive techniques, other research has demonstrated that some of these colonic signals may be detected by cutaneous electrodes, similar to the type used for electrocardiograms, positioned on the abdominal skin.

The researchers at MATRIC are focusing on techniques to measure these colonic electrical signatures – a challenge involving signal detection/analysis, signal filtration, and a myriad of other interesting research problems. A reliable, non-invasive screening technique for disorders of the colon would be a major advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of such ailments.

Although raw vegetable oil can be used directly as a fuel in diesel engines, it does not flow well at low temperatures and can create tar-like deposits that degrade engine performance. The production of biodiesel involves a catalyzed chemical reaction of an oil (triglyceride) to replace its glycerin component with an alcohol such as methanol. This process, known as transesterification, produces fatty acid esters (biodiesel) that are an excellent replacement for petroleum-derived diesel fuel.

Biodiesel can be used in diesel engines as a straight fuel (B100), but it is often blended with petroleum diesel at levels of 2 to 20% (B2 to B20). Few, if any, engine modifications are required. Biodiesel blends have operating advantages over petrodiesel, including improved lubricating properties, better cetane numbers, and reduced exhaust emissions.

The US consumption of biodiesel was 36 million gallons in 2004, and it could reach 1 to 2 billion gallons per year in the next decade, significantly reducing crude oil imports. One factor leading to this anticipated growth is a reduced motor fuel excise tax for biodiesel blends at the federal level and in many states.

Small scale biodiesel plants use simple-to-operate batch processes. However, as larger biodiesel plants are built, continuous processes with improved technology will yield far superior economics. MATRIC has extensive experience in the design and operation of large-scale continuous chemical processes, as well as expertise in catalyst chemistry. Dr. Jim Schreck, leading the effort to develop new continuous process technology, is excited about its potential. “Fuels are the ultimate commodity and to compete successfully in this market a process technology must have low capital cost, low operating cost and very high efficiency,” Jim says. “We at MATRIC are working on new chemical and engineering approaches that will simultaneously achieve all three of these goals.”

MATRIC software engineers have teamed with L3-Titan, a prime contractor at the NASA Software Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) facility in Fairmont, WV to perform independent analysis activities on the 1394 software – software associated with a new hardware architecture (also known as Firewire). This hardware architecture is being considered as a successor to the currently used 1553 bus architecture. Ball Aerospace Technology Company (BATC) is the prime developer of the 1394 software and its associated test program, as well as the design and fabrication of the spacecraft bus and the integration of the government-furnished scientific instruments.

National Youth Science Foundation® Impacting the Quality and Effectiveness of Science Leaders for Generations

The National Youth Science Camp is an intense month-long camp for young scientists the summer after they graduate from high school. In a rustic setting, students from around the country are challenged academically in exciting lectures and hands-on studies, and have many opportunities to push themselves physically in an extensive outdoor program, gain a new and deep appreciation for the great outdoors, and establish friendships that last a lifetime. http://www.nysc.org

For the West Virginia History buffs:
County Commissioners' Association of West Virginia
West Virginia County Histories http://www.polsci.wvu.edu/wv/history.html