Colleges Of Advanced Technology Research Articles

Noise Measurement and Control

Edited by P. Lord and F. L. Thomas London: Heywood & Co. Ltd. 1963. Pp. viii + 217. Price 42s. The Editors have performed a very useful function in collecting together the contributions of the eleven lecturers at a well-attended symposium held at the Royal College of Advanced Technology, Salford. The lecturers are all acknowledged authorities in their respective spheres of the measurement of noise, of its effect on the hearer and of its control, so the result is a very useful reference book.

Northampton College of Advanced Technology, London

I AM delighted to dedicate my hundredth publication to a young and forward‐looking institution with clearly defined long‐term objectives and well considered determination to live up to the requirements of modern aeronautics and space technology— to the Department of Aeronautics and Space Technology (DEPAST) of the Northampton College of Advanced Technology. Unavoidably, I am looking at the DEPAST‐NCL, through the critical eyes of experience gained in the U.S.S.R., U.S.A., Germany, France, Holland and, of course, in Great Britain; and yet I feel I can say coram populo—coram publico that here we have something British, yet as dynamic and vigorous as any Continental or American educational/ research establishment known to me.

North Midland Centre: Chairman's address. The colleges of advanced technology

North Midland Centre: Chairman's address. The colleges of advanced technology

BACIE ON HIGHER EDUCATION — Nottingham Conference

THAT PART of society with which readers are mostly concerned being, industry and commerce, we may perhaps be forgiven for devoting this report on Bacie's Nottingham Conference on ‘The Spectrum of Higher Education’ mainly to the sessions on the proposed New Course for Industrial Training Officers and on the Colleges of Advanced Technology. True, this leaves space for but the briefest mention of the outstanding and delightful addresses by Sir Willis Jackson, Dr Marjorie Reeves, Mr Norman Fisher and Dr A. P. Rowe, and the charming postscript from Mr C. E. Escritt, Secretary of the Oxford University Appointments Committee, but a mere recital of the names indicates the extent of the riches Bacie provided.

Expenditure by Colleges of Advanced Technology in Britain

Expenditure by Colleges of Advanced Technology in Britain

Industrial Sociology at Northampton College of Advanced Technology : Mr. R. G. Stansfield

Industrial Sociology at Northampton College of Advanced Technology : Mr. R. G. Stansfield

Notes and News

As from 1st April of this year, all the Colleges of Advanced Technology will be administered by independent governing bodies and will receive direct grants from the Ministry of Education.

Low-Speed Three-Dimensional Contraction Design

The problem of designing a three-dimensional contraction arose recently in the course of the projected construction of a new low-speed (200 ft. /sec), closed-return wind-tunnel at the Northampton College of Advanced Technology. A three-dimensional contraction was required of contraction ratio 7·4:1 to provide smooth low turbulence conversion to the working section speed within an axial length of 126 inches. The inlet and outlet (working-section) dimensions are shown in Fig. 1 and the sections are similar. It was decided to design the contraction on the basis of an equivalent axi-symmetric contraction whose inlet and outlet circular areas are equal to those of the corresponding irregular octagons and then adapt the derived contraction wall profile to the actual sectional contours. The resulting equivalent inlet and outlet radii are then 55·4 in. and 20·4 in. respectively. The problem was thus reduced to the design of an axi-symmetric contraction of given area ratio within a specified axial length, with favourable velocity characteristics for low turbulence flow in the working section. This latter specification implies the absence of adverse pressure gradients on the walls near the working section and a small percentual difference between axial and wall velocities at the inlet to the working section.

Industrial Fellowships at Birmingham — a note on progress to date

The Wilmot Breedon Fellowship at Birmingham College of Advanced Technology was established as a result of a generous offer by Wilmot Breedon Ltd. In 1958, the first year of its inauguration, two fellowships were awarded, each for a period of two years, but since then provision has been made for one fellowship at a time, each appointment to last two years and to be attached to the Department of Metallurgy. The value of the Fellowship is £1,000 p.a. and the firm also make a payment in respect of employers' contributions to superannuation and National Insurance.

ROYAL COLLEGES

THE STATEMENT of evidence submitted to the Robbins Committee by the Committee of Principals of Colleges of Advanced Technology is a reasoned and reasonable case: it represents both the desirable and the attainable. Inevitably, much of the statement is concerned with securing what the committee refers to as “university quality conditions” — a fact which shows that status is still the main problem confronting the colleges.

ASLIB PROCEEDINGS

The Annual General Meeting was held on 29th March at the College of Advanced Technology, Birmingham. Officers for 1961–2 were elected as follows: Chairman, Mr B. M. Bland, University of Birmingham; Vice‐Chairman, Mr D. R. C. Whale, Tube Investments Ltd; Hon. Secretary, Mr E. H. C. Driver, College of Advanced Technology, Birmingham; Hon. Treasurer, Mr B.H. Vickery, GKN Group Research Laboratories, Wolverhampton. Mr Bennitt retired from the Committee after five years' service.

College of Advanced Technology, Birmingham

College of Advanced Technology, Birmingham

Colleges of Advanced Technology

Colleges of Advanced Technology

The CAT's and Full University Status

In the September issue Sir David Anderson said of the Colleges of Advanced Technology: “… until they are self‐governing and until they give their own award, preferably a degree, they will not be accorded at home or abroad the respect and status which they deserve”. Mr Wales's clear presentation of the points in the argument highlights the CATs' difficulties in having to work with carefully designed and built‐in status disadvantages.

CORROSION SYMPOSIUM: Protection of Gas Plant and Equipment

In September, The Corrosion Group of the S.C.I., The Institution of Gas Engineers, and The Birmingham College of Advanced Technology, held a joint symposium on the above subject in Birmingham. Certain well‐known authorities contributed papers on their own particular field as it affected the gas industry. Below are abstracts from some of the papers.

The education and training of the professional radio and electronic engineer

The report considers the size of the radio and electronics industry and the wide application of radio and electronic engineering in scientific research and in all branches of industry, commerce and the defence services. It is concluded that radio and electronic engineering needs a special and distinctive training at all levels—in universities, colleges of advanced technology and technical colleges. There should, however, be flexibility in curricula and in practical training schemes. The report reviews present academic and practical training facilities and makes recommendations for their development.An appendix analyses the radio and electronics content of courses available in universities and colleges. It has been thought worthwhile to add a further appendix dealing with the training of the electronic technician.

The Training of the Industrial Physicist

A two-day conference on this subject was held in Birmingham on April 21 and 22. It was organized—and most efficiently organized—jointly by the Midland Branch and by the Education Group, and the thanks of all participants must go to the University and and to the College of Advanced Technology for so excellently looking after their physical comforts. Having at another conference earlier in the month queued fifty minutes for meat pie and chips, I particularly appreciated the quality of the meals and of the service.

College of Advanced Technology, Birmingham: Dr. T. Lupton

College of Advanced Technology, Birmingham: Dr. T. Lupton

Production engineering at the college of advanced technology, Birmingham

Production engineering at the college of advanced technology, Birmingham

Notes and News

THE NORTH of England Education Conference, held in Manchester at the end of December, attracted 950 delegates. Two sessions were of particular interest to our readers: that on ‘The Relationship of Secondary Schools with Technical Education’, addressed by Dr P. F. R. Venables, Principal of Birmingham College of Advanced Technology, and a discussion on ‘Problems of Youth Employment’ by a panel of four speakers.