World Watch
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Demand for rail travel is on the increase in Australia and the rail network is one of the world’s largest. Even if that weren’t the case, safe and reliable tracks for fast shipping and travel are important. Currently, trains need to slow down significantly over areas susceptible to mud pumping. That’s the safety and economic backdrop for funding being awarded to a team that’s taking on mud pumping. Led by researchers at the University of Wollongong’s School of Civil, Mining and Environmental Engineering, the NOT EXACTLY TRACKSIDE Dr. Buddhima Indraratna crouches over a simulator, which he’s using to help improve train safety at high speeds over waterlogged track beds. -photo by Paul Jones, University of Wollongong team will dig deeper into the causes of the problem. It will also look at ways to promote better drainage and build up soil. Improving ground conditions and train speed would thus have “huge benefits,” says team leader Dr. Buddhima Indraratna.
FARTHER DOWN UNDER—AUSTRALIANS LOOK AT FACTORS THAT UNDERMINE RAILWAY TRACKS Trains traversing Australia’s massive rail network are often responsible for mud pumping, an action that quite literally undermines track safety. Mud pumping typically occurs when fast, heavy trains, such as those used in mining, pass over waterlogged areas. This can result in mud holes and track depressions, both of which increase the risk of derailment.
HOW ABOUT A COOLING SYSTEM THAT DOESN’T USE ELECTRICITY? Stanford electrical engineers—irony alert—have found a way to not use electricity. Water required for air conditioning, refrigeration, and other cooling
optical roof atop Packard Electrical Engineering Building at Stanford in California. The system uses a natural process called radiative sky cooling to release heat, the same way asphalt roads do at sunset. A special film reflects most of the sun’s daytime heat, creating conditions that allow heat to radiate into surrounding air and, sometimes, all the way to the cold reaches of space.
systems can be changed to its useful and non- heated condition with nary an electron delivering a charge. As reported in Nature Energy , the engineers have taken a major step by developing a specialized
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