Technical Concepts Division: The Solar Battery Charger Group completed Phase One toward its development of a economical, easily constructed battery charger by constructing a prototype device capable of charging a typical 1.25V AA Ni-Cad battery. The primary goal of this phase is to assess difficulties and critical factors involved with such devices. Phase Two will focus on reliability factors. A initial literature search is being undertaken to determine the state of the technology of photovoltaic cell technology (David Lewak). A directory of solar energy-related resources available on the internet is being compiled (Peter Spangler).

Educational Programs Division: Initial drafts of physical science term translation sheets have been completed and are pending review (Jean Wu - Chinese/English; Ri-Xi Liang - Spanish/English). The University Programs Group is presently studying possible liaison activities.

Policy Division: An initial study of domestic energy policy decision-making is being undertaken (M. Ciotola). Information-gathering has begun for a qualitative survey of the domestic solar energy industry and retail system (A. To). The Division will be providing a host site for the February 17th "A New Era of Discovery: Plans for Research on Space Station" videoconference for the purpose of focusing on the possible use of the space station to study space-based solar power.

World Studies Division: Initial literature studies are presently being undertaken for the following areas of the world: Africa (Abdoulaye Yansane); North America (Olivia Mah); and Belize (Karla Gottlieb). Other areas will be studied later.

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