Leapfrog / Disruptive Technologies
Here's an interesting development, brought to us from whales:
Can Whales Improve Jet Fighters, Wind Turbines and Ceiling Fans?
These days, if you watch some of these contemporary space sci-fi shows and movies, they'll often feature spaceships and other craft which have all kinds of exotic organic shapes, which seem mainly for artistic or aesthetic purposes.
But now it's been found that some kinds of organic shapes, such as the bumps on whale flippers, can actually significantly improve their fluid dynamics characteristics.
So who knows whether tomorrow's aircraft or windmills won't feature more of these organic shapes in the future. Phenomena like these might never have come to light without the detailed investigation into whales and their shape characteristics. This is why it's good that countries like India have science programs extending in all directions, as compared to our neighbors like Pak who only spend money on researching things they associate with power, like nukes.
Can Whales Improve Jet Fighters, Wind Turbines and Ceiling Fans?
These days, if you watch some of these contemporary space sci-fi shows and movies, they'll often feature spaceships and other craft which have all kinds of exotic organic shapes, which seem mainly for artistic or aesthetic purposes.
But now it's been found that some kinds of organic shapes, such as the bumps on whale flippers, can actually significantly improve their fluid dynamics characteristics.
So who knows whether tomorrow's aircraft or windmills won't feature more of these organic shapes in the future. Phenomena like these might never have come to light without the detailed investigation into whales and their shape characteristics. This is why it's good that countries like India have science programs extending in all directions, as compared to our neighbors like Pak who only spend money on researching things they associate with power, like nukes.
As we all know, nanoparticles can be loaded into materials to enhance or alter their properties. However, even nanoparticles can diminish properties like transparency, if they are present in enough quantity.
However, a new technique which uses polymers to alter the interface between the nanoparticles and their surrounding matrix can allow even these tiny particles to seem smaller than they are, for optical purposes:
http://www.physorg.com/news124041770.html
This could mean new types of nanoparticle-reinforced glass which would still retain their full transparency. It would be nice if the technique could be adapted to the nano-sized voids in aerogel, so as to permit its use in windowpanes without suffering from any hazy, smokey appearance that detracts from its transparency.
However, a new technique which uses polymers to alter the interface between the nanoparticles and their surrounding matrix can allow even these tiny particles to seem smaller than they are, for optical purposes:
http://www.physorg.com/news124041770.html
This could mean new types of nanoparticle-reinforced glass which would still retain their full transparency. It would be nice if the technique could be adapted to the nano-sized voids in aerogel, so as to permit its use in windowpanes without suffering from any hazy, smokey appearance that detracts from its transparency.
More on DARPA's HI-MEMS program:
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol ... ttr=797093
If they perfect this technology, it will make guerrilla warriors obsolete.
This is the solution to asymmetric guerrilla warfare, not negotiation or capitulation. Imagine such small creatures acting as delivery systems for a few milligrams of RDX onto any guerrilla target. They won't even be able to sleep comfortably in their foxholes at night.
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol ... ttr=797093
If they perfect this technology, it will make guerrilla warriors obsolete.
This is the solution to asymmetric guerrilla warfare, not negotiation or capitulation. Imagine such small creatures acting as delivery systems for a few milligrams of RDX onto any guerrilla target. They won't even be able to sleep comfortably in their foxholes at night.
Bilayered Graphene
Bilayered Graphene is capable of improving its signal-to-noise ratio, as compared to other materials at the nanoscale:
http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/show ... =206902149
http://www.semiconductor.net/article/CA ... c=topstory
The graphene age comes closer!
http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/show ... =206902149
http://www.semiconductor.net/article/CA ... c=topstory
The graphene age comes closer!
Venter Promises Bacteria That Make Oil from CO2
Perhaps it would be more useful if they made gasoline directly, eliminating the refining step.
Perhaps it would be more useful if they made gasoline directly, eliminating the refining step.
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India plans increase on MAV spending
Hope this is the forum to post this. If somebody has posted this before, apologies...
India is planning an expansion of its micro air vehicle research after a decade that saw spending of $500,000.
The work to date has produced prototype fixed, rotor and flapping-wing MAVs with further work needed on a range of enabling technologies including navigation, power supply and launch and recovery.
Related government-funded research that could be applied to MAVs includes India's National Aerospace Laboratories' work on DC micromotors, lithium ion batteries, fuel cells and microwave energy sources. It is also working on microturbines that could be used for MAVs as small as 150mm (5.9in) across. Research on fluid flow through micro channels at the Indian Space Research Organisation was also identified as having MAV applications.
"I think we can now demand a bit more [than $500,000]. From this small thing [MAVs] a useful thing can be done," says Indian government advisor VJ Sundaram, speaking on 11 March at the first US-Asian demonstration and assessment of micro aerial and ground vehicle technology conference, held in Agra, India.
The Indian defence research organisations first supported MAV concepts in 1998. A study of MAVs was initiated in 2002 and a "national perspectives" report was produced in April 2003.
A decision to develop MAVs was taken in 2005 and in the same year there was an US-Indian workshop on the technology. A fixed-wing MAV project was proposed in 2006 and last year India held its first MAV competiton in Agra.
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... nding.html
A new Silicon Valley company called Luxim, has invented a tiny lightsource that is 10 times as energy-efficient as incandescent bulbs, and twice as efficient as high-end LED lighting.
http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl ... 22/2049257
Here's a link to a video:
http://news.zdnet.com/2422-13568_22-192842.html
That tiny lightsource can put out as much light as a streetlamp. Imagine if Indian streetlights and other lamps could be powered in this way.
http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl ... 22/2049257
Here's a link to a video:
http://news.zdnet.com/2422-13568_22-192842.html
That tiny lightsource can put out as much light as a streetlamp. Imagine if Indian streetlights and other lamps could be powered in this way.
Cheap, Efficient Thermoelectrics
Nanomaterials could be used for lower-emission cars and solar panels.
So, the age of magic powder has arrived:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/ ... 0219.shtml
Regenerative powder - yes, that's powder with a d
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/ ... 0219.shtml
Regenerative powder - yes, that's powder with a d
More on the amazing capabilities of graphene:
Graphene is the New Silicon
This material could extend Moore's Law for another couple of decades.
Graphene is the New Silicon
This material could extend Moore's Law for another couple of decades.
Take a look at this news:
http://technology.newscientist.com/arti ... icity.html
http://nextbigfuture.com/2008/03/direct ... -into.html
A radiovoltaic material could provide an alternate means of harvesting energy from a nuclear reaction, distinct from the heat transfer method of traditional nuclear thermal reactors. Just like how a solar photovoltaic cell harvests energy from sunlight in a manner that's distinct from traditional collection of heat energy from sunlight.
This material almost reminds me of this recent achievement by Fujitsu:
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NE ... 04/148436/
So Fujitsu has made some kind of hybrid planar-graphene-nanotube structure. Perhaps this is the kind of structure that could help maximize heat transfer and even current flow, for a Radiovoltaic application.
If you look at the bottom-most diagram, and see where it points to "catalyst", then one could imagine gold nanoparticles where that catalyst is. The gold nanoparticles could then serve as the alpha-targets or bandgap material. The nanotubes would transport the electricity and heat away from the fuel. Lithium hydride could surround the nanotubes, acting as a moderator.
http://technology.newscientist.com/arti ... icity.html
http://nextbigfuture.com/2008/03/direct ... -into.html
A radiovoltaic material could provide an alternate means of harvesting energy from a nuclear reaction, distinct from the heat transfer method of traditional nuclear thermal reactors. Just like how a solar photovoltaic cell harvests energy from sunlight in a manner that's distinct from traditional collection of heat energy from sunlight.
This material almost reminds me of this recent achievement by Fujitsu:
http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NE ... 04/148436/
So Fujitsu has made some kind of hybrid planar-graphene-nanotube structure. Perhaps this is the kind of structure that could help maximize heat transfer and even current flow, for a Radiovoltaic application.
If you look at the bottom-most diagram, and see where it points to "catalyst", then one could imagine gold nanoparticles where that catalyst is. The gold nanoparticles could then serve as the alpha-targets or bandgap material. The nanotubes would transport the electricity and heat away from the fuel. Lithium hydride could surround the nanotubes, acting as a moderator.
And speaking of nanoparticles for improved performance, take a look at this:
Argonne Nat'l Labs Develops Lithium Nanoparticle Electrodes for Better Batteries
Argonne Nat'l Labs Develops Lithium Nanoparticle Electrodes for Better Batteries
Here it is, the moment you've all been waiting for:
http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/20531/
http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/20531/
Faster DNA
New techniques could finally make a $1,000 genome possible.
Laser triggers electrical activity in thunderstorm for the first time
Device on mountaintop takes first step toward manmade lightning
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Toward a Quantum Internet
Researchers have built a quantum logic gate in an optical fiber, laying the foundation for a quantum computer network.
By Kate Greene
The promise of quantum computers is tantalizingly great: near-instantaneous problem solving, and perfectly secure data transmission. For the most part, however, small-scale demonstrations of quantum computation remain isolated in labs throughout the world. Now, Prem Kumar, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at Northwestern University, has taken a step toward making quantum computing more practical.
Software Algorithm Can Extract Musical Notes from Recordings
wav-to-midi conversion! wow!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFCjv4_jqAY
wav-to-midi conversion! wow!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFCjv4_jqAY
And here's a nice feature on the really ambitious efforts, which conceive of genome sequencing for $100, never mind $1000
http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/20640/
http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/20640/
Harvard's George Church is bringing a cheap new gene-sequencing machine to the marketplace:
http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/20696/
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science ... 60863.html
http://www.polonator.org/
Just like IBM did with its PC, this machine is using an open-architecture standard, with off-the-shelf parts that will bring costs down.
http://www.technologyreview.com/Biotech/20696/
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science ... 60863.html
http://www.polonator.org/
Just like IBM did with its PC, this machine is using an open-architecture standard, with off-the-shelf parts that will bring costs down.
A fourth fundamental component in electronics has been developed, called the memristor. Capable of changing its resistance based on previous current flows, it could revolutionize electronics, and make possible activity similar to the human brain:
http://www.physorg.com/news128786808.html
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/34013
http://www.physorg.com/news128786808.html
http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/34013
Space telescope that focusses light using diffraction rather than reflection or refraction. Focal point is kilometers away, so only suitable for space.
http://space.newscientist.com/article/d ... -lens.html
http://space.newscientist.com/article/d ... -lens.html
Amorphous Platinum gives superior performance with less material:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/green/?p=1016
http://blogs.zdnet.com/green/?p=1016
Geared Turbofans
Read this:
http://frontierindia.net/geared-turbofa ... pabilities
Here's also a nice article from latest May2008 edition of Mechanical Engineering Magazine:
http://frontierindia.net/geared-turbofa ... pabilities
Here's also a nice article from latest May2008 edition of Mechanical Engineering Magazine:
Just read this and drool:Changing the Game
Potentially radical advances in gas turbines came in all shapes and sizes in 2007.
Engine compressors and turbines run most efficiently at higher rpm, while fans operate best at lower speeds. The unique feature of the geared turbofan engine is a fan hub-mounted epicyclic, or planetary, gearing system that drives the fan at lower speeds, permitting higher bypass ratios. By using a three-to-one gearing system, the GTF fan speed is cut by one-third, allowing for much less fan noise and higher bypass ratios—8:1 to 11:1. With such a high bypass ratio, fuel consumption goes down. A gearbox adds weight to the engine, but this is counterbalanced by the need for fewer engine airfoils, since engine components can now run at more efficient speeds that aren't limited by fan aerodynamics or stress limits.
Researchers demonstrate 'avalanche effect' in solar cells
Researchers at TU Delft (Netherlands) and the FOM Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter have found irrefutable proof that the so-called avalanche effect by electrons occurs in specific, very small semiconducting crystals. This physical effect could pave the way for cheap, high-output solar cells. The findings are to be published in scientific journal Nano Letters this week.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Graphene-Polymer Composite
New composites could lead to better food packaging, and to lighter car and airplane parts.
By Prachi Patel-Predd