All that's new here is the specific mechanism using Olivine. The original paper considered both biologic and non-biologic processes.
Here's the abstract of the original paper. I can't give a link because it requires a subscription to Science, but I think this is enough.
Detection of Methane in the Atmosphere of Mars
Vittorio Formisano,Sushil Atreya, Thérèse Encrenaz,
Science, Vol 306, Issue 5702, 1758-1761, 3 December 2004
We report a detection of methane in the martian atmosphere by the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer onboard the Mars Express spacecraft. The global average methane mixing ratio is found to be 10 ± 5 parts per billion by volume (ppbv). However, the mixing ratio varies between 0 and 30 ppbv over the planet. The source of methane could be either biogenic or nonbiogenic,including past or present subsurface microorganisms, hydrothermal activity, or cometary impacts.
Later in the article, they expand on what they mean by "hydrothermal activity."
On the other hand, methane could have been formed by magmatic processes or stored in methane hydrates for later release to the atmosphere. Terrestrial volcanoes are not a big source of methane, and large-scale volcanism has not taken place on Mars for over 100 million years. However, small-scale outgassing of methane cannot be ruled out. A potentially larger source of methane than volcanism may come from the alteration of basalt at a temperature <150C, a process that also results in the wet-phase conversion of original CO2 into CH4 in a subpermafrost aquifer. In their chemical equilibrium computer model, Wallendahl et al. calculate that as much as 0.2 bar, ~1015 tons, of CH4 could have been produced if the only source of C in this region was the CO2 initially present in the crustal pores. Methane could have been sequestered in stable methane hydrate and gradually risen to the planet's surface. The rate of release to the atmosphere is unknown, but if one assumes that leaking has been taking place at a uniform rate over time, it would amount to ~200,000 tons year-1, which is much greater than the 100 tons or so per year needed to maintain a steady-state mixing ratio of 10 ppbv of CH4 on Mars today. Even if methane from the hydrate is being released at a rate that is a factor of 1000 slower, it would still be sufficient to account for the observations. Finally, recent laboratory experiments confirm abiogenic generation of methane in mineral-catalyzed hydrothermal reactions of CO2 and H2O at 390C and 400 bars, conditions that are likely to be encountered in subpermafrost aquifers or deep under the polar ice on Mars. Moreover, the catalyst used in the experiment--Fe-Cr oxide--is also believed to be present in the martian rocks.
When you've worked with dual monitors for a while, you'll never want to go back. It's surprising how often you really want at least one full-screen document while still being able to look at others.
For example:
1) Writing code with your editor on one screen and a spreadsheet or word processor document on the other.
2)Preparing a report on one while surfing the web for references on the other.
3) Reading e-mail with your list of messages on one screen and the current message on the other.
4) Reading Slashdot on one screen with The Article on the other.
(Okay, I'll admit scenario #4 is a little farfetched.):-)
I understand this Gallium-based "Liquid Metal" is highly conductive, but that does no good if the heat isn't being taken away from the chip. So my question is: Where does the heat go? Is there a radiator that's away from the chip somewhere that the hot Gallium is pumped to?
The basic idea is that circulating the metal gets the heat out to the exchanger much faster. You've still got to blow air or something over the cooling fins.
Several metals or alloys are liquid below the boiling point of water. My favorite is "Wood's Metal," which is used to make gag teaspoons. (They melt in your coffee -- but don't drink it!)
http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/WO/woods_metal.html
Gallium melts at an even lower point, but looks to be harder to handle.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallium
None of these, though, has a higher specific heat than water, but, of course, they're claiming superior heat conduction, so perhaps the best way to think of it (whatever metal they chose) is as a very, very elaborate heat sink.
Slashdot Mirror
Here's the abstract of the original paper. I can't give a link because it requires a subscription to Science, but I think this is enough.
Detection of Methane in the Atmosphere of Mars
Vittorio Formisano,Sushil Atreya, Thérèse Encrenaz, Science, Vol 306, Issue 5702, 1758-1761, 3 December 2004
We report a detection of methane in the martian atmosphere by the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer onboard the Mars Express spacecraft. The global average methane mixing ratio is found to be 10 ± 5 parts per billion by volume (ppbv). However, the mixing ratio varies between 0 and 30 ppbv over the planet. The source of methane could be either biogenic or nonbiogenic,including past or present subsurface microorganisms, hydrothermal activity, or cometary impacts.
Later in the article, they expand on what they mean by "hydrothermal activity."
On the other hand, methane could have been formed by magmatic processes or stored in methane hydrates for later release to the atmosphere. Terrestrial volcanoes are not a big source of methane, and large-scale volcanism has not taken place on Mars for over 100 million years. However, small-scale outgassing of methane cannot be ruled out. A potentially larger source of methane than volcanism may come from the alteration of basalt at a temperature <150C, a process that also results in the wet-phase conversion of original CO2 into CH4 in a subpermafrost aquifer. In their chemical equilibrium computer model, Wallendahl et al. calculate that as much as 0.2 bar, ~1015 tons, of CH4 could have been produced if the only source of C in this region was the CO2 initially present in the crustal pores. Methane could have been sequestered in stable methane hydrate and gradually risen to the planet's surface. The rate of release to the atmosphere is unknown, but if one assumes that leaking has been taking place at a uniform rate over time, it would amount to ~200,000 tons year-1, which is much greater than the 100 tons or so per year needed to maintain a steady-state mixing ratio of 10 ppbv of CH4 on Mars today. Even if methane from the hydrate is being released at a rate that is a factor of 1000 slower, it would still be sufficient to account for the observations. Finally, recent laboratory experiments confirm abiogenic generation of methane in mineral-catalyzed hydrothermal reactions of CO2 and H2O at 390C and 400 bars, conditions that are likely to be encountered in subpermafrost aquifers or deep under the polar ice on Mars. Moreover, the catalyst used in the experiment--Fe-Cr oxide--is also believed to be present in the martian rocks.
Note that Olivine is Magnesium Iron Silicate (http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/ol ivine/olivine.htm), so that's not the same as the Fe-Cr considered here, but it's not all that far a stretch either.
--Greg
For example:
1) Writing code with your editor on one screen and a spreadsheet or word processor document on the other.
2)Preparing a report on one while surfing the web for references on the other.
3) Reading e-mail with your list of messages on one screen and the current message on the other.
4) Reading Slashdot on one screen with The Article on the other.
(Okay, I'll admit scenario #4 is a little farfetched.) :-)
--Greg
It's good to know we've got our brightest people on this.
--Greg
Actually this is beautifully illustrated in the slides on this page http://www.techpowerup.com/?3105
The basic idea is that circulating the metal gets the heat out to the exchanger much faster. You've still got to blow air or something over the cooling fins.
--Greg
--Greg
I hope it's not a spelling corrector!
Since these are suborbital flights, this may have the distinction of being the *quickest* reality show in history! (But maybe that's a good thing.)