ABCs of Nuclear Science - Aimed at schools, this site goes literally to the heart of the matter. Produced by the nuclear science division of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, it covers all aspects of the science of the atomic nucleus at just the right level. There is no abstruse maths to put you off but you can find out all that you want to know. The home page is nice and simple, and features a wall chart about the subject that you can order to adorn the classroom or bedroom, if there is room amongst the pop and football stars. All the information on the science pages is clear and there are useful links from key words to a glossary. There are details of a project to build a cosmic ray detector, including sources for the parts required, how to go about building it, and how to use it. There are also details of many other interesting experiments to carry out, including the penetrating power of radiation and the deflection of beta rays by a magnetic field. Your school will need to have various pieces of apparatus, such as a Geiger counter, rail tracker, and radiation sources for these. There is guidance for the safe use of sources. The navigation is easy, and generally works well. This is just the sort of site to encourage budding nuclear physicists. Rating: 9 out of 10. (17 December 2002) MDH
http://www.lbl.gov/abc/index.html
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network - This site is a vast resource spanning numerous interlinking pages and databases. The official home of the US Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) this site provides the public with detailed information on the programs and technologies developed by EERE. The site also provides an excellent portal for general information about energy efficiency and renewable energy worldwide. In addition to basic information on all the technologies associated with renewable energy and energy efficient resources, this so-called energy portal also contains a users section where the general public can find information on anything from buying an energy efficient washing machine to choosing energy efficient building materials. On a lighter note, the users section also contains Dr E's Energy lab, a colourful page providing educational links for children on everything from geothermal energy to ways in which they themselves can save energy around the house. In addition, the topics section contains a comprehensive resource of educational links, namely training resources on energy efficiency and renewable energy, for teachers and interested students. The EERE site also hosts a news section, covering national and international energy efficiency and renewable energy news and events. Despite its size and complexity, the site still maintains its usability and is relatively easy to navigate. There is a search function, if you are looking for specific information, and a site directory map. If, after trawling through this veritable wealth of information, you still have an unanswered question, just fill out the 'ask an energy expert' form and no doubt an answer will be forthcoming. Rating 9 out of 10 (16 December 2002) LH
http://www.eren.doe.gov/
Fossil Energy - As a confirmed believer in alternative (solar, wind) energy sources, I have to admit I felt a little queasy reviewing the US Department of Energy's Department of Fossil Fuels Education website. Presumably aimed at late primary to early secondary school-aged children, this site provides a reasonably detailed look at the history of coal, oil and natural gas usage in the US, and the ways in which future production and uses are being improved to make the technology cleaner and more efficient. Although the site could do with some tidying-up (a broken link and some spelling mistakes), it would made a useful source of information for school children working on a project. Easy to use and well-presented, the site is simple to negotiate. For adults left wanting more, the parent website fossil.energy.gov/ offers more information, news, discoveries and descriptions of research and development projects. There's no attempt to inform readers of alternative energy sources, but (at least on the students' site) propaganda is kept to a minimum. At the very least, some links to sites offering information about other energy sources would be good. Rating: 6 out of 10 (4 December 2002) AW
http://fossil.energy.gov/education/
The Energy Planet - ThinkQuest is a non-profit organisation which aims to advance education through technology. Contributors include a global network of students, teachers and parents who are interested in youth-centred learning on the internet. The Energy Planet is the result of one of ThinkQuest's Challenges. The site was researched and designed by two seventeen-year olds from America and Holland, and a thirteen-year old from Singapore. The site's aim is to inform people about the need for alternative energy sources, and discusses current technology pros and cons, and alternatives available. There are some very simple experiments described, which would be suitable as a demonstration for primary school aged children. Also included are biographies of famous scientists, and some information about technologies of previous civilisations (eg how was the Great Wall of China built?) The site contains mainly accurate information (although some corrections given by guests to the site are as interesting as the original material). The site is most suited to early highschool aged students, and is a great example of an informative site which has been well thought-out and researched by young people. While I dislike the colour scheme used, the site is simple to navigate. The only drawback is that the pull-down menus at the top of the screen didn't work properly, and can be frustrating. Rating: 8 out of 10 (27 October 2002) AW
http://library.thinkquest.org/C004471/
Future Energies - Decades from now, will ever-increasing numbers of commuters still climb into their gasoline-burning vehicles, and emit foul, toxic fumes and particles from their exhausts? Or will the air be clearer and more breathable, thanks to better energy sources? The authors look beyond the murky soup that is our horizon, and deliver possible solutions for energy problems, with content aimed at the hobbyist as well as the industry professional. Hopeful signs abound. If autos were outfitted with a Stirling engine (developed in 1816), they would produce no emissions. Concerned about its severe air pollution, Beijing is actively seeking answers in anticipation of hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics. Ford Motors will begin producing a hydrogen-powered fuel cell car in 2004. Readers are invited to submit related news articles. Rating: 10 out of 10 (2 October 2002) AD
http://www.FutureEnergies.com/
Fuel Cell Today - This site about fuel cell technology is prepared by Johnson Matthey plc, a UK speciality chemicals company with, as they describe it, "core skills in catalysts and precious metals", including components for fuel cells. It is in the nature of an online journal and is very much a resource site, aimed at the business community, so has a definite commercial bias. However, if you are in a research environment, that could be a refreshing, and maybe educational, change. I thought that perhaps there were too many items on some pages but, once I got used to that, I was able to follow links providing all the technical details of this technology, which many hope will be the answer to pollution and global warming by fundamentally changing the type of emissions associated with vehicles and power generation equipment generally. The information is clear and authoritative and does not skip the downsides of the technology. The information is also provided in a more succinct form for use by journalists and there is a gallery of pictures, including one of an alkaline fuel cell car based on an Austin A40 dating from 1970, which must be of considerable historical interest in a number of ways! There are details of commercial companies, universities and other research institutions involved in the field, together with details of all the latest developments and future international events. You can register to take part in a discussion forum. There is an extensive glossary, a useful FAQ section, and a careers section if you want to try to get involved in this challenging area. Rating: 8 out of 10. (12 September 2002) MDH
http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/index/
Distributed Energy Generation - Solar power, fuel cells, wind power and all of the growing family of alternative energy producing devices are becoming daily fare in the media. However, there hasn't been too much thought about how the energy produced will be distributed. What distinguishes alternative power sources now emerging from the large generating plants of the past is that they are often small, do not produce much more power than an home or a small business needs, and can be sited quite close to where the energy is actually required. A whole new concept of energy generation, "Distributed Energy Generation" has arisen as a result. In DEG the energy sources serve either as alternative energy outside the grid, or supplement it. The recent energy crises in California have turned it into a leading exponenet of DEG, and this site by the California Energy Commission in DEG is perhaps the most comprehensive treatment of it on the web . The demonstration sites covered on this site are often particularly interesting, as in some cases, such as microturbines and UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) they are some of the few non-commercial Internet pages available. Although aimed primarily at California residents, many non American firms are also covered, and there are links taking one to not only the sites of all major manufacturers concerned with DGE, but also many organizations. Despite being organized in the usual stiff style you would expect from a web page put up by a government organization, there is a wealth of useful information available. Rating 8 out of 10 (17 June 2002) WTS
http://www.energy.ca.gov/distgen/index.html
