The opening speaker at the Conference on Future Energy (COFE II),
2006
on Saturday morning was Dennis Bushnell, Chief Scientist at NASA
Langley.
Bushnell gave a brilliant overview of the need for renewable
energy solutions, especially the most promising biomass technology
in which he is involved: biomass farming.
Certain species of extraordinarily prolific halophylic plants can
be grown using sea water, and then converted into fuel like
biodiesel - and at the same time reduce atmospheric CO2 and
increase fishing stocks. This can be accomplished in deserts close
to oceans - or in the oceans themselves. Africa and Australia, in
particular, have vast deserts next to oceans. The Gulf of Mexico
is a prime location for US aquaculture.
Précis of: "Post-Petroleum Energetics Including Seawater
Agriculture"
by Dennis M. Bushnell. Powerpoint and PDF available from the COFE
site:
The Presentation surveys the Post Petroleum Energetics Landscape -
sources, storage and conservation. Sources include biologics, PV,
[Solar] Hydrogen, Advanced/ "Ubiquitous" Geothermal and various
classes of "nuclear". Biologics are particularly interesting for
the shorter term with "Seawater Agriculture/ Irrigation" utilizing
Halophytes grown on "Wastelands" obviating the usual
Biofuel/Bioenergy constraints
of arable land and fresh water shortages. Scalable bioreactors
minimize transportation economic burdens and enhance overall
energy efficiency. Conservation approaches with major leverage
include Thermal Diodes, CNT Computing, CNT-Enabled weight
reductions and the emerging "Tele-Everything" mantras.
Nanotechnology is increasingly important and enabling across the
entire future energetic spectrum.
Dennis M. Bushnell is the Chief Scientist at NASA Langley Research
Center. He is responsible for the technical oversight and Advanced
Program formulation for a major NASA Research Center with
technical emphasis in the areas of Atmospheric
Sciences and Structures, Materials, Acoustics, Flight
Electronics/Control/Software, Instruments, Aerodynamics,
Aerothermodynamics, Hypersonic Airbreathing Propulsion,
Computational Sciences and Systems Optimization for Aeronautics,
Spacecraft, Exploration and Space Access .
Bushnell has 43 years experience as Research Scientist, Section
Head, Branch Head, Associate Division Chief and Chief Scientist.
Technical Specialties include Flow Modeling and Control across the
Speed Range, Advanced Configuration Aeronautics, Aeronautical
Facilities and Hypersonic Airbreathing Propulsion . Author of 247
publications/major presentations, Member of National Academy of
Engineering , Fellow of ASME, AIAA and the Royal Aeronautical
Society, Holder of 5 patents, Recipient of numerous awards
including: Royal Aeronautical Society, NASA Exceptional Scientific
Achievement and Outstanding Leadership Medals and the
Distinguished Research Scientist Award.
Pretty fair credentials, I'd say... and he is right-on about the
need to move immediately into energy-aquaculture. We can easily
replace a substantial portion of petroleum use within twenty
years, and totally eliminate the Arab world as supplier - if we
will follow Bushnell's advice - starting NOW.
Jones
- [Vo]: Aquaculture for energy Jones Beene
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