Campus/Area
University Daily Kansan / Monday, April 17, 1989
3
Fusion experiment may hold promise, KU instructors say
by Thom Clark Kansan staff writer
A University assistant professor is cautiously optimistic that an experiment performed by a University of Utah professor is a scientific breakthrough in nuclear fusion research.
"It was clear that the Utah researchers were observing a very unusual phenomenon," said Joseph Heppert, assistant professor of chemistry. "Whether in the end that phenomenon is as significant as Stanley Pons is counting it to be remains to be seen."
On Wednesday, Heppatt attended the American Chemical Society meeting in Dallas, where Pons discussed his experiment that produced fusion and four watts of energy for each watt used. The earlier announcement initiated worldwide scientific attempts to duplicate his results.
Fusion occurs when two hydrogen atoms are compressed and overcome a natural repulsion and are forced to merge into a single helium atom.
The experiment used a rod of palladium and a coil of platinum immersed in a beaker of deuteriumoxide. When electricity was applied to the coil, it forced deuterium atoms into the palladium until they fused, producing heat.
Heppert said the neutrons and gamma rays observed during the experiment gave Pons' discovery more credibility.
"Clearly, the Utah researchers were observing something very unusual," Heppert said. "It provides strong circumstantial evidence that fusion events were probably occurring."
Heppert said some fusion experts remained skeptical.
"From the fusion events with the palladium, the Utah researchers should observe neutrons and gamma rays," he said. "However, based on the power output observed by the Utah researchers, they are only seeing one over 10 to the ninth number of neutrons and gamma rays expected."
George Wilson, Takeru Higuchi professor of chemistry and pharmaceutical chemistry, knows Pons and said the Ulah chemistry professor was an accomplished scientist.
"He is definitely a very serious scientist," Wilson said. "His experiment was done and thought through carefully."
Wilson said Pons' proposed results could finally provide solutions after 20 years of fusion research.
"Carrying out this whole process at room temperature instead of very high temperatures solves practical problems and could make these initial observations promising," Wilson said.
"On a larger scale, this method could in principle solve several problems associated with current fusion technology," Heppert said.
Patrick G. Brungardt/Special to the KANSAN
McCollum Hall residents wrestle and throw oatmeal at each other to conclude the Third Floor Spring Festival Oatmeal Wrestling Tournament. The tournament took place yesterday behind McCollum Hall.
Oatmeal fight
110 artists donate work to Lawrence art auction
by Kris M. Bergquist Kansan staff writer
So $65 it was until the spotter, who watched the audience for bids, interrupted.
"$60, $60, $65, do I hear $65?" the auctioneer yelled. "Ye-es, $651"
The crowd laughed.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute," she said. "She was waving at a friend."
"You've got to keep your arms folded at an auction," said Larry Gabbert, of Lawrence, laughing with the rest of the crowd.
Saturday night's Lawrence Art
Auction at the Lawrence Arts Center, Ninth and Vermont streets, had about 400 laughing people. It was the largest crowd since the event began eight years ago, said Ann Evans, director of the center.
This year, 110 Lawrence and Kansas City artists donated their work for the auction. Money was generated from the $10 admission fee, the money from the auction itself, and the fact that everyone who participated donated their time and services.
"Everything is donated, from the art work to the auctioneer," Evans
During the evening, items were sold in a silent auction that began at 7 p.m. People bid by writing their names and bid amount on a piece of paper next to the work. The silent auction ended at 8 p.m., and at that time, the highest bidder got the item.
said. "This is a fun way for the community to help the arts center because they're acquiring art and having fun at the same time."
with friends.
During the silent auction, the Kelley Hunt Band played while people wandered around looking at he art, eating, drinking and chatting
"We really came to listen to Kelley," said Dan Wildcat, of Lawrence.
Evans said the musical group attracted people to the auction.
"Part of the reason that we do that is because we like to include all of the art forms," Evans said. "The event isn't just to buy art. It's a social event that a lot of people just come to for the party."
"It's just a good party," Bradley said. "Everybody comes and has a lot of fun and maybe gets some art also. I have several pieces that I'd love to end up with."
Michael Bradley, educational director at the center, said the fun of the event came in the mixture of people.
Evans said that because of the crowd at the auction, it was hard to view the art in one night and decide which items were worth bidding on. She said the gallery was open a month in advance for private showings.
"it's open partly because of the crowd, but also because it's a truly wonderful exhibit," Evans said.
SenEx invites feedback on parking
by Candy Niemann Kansan staff writer
The University Senate Executive Committee on Friday changed its procedures for adopting University parking policy to allow more time for campus groups to comment on the Parking Board's annual report.
the new procedures, adopted unanimously, require that the Parking Board send its report to SenEx by the end of the fall semester. SenEx and University Council then will comment on the
report and send it back to the Parking Board for final drafting in February.
The Parking Board will send its final report to Chancellor Gene A. Budig. SenEx, Council and any other interested campus groups may also offer suggestions. In late February, Budig will forward the report to the Board of Regents.
Previously, the report had been considered in late spring.
"This could have significant benefits in informing the discussion of parking issues," said Bob Jerry.
chairman of SenEx and author of the proposal.
In other business, SenEx heard the annual report from Robert Shelton, University budsman.
Shelton recommended that the Regents policy on obtaining Kansas residency, the grade appears process and support for rape victims be addressed by University governance.
Shelton said the number of people visiting his office had increased significantly this year.
Bank branch robbed man charged in case
by Angela Clark Kansan staff writer
A 21-year-old Corpus Christi, Texas, man was charged with theft and aggravated robbery of the Lawrence National Bank branch, 2701 Iowa St., on Friday after he was caught at a police roadblock on Kansas Highway 10.
of Eudora on Highway 10. Lawrence police, the Douglas County sheriff's office, Eudora police, the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation worked together to apprehend Gutierrez 30 minutes after the robbery was reported.
Peter Charles Gutierrez was caught at milestone 10, just outside
No employees were hurt, and all of the money was recovered by police.
Lawrence Poles wary of accords
by Rias Mohamed Kansan staff writer
Ryszard Szymkowski is still debating the merits of the recent agreements signed by Solidarity and the Polish government.
"I hope they are good, but I'm the one who still doubts," said Szymkowski, graduate student from Poland who arrived in the United States in 1986.
The Polish government, under Soviet pressure, had arrested leaders of Solidarity, the independent trade union formed in 1980, after martial law was imposed in 1981.
The Polish government had made promises for a better future, especially in the 1960s and 1970s, and people worked hard expectying changes, he said. But the economic condition did not improve, and people don't trust the government anymore.
Szymkowski said he had mixed feelings about going to back to Poland. Because some friends and certain church organizations had helped him pay for his tuition and other expenses during his early days in the United States, he said, he would like to make a contribution to the United States before he decides to go back.
Poland's recent accords are changes for the better as far as political opportunities are concerned, but how political changes will influence the economic situation is the question he said.
Mark Dobek, graduate student from Poland, immigrated to the United States in 1985. He said the accords could change the attitudes of Poles outside Poland toward the Polish government.
Poles living in countries such as the United States who once urged economic sanctions on Poland could now urge other countries to give economic help, he said.
The accords would not influence anybody to go back. Those who do return will do so because they did not feel comfortable in a foreign country, he said.
Jaroslaw Piekalkiewicz, professor of political science and East European studies, said that the people in Poland would not be as enthusiastic as they were in 1980 when Solidarity was formed.
Poland's economic situation is bad, and only people with sufficient savings and those eligible for substantial pensions would want to go back, he said.
Anna Cienciaal, professor of history, emigrated from Poland in 1939 when she was 9 years old. She said the people could not be enthusiastic about the accords because people distrusted the government.
The free election scheduled as a result of the accords guarantees the Communist Party and its allies 65 percent membership in the lower house of parliament. The government wants to make the party more nationalistic but still keep the levers of power, Cienciaal said.
---
Welcome to ALPHA PHI New Initiates:
Kathy Ammel
Kim Carlson
Bonnie Clay
Lori Denk
Melissa Curry
Gwendolyn Lietzen
Sara Deere
Carrie Gettler
Lisa Hess
Nancy Loyd
Lisa Long
Jennifer Kaeser
Tammy Lutz
Melissa John
Kathy Pressly
Amy Mayhan
Fammy Lutz
Amy Meyhan
Kallie Sanders
Jennifer Saffer
WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!
Beth Skeet
Rainy Pressly
Jennifer Saffer
---
Don't let Spring pass you by...
...Lose those inches NOW!
Fast: Firm up muscles, fine tone your body AND lose weight in just a few weeks!
AND lose weight in just a few weeks!
Hassle-free: No membership fee!
Easy: All this without muscle strain or fatigue!
ULTIMATE EXERCISE FEATURES:
- Isokinetic Exercise Circuit
- Suntana Toning Tables
- Wolff Tanning Beds
FREE DEMONSTRATIONS
Want to spend all summer at the beach, get paid for it?
Westport's hottest new food & drinkery
We've got the next best thing!
Westport's hottest new food & drinkery is now hiring security,waitresses,bartenders and kitchen help. Prerequisites include a strong desire to have fun and to make some fish
We used to be The Harris House, but as of this Spring we're the all-new BAJA
Interested? Call after 5 pm at 842:
HARRY'S!
Interested? Call after 5 pm at
2417 to arrange for an interview at the
Student Union
444 Westport Rd. K.C., Mo.
1-(816)-531-1580