Abstract
The Andes mountains contain the highest diversity of birds on the planet by almost any measure. Underlying this diversity are numerous lineages of lowland birds that have independently colonized high altitude habits since the late Miocene. High altitude imposes physiological challenges such as low oxygen availability and low temperature that can lead to adaptation and evolutionary diversification. Whereas human populations have independently colonized high altitudes in three separate instances over tens of thousands of years, dozens of Andean birds lineages have independently colonized extreme high altitudes over millions of years. Comparing patterns of physiological change in bird and human lineages sheds light on the fundamental nature of adaptation.

Spring 2010

Toward Prediction of North American Droughts by David S. Gutzler, University of New Mexico. Thursday, 11 February 2010, 5 p.m.

Abstract:

Efforts to improve climate prediction capabilities across a wide range of time scales are discussed. We focus on prediction of drought, understanding that "drought" can be a very difficult concept to quantify. Recent severe drought across the western United States has motivated a coordinated study of the physical mechanisms that may cause prolonged drought conditions in the U.S. Such studies were mandated by Congress as part of a 2006 bill authorizing the development of an integrated drought information system. Using a combination of historical data analyses, sensitivity studies using dynamical models of the atmosphere, and scenarios of long-term climate change, we find that: (1) extended periods of cold tropical Pacific Ocean temperature ("La Nina"), can generate droughts across the southern tier of the U.S. via changing continental precipitation patterns, especially when amplified by forcing from warm Atlantic Ocean temperatures; (2) projected 21st Century temperature increases (from "global warming") would generate widespread drought in the continental interior by increasing evaporation rates, even if precipitation increases.

The Role of Renewables and America’s Energy Future by Lawrence T. Papay. Thursday, 11 March 2010, 5 p.m.

Larry Papay is currently CEO and Principal of PQR, LLC, a management consulting firm specializing in managerial, financial, and technical strategies for a variety of clients in electrical power and other energy areas. He has been engaged in energy and environmental systems for over 40 years including the development and demonstration of renewable technologies. Larry has served on numerous state and national committees. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and serves on its Board of Councilors. He chaired the Panel on Electricity from Renewables and co-chairs a joint committee with the Chinese Academies on Renewables.

Abstract:

Today, about 10% of all electrical generation in the U.S. is from renewables, mostly from hydroelectric sources. A U. S. National Academies Panel found that, with a sustained effort, renewables could produce 20 percent of the nation’s electricity generation by 2020 and 30 percent of electricity generation by 2030 - 2035. The major impediments to accomplishing this are issues dealing with deployment and integration. Larry will discuss these.

An Iconoclast Revisits "Climate Change”: Some Pleasant Truths by Albert G. Engelhardt Thursday, 8 April 2010, 5 p.m.

Albert Engelhardt is the President and CEO of Enfitek, Inc., which he founded in 1982. His 51-year professional career covers a broad spectrum of activities as a university professor, a research engineer, a physicist, a LANL Staff Member, a corporate executive, a census taker and a construction worker. He has been active in IEEE activities both locally, nationally & internationally since 1957 when the IEEE was the IRE and occasionally glared at the AIEE its subsequent merger partner. He is a charter member (1975) of the Los Alamos Section now the Los Alamos & Northern New Mexico Section.

Abstract:

A considerable share of the limited resources of the country, and of scientists and engineers, is being wasted on the speculation about global warming and the role of CO2. Data obtained by scientists about the temperature cycles for many thousands of years in the past have shown significant temperature cycles without the effect of large human populations. However, we have current evidence that many wrong actions have been taken because of political and financial reasons. There are solid data out there; they conclusively prove that man-made global warming is insignificant at best.

Engineering & Scientific Memoirs of a Lobo by Allen E. Fuhs Monday, 17 May 2010, 5:30 p.m.

Allen Fuhs is the owner-manager of the Monterey Consulting Services. He obtained B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at UNM, earning PhD degree at the California Institute of Technology. He was a Distinguished Professor at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA. His honors include, Fellow of: the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the British Interplanetary Society. Allen has published over hundred technical articles and books over four decades. He played a crucial role in the design and successful flights of Re-entry vehicles RVX-2 and RVX-2A, with several patents to his credits.

Abstract:

From his wide-ranging, half-century career, Allen (who is a Lobo; class of 1951) has selected four projects involving the full-span of science and engineering including astrophysics. For each topic, historical insights are given which cannot be found in books or Google; they derive from his hands-on participation; interwoven are some good yarns. After placing each topic in context, the relevant physics is presented. Topic one is reentry physics where stagnation point temperatures can reach 104 K. MHD can reduce heat transfer. The electron density affects communication. Successful reentry is of vital importance to all astronauts. Topic two concerns terrestrial astrophysics applied to a recombination ramjet. Can radiative recombination resurrect an old-but-flawed idea? The third topic concerns the technical overlap between modern astronomy and the USAF Airborne Laser Test Bed (in a B747) and the Airborne Laser Laboratory (in a KC-135). This overlap includes segmented mirrors and adaptive optics. One feature seemingly exclusive to the laser lab is transonic thermal blooming; however, some aspects of “seeing” are the same. The wrap-up and fourth topic addresses the question of whether or not the taxpayers received their money’s worth from the initial $1,100,000,000 investment in the Hubble Space Telescope. Selected facets of HST fabulous career are used to answer the question in the affirmative.

.............................................

Archive of Distinguished Public Talks: 2008-2009

Archive of Distinguished Public Talks: 2007-2008

Archive of Distinguished Public Talks: 2006-2007

Archive of Distinguished Public Talks: 2005-2006