Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 5, 1978)
Solar interest rising in U.S., abroad By STEVE DODGE Of the Emerald As might be expected, the recent up surge of interest in solar energy hasn't been limited to the West Coast or even the United States, For instance, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), an ex perimental solar house has been equip ped with materials that may revo lutionize the solar industry, according to a recent Christian Science Monitor story. The house, known as “Solar House 5,” uses double-paned windows spe cially coated with a plastic called Heat Mirror, which MIT researchers say loses only one-quarter the heat lost by ordi nary double-paned windows. But more important, the house has been equipped with heat-storing ceiling tiles containing a liquid that melts at 73 degrees. The melting process stores heat, say MIT researchers, and when the liquid freezes at less than 73 de grees, it releases heat. Hung in any room, the ceiling’s 43 round, two-foot square tiles release heat for two days after a day's charging. The house, which is expected to de rive 85 percent of its heat from the sun, is also equipped with reflective Venetian blinds in its southern windows, which can be adjusted to direct the sun’s rays to tiles in the one-story building’s eaves, or outward for summer cooling. The house is a prime example of a “passive" solar energy system — a sys tem that derives heat from the building’s own design, including windows, heat absorbing materials, and roof over hangs — as opposed to "active’’ sys tems that use conventional flat plate solar collectors, pumps and blowers for heat. As with most solar systems, cost is the one limiting factor. MIT Architect Timothy Johnson, who helped design the house, told the Monitor that all the materials for the house would cost $28,000 as opposed to $5,000 for an equivalent flat plate system. Johnson said, however, that the price is expected to go down when the materi als go into mass production He said even at current prices, the pay-back time in terms of energy saved is five to 10 years, as opposed to 30 years for con ventional solar systems. The 900-square-foot house is the re sult of five years of study and is financed by grants from the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Founda tion and the MIT Godfrey Cabot Re search in Solar Energy fund. India and Australia are leading a grow ing array of countries with a deep in terest in solar energy capabilities, Atlas magazine said in a recent issue. In Australia, where research has been conducted continuously for two dec ades, a burgeoning solar industry al ready produces solar collectors to heat water in factories as well as homes and hotels. Solar water heaters have been installed in all new government-built houses in the arrid Northern Territories of the country. India is concentrating its efforts on small local projects, although a hotel in New Delhi was recently fitted with solar equipment that provides 10,000 gallons of hot water daily. Efforts of India’s National Physical Laboratory have resulted in a variety of mechanical applications for solar power, including water pumps, room heating and solar dryers used in laundries and on farms Another Indian organization, the Cen tral Arrid Zone Research Institute, has concentrated on rural communities with a range of solar cookers, dryers, water heaters and “stills” for converting brack ish water into fresh water. Similar efforts are underway in France, Japan, China, the Soviet Union, Mexico, the Netherlands, West Ger many and some African countries. Black Festival events include gospel to disco The Sixth Annual Black Arts Festival at the University opens today with a celebration march on campus beginning at the EMU Terrace at 12:20 p.m. The week-long festival, spon sored by the Black Student Union and the Council for Minority Edu cation, celebrates the cultural con tributions of blacks in song, dance, music, poetry and other arts and promotes understanding of black people in the United States. The public is invited to all events. Six church choirs will give a gospel concert at 3 p.m. Sunday in Room 167, EMU. John Corbett, a Baptist minister from South Carolina will talk Monday at 7 p.m. on the “The Black Church in Poli tics.” Corbett will speak again Tuesday at 10 a m. on the “His tory of Black Christian Experi ence.” Both his talks will be in the EMU Forum Room. ‘Black Odyssey,” a com prehensive historical and arts ex hibit by George Norman, a Black cultural arts specialist from De troit, will be on display Monday through Thursday from 11 a m. to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and next Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be in Room 167 EMU. In conjunction with the festival, the Ethnic Studies Program is sponsoring a multi-media pro gram on "The Role of Black Art in America” by Grance Hampton, University Assistant art professor. The last in a series on “The In visible Peoples.” Hampton’s dis play will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Eugene Public Lib rary. Alex Poinsett, senior editor of Ebony magazine, will speak at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the EMU, room and topic to be announced. Additional events include a beauty clinic Wednesday after noon on the EMU terrace, a dinner at 6 p.m. Friday in the EMU Ball room, a talent show in the ball room Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and a disco dance Saturday at 9:30 p.m. in Room 167 EMU. Tickets for the dinner go on sale today at the EMU Main Desk. The cost has not yet been determined. Tickets for the disco dance are $1 and will be available at the door. All other events are free. to my customers: I will NOT be selling either Nixon’s or Halderman’s books. It would only embarrass me, and there are better ways to make a buck. Also, my fiction shelf is full. mu iriuErs LIT !M ROOM I00KST0U rsniR muc mmiet ESSENE. 0KS80R 97401 Want to renew old acquaintances? Make new acquaintances? Or just show your appreciation for what you’ve got? Then do it with a Spring Fling ^3 You get 15 scandalous words for $1 when your ad is placed before 1 p.m. Monday, May 8th. 1976 MOCTEZUMA IMPORTS iNC . IRVINE CA DOSEQUB The uncommon import. Discover the rich, distinctive taste of Dos Equis. The strong character of real beer, with a light, natural carbonation that makes Dos Equis easy to get along with, glass alter glass. Dos Equis. The beer that stands out front the crowd.. Just like you
