Fuel is not only a problem for travel on Earth. In order to successfully propel a rocket into space, enormous amounts of fuel are needed. In fact, 95% of a rocket's weight at launch is from fuel. The Solar Sail concept, which has been discussed as early 400 years ago, seems to be the clear solution to such an issue now that the technology has finally been developed.
In layman's terms, solar-powered spacecrafts use the energy of the sun in order to propel through space. This eliminates the need of an engine. These spacecrafts only require three things: a continuous force exerted by the sun, an enormous, ultra thin mirror, and a separate launch vehicle. The electromagnetic radiation contained within light exerts a force on the sails. The photons given off by the sun reflect off of the giant mirror. In the vacuum of space, even a small collision will cause something to move. The bigger the mirror, the more collisions and the faster the spacecraft moves. This method causes the spacecraft to move about 5x faster than a traditional one, all while using significantly less energy.
The next step in solar sail travel is contained in the IKAROS project. The IKAROS (Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation Of the Sun), will use a Solar "Power" Sail. The difference between this and a solar sail is that the "power" sail collects electricity in the solar cells of its membrane. But, like the solar sail, it still gets accelerated by the radiation of the sun. The advantage of the "power" sail is that it creates (to a certain extent) a "hybrid" engine. Space missions with such sails will be much more flexible as the engine can rely on both photon acceleration and ion-propulsion engines driven by solar cells. Hopefully, scientists believe, the continuation of research on solar "power" sails will yield much longer space travel missions that would ultimately result in interplanetary travel.
The IKAROS will launch later in 2010 in order to test the effectiveness of the sails. The shape of the membrane is square, with a diagonal distance of 20m. It is made of polyimide a mere 0.0075mm thick. In addition to the thin film solar cells, the steering devices and dust-counter sensors are fitted to the membrane. The sail will rotate at 20rpm for several weeks in space in order to generate solar power with a minimum success level. Within a year, sail navigation and acceleration will occur at full success level.
http://science.howstuffworks.com/solar-sail1.htm
http://www.jspec.jaxa.jp/e/activity/ikaros.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_sail
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
New Possibilities with Optogenetics
Recently, researchers and scientist have been working with genetic light switches that have the capability of switching neurons on and off. It was only five years ago that scientists at Stanford University discovered that through the injection of a photo-sensitive gene from algae, neurons could be controlled through a simple light switch. The relatively young field of optogenetics continues to blossom as scientists observe the roles of specific neurons in the brain. They can examine brain function, depression, Parkinson’s disease, memory, addictions, and spinal cord injuries.
Karl Deisseroth has created new tools and techniques to advance the study of diseases through optogenetics. The molecular technique used is able to control whole circuits of neurons instead of only a single cell. This technique will allow scientist to study specific neural networks in the brain. Another improvement in this field is the use of a near-infrared technique which will allow noninvasive procedures to occur while still reaching the brain cells in the deep tissue. Currently, a fiber-optic cable is implanted into an animal’s brain to deliver the light activation to the cells. Lastly, the “off switch” has been improved to make “target neuron more sensitive to light [which] allows for tighter neural control”.
The new off switch is twenty times more responsive than yellow light used in previous generations. Also, the future looks prosperous since red and near-infrared light in known to be able to penetrate deeper into tissue. In one study, Jerry Silver used optogenetics to explore bladder control after spinal cord injuries. He turned off the nerves located in the lower spine that relax the bladder. However, he has noted how, in the past, the use of so much light creates too much heat. The new tools, he believes, seem to need less light which would produce less heat while being able to invade farther into the tissue. He is extremely hopeful of the future.
Another application of optogenetics is being led by Richard H. Kramer who believes that restoration of sight can be achieved through the use of labels. Kramers technique is different because he uses photosensitive compounds which will attach to cells through chemical means rather than using genetic engineering. He and his colleagues focus on potassium channels and manipulate the activation or inhibition of neurons through these channels. Next, “to attach the label, the researchers simply bathe cells in a solution containing the molecule.” A molecule called azobenzene, a photoisomer, changes its physical but not chemical composition when exposed to light. The label will actually allow the neuron to be illuminated continuously. This connects with Kramer’s goal to restore sight because he says, “The long-term hope is that something like the compounds we've developed might be able to restore sight using cells that aren't normally light sensitive." Therefore, although cones or retina’s rods may have been damaged, other nerve cells can be made to pick up photons which normally do not. However, this is still in the early stages and the side effects of such actions have yet to be observed in animals. Regardless, the new field and technology of optogenetics seems promising and capable of benefiting a broad range of problems from depression and Parkinson’s disease to the loss of sight.
The new off switch is twenty times more responsive than yellow light used in previous generations. Also, the future looks prosperous since red and near-infrared light in known to be able to penetrate deeper into tissue. In one study, Jerry Silver used optogenetics to explore bladder control after spinal cord injuries. He turned off the nerves located in the lower spine that relax the bladder. However, he has noted how, in the past, the use of so much light creates too much heat. The new tools, he believes, seem to need less light which would produce less heat while being able to invade farther into the tissue. He is extremely hopeful of the future.
Another application of optogenetics is being led by Richard H. Kramer who believes that restoration of sight can be achieved through the use of labels. Kramers technique is different because he uses photosensitive compounds which will attach to cells through chemical means rather than using genetic engineering. He and his colleagues focus on potassium channels and manipulate the activation or inhibition of neurons through these channels. Next, “to attach the label, the researchers simply bathe cells in a solution containing the molecule.” A molecule called azobenzene, a photoisomer, changes its physical but not chemical composition when exposed to light. The label will actually allow the neuron to be illuminated continuously. This connects with Kramer’s goal to restore sight because he says, “The long-term hope is that something like the compounds we've developed might be able to restore sight using cells that aren't normally light sensitive." Therefore, although cones or retina’s rods may have been damaged, other nerve cells can be made to pick up photons which normally do not. However, this is still in the early stages and the side effects of such actions have yet to be observed in animals. Regardless, the new field and technology of optogenetics seems promising and capable of benefiting a broad range of problems from depression and Parkinson’s disease to the loss of sight.
Sites Used:
Friday, March 26, 2010
NASA’s Mars Rover
The software update on the Mars Rovers, called Autonomous Exploration for Gathering Increased Science(AEGIS), allows the rovers to make their own choices. This means that instead of transmitting the post-drive navigation camera images to earth first and then waiting for ground operators to check for points of interest and being able to examine them another day, the rovers can detect their own targets and examine them themselves, while sending pictures down to earth for scientists to examine. The new system gives the rovers the ability to examine images, and identify them based on shape, or color. In addition, these rovers can now figure out how to get around objects and to calculate the distance between its’ arm and a rock, so it can pick it up. Autonomous Exploration for Gathering Increased Science(AEGIS) lets scientists highlight types of places that could be of interest to the rovers’, for example dark places. This new software update will better help scientists hoping to know more about the planet Mars.
http://www.roboticstrends.com/
Touch Bionics
Patients who have lost one or more finger will soon have the opportunity to use artificial ones. A company called Touch Bionics founded in1988, dedicated their work on finding a solution for those who lost, arms, shoulders, wrists and hands. Touch Bionics has launched three key products, the i-LIMB Hand, ProDigits, and LIVINGSKIN. The i-LIMB Hand is the world’s first commercially available multi-articulating bionic hand. ProDigits, are the fingers that are individually powered. They are given to patients with partially severed fingers. LIVINGSKIN was created to resemble human skin by mimicking real human skin, containing three dermal layers. Each finger contains a miniaturized motor at the base of the finger, each being individually controlled using myoelectric impulses. Myoelectric impulses use the electrical signals created by the muscles in the remaining portion of the patient’s limb. Lastly, Touch Bionics offers tanning products that allow the patient to match the color of the prosthetic limb to the color of their skin making it look more natural.
http://www.touchbionics.com
http://www.technologyreview.com/biomedicine/24578/?a=f
http://www.touchbionics.com
http://www.technologyreview.
The Future of Urban Mobility
Concerns for the future continue to alter how we apply and use technology. As cities become more crowded and polluted, new methods of transportation need to be developed and implemented in order for cities to continue normal operation. In order to cope with such issues, GM, alongside its partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group, has developed a two-wheeled car system for city transportation.
The two-wheeled concept, known as the Electric Networked-Vehicle (EN-V) concept, involves many unprecedented vehicle technologies. In each of the two wheels, there is an electric powered motor. The motors not only provide power for acceleration, but also bring the vehicle to a stop. GM has also worked aside Segway in order to create a drivetrain platform and an efficient energy source for the car. The platform for the car is an evolution of the platform Segway developed for the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility (P.U.M.A.) prototype. The companies have worked together to develop and deliver multiple copies of the platform that can connect to multiple EN-V’s.
The EN-V cars are powered with lithium ion batteries and can be charged in standard wall outlets. The car is able to communicate with the electric grid in order to determine optimum charge times. One charge can power the car for over a 40km distance.
GM has combined GPS, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and distance sensing technology in order to develop an autonomous driving option. Vehicle based sensor and camera systems enable the EN-V to decelerate and stop before reaching an unexpected pedestrian. Also, these systems allow the car to maneuver through traffic and perform other difficult driving tasks such as merging, passing, and parking. Alan Taub, Global VP of GM Research and Development, claims, "The EN-V concept represents a major breakthrough in the research that GM has been doing to bring vehicle autonomy to life."
http://www.gizmag.com/gm-en-v-concept-vehicle/14617/
http://smart-products.tmcnet.com/topics/smart-products/articles/80110-gm-showcases-en-v-concept-urban-mobility.htm
The two-wheeled concept, known as the Electric Networked-Vehicle (EN-V) concept, involves many unprecedented vehicle technologies. In each of the two wheels, there is an electric powered motor. The motors not only provide power for acceleration, but also bring the vehicle to a stop. GM has also worked aside Segway in order to create a drivetrain platform and an efficient energy source for the car. The platform for the car is an evolution of the platform Segway developed for the Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility (P.U.M.A.) prototype. The companies have worked together to develop and deliver multiple copies of the platform that can connect to multiple EN-V’s.
The EN-V cars are powered with lithium ion batteries and can be charged in standard wall outlets. The car is able to communicate with the electric grid in order to determine optimum charge times. One charge can power the car for over a 40km distance.
GM has combined GPS, vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and distance sensing technology in order to develop an autonomous driving option. Vehicle based sensor and camera systems enable the EN-V to decelerate and stop before reaching an unexpected pedestrian. Also, these systems allow the car to maneuver through traffic and perform other difficult driving tasks such as merging, passing, and parking. Alan Taub, Global VP of GM Research and Development, claims, "The EN-V concept represents a major breakthrough in the research that GM has been doing to bring vehicle autonomy to life."
http://www.gizmag.com/gm-en-v-concept-vehicle/14617/
http://smart-products.tmcnet.com/topics/smart-products/articles/80110-gm-showcases-en-v-concept-urban-mobility.htm
The Water Pebble
In today's water-conscious environment, any device that helps conserve water should be applauded. The Water Pebble, created by the design company Priestmangoode, monitors how long you're taking in the shower. Not only does it monitor shower time, it will indicate when you need to get out of the shower. The most impressive part of this device is it memorizes the amount of time you took in the shower, and fractionally reduces your shower time helping you to save water without needing to think about it The Water Pebble, uses "traffic lights" to alert you and inform you of your shower times. Similar to the traffic light, green means to start the shower, yellow means your halfway, and red means time is up. This device is placed near the plughole and monitors the amount of water. This emerging technology is helping the world go green. By monitoring amount of water used, you can help reduce water usage. Not only are you helping the environment, but you are reducing the water bill. This little device will help.
http://www.gizmag.com/water-pebble-shower-timer/14490/
http://www.waterpebble.com/
http://www.gizmag.com/water-pebble-shower-timer/14490/
http://www.waterpebble.com/
n.Fluent ( Intergrated web based translation)
Language-- the only thing separating us from other cultures and way of life around the world. Now imagine if there was a way to view any webpage in your fluent language. Combining these two ideas, IMB has created a webpage interface to do such a thing(through machine based translation). The n.Fluent from IBM automatically translates the webpage of your choice to your preferred language. Although this idea is still in developmental stage, it has been idea since 2006 and is growing ever near to being released. This very idea was started because IBM realized language was a key issue for business transactions and companies with online clients around the world.
Google is also working on creating a web based tool to translate not just web pages but search engines in general – seeing how the Google search engine only recognizes English words. One downside to this is all the work that has to be put into translating words in every language available – which is where crowd sourcing comes in. crowd sourcing English words to volunteers effectively cuts down the time it takes for one company to translate all the words themselves. Using this method, in a years time 30,000 crowd sourcing volunteers translated 36 millions words (and the volunteers are still pouring in).
http://www.research.ibm.com/social/projects_nfluent.html
http://www.ctoedge.com/content/ibm-showcases-nfluent-translation-service
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