Sodium Sulfur Technology Program Nastec

The NaSTEC program focuses on developing currently available sodium sulfur cells for use in space applications and investigating the operational parameters of the cells. The specific goals of the program are to determine the operational parameters and verify safety limits of Na/S technology battery cells; test long term zero-g operation; and create a life test database. The program approach and ground and flight test objectives are described in textual and graphic form

Papers of the Archaeology of the Texas Coast

The papers published in this volume represent contributions from professional archaeologists, avocational archaeologists, and students. Many aspects of coastal archaeology are unknown, and there is a great need for data-oriented papers, site reports, reviews of specific aboriginal technologies, and for other papers dealing with certain facets of the prehistoric and historic archaeology of the coastal zone

An Archaeological Survey of a Proposed Dredge Spoil Site in Nueces County, Texas

During December 1983, the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, conducted an archaeological survey of a proposed dredge spoil site in Nueces County for the Port of Corpus Christi Authority. One site (41 NU 211) was located. Artifacts included one Early Archaic dart point fragment which suggests that 41 NU 211 may date as earl y as 4000 B.C. Limited testing is recommended to evaluate the site unless project plans are altered

Trends in UK production of minerals : UK Minerals Forum Working Group 2013-14 : future mineral scenarios for the UK

Adequate and steady supplies of minerals are essential for the nation’s economic and social development. For its small size Britain is relatively well endowed with mineral resources, and their extraction and use have played an important role in the historic development of the UK economy. The UK continues to have an economically significant minerals industry, with oil and gas, and construction minerals being the dominant sectors in terms of tonnage and value. Although UK coal production is much diminished, coal still makes a significant contribution to our energy mix. A number of industrial minerals support downstream industries and some, important export markets. As in the past, future demand for, and thus production and import of, minerals is continually evolving. It will continue to be strongly influenced by a range of economic, political, technical, social and environmental factors. This report takes a backward look at Britain’s mineral production. The last three decades or so have witnessed major changes in the fortunes of each of Britain’s extractive sectors – oil and gas, coal, construction and industrial minerals, and metals. Whilst the future cannot be simply extrapolated from the past, it is useful to record and analyse some of these trends to see if they identify any drivers for the future. This report presents trends in the production of a wide range of minerals, including for the fossil fuels – coal, natural gas and oil; construction minerals – aggregates, brick clay, cement-making raw materials and gypsum; and a number of industrial minerals – kaolin, ball clay, silica sand, potash, industrial carbonates, fluorspar and barytes. There have been substantial changes in the UK minerals industry over the last 30+ years. Overall the trend has been one of decline, both in terms of minerals production and consumption. The UK is also becoming increasingly dependent on imports of minerals and minerals-based products. This not only places increasing demands on the environments of our trading partners but potentially makes us more vulnerable to supply disruptions through growing global demand for minerals driven by expanding populations and rising incomes and, in some regions, geopolitical instability. This means that there will be a continuing demand for the products of the UK’s extractive industries for the foreseeable future. The extent to which domestic supply is able to meet that demand will ultimately depend on the wide range of relevant policies, both fiscal and regulatory, adopted by future governments, and also the political and environmental acceptability of continued minerals extraction. Britain’s resource security and its longer term access to mineral supplies, both from domestic and overseas sources, will remain a key issue for the economy and politicians for many years to come

Future Minerals Scenarios for the UK

Need - Adequate and resilient supplies of minerals are essential to support the growth and success of the UK economy and therefore the well-being of its population. Resources - Geology is fundamental to which minerals may be produced domestically. The UK is fortunate in being relatively well endowed with mineral resources, and their extraction and use have played an important role in the historic development of the economy. The UK continues to have an economically important minerals industry, with oil, gas, and construction the dominant sectors by tonnage and value. Although UK coal production is much diminished, coal still makes a vital contribution to our current energy mix. A number of industrial minerals support downstream industries and some important export markets. In addition, the UK’s mineral potential still attracts interest - a major new tungsten mine in Devon will start production in 2015. However, the UK is not self-sufficient in a number of key sectors, particularly metals and, increasingly, energy - oil, gas and coal. The future potential to access unconventional energy resources, notably shale gas, is as yet unknown and requires significant further investigation. History - Major changes in the fortunes of each of the UK’s extractive sectors have occurred in the last four decades. Overall the trend has been one of decline, annual volumes of minerals production and consumption being roughly 200 Mt lower (by about 35%) in 2011 than in 1970, although this decline partly reflects the recent recession. A decoupling of economic growth with apparent minerals consumption suggests greater resource efficiency but this may mask under-investment in infrastructure and the move of manufacturing overseas. Nevertheless minerals remain the largest material flow in the economy with some 290 million tonnes produced in 2012, of which 193 million tonnes was from onshore. Drivers of change - Future demand and supply of the products of the UK minerals industry will be affected by a number of external factors. Major drivers of change include: • growth in the economy; • the security and cost of energy supplies; • future investment in construction and infrastructure; • evolving technology; • the balance between the benefits of minerals extraction and the associated impacts on the environment and society; and • the political (and regulatory) framework within which the minerals industry operates. With rapidly declining domestic reserves of oil and gas, ensuring energy supplies at a cost acceptable to consumers as well as the environment is crucial. Despite the prospects of large shale gas resources, commercial evaluation in the UK is still in its infancy and commercial viability as yet unknown. Future population and household growth will require large-scale investment in more housing and new and improved infrastructure, including energy. These in turn will drive demand for construction materials (aggregates, cement, ready-mix concrete, asphalt, bricks, tiles, glass and plaster products), all of which are currently UK-sourced. Some, like cement, lime, bricks and glass manufacture are also energy-intensive. Delivery - It remains to be seen whether regulatory systems and high energy costs frustrate the delivery of the essential raw materials needed by the UK economy over the next 35 years. Balancing such factors with the UK’s carbon reduction targets for 2050 is also challenging. Conclusion - Future minerals supply, whether through imports or domestic production, cannot be taken for granted. Access to long-term supplies of minerals is of crucial importance if the UK is to achieve sustainable growth, a balanced economy, security of energy supply, renewal of infrastructure and increased climate change resilience. This cannot be left entirely to private industry or global markets. It is the responsibility of Government to establish an appropriate policy, regulatory and fiscal framework to encourage sustainable production that balances economic, social and environmental priorities. Given the crucial importance of minerals, and minerals-based products, to the economy and society, the Future Minerals Scenarios Working Group recommends that the minerals industry should work alongside policymakers and other interested stakeholders to develop a UK Minerals Strategy within the UK’s wider industrial strategy. With good will and determined effort it is surely possible to conserve what is essential in our landscapes, habitats and cultural heritage while meeting UK demand for minerals over the next 35 years to 2050

The future of our minerals

An adequate and resilient supply of minerals is essential to the growth of the UK economy and the well-being of the population in terms of security of energy supply, renewal of infrastructure and increased climate change resilience. While we have had the luxury of being able to take availability of minerals for granted in the past, future supplies are by no means guaranteed and this report highlights a number of issues that need to be considered. They include global competition for raw materials and investment concerns within the industry arising from uncertainty about the future relationship of the UK with the EU. The future of our energy minerals is a particularly pressing issue, with a current question mark over the potential of unconventional energy resources. Long-term continued access to minerals is considered crucial if the UK is to achieve sustainable economic growth and rebalance its economy towards production and manufacturing. Positive action must now be taken by Government as well as by statutory regulators, NGOs and the industry to ensure continuity. We believe there is a need for a policy, regulatory and fiscal framework that encourages sustainable production while balancing economic, social and environmental priorities. With goodwill and determined effort, it is surely possible to conserve what is essential in our landscapes, habitats and cultural heritage while meeting UK demand for minerals over the 35 years to 2050

History and Archaeology of the Hot Wells Hotel Site, 41BX237

During the month of April 1984, archaeologists from the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio, conducted a surface survey and test excavations at the Hot Wells Hotel site in south San Antonio. The purpose of the project was to locate and map the foundations of a large brick resort hotel, built in 1901 and burned in 1925, and to locate and test remains of any other structures on the Hot Wells site. One additional brick foundation that appears contemporary with the hotel was located and mapped. Artifacts recovered pertained primarily to the hotel, or to later residents in the area

Archaeological and Historical Investigations at the Site of the New Bexar County Justice Center in Downtown San Antonio, Texas

Between 1978 and 1987, archaeologists from the Center for Archaeological Research of The University of Texas at San Antonio conducted test excavations and monitored demolition of buildings on NCB 100 within the Main and Military Plazas National Historic District in downtown San Antonio. The block is the site chosen for construction of a Bexar County Justice Center. The sites of three small residences on the south end of the block were tested. Of these, two were thought to be eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places and for nomination as State Archeological Landmarks. At the north end of the block, the foundations of a small stone house built by the Salinas family were located, and testing was done in the back yard. A well believed built by the Salinas family was examined and recorded. A section of the San Pedro acequia, was exposed and recorded, and it is recommended that part of this waterway be restored during the landscaping for the new building. In 1988, monitoring was done for excavation of a trench between the Bexar County Courthouse and the new Justice Center, which will provide a substreet walkway (tunnel) under Main Street. No significant cultural resources were encountered