Celebrating ten years of KRYPTOS: a series of cryptanalysis

Abstract

The KRYPTOS competition is an annual codebreaking competition for undergraduates. Debuting in 2011 with 49 participants from three states, after nine years we have seen over 1,000 students from 32 states and seven different countries. KRYPTOS will hold its tenth competition in April of 2020. Here we present some of the puzzles participants have found most elusive and challenge you to beat the clock on our fastest solver.     

材料的重要性

《材料的重要性》是《景观设计理论》的一段节选。《景观设计理论》旨在不使用专业术语或其他领域假说的前提下,结合景观设计过程向学生介绍内在理论思想。《材料的重要性》是本书的五章之一。每一章针对特定理论,解释了其基础和来源,探讨了它对设计的重要性,列举了20—21世纪与其相关的设计案例,整理了该理论的辩论(尤其是有关现代和后现代思想),最后还有相关阅读材料清单和需要学生们思考的问题。本文分为如下3个部分：第一部分,物质性,介绍“辩证唯物主义”“媒介即信息”“物质实践”和“编码”等理论及其在设计中的运用;第二部分,通过“建构表达”“地貌代理人策略”“石材的面层”“材料的暗示”“人造,但不是伪造”等理论,介绍材料的真实性及其在设计中的运用;第三部分,复写理论及应用,包括“剩余物”“复写的展示性”“未来的复写”和“虚构的复写”等内容。     

风景园林与绿色基础设施在城市流域水资源规划中的重要作用

通过绿色基础设施途径,处理美国波士顿北部的马萨诸塞州城市流域的水资源规划问题。从多个尺度为风景园林师提供水资源规划的经验与启发,探究公众对新型绿色基础设施解决方案的态度与偏好,以及公众偏好对于整体规划设计的重要作用。     

An approach to technical risk assessment

This paper describes a framework for assessment of the risk that a proposed machine or system, such as an aircraft or computer, will not operate to its required performance specifications when it is developed. The method is based upon decomposition of the system under assessment into a hierarchy of functionally or structurally defined assessment areas. Within each area, technical risks, and methods of assessing these risks, are identified. The framework provides a systematic structure for selecting assessment methods and integrating results of the use of selected methods into a coherent overall assessment of the system.     

Achievable working range for solid all-desiccant air-conditioning systems under specific space comfort requirements

Solid desiccant air-conditioning systems present a promising solution, in terms of performance level and environmental protection, pointing out their potential to be coupled with thermal solar or waste heat energy source. Nevertheless, these systems are characterized by constraints to the load they can satisfy, through the trade-off between the dehumidification cooling capacity and the latent load of the conditioned space. On that level, one has to note that, for steady environmental conditions, the conditioned space does not present unique value of load, but range of load, corresponding to an array of acceptable temperature and (usually relative) humidity values. In this work a methodology is proposed for the definition of the system's achievable working range under specific set of space (comfort) requirements. Through this approach, the systems present greater potential for covering the space requirements, thus presenting more possibilities on a design basis, and more flexible control strategies, as well. The proposed methodology is presented and discussed through the case study of a solar desiccant air-conditioning system coupled to a typical residential building.     

Mn+Sb2O3 Thermite/Intermetallic Delay Compositions

The binary Mn+Sb₂O₃ pyrotechnic composition was investigated for mining detonator time delay applications. EKVI thermodynamic modelling predicted two maxima in the adiabatic reaction temperature. The local maximum, at a manganese fuel content of ca. 36 wt‐%, corresponds to a pure thermite‐type redox reaction: 3 Mn+Sb₂O₃→3 MnO+2Sb. The overall maximum in the adiabatic reaction temperature (ca. 1640 K), at the fuel‐rich composition of 49 wt‐% Mn, is consistent with the reaction 5 Mn+Sb₂O₃→3 MnO+2 MnSb, i.e. a combination of the standard thermite with an additional exothermic intermetallic reaction. XRD analysis of combustion residues confirmed the formation of MnSb and Mn₂Sb for fuel‐rich compositions. Burn rates were measured using delay elements assembled into commercial detonators. The d₅₀ particle sizes were 23.4 and 0.92 μm for the Mn fuel and Sb₂O₃ oxidant powders, respectively. The delay elements comprised rolled lead tubes with a length of 44 mm and an outer diameter of 6.4 mm. The rolling action compacted the pyrotechnic compositions to 74 ± 2 % theoretical maximum density. The burning rate increased linearly from 4.2 to 9.4 mm s⁻¹ over the composition range 25–50 wt‐% Mn.