Thursday, April 24, 1980 . HE PRESIDENT’S FRESHMAN AWARDS The President’s Freshman Awards are presented annually to those undergraduate degree candidates who have carried a full-time credit load and earned a 4.00 (A) term average for any of the first three terms of their freshman year of study. The Awards will be presented at the Honors Convocation at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 11, in the Milton S. Eisenhower Auditorium. The 1980 President’s Freshman Award will be presented to: Donna L. Angoltl, Erie, PA, Behrend, Division of Undergraduate Studies Melanie E. Archangel!, Pittsburgh, PA, University Park, Business Administration Daniel J. Armburst, Irwin, PA, University Park, Earth and Mineral Sciences Lisa A. Arters, Glen Mills, PA, University Park, Arts and Architecture Catherine E. Baker, Harrisburg, PA, York, Business Administration Laurie A. Baker, Saxton, PA, Altoona, Arts and Architecture Betsy A. Barnicle, Hollidaysburg, PA, Altoona, Science Robert G. Barrage, Natrona Heights, PA, University Park, Arts and Architecture Michael H. Basista, Middleburg Heights, OH, University Park, Science Robert A. Baust, Dalton, PA, Worthington Scranton, Liberal Arts Norma J. Beaulieu, Ashland,ME, University Park, Education . Lee F. Bellows, Towanda, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Renee A. Belovich, Nesquehoning, PA, University Park, Human Development Alfred W. Bidwell, Jr., Forty Fort, PA, Wilkes-Barre, Engineering Glenn A. Biery, Leechburg, PA, New Kensington, Engineering Gary R. Black, State College, PA, University Park, Business Administration Janet E. Bourne, Towanda, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Melinda R. Brandon, Cranberry, PA, Behrend, Engineering Leslie R. Brown, Kingston, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Gregory M. Bubel, Wellsville, PA, University Park, Engineering Janis E. Burger, Doylestown, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Pjater D. Calder, Brookville, PA, University Park, Science Priscilla K. Cannon, Ligonier, PA, University Park, Human Development Darlene M. Capp, Altoona, PA, University Park, Education Susanna R. Carbaugh, New Oxford, PA, Berks, Engineering Monica A. Carletto, Connellsville, PA, Fayette, Liberal Arts Barry W. Carney, New Kensington, PA, New Kensington, Liberal Arts John M. Cerllll, Monaca, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Matthew G.Clmbala, North Huntingdon, PA, University Park, Science Herbert T. Cohen, Levittown, PA, University Park, Science Francis R. Colangelo, Pittsburgh, PA, University Park, Science Carole J. Courtet, Brookside, NJ, University Park, Health, Physical Education, & Recreation Donna S. Cowell, Greensburg, PA, University Park, Engineering Cheryl C. Cowen, Waynesburg, PA, Fayette, Earth and Mineral Sciences Dawn P. Cranley, Cranford, NJ, University Park, Business Administration Kevin M. Crupi, Sinking Spring, PA, Berks, Earth and Mineral Sciences James R. Davie, Pittsburgh, PA, McKeesport, Engineering Denise L. Delozier, Altoona, PA, Altoona, Earth & Mineral Sciences Marcle J. Denenburg, Philadelphia, PA, University Park, Business Administration Ralph J. DeStefano, Altoona, PA, Altoona, Engineering Jane P. Devlin, Philadelphia, PA, Mont Alto, Engineering Catherine L. Dick, Hollidaysburg, PA, Altoona, Science Robert A. Dldonato, Altoona, PA, Altoona, Science Stephen N. DILeo, Altoona, PA, Altoona, Liberal Arts Barbara J. Doyle, Clarion, PA, Altoona, Business Administration Patricia L. Doyle, Pittsburgh, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Richard J. Egan, Jr., Pittsburgh, PA, University Park, Science David J. Erb, Levittown, PA, Hazleton, Engineering Laura M. Erickson, Chadds Ford, PA, University Park, Business Administration John C. Evertt, York, PA, York, Liberal Arts Mark A. Featherstone, Wilkes-Barre, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Feme M. Fishman, Philadelphia, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Patricia M. Fitzgerald, Lancaster, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Paul M. Fitzpatrick, West Mifflin, PA, McKeesport, Engineering J. Raymond Fletcher, Woodbury, PA, Altoona, Business Administration William L. Fluke, Lewistown, PA, Altoona, Business Administration Maritheresa F. Frain, Philadelphia, PA, Ogpntz, Liberal Arts Ronald L. Frantz, Pottsville, PA. Schuylkill, Engineering Millie A. Funk, Danville, PA, Schuylkill, Division of Undergraduate Studies John E. Galanko, Greensboro, PA, Fayette, Engineering Glenn S. Gerhard, Tamaqua, PA, University Park, Science Denise J. Gasper, Schuylkill Haven, Pa. University Park, Education Pamela K. Gesford, Harrisburg, PA, Dußois, Science Teresa J. GUI, Altoona, PA, University Park, Business Administration John E. Gochenaur, Wyckoff, NJ, University Park, Engineering Cindy A. Gower, Altoona, PA, University Park, Engineering Alasha B. Graham, Philadelphia, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Christine A. Gray, Waterford, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts David Gross, Pittsburgh, PA, University Park, Business Administration Elaine M. Halula, Latrobe, PA, McKeesport, Engineering Elizabeth A.Hambrlght, Harrisburg, PA, University Park, Education Deborah A. Hammitt, Meadville, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Donald R. Harris, Duncansville PA, Altoona, Engineering Amy L. Helgel, St. Mary's, PA, Dußois, Education Marilyn J. Hellige, Rockville Centre, NY, University Park, Liberal Arts Michael E. Hertzog, Reading, PA, Berks, Liberal Arts Scott M. Hoffman, Belle Vernon, PA, Fayette, Engineering Jeffrey B. Hoke, State College, PA, University Park, Engineering Thomas D. Hollinger, Lebanon, PA, Berks, Business Administration Kevin F. Hornberger, Philadelphia, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Jeffrey S. Horoshak, New Cumberland, PA, University Park, Engineering Lynne C. Houck, Coudersport, PA, York, Human Development Peter J. Hughes, Media, PA, University Park, Science James R. Hunter, Chadds Ford,.PA, Delaware County, Science Jeffrey J.Hushlon, Springfield, PA, University Park, Science James L. Hutton, Vandergrift, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Angela F. Ibberson, Philipsburg, PA, Dußois, Business Administration Mark S. Jacklyn, Central Islip, NY, University Park, Earth and Mineral Sciences Jeanne M. Jacko, North Versailles, PA, University Park, Division of Undergraduate Studies Shailen Jalall, Columbia, MD. University Park, Science Deepak A. Kapoor, Melville, NY, University Park, Science Roger S.Karapin, York, PA, York, Liberal Arts David M. Karchner, Selinsgrove, PA, University Park, Business Administration Melissa A. Keenan, Audubon, PA, University Park, Arts and Architecture Mary Anne Keintz, York, PA, York, Business Administration David A. Kenney, Blairsville, PA, University Park, Engineering Barbara L. Klssell, Holsopple, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Gretchen S. Koelle, Blue Bell. PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Maureen S. Kolasa, State College, PA, University Park, Human Development Timothy E. Korber, Ebensburg, PA, University Park, Science Michael E. Kostlck, Nazareth, PA, Hazelton, Agriculture Todd M. Kravlts, Uniontown, PA, Fayette, Engineering Clare M. Krlstofco, Altoona, PA, Altoona, Liberal Arts Charles F. Kroen, Allison Park, PA, University Park, Earth and Mineral Sciences Susan Kuchta, Smock. PA, Fayette, Division of Undergraduate Studies Randall J. Lasater, Lansdowne, PA, Delaware County, Liberal Arts Ann I. Lawrence, Mechanicsburg, PA, University Park, Engineering Lois M. Leach, Chelmsford, MA, University Park, Science Karen A. Lehrman, Philadelphia, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Bruce K. Leidy, Pittsburgh, PA, McKeesport, Agriculture Norman R. Lettich, Sacramento, PA, Schuylkill, Business Administration Kathleen A. Lettierl, Hopewell Junction, NY, University Park, Liberal Arts Jean M. Lien, Allentown, PA, University Park, Science Lori A. Lutzker, Harrisburg, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Alexander J. Macones, Philadelphia, PA, University Park, Science Barbara J. Madden, Havertown, PA, University Park, Education Eileen M. Mallon, Pittsburgh, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts David M. Marnatti, Ridgway, PA, Dußois, Engineering Sally A. Maurer, Altoona, PA, Altoona, Division of Undergraduate Studies Stephen L. Mayo, Kennett Square, PA, University Park, Engineering 1 Joseph M. Mazzarella, Clarks Summit, PA, Worthington-Scranton, Science Scott D. McAuley, Cowansville, PA, Berks, Engineering James K. McCarthy, Reading, PA, University Park, Science Margaret M. McCool, Oreland, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts James A. McDaid, Drexef Hill, PA, University Park, Science Amy A. McFadden, Ashland, PA, Schuylkill, Engineering Mary Ann T. McNally, Philadelphia, PA, Ogontz, Liberal Arts Richard L. McNally, Dußois, PA, Dußois, Engineering Stephen G. Mendat, Dußois, PA, Dußois, Engineering Tobl D. Mangle, Orwigsburg, PA, Schuylkill. Engineering Helane Meyers, New Milford, NJ, University Park, Liberal Arts Barry A. Mikucki, CJuakertown, PA, Ogontz, Earth and Mineral Sciences , Jon A. Milanesi, Patton\ PA; Altoona, Business Administration ' ■ » Laurie A. Miller, Lilly, PA, Altoona, Science Stephen D. Miller, Stroudsburg, PA, University Park, Agriculture Alexandra L. Milton, Pittsburgh, PA, University Park, Business Administration Gloria J. Mulik, Macungie, PA; Allentown, Business Administration Heidi R. Munn.Zelienople, PA, Berks, Science Russell S. Myers, Coatesville, PA, Delaware County, Agriculture Mary L. Naperkoski, Altoona, PA, Altoona, Arts and Architecture Jon M. Nese, Steubenville, OH, University Park, Earth and Mineral Sciences Phu Due Nguyen, Gettysburg, PA, Mont Alto, Science Mona Rita Niemlec, Penn, PA, University Park, Arts and Architecture Nedrlc L. Nissly, Douglassville, PA, Berks, Human Development Patricia L. Novak, Industry, PA, Berks, Liberal Arts Angela J. Nudo, Uniontown, PA, Fayette, Science Penny E. Oakley, Kingsley, PA, University Park, Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Arlene A. Palkay, Allison Park, PA, New Kensington, Liberal Arts Constance M. Pappas, Philadelphia, PA, University Park, Division of Undergraduate Studies Matthew A. Parlnella, Pittsburgh, PA, McKeesport, Business Administration Andrew H. Paterson, Glen Mills, PA, University Park, Agriculture Teresa A. Pearson, Scranton, PA, Worthington Scranton, Business Administration Lisa B. Peden, Gibsonia, PA, Berks, Human Development Joseph K. Perry, Altoona, PA, University Park, Education Raymond J. Petrillo, Springfield, PA, University Park, Science Fawn J. Phillips, Tyrone, PA, Altoona, Education Barbara A. Pierce, Monroeville, Pa., University Park, Engineering Catherine M. Pihoker, Coopersburg, PA, University Park, Science Karen S. Pinsky, Philadelphia, PA, Ogontz, Liberal Arts Stephen J. Pokiniewski, Philadelphia, PA, Ogontz, Liberal Arts Kelly A. Porter, New Stanton, PA, University Park, Science Glenwood J. Puhak, West Hazleton, PA, Hazleton, Liberal Arts Karen D. Rader, Reston, VA, University Park, Liberal Arts Becky L. Rice, Duncansville, PA, Altoona, Education Randall G. Richards, Altoona, PA, Altoona, Engineering Cathy R. Rlemer, Kendall Park, NJ, University Park, Science Mark A. Ritter, York, PA, York, Liberal Arts Trade Ritts, Valencia, PA, University Park, Agriculture Lynda C. Robinson, Southampton, PA, Ogontz, Liberal Arts Eric Z. Rosenbaum, University Park, PA, Human Development Leslie A. Rublnkowskl, Connellsville, PA, Fayette, Liberal Arts ■Phillip E. Savage,Monaca, PA, Berks, Engineering, Virginia A. Schmitt, Edinboro, PA, University Park, Health, Physical Education, & Recreation Michael I. Schoen, Philadelphia, PA, University Park, Science Renee M. Scott, Woodbury, NJ, University Park, Human Development Gregory S. Shomper, Reading, PA, Berks, Science James P. Shute, Doylestown, PA, University Park, Business Administration Douglas T. Smith, York, PA, York, Engineering Merle C. Smith, Me Keesport, PA, University Park, Science Joseph C. Smouse, Jr., Altoona, PA, Altoona, Business Administration Christina B. Snoddy, Allenwood, PA, University Park, Science Edward L. Snyder, Reading, PA, Berks, Engineering Susan R. Snyder, Williamsport, PA, University Park, Business Administration Joseph Sottile, Carrolltown, PA, Altoona, Earth and Mineral Sciences Richard J. Spontak, St. Clair, PA, Schuylkill, Engineering Linda M. Stahl, Somerset, PA, University Park, Human Development Elizabeth Stumpff, St. Mary's, PA, Dußois, Liberal Arts Teresa M. Tangeman, Tyrone, PA, Altoona, Education Robert A. Taylor, Oil City, PA, Dußois, Engineering Mark S. Thompson, Doylestown, PA, University Park, Business Administration Michael T. Toole, Wilkes-Barre, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Dennis M. links, Fairview, PA, University Park, Science Brenda D. Uslin, Hamburg, PA, University Park, Agriculture Madhumatl M. Veerappan, Altoona, PA, Altoona, Education Jeffrey M. Wasileski, Mt. Carmel, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts Renee D. Weaver, Johnstown, PA, University Park, Education David R. Wenzel, Arlington Heights, IL, University Park, Science Donald B. Wheatley, Monroeville, PA, University Park, Engineering Dale A. White, Sharon, PA, Shenango Valley, Division of Undergraduate Studies Joel C. Wilkinson, Cresco, PA, University Park, Health, Physical Education & Recreation Elisabeth A. Wilson, Shippensburg, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts DavidS. Wise, Ephrata, PA, University Park, Agriculture Patricia Wisnewskl, Florham Park, NJ, University Park, Health, Physical Education & Recreation Rex M. Yanlello, Pittston, PA, Worthington Scranton, Liberal Arts Theodore E. Yost, West Lawn, PA, Berks, Engineering Michael T. Zambotti, Indiana, PA, University Park, Engineering Georgenne Zoffel, Pittsburgh, PA, University Park, Liberal Arts fa . ' i \ University leads nuclear waste disposal research %'HtIS NAAR Daily Collegian Staff Writer Safe disposal of nuclear wastes is a pressing problem that cannot be ignored. One of the; most extensive research solutions for long term storage l of these increasing of wastes is being conducted at the University’s Materials Research Laboratory. “I think we’re the only University much into the development,”' said William White, professor of geochemistry. “None of the programs Are one-tenth of the size of the one here.” Since September, White has been jointly responsible with the MRL’s director, Rustum Roy, in developing new synthetic waste forms designed to be stable in spite of any geological event. Funded by the United States Depart ment of Energy, the MRL, in Research®- t\Aore highway light needed for By LIZ FOX Daily Collegian Staff Writer The incidence of serious traffic accidents, par ticularly those ihvolving pedestrians, increases at night. However, recent studies have shown that in creased illumination along highways has significantly cut down on the number of these nighttime auto ac cidents. Herschel Leibowitz, Evan Pugh professor- of psychology and expert in the field of visual perception, has been studying the relationship between the human visual systems and driving perception at night. Until recently, most vision authorities have focused on*rhe focal visual system which is the one through which we read and recognize objects. Through his research, Leibowitz has come to recognize the im portance of the other system, the ambient, in our daily lives but especially in automobile driving. “Ambient or peripheral vision is the ‘where’ of perception. It is an unconscious process which lets us know where we are in relationship to objects. It permits us to move about freely and orient ourselves in space,” Leibowitz said. Focal vision seems to be controlled by the visual cortex, the outer grey matter which covers the brain’s two hemispheres, Leibowitz said. Ambient vision ap pears to originate down inside the mid-brain. Although ths two systems interact considerably, they also can operate independently. Thus, depending on the problem, a person can lose both visual systems or only one. Glaucoma destroys the peripheral field of the retina which leaves a person with only the ability to see objects directly in front of him. Manure BY LISA MORANO Daily Collegian Staff Writer Inflation, energy crisis, devaluation. . . they are hitting every segment of the working class with no end in sight and no escape. But a better alternative exists for the large dairy farmer. Through the efforts of ai group of University researchers, cowmanure can be transformed into an energy source that could supply up to 20 percent of a farm’s energy needs. In 1975, Howard D. Bartlett, professor of agricultural engineering, and other department members began designing an anaerobic digester that uses cow Snanure to produce a methane gas called “biogas ” Bartlett said after a year of design consultation, a 20-foot by 15-foot digester was built on the University’s dairy farm. Then, tests were run during tyree different periods, each six to nine months long. According to a circular published by the agricultural engineering depart ment, the process of turning cow manure into methane gas takes place within the digester, which is an air-tight tank. TJie process of anaerobic digestion is nor an idea originally formulated by Penn State researchers but was developed 172 years ago by Humphrey Davy. I ! j f f. ' S'!':. ' The University's'claim to fame is its cooperation with the Rockwell Science Center, a subsidiary of Rockwell Cor poration of Pittsburgh, is trying to find the most stable and most economical synthetic waste forms to be buried in the near future. v" ; “It’s a project that runs on a pretty short time fuse,” White said. The Department of Energy has cited 1982 as the year that a waste form must be chosen, and 1984 as the year that this form would be put to use. White said that the two basic constraints of the research program are that a waste form be specified, and that these wastes be so stable that it would not matter what happened to them during storage. Other countries, such as France, are currently interested in the glass form of waste material, White said. However, glass, when exposed to temperatures of Others may lose this focal ability while being able to orient in space and perform simple locomotion func tions. This was one of the major findings of Leibowitz and his colleagues. “In many cases these people are not aware of their visually mediated orientation ability. If you ask whether they see a wall to their side they will say ‘no.’ Yet, they can move around without walking into it, while someone who is really totally blind will strike the wall. They don’t realize they are still ‘seeing’ something, because the ambient system is so un conscious,” Leibowitz said. This is the reason many nighttime driving accidents occur. A driver can have perfect ambient vision, which controls the steering function, while lacking the necessary focal vision to see road signs or pedestrians crossing the street “People who see poorly at night through their focal vision still drive their cars. Everyone who drives at night should slow down even though they do have the orientation vision necessary to steer the car,” Leibowitzsaid. Leibowitz’s research, sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Eye In stitute, suggests that the reason most nighttime driving accidents occur in relatively unlighted places is that only the focal vision system, not the ambient one, is influenced by the level of light. The focal system operates at night at only a small fraction of its daytime efficiency which means that the driver could hit a pedestrian that he did not even see. However, since the steering ability through the gas use open to dairy farmers unique adaptation to dairy use. A traditional use of the process has been municipal waste treatment. The circular said that manure is transformed into a mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide after at least 10 days in the tank. The average time the manure mixture stays in the tank depends on the amount of manure initially loaded. A by-product of the process is a fer tilizer labeled “effluent” that is easily absorbed by plants because its structure is chemically broken down by the ■-' \':i m V" " I'v M I* *» v % ’ ' ’ i « » K_n "fc v> a few hundred degrees Celsius, can .disintegrate in a matter of days. “If the canister breaks, water will get in, and the glass will break down,” White said. If the glass does break down, it may react with the surrounding rock to form new minerals. The real problem, though, he said, is the factor of un predictability involved in the breaking down of glass. “Our strategy, and it’s one that has pretty well evolved in the lab, is to look at nature what kind of forms can we look for in rocks that have survived a million years.” For instance,. White said that the mineral monazite, found in nature, has been virtually insoluble for over a billion years. It has survived mountain building, erosion, earthquakes, volcanic activity and the ice age. “You use those process. According to the circular, cow, pig and other livestock manure have been sucessfully used as digester material. Poultry manure has been an exception because of a lack of a proper carbon to nitrogen ratio. Along with a proper carbon/nitrogen ratio, a proper pH level of 7 must also be attained. Both these conditions must exist to allow bacteria to grow and digest the manure. The amount of gas production depends on the energy needs and daily manure kinds of minerals as guidelines,” he said. “What we’re trying to do is devise types of crystalline waste forms that can be designed for any waste,” White said. “Our end is to try to invent very flexible waste form designs. Waste form is really the most important part.” The nuclear wastes, after being turned into a synthetic form, would be buried 1,000 to 2,000 feet underground, in the form of large canisters. White said that one of the hottest political questions is where to put the canisters. A site was selected near Carlsbad, New Mexico, and at first the governor and citizens of the state did not protest, since jobs and dollars would be the result. The attitude has changed though, and people are uncertain, he said. “When sites are identified the fireworks start.” night driving ambient system is still intact, the driver feels just as confident at night as in the daytime. “I thought many drivers were irrational until I started doing research,” Leibowitz said. “We should all really slow down at night since we all see so poorly. ’ ’ "What we fail to realize is that our focal vision is so greatly impaired that we cannot recognize and react to obstacles in time. Awareness of this selective degradation will permit drivers, as well as safety authorities to take preventive measures,” Leibowitz said. Leibowitz and his colleagues have developed one such preventive measure, a test for “night myopia,” which can lead to a prescription for special nighttime driving glasses. These prescription glasses effectively correct this vision problem which affects a large percentage of the population “With a test which only takes a few minutes, it is possble to prevent the loss of significant focal vision at night,” Leibowitz said. “Even with this procedure, focal vision is degraded at night compared to the daytime.” Other precautions suggested by Leibowitz are in creasing the visibility of unexpected road obstacles by improving roadway illumination and screening drivers for nighttime vision in addition to daytime driving vision. One major change that Leibowitz would like to see is the lowering of the speed limit at night. “I think that there should be different day and night driving speeds,” Leibowitz said. “Daytime speeds are not safe at night. They shouldn’t be the same.” supply of the farm. If the daily loading rate is high, the digester wil be more efficient and economical to run. According to a table in the circular, if 763 pounds of manure are collected daily from about 50 cows, 2,365 cubic feet of gas will be produced in 35 days. But if 2,270 pounds of manure are collected daily from 150 cows, 7,130 cubic feet of gas will be producedin 11 days. Therefore, the digester is most beneficial to large dairy farms whose energy needs and manure supply are constant and great. Jfv/ ik .. • One suggestion is that the federal government choose and take care of one site. Better security, control and trained personnel would be the result, White said. Or perhaps each state would take care of its own wastes. Six or seven waste sites are presently being examined, White said. Researchers from the MRL are working with scientists from the Rockwell Corporation’s Corporate Science Center and its Atomic In ternational Laboratories in Los Angeles. “We are the basic research part of it,” White said. Rockwell is in charge of the engineering development, and will be working with hot material, whereas the MRL does chemical simulations, he said. The Rockwell Corporation operates the federal radioactive waste facility at Hanford, Washington. However, most of Herschel Leibowitz, professor of psychology, sets up a model of an eye, part of his research in the effects of human visual systems on nighttime automobile and airplane accidents. An Evan Pugh professor, he has received various awards for accomplishments in research and teaching. He says he believes a professor can excel in both research and teaching. Leibowitz hopes that his studies will help change the nighttime driving speed and other night driving safety precautions. At the University since 1962, he has published more than 100 articles on his work. Bartlett said the composition of the biogas produced is 60 percent methane and is used to power an engine that could generate electricity to run dairy milking machines and cooling systems plus supply energy for space and hot.water heating. "The initial investment a farmer would have to make is $20,000 based on 1975 prices,” Bartlett said. “One of the reasons for the high price is because the parts for the system are not mass, produced.” He added that within one year, the The Daily Collegian Thursday, April 24,1980—7 The Materials Research Laboratory director, Rustum Roy, and William White, professor of geochemistry, have headed research in developing new ways to store nuclear waste. Right, Judy Garland, a MRL technician, checks the pressure gauge on one of the machines used in the nuclear waste dispossal project. Left, wires connected to another machine sprawl and crisscross around the gauges. the wastes the MRL is interested in are from the Savannah River Laboratory in South Carolina, which are chemically different, and described by White as “black, slimy glop.” White said that some of the nuclear wastes have been sitting in storage tanks for 20 years. The tanks can become old and corroded. Though the Savannah tanks were made well, White said that the tanks at Hanford have suffered leakage problems. In fact, the problem of permanent storage of wastes was not taken very seriously until the Hanford tank leakage. White said that people just didn’t consider nuclear wastes as a problem. “I don’t think the public was really aware of it,” he said. “In hindsight, I think this was a colossal mistake. We’re working like the devil trying to catch up.” I--'*’ V..- •&? digester could pay for itself through energy savings and a profit might be realized depending on labor ex penditures. If a farmer wanted to buy a digester system, he would have to hire a con sultant to design one and then have it built, all separate from the University, Bartlett said. “The digester needs to be controlled by the farmer. It is not a sophisticated piece of equipment,” Bartlett said. “It has to be of good quality and dependable during operation,” he added. Bartlett said a digester has been privately .built on a large dairy farm in southern Pennsylvania and “so far, it has been operating without bio upset.” Digesters are also used by the Amish and Mennonite farmers and Chinese commune farmers, Bartlett said. The Chinese farmers view the use of their digesters as labor-saving devices because they no longer have to chop and tote wood from distant forests, he said, adding an estimate of future numbers of digesters reaches into the millions. A future wish for Bartlett and the anaerobic digester is to “encourage manufacturers to put together a package that is economically feasible to the average farmer. ’’ Hopefully, the next time you look a dairy cow in the eye, you can ask her if she gives regular or unleaded. Photo by Stel Varies
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