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" Quality testing a new, ultrasensitive weather radar requires a room that is guarded from any conflicting emissions. When the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration&amp;#039;s Hurricane Imaging Radiometer, HIRAD, needs some electromagnetic tranquility to test its ability to scan the ocean from an airplane or satellite, researchers place it in an anechoic chamber at a NASA research center in Huntsville, Ala. Because the sensor calculates wind speed using microwave reflections off the ocean&amp;#039;s frothy waves, the instrument&amp;#039;s accuracy must be tested in an electromagnetically silent room. The eye-dazzling patterns of radio frequency-damping material inside the chamber minimize interference. This ensures that the HIRAD antenna only picks up emissions from a source on the other side of the chamber, providing data on the antenna&amp;#039;s sensitivity.  RELATED STORIES * PLUS: To Test Houses vs. Hurricanes, Lab Will Simulate 155-mph Storm  * EARLIER: Scientists Observe Dust to Predict Big Hurricane Season  * ALSO: Radar Upgrade to Track Tornadoes  * MORE HURRICANE COVERAGE: Engineering Lessons from Katrina   "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a12195/4291130/>