This educational brief explains the idea that nuclear fusion is thought to be the mechanism by which virtually all of the elements around us are created. Topics include the proton-proton cycle, the carbon-nitrogen-oxygen cycle, and endothermic reactions in supernova explosions. There is also a discussion of the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE), a spacecraft intended to study the origin and evolution of the elements produced by our Sun.

The synthesis and reactivity of atomic hydrogen

In this activity, students use a simple pH indicator to measure how much CO2 is produced during respiration, at rest and after exercising. They begin by comparing some common household solutions in order to determine the color change of the indicator. They review the concepts of pH and respiration and extend their knowledge to measuring the effectiveness of bioremediation in the environment.

This illustration from Biology by Kenneth R. Miller and Joseph Levine describes the steps of the electron transport chain, the second stage in the process of cellular respiration.

Students learn about the periodic table and how pervasive the elements are in our daily lives. After reviewing the table organization and facts about the first 20 elements, they play an element identification game. They also learn that engineers incorporate these elements into the design of new products and processes. Acting as computer and animation engineers, students creatively express their new knowledge by creating a superhero character based on of the elements they now know so well.

An animation of an M-class flare viewed by the RHESSI instrument on February 20, 2002. On tape, this version plays at the maximum speed of one frame corresponding to 3.5 seconds of data collection time. The flare was located at -17.8 degrees South, 9.8 degrees West (heliographic coordinates) in NOAA active region number 9830.

An animation of an M-class flare viewed by the RHESSI instrument on February 20, 2002. On tape, this version plays at a speed of four video frames corresponding to 3.75 seconds of data collection time. The flare was located at -17.8 degrees South, 9.8 degrees West (heliographic coordinates) in NOAA active region number 9830.

An animation of an M-class flare viewed by the RHESSI instrument on February 20, 2002. On tape, this version plays at a speed of two video frames corresponding to 3.5 seconds of data collection time. The flare was located at -17.8 degrees South, 9.8 degrees West (heliographic coordinates) in NOAA active region number 9830.

This course focuses on the fundamentals of structure, energetics, and bonding that underpin materials science. It is the introductory lecture class for sophomore students in Materials Science and Engineering, taken with 3.014 and 3.016 to create a unified introduction to the subject. Topics include: an introduction to thermodynamic functions and laws governing equilibrium properties, relating macroscopic behavior to atomistic and molecular models of materials; the role of electronic bonding in determining the energy, structure, and stability of materials; quantum mechanical descriptions of interacting electrons and atoms; materials phenomena, such as heat capacities, phase transformations, and multiphase equilibria to chemical reactions and magnetism; symmetry properties of molecules and solids; structure of complex, disordered, and amorphous materials; tensors and constraints on physical properties imposed by symmetry; and determination of structure through diffraction. Real-world applications include engineered alloys, electronic and magnetic materials, ionic and network solids, polymers, and biomaterials.

This video segment adapted from AMERICAN EXPERIENCE features original footage of the U.S. test of the first hydrogen device, code-named "Mike", that would trigger thermonuclear fusion.

Just after World War II, nuclear scientists turned their attention from fission to fusion. This video segment adapted from AMERICAN EXPERIENCE looks at the beginnings of thermonuclear power generation.

Is the hydrogen car the answer to global warming? This video segment adapted from NOVA/FRONTLINE looks at the pros and cons of this developing technology.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory hosts the U.S. Department of Energy's Junior Solar Sprint/Hydrogen Fuel Cell (JSS/HFC) Car Competitions. Middle School teams from all over the Colorado Region participate in this fun, educational and exciting event. Teams work together building solar and/or hydrogen fuel cell cars with guidance from a parent or teacher coach to compete in race and design categories. A "Spirit Award" is also presented to the team recognized for good sportsmanship. Building of solar and hydrogen fuel cell cars for the JSS/HFC car competitions require skills in both math and science. The primary goals of the JSS/HFC program, is to generate enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills at a crucial stage in the development of young people. The competition also helps improve students' understanding of scientific concepts and renewable energy technologies; and encourages young people to consider technical careers at an early age.

This still was created to for the cover of the journal Science (5 July 2002 issue). It shows epithermal neutron data represented by the colors overlayed on Mars topography. The blue colors represent high concentrations of hydrogen, indicating the strong possibility that water ice exists in those regions. The vertical exaggeration is 5x normal and the shading exaggeration is 50x normal.

Cement production may be classified by application into two primary groups: construction and energy services. The construction applications for cementing consume the lion’s share of cement manufactured world-wide, but the cement produced for energy services applications is an integral part of meeting the world’s energy needs and requires tighter quality control standards to meet that industry’s higher demands on control of the rheological properties of the fluid slurry state, the solid state, and especially the transition from the former state to the latter, or the setting process. Applications relating to the energy services industry are the primary focus of this work. Additionally, cement may also become central to efforts in nuclear waste management by locking radioactive material within the cementitious matrix, where rates of diffusion of waste out of the cement serve as the dominant concern. These modules explain the chemistry of Portland cement and its applications for the energy industry.