Famous....Again!

After a brief round of media attention about a year ago, some of the research that I participate in is back in the news. The New York Times recently ran this slightly related story on sweating, and included photos of me and ADAM, the thermal manikin.

As usual the media missed the point of our research when they stated "Adam was devised to help reduce automobile fuel consumption by evaluating ways to limit air-conditioner use." Our main goal is to reduce fuel consumption, but not merely be reducing AC use. Anyone can reduce fuel use by not turning on the AC. Unfortunately this would be uncomfortable.

The idea of the research is reduce the size of the AC compressor needed to maintain equivalent passenger comfort. A smaller compressor means better fuel economy. Accomplishing this requires multiple approaches: 1) reduce the heat load in the car (passive ventilation, solar reflective glazing), 2) improve delivery of conditioned air to the passengers, 3) augment air conditioning with passive or low powered ventilated seating. Savings of 7% were shown to be readily achievable and would save billions of gallons of gas per year. Something for everyone to worry about next time you turn up the AC.

Vacation at the Jersey Shore

We recently returned from a week long trip to visit Cathy's family in New Jersey. Most of the time was spent in Brigatine (near Atlantic City) on the beach. We stayed at Cathy's brothers condo there, and sunned ourselves on the beach by day.

This year we invited Cathy and Terry Shannon and their kids Lizzie, Micheal, and Jackson to spend the week there as well. They were kind enough to have us down to their beach house in North Carolina a few times in the past. Unfortunately their house was recently sold and they were having serious beach withdrawal. We didn't spend all our time on the beach. The kids enjoyed a stroll down the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk, and being the bad influence that I am, I talked Lizzie's mom into letting her get a temporary tattoo as illustrated in the opening photo. Jaimie managed to win some stuffed animals in a carny game for Michael and Jackson.

"I'm only scared of one thing in this world...carnies. They have small hands... and smell like cabbage." -Austin Powers

Cathy's family made some trips down to visit us there. Her sister Lee and brother-in-law Jimmy in particular spent several days with us working on our skin cancer, I mean sun tans.

The kids still remember the time I took everyone out for a boat ride in North Carolina, and still call me Capt'n Charlie, so it was of major importance to get them back out again. This time Cathy's cousin Carl did the honors and the Shannons got a short tour in the bay side of the Atlantic City waterways. Good relaxing trip.

Jaimies Return

Hello blog readers. Once again I apologise for a lengthy absence from posting. Too many things going on.

During this absence Jaimie returned from her Australian adventure July 8th. She wasn't content to come home alone, and brought an extremely tough case of bronchitis with her as well. We are now on the second course of antibiotics and hoping the rest of us don't come down with it.

The whole experience was great for the kids but it's good to finally have them home.