Dentistry

After stimulation, how long does it take the human eye to start activities leading to muscle response? Mineral Industries and Mineralogy, Trace the uses of asphalt from ancient times to the present day. What are the chief sources of the earth’s marble, and for what is it used chiefly today? Describe present conditions of the diamond mining in¬dustry in the Union of South Africa. Trace the history of the uses of petroleum from ancient times to the present.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using steel for building purposes? Discuss the locations of the world’s best coal supplies.

Patents

If you have invented something, how and why do you go about getting a patent for it? Investigate a window that traps radiation for purposes of heating or power generation. The window may be adjusted to follow the course of the sun, but this may also be accomplished in a stationary position by a series of lenses that focus the rays in the trap. Patent 2,888,007. Consider a device for reducing ghost images on television screens. This device is situated between the transmitter and receiver and would intercept the delay signal. Patent 2,888,515. A daylight-controlled on-off switch for headlights saves the driver from switching automobile headlights on and off. Patent 2,888,611.

Photography

Of what materials are good photographic filters made? What others might prove effective? What is the purpose of an exposure meter and how do you use it? Can you improve on the design and simplicity of use? Is it necessary to have a 3-D camera to take stereo pictures?

Physics

How in modern life is the primitive method of friction and a spark used to produce fire? What acoustical problems are evident in a theatre that is only half full, in comparison with one enjoying a capacity audience? How might these problems be solved? Look into the new tunnel diode which may ultimately re¬place the transistor in tiny radios and computers. (It is being produced in limited quantities for research.) Look into the use of an electron beam for magnetic writing which has proved successful and especially suited for elec¬tronic computers.

Investigate photogrammetric charting methods that can pro¬duce exact reproductions of cultural and historical objects, as proved by demonstrations at the Ethnological Museum of Sweden. Explain the lack of agreement between the observed and predicted position of Jupiter, which suggests that Newton’s theory of gravitation, used to predict planet motion, may be wrong. What new applications can you think of using semi-con¬ductor-like materials being developed in solid state physics research? (Luminescent and photoconductive materials are being used in models of picture-thin television sets and luminescent walls for rooms. Transistors already are in use in hearing aids, tiny radios, etc.)

Work continues on developing electronic systems for in¬creasing the sensitivity of telescopes. A computer-linked system for measuring star positions is under development. Work is being done on interpreting radio signals from sun,moon and certain planets, from more distant objects in the Milky Way and from star systems beyond the Milky Way. Through “particle physics,” a search is being made for the order that pervades the physical world; but in spite of the mass of findings, no obvious conclusions have been reached.