Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Natick Soldier center sets chilly record

The Natick Soldier Systems Center's arctic wind tunnel facility hit its lowest temperature yet during an equipment test conducted for a private company, according to the center.

In January, ABB Inc., an electrical contractor based in Pennsylvania, tested its large, high-volume circuit breakers in the chamber. During the test, temperatures dropped to 78 degrees below zero, the coldest temperature the facility has achieved, according to center officials. ABB said the circuit breakers are intended for use in northern China, Canada, and anywhere that temperatures can fall under 50 degrees below zero, and with high winds.

The arctic wind tunnel is part of the Doriot Climatic Chambers, which can reproduce environmental conditions including temperature, humidity, wind, rainfall and solar radiation.

The U.S. Army, which owns and operates the facility, uses it to test equipment and human performance under extreme conditions, the Natick center said.

The center can rent the use of the chambers to private companies in a nonprofit capacity.