There is progress working in the lab and in theory how to create reconfigurable spacecraft. The dynamics and control problems have been worked on in theory, math and simulation and the joints have been mocked and tested on an air table. Success would transform space operations and systems and enable large particle based solar sails, …
Space Adventures has a video animation on its site that illustrates the new lunar flyby mission (privately experience what Jim Lovell a few others did – not the Apollo 13 hazard but the good missions) This is an interview with Tom Shelley by Sander Olson. Tom is the Vice President of Marketing for Space Adventures, …
Raser Technologies is announcing an plug in hybrid electric SUV that can get up to 100mpg in city driving with recharges every 40 miles. It will use a 200 kw Symetron Electric drive and a 100kw Symetron generator. The vehicle is propelled by a 200 kW Symetron Enhanced AC induction motor and drive system designed …
Sentience driving software can control a car or trucks acceleration and braking and enable 5-24% fuel savings and could be installed in vehicles starting in 2012. It is also a transition path to completely robotic driving. For about $30 to install ion each car or truck the system would save an average of 14% of …
The radical italian Kitegen wind power system appears to have funding of 15 million euro (announced not distributed). An interesting synergy is possible with large Kitegen systems and nuclear power plants. Kitegen systems could be co-located with nuclear power plants to help prevent any illegal airplanes from hitting the nuclear plant. (Kite flying would be …
The figures show microcomputed tomographic images of regenerated periodontium (tooth supporting structures) following delivery of PDGF genes. Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a method of gene delivery that appears safe for regenerating tooth-supporting gum tissue—a discovery that assuages one of the biggest safety concerns surrounding gene therapy research and tissue engineering. Gene …
1. China’s first supercomputer with a computing speed of over 100 trillion times per second, the Dawning 5000A, also called the “Magic Cube,” will officially be installed in the Shanghai Supercomputer Center in mid-May, according to the Dawning Information Industry Company. The Dawning 5000A, which is to be installed in Shanghai, will have three important …
1. DARPA has funded Rice University to develop platform-aware compilation environment”. Enable compilers which are the everywhere to be faster without needing highly skilled people spending a lot of time tuning each one. If they succeed all computers would become faster. “When a compiler translates human-written code into executable code, it makes myriad choices that …
Element Six is a global leader (Europe based) and innovator in supermaterials with a history spanning more than 50 years. Element Six has created synthetic diamond with less carbon 13 isotope and more pure carbon 12, which enables longer quantum coherence times to be maintained longer. Note: Normally 1.07% is carbon 13 isotope. They have …
A series of announcements that will multiply the productivity of scientific research and enhance the ability of lay people to have scientifically correct results. These new programs and robotic systems will be further enhanced with the increasing use of cloud computing, robotic and sensor advances and increased computing power from things like GPGPU. (H/T Michael …
Segway reveals specifics on the PUMA on their site Built off of the proven reliable and safe technology you find in Segway Personal Transporters (PTs), the prototype truly does expand upon the exhilarating riding experience. It increases capacity to two passengers in a seated position; capable of carrying them up to anywhere between 25 and …