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Technology transfer between universities and industries is discussed from two viewpoints: (1) the mechanisms of technology transfer and, (2) the future for university/industry interaction. The first major premise is that technology is transferred most efficiently through personal interaction; programs seeking to improve technology transfer should focus on promoting person-to-person contacts. The second major premise is that industry has become so dependent on a high technology that, as the Federal government reduces its support for academic research, industry will have to step in. This will require significant changes in attitude by all three parties: universities, industries, and the Federal funding agencies.

Convective heat transfer coefficients were determined for thermocouple junctions oriented parallel to the gas flow for Reynolds numbers (based on wire diameter) from 163 to 17,500. Chromel-alumel wires of 0.013-0.051 in. diameter were tested in air and products of natural gas combustion at temperatures of 60, 500, and 1000 F. Transient response was used to determine the heat transfer coefficient, and all data were corrected for variation of metal specific heat and radiant heat transfer. The affect on apparent heat transfer coefficient was determined for variations in junction weld-bead size, junction length, and wire separation. An empirical equation has been derived relating Nusselt number and Reynolds number that fits 92% of the test data within ± 10%.

An apparatus for testing bare wire and complex thermocouple probes is described which is capable of producing a gas stream which is stable and uniform over a wide range of conditions. The gas temperature is uniform within ± 1°F and stable with time to within ± .25°F at 1600°F across a 1 × 2 in. flow area. The means of removing the fluctuations and gradients are discussed. Various environmental conditions may be imposed in the test section to allow evaluation of radiation error, conduction error or response rate. Instrumentation useful in the study of thermocouple behavior is discussed.