For ABC TV's science and technology program Catalyst, Mark Horstman investigates."
I heard this a few months ago an an Australian Broadcasting Company podcast. A company specializing in printing currency is on the verge of a breakthrough. See Also:
Monday, October 05, 2009
Radio Australia - Innovations - Solar Prints
Radio Australia - Innovations - Solar Prints: "DESLEY BLANCH : In a country as sunny as Australia, you would think that every rooftop should have a solar panel on it. But the uptake of solar has been quite slow, mainly because of cost. Well, a consortium of Australian scientists may have an answer that is right on the money.
For ABC TV's science and technology program Catalyst, Mark Horstman investigates."
I heard this a few months ago an an Australian Broadcasting Company podcast. A company specializing in printing currency is on the verge of a breakthrough. See Also:
For ABC TV's science and technology program Catalyst, Mark Horstman investigates."
I heard this a few months ago an an Australian Broadcasting Company podcast. A company specializing in printing currency is on the verge of a breakthrough. See Also:
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Mercury looms large as probe closes in for final flyby - space - 29 September 2009 - New Scientist
Mercury looms large as probe closes in for final flyby - space - 29 September 2009 - New Scientist: "NASA's Messenger spacecraft is set to make its third and final flyby of Mercury on Tuesday. If all goes well, the manoeuvre will use Mercury's gravity to slow the probe down enough to go into orbit around the planet in 2011."
The previous Pioneer spacecraft took a few pictures in a flyby long ago. After this, only Pluto, the "Dwarf Planet" will remain unexplored until NASA's New Horizons spacecraft arrives.
The previous Pioneer spacecraft took a few pictures in a flyby long ago. After this, only Pluto, the "Dwarf Planet" will remain unexplored until NASA's New Horizons spacecraft arrives.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Reconstruct Mars Automatically in Minutes! | Mars Today - Your Daily Source of Mars News
Reconstruct Mars Automatically in Minutes! | Mars Today - Your Daily Source of Mars News: "Reconstruct Mars Automatically in Minutes!
A computer system is under development that can automatically combine images of the Martian surface, captured by landers or rovers, in order to reproduce a three-dimensional view of the red planet
. The resulting model can be viewed from any angle, giving astronomers a realistic and immersive impression of the landscape. This important new development has been presented at the European Planetary Science Congress in Potsdam by Dr. Michal Havlena."
A computer system is under development that can automatically combine images of the Martian surface, captured by landers or rovers, in order to reproduce a three-dimensional view of the red planet
. The resulting model can be viewed from any angle, giving astronomers a realistic and immersive impression of the landscape. This important new development has been presented at the European Planetary Science Congress in Potsdam by Dr. Michal Havlena."
Cosmos - Google Docs
Cosmos
Print this pageDoes the Universe Exist if We're Not Looking?
06.01.2002Eminent physicist John Wheeler says he has only enough time left to work on one idea: that human consciousness shapes not only the present but the past as well
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Mars Rover Spirit Hits 2,000 Sols | Mars Today - Your Daily Source of Mars News
Where has Mr. Cosmical been? Not off planet, unfortunately, just preocuppied. However, I am back!
Mars Rover Spirit Hits 2,000 Sols | Mars Today - Your Daily Source of Mars News: "Mars Rover Spirit Hits 2,000 Sols Still alive long after it's projected life. Interestingly, raw photos are posted immediately on the web. Often, amateur enthusiasts download and process the pictures immediately, giving the NASA folks a head start when they get to work. Click HERE to get to the raw images and give it a try. The following is from Mars Today
"August 18, 2009: Today marks the 2,000th Martian day, or sol, of what was initially planned as a 90-sol mission on Mars for NASA's Spirit rover.
Spirit's twin, Opportunity, will reach the 2,000-sol milestone on Sept. 8. Both rovers have found rocks altered by past action of water on Mars. Both show some signs of aging but remain capable of further scientific investigations.
Since their landing halfway around the planet from each other in January 2004, Spirit has driven 4.8 miles and Opportunity has driven 10.7 miles. Together, they have returned more than 246,000 images. Each Martian sol lasts about 40 minutes longer than an Earth day.}
August 18, 2009: Today marks the 2,000th Martian day, or sol, of what was initially planned as a 90-sol mission on Mars for NASA's Spirit rover.
Spirit's twin, Opportunity, will reach the 2,000-sol milestone on Sept. 8. Both rovers have found rocks altered by past action of water on Mars. Both show some signs of aging but remain capable of further scientific investigations.
Since their landing halfway around the planet from each other in January 2004, Spirit has driven 4.8 miles and Opportunity has driven 10.7 miles. Together, they have returned more than 246,000 images. Each Martian sol lasts about 40 minutes longer than an Earth day"
Larger image of Spirit's traverse
Larger image of Spirit's traverse"
Mars Rover Spirit Hits 2,000 Sols | Mars Today - Your Daily Source of Mars News: "Mars Rover Spirit Hits 2,000 Sols Still alive long after it's projected life. Interestingly, raw photos are posted immediately on the web. Often, amateur enthusiasts download and process the pictures immediately, giving the NASA folks a head start when they get to work. Click HERE to get to the raw images and give it a try. The following is from Mars Today
"August 18, 2009: Today marks the 2,000th Martian day, or sol, of what was initially planned as a 90-sol mission on Mars for NASA's Spirit rover.
Spirit's twin, Opportunity, will reach the 2,000-sol milestone on Sept. 8. Both rovers have found rocks altered by past action of water on Mars. Both show some signs of aging but remain capable of further scientific investigations.
Since their landing halfway around the planet from each other in January 2004, Spirit has driven 4.8 miles and Opportunity has driven 10.7 miles. Together, they have returned more than 246,000 images. Each Martian sol lasts about 40 minutes longer than an Earth day.}
Mars Rover Spirit Hits 2,000 Sols
Spirit's twin, Opportunity, will reach the 2,000-sol milestone on Sept. 8. Both rovers have found rocks altered by past action of water on Mars. Both show some signs of aging but remain capable of further scientific investigations.
Since their landing halfway around the planet from each other in January 2004, Spirit has driven 4.8 miles and Opportunity has driven 10.7 miles. Together, they have returned more than 246,000 images. Each Martian sol lasts about 40 minutes longer than an Earth day"
Larger image of Spirit's traverse
Larger image of Spirit's traverse"
Sunday, June 21, 2009
List of phases of matter
List of phases of matter: "List of phases of matter
This is a list of the different phases of matter including the more exotic ones."
Everything you wanted to know, as if it mattered!
This is a list of the different phases of matter including the more exotic ones."
Everything you wanted to know, as if it mattered!
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Searching For ET: Kepler Launch A Success, Search For E.T. Is Underway
Searching For ET: Kepler Launch A Success, Search For E.T. Is Underway: "Gizmodo
As noted earlier, the Keppler launch took place on Thursday and I can now report, it was a success. Click on the link above for the Gizmodo site for more comment. Gizmodo is great for those of us who love electronic gadgetry! Click on this NASA site for mission information.
Friday, March 06, 2009
Beyond Green Roofs: 15 Vertically Vegetated Buildings | WebEcoist
Beyond Green Roofs: 15 Vertically Vegetated Buildings | WebEcoist
Above is a link to a green building website. It is fascinating and hopefully a harbinger of the future. You should see also the first edition of Scientific American Earth 3.0 about the same subject. This also discusses urban farming and mentions a commercial garden in New York City that was in business until about 20 years ago. You could buy local and eliminate all transportation costs from farm to market!
NASA - Search for Habitable Planets
NASA - Search for Habitable Planets
Extra Solar planets keep popping up all over the place. Gas Giants orbiting close to parent stars...against previous theories of planetary formation. Rocky planets have also been found. Keppler will build on the already 230 planets discovered looking for earth size planets in the habitable zone. If launch goes okay, we will increase our knowledge exponentially!
Kepler Scientific Objectives
Image above: Kepler's targeted star field. Credit: Carter Roberts of the Eastbay Astronomical Society The scientific objective of the Kepler Mission is to explore the structure and diversity of planetary systems. This is achieved by surveying a large sample of stars to:
Extra Solar planets keep popping up all over the place. Gas Giants orbiting close to parent stars...against previous theories of planetary formation. Rocky planets have also been found. Keppler will build on the already 230 planets discovered looking for earth size planets in the habitable zone. If launch goes okay, we will increase our knowledge exponentially!
Kepler Scientific Objectives
Image above: Kepler's targeted star field. Credit: Carter Roberts of the Eastbay Astronomical Society The scientific objective of the Kepler Mission is to explore the structure and diversity of planetary systems. This is achieved by surveying a large sample of stars to: - Determine the percentage of terrestrial and larger planets that are in or near the habitable zone of a wide variety of stars
- Determine the distribution of sizes and shapes of the orbits of these planets
- Estimate how many planets there are in multiple-star systems
- Determine the variety of orbit sizes and planet reflectivities, sizes, masses and densities of short-period giant planets
- Identify additional members of each discovered planetary system using other techniques
- Determine the properties of those stars that harbor planetary systems.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Magenn Power Inc.
Magenn Power Inc.: "Magenn Power's MARS is a Wind Power Anywhere™ solution with distinct advantages over existing Conventional Wind Turbines and Diesel Generating Systems including: global deployment, lower costs, better operational performance, and greater environmental advantages."
"Magenn Power's MARS is a Wind Power Anywhere™ solution with distinct advantages over existing Conventional Wind Turbines and Diesel Generating Systems including: global deployment, lower costs, better operational performance, and greater environmental advantages." They just keep coming up with better and more varied green solutions to the energy problem. The big problem remaining, however is storage and transmission.
Click here or the outline of the issue as discussed at a Boston conference last year.
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NOVA | The Elegant Universe | Watch the Program | PBS
NOVA | The Elegant Universe | Watch the Program | PBS
If you missed this three hour mini-series, you can watch it online by clicking above. It starts with Einstein's attempts at a unified field theory and goes from there to String Theory and the Higgs Boson.
If you missed this three hour mini-series, you can watch it online by clicking above. It starts with Einstein's attempts at a unified field theory and goes from there to String Theory and the Higgs Boson.
Does the Universe Exist if We're Not Looking? | Physics & Math | DISCOVER Magazine
Does the Universe Exist if We're Not Looking? | Physics & Math | DISCOVER Magazine
Remember as kids, we sometimes thought if we closed our eyes, the world would go away? Well, at least in the strange quantum world it might? For any of you who may wane philosophical, read this!
Remember as kids, we sometimes thought if we closed our eyes, the world would go away? Well, at least in the strange quantum world it might? For any of you who may wane philosophical, read this!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
'Cloak of silence' design is unveiled - physicsworld.com
'Cloak of silence' design is unveiled - physicsworld।
"Get Smart" technology has gone beyond the shoe phone! Also, see this New Zealand Hearld website article on the technology of "Get Smart".
Also, see the CIA museum website for similar strangeness. At one time, the CIA met regularly with Hollywood script writers to exchange ideas! See Hollywood CIA links!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Storing energy from wind? A German approach:
"Learning, Passive House, Wind-to-Battery Storage
Learning
Would World University and School's innovation focus help reshape how people learn, and help to facilitate a culture of learning, if learning becomes very fun, and people find avenues to share ideas richly? Add or take a course in any language and subject. (Here's World University and School's Facebook Group)."
Would World University and School's innovation focus help reshape how people learn, and help to facilitate a culture of learning, if learning becomes very fun, and people find avenues to share ideas richly? Add or take a course in any language and subject. (Here's World University and School's Facebook Group)."
Quantum effects on the Macro Level
I found this by searching the above title. It is from another blog
The author describes his blog as follows:
"This is my classic stream-of-consciousness blog designed to avoid clogging my friends' inboxes. We've got your interesting URLs for software development, aviation, the environment, and politics. Plus the odd thought. If you want my real writing, see Thoughts Aloft, my other other blog"
Thursday, November 13, 2008
First Pictures Taken of Extrasolar Planets - NYTimes.com
First Pictures Taken of Extrasolar Planets - NYTimes.com
He is back and what a zinger this time. Please see the linked NYT article on the first extrasolar planet ever photographed! A tiny dot, but none the less, the first.
Also see Space.com and Science Daily
for more articles.
Finally, click on Sea Snake wave energy demonstration for a video of one concept in sea wave energy production by Water SISWEB
He is back and what a zinger this time. Please see the linked NYT article on the first extrasolar planet ever photographed! A tiny dot, but none the less, the first.
Also see Space.com and Science Daily
for more articles.
Finally, click on Sea Snake wave energy demonstration for a video of one concept in sea wave energy production by Water SISWEB
Friday, October 31, 2008
Thursday, October 02, 2008
CEATEC: Panasonic Lifewall Is the All-Knowing Gesture-Controlled TV of the Future
CEATEC: Panasonic Lifewall Is the All-Knowing Gesture-Controlled TV of the Future:
I want one! It is similar to the one described by Ray Bradbury in Farenheit 451. Who needs books? Well, maybe I do, but the wall is pretty nifty!
I want one! It is similar to the one described by Ray Bradbury in Farenheit 451. Who needs books? Well, maybe I do, but the wall is pretty nifty!
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Scientific American: Scientific American Special Editions
Scientific American: Scientific American Special Editions
Be sure and read this special digital edition of Scientific American. The articles include urban vertical farming, fresh water shortages, and other great features.
Be sure and read this special digital edition of Scientific American. The articles include urban vertical farming, fresh water shortages, and other great features.
FEATURES
Is Focusing on "Hot Spots" the Key to Preserving Biodiversity?
Preserving biodiversity in rich habitats is good. But global warming and other new threats may call for a new strategy
By Robert Kunzig
Energy versus Water: Solving Both Crises Together
Water is needed to generate energy. Energy is needed to deliver water. Both resources are limiting the other—and both may be running short. Is there a way out?
By Michael E. Webber
For National Security, Get Off Oil
Former CIA director R. James Woolsey says America's oil dependence is a grave threat
By Stephen D. Solomon
LEED Compliance Not Required for Designing Green Buildings
Constructing buildings to the LEED standard can conserve energy and materials—or be exploited for promotional gain
By Daniel Brook
Global Warming: Beyond the Tipping Point
The world's most outspoken climatologist argues that today's carbon dioxide levels are already dangerously too high. What can we do if he is right?
By Michael D. Lemonick
Growing Vertical: Skyscraper Farming
Cultivating crops in downtown skyscrapers might save bushels of energy and provide city dwellers with distinctively fresh food
By Mark Fischetti
Monday, July 07, 2008
Hydro/Wind Power Followup
The BPA and the wind community apparently believe that storage of wind and hydro power are too expensive. Please read the following article from the Tacoma News Tribune about hydrogen. Also below is a link to a patented system for converting excess hydro into hydrogen.
Hydrogen: River of Energy
Columbia River hydropower could put Northwest at a forefront of a revolution
By Jack Robertson
The News Tribune"
Hydrogen: River of Energy
Columbia River hydropower could put Northwest at a forefront of a revolution
By Jack Robertson
The News Tribune"
US Patent 6864596 - Hydrogen production from hydro power
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Wind surge poses a risk to salmon and reveals flaws in BPA's power-regulating system - OregonLive.com
Wind surge poses a risk to salmon and reveals flaws in BPA's power-regulating system - OregonLive.com: "Wind surge poses a risk to salmon and reveals flaws in BPA's power-regulating system
With Columbia Gorge turbines pumping out extra electricity, the agency had to quickly adjust its hydro generation"
This was a story in the Saturday, July 05, 2008 Oregonian Newspaper by Gail Kinsey Hill, a staff writer. The gist of the story was that the greatly increased capacity of the wind turbines along the Columbia Gorge through which the Mighty Columbia River flows came close to causing a big problem on the BPA power generating dams. In order to deal with the surplus of electricity, the dams had to stop generating power and spill water over the dam thus potentially causing a problem with migrating salmon. My question is why the excess capacity of either the windmills or the dams could not be converted to hydrogen and stored for later use. Lacking an infrastructure to deliver hydrogen to other places where it could be used, it could be stored on site and used later to power generators or produce electricity when needed using fuel cells.
As a side note, as the old economy of the river based on aluminum smelting is in decline, a significant part of the BPA output is used by Google in it's semi-secret server farm in The Dalles on the banks of the Columbia. Despite Google's efforts to conserve, lots of power is used to run the servers and to cool the plant. Read about this in this Willamette Week article.
A blog about generating hydrogen with excess capacity can be reached by clicking here. Can anyone explain to my why this will not work?
With Columbia Gorge turbines pumping out extra electricity, the agency had to quickly adjust its hydro generation"
This was a story in the Saturday, July 05, 2008 Oregonian Newspaper by Gail Kinsey Hill, a staff writer. The gist of the story was that the greatly increased capacity of the wind turbines along the Columbia Gorge through which the Mighty Columbia River flows came close to causing a big problem on the BPA power generating dams. In order to deal with the surplus of electricity, the dams had to stop generating power and spill water over the dam thus potentially causing a problem with migrating salmon. My question is why the excess capacity of either the windmills or the dams could not be converted to hydrogen and stored for later use. Lacking an infrastructure to deliver hydrogen to other places where it could be used, it could be stored on site and used later to power generators or produce electricity when needed using fuel cells.
As a side note, as the old economy of the river based on aluminum smelting is in decline, a significant part of the BPA output is used by Google in it's semi-secret server farm in The Dalles on the banks of the Columbia. Despite Google's efforts to conserve, lots of power is used to run the servers and to cool the plant. Read about this in this Willamette Week article.
A blog about generating hydrogen with excess capacity can be reached by clicking here. Can anyone explain to my why this will not work?
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Worms Do Calculus To Find Meals Or Avoid Unpleasantness
Worms Do Calculus To Find Meals Or Avoid Unpleasantness
How could you not find this interesting. A worm with only 300 or so neurons in its brain finding food doing intricate calculations. I just love it! I can't do calculus. I vaguely recall that funny "S" symbol though!
How could you not find this interesting. A worm with only 300 or so neurons in its brain finding food doing intricate calculations. I just love it! I can't do calculus. I vaguely recall that funny "S" symbol though!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Power and Control
Power and Control
A good deal of my ramblings are about power, energy, conservation and alternative energy issues. The blog cited above is by M. Simon of Rockford Illinois. His focus is on energy also, but with a focus on fusion energy. Of late, there is a renewed interest in nuclear power as it does not directly contribute to global warming. I heard a podcast debate between one of the early Greenpeace guys who went over to the dark side and a member of the British Green Party on this issue. The debate featuring Partrick Moore can be heard by clicking this link.
The Green response is that Moore ignores the huge carbon footprint left by nuclear power when the mining, transportation and disposal of the fuel is taken into account. This argument left me questioning my recent conversion back to supporting nukes, but I am not good enough at the Dismal Science of economics to really come to any conclusions.
Finally, it should be said that I am a space nut. Perhaps He3 (an isotope of Helium) will play a role in fusion. Indeed, this might be why China, Japan and perhaps India have begun moon exploration programs. My view on this is the more the merrier. To the Moon, to Mars and beyond!
I do believe, however, that nuclear fusion might be the answer. See the blog cited above for more info on this. A bigger question, however, is whether or not we need unlimited power. Could it be that our lives would be simpler and more satisfying if we simply conserved for the sake of conserving? Go top M. Simon's blog and start a discussion on this!
A good deal of my ramblings are about power, energy, conservation and alternative energy issues. The blog cited above is by M. Simon of Rockford Illinois. His focus is on energy also, but with a focus on fusion energy. Of late, there is a renewed interest in nuclear power as it does not directly contribute to global warming. I heard a podcast debate between one of the early Greenpeace guys who went over to the dark side and a member of the British Green Party on this issue. The debate featuring Partrick Moore can be heard by clicking this link.
The Green response is that Moore ignores the huge carbon footprint left by nuclear power when the mining, transportation and disposal of the fuel is taken into account. This argument left me questioning my recent conversion back to supporting nukes, but I am not good enough at the Dismal Science of economics to really come to any conclusions.
Finally, it should be said that I am a space nut. Perhaps He3 (an isotope of Helium) will play a role in fusion. Indeed, this might be why China, Japan and perhaps India have begun moon exploration programs. My view on this is the more the merrier. To the Moon, to Mars and beyond!
I do believe, however, that nuclear fusion might be the answer. See the blog cited above for more info on this. A bigger question, however, is whether or not we need unlimited power. Could it be that our lives would be simpler and more satisfying if we simply conserved for the sake of conserving? Go top M. Simon's blog and start a discussion on this!
Sunday, June 08, 2008
BBC News | SCI/TECH | Fusion power 'within reach'
BBC News | SCI/TECH | Fusion power 'within reach'
Is Fusion back in vogue? BBC says that the new approach to smaller reactors means Fusion is "within reach". Even if we could get cheap, clean, unlimited power, do we want to? Or is it better to scale down our lives strictly for it's own sake?
Friday, June 06, 2008
Harnessing the Weather | Natural Disasters | DISCOVER Magazine
Harnessing the Weather | Natural Disasters | DISCOVER Magazine
The Russians try. The U.S. DOD has tried. Private companies have tried. Maybe it is all part of the Alaska HARP Project that the conspiracy theorists worry about.
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