Safety in the Dover Strait: a Progress Report

1974 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-65
Author(s):  
P. J. Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Engineering ◽  
National Physical Laboratory ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Steering Group ◽  
Marine Traffic ◽  
Physical Laboratory ◽  
Royal Institution ◽  
Traffic Systems ◽  
Set Up

AS readers of the Journal will know the Department of Trade and Industry set up in 1971 a Marine Traffic Systems Steering Group, to commission and coordinate research and development relating to the problems of marine traffic behaviour and to consider practical measures which could be undertaken as regards the Dover Strait area. The Group comprises mariners, economists, scientists and administrators from the Department of Trade and Industry including the National Physical Laboratory, representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority, the Ministry of Defence and, more recently, the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom and Trinity House. Hargreaves has recently described briefly some of the earlier work arising out of the Group's existence. This paper describes in more detail the activities of the Steering Group from the time of its first meeting in March 1971 to the present day (October 1973). Many of the results of this activity are already known to Members of the Institute as a result of the publication in the Journal of papers read at the Conference on Marine Traffic Engineering held at the N.P.L. in May 1972 and sponsored jointly by the Royal Institute of Navigation and the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.

Accuracy and Linearity of Spectrophotometers in Clinical Chemistry Laboratories

1980 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Clinical Chemistry ◽  
National Physical Laboratory ◽  
Cobalt Nitrate ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Physical Laboratory ◽  
Wide Scatter ◽  
Chemistry Laboratories ◽  
Set Up

Solutions of cobalt nitrate sealed in vials were circulated to all clinical chemistry laboratories in the United Kingdom. Participants reported wavelengths of maximum absorbance together with the actual absorbances obtained. The results were compared with values obtained from the National Physical Laboratory. The results show a wide scatter, and several instruments were extensively repaired or replaced as a result of the survey. The most recently marketed machines had the best performance, and it is suggested that regular quality control and maintenance of the machines is vital. It is intended to set up a scheme for regular monitoring of spectrophotometer performance.

Traffic Flow Measurements in the Dover Strait

1971 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Beattie
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Flow ◽  
National Physical Laboratory ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Study ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Marine Traffic ◽  
Short Term Study ◽  
Physical Laboratory

At the end of February 1971 an exploratory survey of marine traffic on the English side of the Dover Strait was organized and conducted by the National Physical Laboratory of the Department of Trade and Industry. The aim of this first short-term study was to examine possible methods for the long term, and the basic radar ship count was carried out by Decca Radar on behalf of the N.P.L. This trial took place over 72 hours between 12.00 hours on Friday, 26 February and 12.00 hours on Monday, 1 March 1971, all times G.M.T.; it showed that further flow data in other areas of the Strait would be of value and Decca Radar decided to gather additional limited data on traffic flow. The most urgent appeared to be at the narrowest part of the Strait between Cap Gris Nez and Folkestone where the Greek M.V. Niki sank off the Varne during the trial at 20.00 G.M.T. on Saturday, 27 February.

Address of the President, Professor P. M. S. Blackett, C.H., at the Anniversary Meeting, 30 November 1966

1967 ◽  
Vol 167 (1006) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
National Physical Laboratory ◽  
Simple Approach ◽  
Ionic Crystals ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Complete Structure ◽  
Principal Role ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Physical Laboratory ◽  
Royal Institution

The Copley Medal is awarded to Sir Lawrence Bragg, O.B.E., M.C., F.R.S. Bragg’s career has precisely coincided with the growth of a major field of science—the X-ray diffraction analysis of crystal structures. This had its beginning in his own early researches, and he has throughout played a principal role by his leadership at a series of laboratories, at Manchester, at the National Physical Laboratory, at Cambridge and at the Royal Institution, and in many other ways. He was the first to determine the atomic arrangement in a crystal (sodium chloride), and this work marked the introduction of a technique which has since been successfully applied to increasingly complicated molecules, culminating in the complete structure determination of the protein lysozyme at the Royal Institution a year before his retirement. Bragg has been prominent in the development of methods, beginning with the Law named after him; he also pioneered or encouraged the application of these methods in several fields—ionic crystals, elementary oxides, silicates, metals and proteins. The striking characteristic of Bragg as a scientist has been his direct and simple approach to complicated physical situations; his solutions of problems have a lucidity and simplicity which, in retrospect, make one forget how baffling they often seemed in advance.

scholarly journals On the determination of the absolute unit of resistance by alternating current methods

1912 ◽  
Vol 87 (597) ◽  
pp. 391-414 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Order ◽  
Alternating Current ◽  
National Physical Laboratory ◽  
Mutual Inductance ◽  
Electrical Circuits ◽  
Physical Laboratory ◽  
Absolute Measure ◽  
The Absolute ◽  
Set Up

1. Introductory .—Recently at the National Physical Laboratory we have constructed a standard of mutual inductance of novel type, whose value has been accurately calculated from the dimensions. This inductance has formed the basis for the determination of the unit of resistance in absolute measure by two different methods, in both of which alternating current is employed. Although there is no doubt that the accuracy attainable by these methods could be increased by greater elaboration of the apparatus used, the results already obtained seem to be of sufficient interest to warrant publication. It should be mentioned that the accuracy here aimed at was of a considerably lower order than that contemplated in the determination of the ohm by the Lorenz apparatus which is at present being carried out in the laboratory. For the experiments here described, no apparatus was specially constructed, but use was made of instruments which had already been designed and set up for the measurement of inductance and capacity. I shall first give a brief description of the standard inductance and then pass on to the methods and results. 2. Standard Mutual Inductance .—The design of the mutual inductance has already been described. The electrical circuits have the form and arrange­ment shown in section in fig. 1.

Mathematics and Aeronautics

1960 ◽  
Vol 64 (595) ◽  
pp. 375-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Lighthill
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Applied Mathematics ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Physical Laboratory ◽  
Memorial Lecture ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Physical Laboratory ◽  
Wilbur Wright

The 48th Wilbur Wright Memorial Lecture, “Mathematics and Aeronautics” was given by Mr. M. J. Lighthill, F.R.S., before a large and distinguished audience at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, 1 Birdcage Walk, on 19th May 1960. Dr. E. S. Moult, C.B.E., B.Sc, F.R.Ae.S., M.I.Mech.E., President of the Society, presided.As has become the custom, before the lecture was delivered the President presented the awards made by the Council for 1960 for outstanding contributions to aeronautics. In the unavoidable absence of the Secretary he was assisted by Miss E. C. Pike, M.A., A.F.R.Ae.S., Secretary of the Medals and Awards Committee and Editor of The Aeronautical Quarterly. The list of the awards presented on this occasion was published in the June 1960 Journal—(p. XXXII).The President, introducing the lecturer, reminded the audience that the Wilbur Wright Lecture commemorated the first manned, powered controlled flight by Wilbur Wright at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina on 17th December 1903. The first Wilbur Wright Memorial Lecture was held in 1913 and they had been held each year ever since, through two World Wars; in itself a wonderful record. The custom had been, and would continue to be, to have alternately a lecturer from the United Kingdom and a lecturer from the United States; last year the lecture had been by Mr. McCarthy of Chance Vought and next year again it would be by an American.The Wilbur Wright Lectures had been a most distinguished series by distinguished lecturers, and he was sure that the lecture that night would be in keeping. His pleasant duty was to introduce Professor Lighthill—or as they had to call him Mr. Lighthill now that he was Director of the Royal Aircraft Establishment, which was an even greater distinction. Mr. Lighthill was the youngest Director that the R.A.E. had ever had—that alone was a tribute to Mr. Lighthill's ability and his high standing in the profession. Before joining the Royal Aircraft Establishment Mr. Lighthill was Professor of Applied Mathematics at Manchester University, and for a time, after leaving Cambridge, had worked at the National Physical Laboratory where he applied the mathematics of Cambridge to the problems of aerodynamics. His lecture was on “Mathematics and Aeronautics” he would ask Mr. Lighthill to deliver the 48th Wilbur Wright Memorial Lecture.

The Conversion of the Stanton 3-Inch High-Speed Wind Tunnel to the Open Jet Type

1937 ◽  
Vol 135 (1) ◽  
pp. 445-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bailey ◽  
S. A. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
National Physical Laboratory ◽  
Chamber Pressure ◽  
Observation Chamber ◽  
Physical Laboratory ◽  
Engineering Department ◽  
Curve Method ◽  
Set Up

The 3-inch high-speed wind tunnel developed by Stanton has been converted in the Engineering Department of the National Physical Laboratory to the open jet principle, the working jet now being contained in a square glass-sided chamber. The pressure in the observation chamber can be controlled within certain limits by altering the axial length of the gap between the inlet and outlet, and the presence of standing waves in the jet can be largely eliminated by bringing the chamber pressure to a value equal to that in the jet at the chamber inlet. In place of the divergent jet used by Stanton, an approximately parallel working jet has been obtained in the modified tunnel by using inlet nozzles with profiles determined by a graphical construction based on the “characteristic curve” method given by Busemann. An optical system has also been fitted enabling Schlieren photographs of the flow pattern to be obtained. Measurements of the wave systems set up round model cones indicate agreement with the theory established by Taylor and Maccoll which they found to accord with the results of larger-scale firing trials on conical-headed shell, thus providing evidence of the close similarity between conditions in the tunnel and on the full scale.

Address of the President, Professor P. M. S. Blackett, C.H., at the Anniversary Meeting, 30 November 1966

1967 ◽  
Vol 296 (1444) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
National Physical Laboratory ◽  
Simple Approach ◽  
Ionic Crystals ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Complete Structure ◽  
Principal Role ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Physical Laboratory ◽  
Royal Institution

The Copley Medal is awarded to Sir Lawrence Bragg, O. B. E., M. C., F. R. S. Bragg’s career has precisely coincided with the growth of a major field of science─the X-ray diffraction analysis of crystal structures. This had its beginning in his own early researches, and he has throughout played a principal role by his leadership at a series of laboratories, at Manchester, at the National Physical Laboratory, at Cambridge and at the Royal Institution, and in many other ways. He was the first to determine the atomic arrangement in a crystal (sodium chloride), and this work marked the introduction of a technique which has since been successfully applied to increasingly complicated molecules, culminating in the complete structure determination of the protein lysozyme at the Royal Institution a year before his retirement. Bragg has been prominent in the development of methods, beginning with the Law named after him; he also pioneered or encouraged the application of these methods in several fields—ionic crystals, elementary oxides, silicates, metals and proteins. The striking characteristic of Bragg as a scientist has been his direct and simple approach to complicated physical situations; his solutions of problems have a lucidity and simplicity which, in retrospect, make one forget how baffling they often seemed in advance.

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