微波炉发明源于一项最高军事机密

微波炉发明源于一项最高军事机密

Many people around the world use a microwave oven every day, not knowing that a crucial part of it was once a top military secret.

世界上许多人每天都在使用微波炉,但却不了解它曾经是一项最高军事秘密。

In 1940, the situation in Europe was desperate.

1940年,欧洲局势正处于水深火热当中。

German forces were preparing for the invasion of Britain while U-boats were decimating the convoys¹ bringing supplies from the United States.

当时德国军队正准备入侵英国，而德海军潜艇舰队正摧毁运输来自美国物资的车队。

In September of that year, a high-level British scientific delegation² traveled to the U.S. to ask for help in manufacturing several secret inventions, including a revolutionary vacuum tube that could create microwave emissions³, essential for building more efficient radars⁵.

同年9月,英国一个高层科学代表团前往美国寻求正在制造几项秘密发明的帮助,其中就包括一种革命性可以发射微波的真空管,它对构建更有效的雷达不可或缺。

“The advantage of microwave radar⁴, which allowed the use of parabolic antennas⁶ that we see today, fundamentally changed radar from the lower frequencies and all the advantages that going to the higher frequency provided.”

“微波雷达的优势在于我们能够使用今天所看到的抛物面天线,从根本上改变了低频率雷达转向更高的频率。”

A new tube called cavity magnetron enabled radar operators to distinguish between individual aircraft as well as submerged submarines, helping⁷ to change the military situation.

一种名为腔磁控管的新管使得雷达操作员能够区分飞机以及水下潜艇,这有助于改变战局。

But just as it changed the course of the war, the magnetron soon changed the course of cooking around the world, becoming the primary component⁸ of today's microwave oven.

但正如它改变了战争进程一样,这种磁控管很快也为世界各地的烹饪带来了变革,它成为今天微波炉的主要组成部分。

A group of British, American and Canadian civil and military scientists recently gathered in Washington to commemorate⁹ the mission that brought military secrets to the U.S.

一群英国、美国和加拿大民间及军事科学家最近齐聚华盛顿,纪念这次将军事机密带去美国的任务。

They reconfirmed their commitment to cooperation in search for new technologies with potential application to everyday life.

他们重申将致力于寻找应用于日常生活的潜在新技术。

“We’re also working in the photonics and high energy, energy density¹⁰ and directed energy research areas, not only for weapons but for energy storage, energy engagement for our ships, for our shore facilities, to bring ourselves to a more efficient footprint.”

“我们也在光子学及高能量,能量密度及能源研究领域展开合作,不仅是武器用途,而且这些能源存储、能源运用能使得我们的船只,岸上设施更有效率。”

 

Hopefully, one of those inventions will change the course of global warming, the same way the cavity magnetron influenced the course of World War II.

希望其中一项发明将改变全球变暖进程,就像腔磁控管左右世界大战局势一样。

1 convoys   

n.（有护航的）船队( convoy的名词复数 )；车队；护航（队）；护送队

参考例句：

• Truck convoys often stop over for lunch here. 车队经常在这里停下来吃午饭。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• A UN official said aid programs will be suspended until there's adequate protection for relief convoys. 一名联合国官员说将会暂停援助项目，直到援助车队能够得到充分的保护为止。 来自辞典例句

2 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

3 emissions   

排放物( emission的名词复数 )； 散发物（尤指气体）

参考例句：

• Most scientists accept that climate change is linked to carbon emissions. 大多数科学家都相信气候变化与排放的含碳气体有关。
• Dangerous emissions radiate from plutonium. 危险的辐射物从钚放散出来。

4 radar   

n.雷达，无线电探测器

参考例句：

• They are following the flight of an aircraft by radar.他们正在用雷达追踪一架飞机的飞行。
• Enemy ships were detected on the radar.敌舰的影像已显现在雷达上。

5 radars   

n.雷达( radar的名词复数 )；雷达装置

参考例句：

• Servos for large radars and launchers are either electro-hydraulic or all-electric. 大型雷达和发射装置的伺服系统，不是电动-液压式的，就是全电动式的。 来自辞典例句
• Range-velocity simultaneous pull-off is one of effective measures for countering PD radars. 距离-速度同步拖引干扰是对抗PD雷达的有效方法。 来自互联网

6 antennas   

[生] 触角，触须（antenna的复数形式）

参考例句：

• Marconi tied several antennas to kites. 马可尼在风筝上系了几根天线。 来自超越目标英语 第3册
• Radio astronomy today is armed with the largest antennas in the world. 射电天文学拥有世界上最大的天线。

7 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

8 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。

9 commemorate   

vt.纪念，庆祝

参考例句：

• This building was built to commemorate the Fire of London.这栋大楼是为纪念“伦敦大火”而兴建的。
• We commemorate the founding of our nation with a public holiday.我们放假一日以庆祝国庆。

10 density   

n.密集，密度，浓度

参考例句：

• The population density of that country is 685 per square mile.那个国家的人口密度为每平方英里685人。
• The region has a very high population density.该地区的人口密度很高。