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Resumen: Alfred Nobel dedicó su vida a la industria y la investigación como ingeniero, químico y descubridor de la dinamita. Su espíritu pacifista le llevó a emplear su fortuna (33 millones de coronas) en los premios que llevan su nombre. En 1901 se otorgó el primero a Emil Adolph von Behring, por el descubrimiento del suero antidiftérico. Desde entonces se ha concedido anualmente, salvo en los años de guerras mundiales (1914-1918 y 1939-1945 respectivamente). Los descubrimientos de Alfred Nobel estaban orientados a mejorar las comunicaciones: ferrocarriles, puertos, túneles, puentes y otras vías; pero él nunca imaginó que sus inventos se utilizarían con fines bélicos y homicidas. Han transcurrido 121 años desde su muerte y su nombre es conocido en todo el mundo gracias a los premios por él instaurados. Respecto a la medicina, hasta hoy, han sido 208 investigadores los laureados, término que la Fundación Nobel gusta emplear. Abstract: Alfred Nobel devoted his life to the industry and research as an engineer, chemist, and was the discoverer of dynamite. His pacifist spirit led him to devote his fortune (33 million Swedish Kroner) to the awards that bear his name. The first Prize was awarded to Emil Adolph von Behring in recognition of his studies on diphtheria. Since then, the prize has been given annually, except during the first (1914-1918) and second World Wars (1939-1945), respectively. His findings were aimed at improving terrestrial communications such as railways, seaports, dams, tunnels, bridges, and other road networks. However, he never thought his discoveries would be used for military purposes. As 121 years have elapsed since this important “Maecenas”, whose name has spread across the world. As regards medicine, there are currently 208 Nobel Laureates, a term used by the Nobel Foundation. Palabras clave: Alfred Nobel, Medicina, Investigación, Terapéutica, Historia, Keywords: Alfred Nobel, Medicine, Research, Therapeutics, History

Our society, unfortunately, is increasingly becoming exposed to explosion events that could have serious consequences. While explosion events like intentionally triggered bombs cause obvious harm to life and property, other explosions intended for benign purposes in quarries and construction zones may also cause unintended harm as a result of emanating seismic vibrations. As of today, detecting explosions, ranging them, and estimating their intensities are all accomplished only by seismometers that sense the associated ground vibrations and pressure changes as a result of their triggering. Unfortunately, seismometers are bulky, expensive and unsuitable for the ubiquitous use. In this paper, our broad motivation is to demonstrate the feasibility of leveraging the pervasive sensing and processing capabilities of modern smartphones to analyze explosion events. Within this context, we specifically address the problem of ranging and estimating the intensity of an explosion by leveraging the accelerometer and pressure sensors in the smartphone. To do so, we emplaced a number of smartphones in the vicinity of real explosion blasts conducted at a university mining laboratory, where the material blasted was Dynamite with Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO). We then collected the corresponding accelerometer and pressure readings sensed by the phone. We extracted a number of novel features, and designed a machine learning based algorithmic framework for ranging and estimating the intensity of the explosion event. After an extensive validation, we find that the average-case error in ranging (i.e., estimating the distance to the source of the explosion event) and estimating the intensity of explosive material (in terms of its charge weight) are 8.24% and 7.37%, respectively. We also present perspectives on encoding our algorithm as a smartphone app, identify several critical challenges that will be encountered in real-time data processing of smartphone accelerometers and pressure sensors in the context of pervasive sensing of explosions, and also identify other practical issues like the diversity of smartphones. To the best of our knowledge, our work is pioneering in demonstrating the feasibility of using smartphones to analyze explosion events. We believe there are significant societal benefits emanating from our work.

This paper presents the results of an experimental work on the response of multi-layered protective structures subjected to underwater contact explosions. Multi-layered structures are used in anti-explosive design to resist underwater explosions and protect the equipment in some important ship compartments. The target experiment model is designed as a three-compartment box, an air, a fluid and another air compartment, which is made of four plates with thickness 4 mm that resist the propagation of damage. A series of experiments with increasing dynamite charge weight were conducted on this multi-layered structure. The damages and pressures of the test specimens were obtained. In general, it is shown that large damages and plastic deformations happened in the test structures, especially for the plate in contact with the dynamite. With the increase of the charge a trend of increasing damages in the outer and intermediate plates was observed, but the increase was small for the inner plate. Some important factors in plate damage are analyzed and the role of the compartments with different medium in the damage and energy dissipation is discussed. It is found that the multi-layered structure can resist the explosive loading very effectively.

Three serious accidents occurred in three dynamite manufacturing plants within three European countries during a relatively short time period triggering the question of effective external learning. The article discusses the lessons for the prevention of accidents learned from retrospective comparative analysis. It advocates for a better process for learning lessons. It attempts to show how a two level approach to accident analysis may help to reveal a common deeper learning hidden under diverse routine lessons.

This study examines the utility of near infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) combined with chemometrics for the detection of dynamite residues on human handprints. Polyvinyl sheets containing dynamite residues were then analysed with the NIR-HSI system. A spectral library was developed by using partial least squares-discriminant analysis model (PLS-DA) to detect and classify the pixels contaminated with the dynamite residues. Values of sensitivity and specificity of 100% were obtained for both calibration and cross validation of dynamite and ammonium nitrate. The results were tested in real human handprints. Seven volunteers deposited their handprints into polyvinyl transparent sheets after the manipulation of a common type of dynamite which was mainly composed by ammonium nitrate. These results highlight the extremely high potential and capability of NIR-HSI combined with chemometrics for the fast and easy identification of explosive residues and additionally, its potential competence to detect the explosive manipulation.

In this study near infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) is used to provide a fast, non-contact, non-invasive and non-destructive method for the analysis of explosive residues on human handprints. Volunteers manipulated individually each of these explosives and after deposited their handprints on plastic sheets. For this purpose, classical explosives, potentially used as part of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as ammonium nitrate, blackpowder, single- and double-base smokeless gunpowders and dynamite were studied. A partial-least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model was built to detect and classify the presence of explosive residues in handprints. High levels of sensitivity and specificity for the PLS-DA classification model created to identify ammonium nitrate, blackpowder, single- and double-base smokeless gunpowders and dynamite residues were obtained, allowing the development of a preliminary library and facilitating the direct and in situ detection of explosives by NIR-HSI. Consequently, this technique is showed as a promising forensic tool for the detection of explosive residues and other related samples.

Alfred Nobel (1833–1896), mainly known for his invention of dynamite and the creation of the Nobel Prices, was an engineer and inventor active in many fields of science and engineering, e.g. chemistry, medicine, mechanics, metallurgy, optics, armoury and rocketry. Amongst his inventions in rocketry was the smokeless solid propellant ballistite (i.e. cordite) patented for the first time in 1887. As a very wealthy person he actively supported many Swedish inventors in their work. One of them was W.T. Unge, who was devoted to the development of rockets and their applications. Nobel and Unge had several rocket patents together and also jointly worked on various rocket applications. In mid-1896 Nobel applied for patents in England and France for “An Improved Mode of Obtaining Photographic Maps and Earth or Ground Measurements” using a photographic camera carried by a “…balloon, rocket or missile…”. During the remaining of 1896 the mechanical design of the camera mechanism was pursued and cameras manufactured. In April 1897 (after the death of Alfred Nobel) the first aerial photos were taken by these cameras. These photos might be the first documented aerial photos taken by a rocket borne camera. Cameras and photos from 1897 have been preserved. Nobel did not only develop the rocket borne camera but also proposed methods on how to use the photographs taken for ground measurements and preparing maps.

In both the mining and construction industries, blasting is the predominant method for fragmentation of consolidated mineral deposits. The blasting process, however, remains a potential source of numerous hazards to people and surrounding objects. This paper presents the results of the research study on flyrock phenomena and blast area security related accidents in surface mining. The study revealed that a total of 45 fatal and 367 non-fatal accidents in coal, metal and non-metal surface mines had occurred between 1978 and 1998 where the primary causes were the lack of blast area security, flyrock, premature blast, and misfires. The lack of blast area security and flyrock accounted for 281 (68.2%) accidents. Investigations of flyrock accidents have revealed one or more of the following contributing factors: discontinuity in the geology and rock structure, improper blasthole layout and loading, insufficient burden, very high explosive concentration, and inadequate stemming. The study also shows that accidents due to lack of blast area security are caused by failure to use appropriate blasting shelter, failure to evacuate humans from the blast area, and inadequate guarding of the access roads leading to the blast area. The research results should have a positive impact on hazard awareness, prevention, and safe blasting practices in mining and construction industries.

The aim of this study is to predict peak particle velocity level at a limestone quarry located in Istanbul, Turkey. The ground vibration components were measured for 73 blast events during the bench blast optimization studies during a long period. In blasting operations; ANFO (blasting agent), gelatine dynamite (priming) and NONEL detonators (firing) were used as explosives at this site. Parameters of scaled distance (charge quantity per delay and the distance between the source and the station) were recorded carefully and the ground vibration components were measured by means of vibration monitors for every event. Then, the data pairs of scaled distance and particle velocity were analyzed. The equation of scaled distance extensively used in the literature was taken into consideration for the prediction of peak particle velocity. At the end of statistical evaluations, an empirical relationship with good correlation was established between peak particle velocity and scale distance for this site. The established relationship and the results of the study are presented.

Howard Gardner identified five different kinds of creative activity among eminent creators, namely, solving a well-defined problem, putting forth a general conceptual scheme, creating a product that embodies ideas, stylized innovation of an art form, and a 'high-stakes' performance in the socio-political arena. In this paper, I report that Alfred Nobel's creativity can be assigned to two mutually exclusive domains. In the scientific domain, he solved a well-defined problem of his time in the study of explosives, by patenting dynamite, creating blasting gelatin as an ideal explosive and developing a nearly smokeless blasting powder. In the socio-political domain, Nobel designed a 'unique instrument' (in the form of annual prizes, which later came to be known as Nobel prizes) to recognize merit among those who contributed to social welfare at the global scale. The influence of Nobel's mentors, Nikolai Zinin, Yuli Trapp, Theophile-Jules Pelouze, Ascanio Sobrero, John Ericcson and Immanuel Nobel in igniting Nobel's scientific creativity also deserves recognition. Personal traits that helped Nobel to sharpen his creativity include his business acumen and talent for information access using his multi-lingual skills.

Coincident dynamite and vibroseis reflection surveys provide comparable seismic signals along a 200-km segment of the Trans-Hudson Orogen Transect. On single-fold field records, signal amplitudes from explosive sources are consistently 40 dB higher than on the corresponding vibroseis records. However, the vibroseis final stack exhibits higher crustal reflectivity due primarily to the difference in data acquisition fold of the two surveys. Within the crust, distinctive seismic patterns, such as dominant westerly dipping reflections on the western end of the profile and a 3-s depression in the Moho beneath a crustal scale culmination, are clearly visible on both sections. The advantages of the dynamite source include deeper signal penetration and mapping of a number of previously unrecognized subcrustal reflections. Moreover, the dynamite data also indicate that diffraction patterns, detected at lower crustal and Moho depths, have large apertures and extend to greater two-way traveltimes than were recorded in the vibroseis data. Thus, proper migration of lower crustal reflections requires recording greater traveltimes than were recorded during the 1991 LITHOPROBE vibroseis acquisition program.

The French Ecors program was launched in 1983 by a cooperation agreement between universities and petroleum companies. Crustal surveys have tried to find explanations for the formation of geological features, such as rifts, mountains ranges or subsidence in sedimentary basins. Several seismic surveys were carried out, some across areas with complex geological structures. The seismic techniques and equipment used were those developed by petroleum geophysicists, adapted to the depth aimed at (30–50 km) and to various physical constraints encountered in the field. In France, Ecors has recorded 850 km of deep seismic lines onshore across plains and mountains, on various kinds of geological formations. Different variations of the seismic method (reflection, refraction, long-offset seismic) were used, often simultaneously. Multiple coverage profiling constitutes the essential part of this data acquisition. Vibrators and dynamite shots were employed with a spread generally 15 km long, but sometimes 100 km long. Some typical seismic examples show that obtaining crustal reflections essentialy depends on two factors: (1) the type and structure of shallow formations, and (2) the sources used. Thus, when seismic energy is strongly absorbed across the first kilometers in shallow formations, or when these formations are highly structured, standard multiple-coverage profiling is not able to provide results beyond a few seconds. In this case, it is recommended to simultaneously carry out long-offset seismic in low multiple coverage. Other more methodological examples show: how the impact on the crust of a surface fault may be evaluated according to the seismic method implemented ( vibroseis 96-fold coverage or single dynamite shot); that vibrators make it possible to implement wide-angle seismic surveying with an offset 80 km long; how to implement the seismic reflection method on complex formations in high mountains. All data were processed using industrial seismic software, which was not always appropriate for records at least 20 s long. Therefore, a specific procedure adapted to deep seismic surveys was developed for several processing steps. The long duration of the vibroseis sweeps often makes it impossible to perform correlation and stack in the recording truck in the field. Such field records were first preprocessed, in order to be later correlated and stacked in the processing center. Because of the long duration of the recordings and the great length of the spread, several types of final sections were replayed, such as: (1) detailed surface sections (0–5 s), (2) entire sections (0–20 s) after data compression, (3) near-trace sections and far-trace sections, which often yield complementary information. Standard methods of reflection migration gave unsatisfactory results. Velocities in depth are inaccurate, the many diffractions do not all come from the vertical plane of the line, and the migration software is poorly adapted to deep crustal reflections. Therefore, migration is often performed graphically from arrivals picked in the time section. Some line-drawings of various onshore lines, especially those across the Alps and the Pyrenees, enable to judge the results obtained by Ecors .

In the Paris basin (France), the ECORS project has recorded a deep Seismic profile using two different sources i.e. vibrators and explosive charges, both using the same in line receiver spread. The explosive shots implemented for refraction surveying have been recorded with offsets up to 45 km to obtain deep reflections. The results show these two techniques to be complementary. The VibroSeis 96-fold coverage shows a layered lower crust with a high Seismic quality for two thirds of the profile. The explosive Seismic survey, with a theoretical 3-fold coverage, has been displayed in three single-fold sections. More reflections are visible on these explosive source sections, especially where the quality of the VibroSeis section is poor. We can explain this difference, in this last part, by a distorted overthrust unit that exists near the surface. When crossing this unit, the Seismic rays are distorted and the conventional CMP stack is not optimal for imaging the lower crust. Another difference between the interpretations made from the two sections is the extension through the lower crust of the Bray fault that is well mapped at the surface. The VibroSeis image suggests that this fault extends throughout the crust, whereas the image of the single explosive section does not show the fault. Long-offset recording of powerful explosive shots using the same spread of geophones as those for the usual vertical Seismic reflection survey can provide invaluable complementary data, especially in tectonically disturbed areas.

“I'm dirty, mean, and mightly unclean…” goesthe AC/DC song. They might as well be singing about carbon nanotubes.

A summary of damping values for structures and equipment obtained in several full-scale dynamic tests performed on a research reactor, three experimental power reactor plants, and a commercial power reactor plant is given. The testing techniques used include steady state shakers, dynamite blasting, and snapback. In an appendix, guidelines are presented for required frequency resolution and record length for damping estimation from blast or snapback records. The influence of system non-linearity upon damping interpretations is also discussed.

This paper presents the results of three separate test programs which were conducted to determine the feasibility of simulating strong motion earthquake effects using dynamite blasting techniques. The three programs measured blast induced structural responses at: (1) the UCLA Field Station; (2) the Enrico Fermi Nuclear Power Plant, Monroe, Michigan; and (3) the experimental gas-cooled reactor facility (EGCR), Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The evaluation of the tests indicates that the simulation of strong earthquake excitations using subsurface blasting techniques is a valuable testing tool. Each of the three discussed tests indicate that reliable estimates of natural frequencies and mode shapes of vibration can be obtained directly.

It has been shown that the detonation wave from a solid explosive changes in velocity after leaving the explosive. In the case of some low-velocity explosives, e.g., about 2400 metres per second, the velocity of the detonation wave increases by approximately 100–200 metres per second. With other high-velocity explosives, 5000–6000 m./sec., the velocity may decrease to around 4400 metres in some cases. Careful measurements have shown that a zone of uniform velocity exists beyond the surface of the explosive, the dimensions of the zone depending on the diameter of the sphere of the explosive or the diameter of the cartridge detonated. In the case of a 1 1 4 -inch dynamite cartridge, the zone of uniform velocity extended for about ten inches, while, with a sphere of explosive four inches in diameter, the zone extended for about 25 inches. An explanation of the reason for the high velocity of the detonation wave in the gaseous medium is suggested, linking it up with either the velocity of sound at the temperatures prevailing or the kinetic velocity of the gaseous particles themselves, the latter explanation appearing to be more in accordance with the determined facts. Such an explanation implies the assumption of extremely high momentary temperatures at the wave front, in some cases of over 40,000° C. These extremely high temperatures are due partly to the heat of combustion of the explosive ingredients but more to the heating effect resulting from the enormous pressures developed at the moment of explosion, as previously applied by Berthelot and Dixon in the study of gaseous explosions. Adiabatic conditions are assumed in such calculations. With such an explanation, reasonable agreement between theory and fact is obtained for a number of explosives, and the discrepancies that exist are in cases where discrepancies might be expected.

The various land seismic sources are divided into three classes, mainly on the basis of their pulse shapes, and one representative source of each class, namely Geoflex, Dinoseis and Vibroseis, are examined in some detail. Their pulse and array characteristics, energy level, and operational aspects are discussed and compared to those of dynamite, and are illustrated by comparisons of seismic sections. Dynamite is still the most versatile source, and alternative sources are used mainly where their characteristics suit the surface conditions better than conventional drilling.

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