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I don't know.  However, one of the nice things about the classic (Ned Kahn) aeolian landscape is that you can direct the fan around, and this helps eliminate vast deadspots.  With your approach it doesn't seem like there is any user control.  My concern with that is two-fold: 1) Decrease in interactivity and 2) Probability of a "dead spot" that results in all of the sand piled agains the outer edge of the cylindrical chamber (or in the middle).  Perhaps if there was a reset mechanism, or other air movement mechanisms you could overcome these difficulties.

-William


On Nov 24, 2011, at 8:11 AM, Ian Russell wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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> 
> Here's another, simpler, lateral-thinking approach that might well work,
> again assuming that the sand is in a circular enclosure. Mount an external
> electric motor centrally above the top, with ordinary dust-seals on a
> vertical shaft projecting down above the sand.
> 
> Instead of a fan, simply fit flat, radial 'paddles' to the end of the shaft
> to drive the rotating wind.
> 
> I wonder if anyone has tried that?
> 
> Promoting public engagement with science
> through a contagious delight in phenomena
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> Awaken curiosity and they feed their own minds for a lifetime.
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> Ian Russell
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William Katzman
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LIGO Science Education Center
"Inspiring Science"
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