Rudolf Diesel born (1858)
Rudolf Diesel (1858 – 1913) was a French-German inventor that developed the diesel internal combustion engine. He studied the laws of thermodynamics to understand how one form of energy is converted into another. He saw that large factories used huge steam engines to provide power. However, the steam engines were only about 10% efficient, meaning that about 90% of the energy in the materials being burned to boil the water and produce steam was being wasted. He designed the diesel internal combustion engine to be much more efficient. In theory the diesel engine that was 75% efficient in the conversion of energy, only wasting about 25%. While the working models do not meet that high level of efficiency, modern diesel engines are the most powerful and efficient of engines to this day.
Soviet Cosmonaut completes first space walk (1965)
Soviet Cosmonaut Aleksey Leonov exited the Voskhod 2 space capsule in orbit and floated for free for 12 minutes approximately 5 meters away while tethered to the capsule. The space walk did not occur exactly as planned when the space suit became overpressured (overinflated) and the temperature inside of it rose to uncomfortable levels. Still, this first Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) proved that is was safe for a human to leave the safe confines of the capsule and work outside in space.
Celebrating Brain Awareness Week (March 14 – 20, 2011)
Alzheimer’s is a brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading, global voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care and support, and the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimer research. The Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures report details the growing prevalence and escalating impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia on individuals, caregivers, families, government and the nation.
The Alzheimer’s Association has many different resources including a some designed for kids and teens to learn about Alzheimer’s disease and understand how it affect you. There are other pages with how to make brain-healthy life choices.
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