We are getting closer to cyborgs that are as strong and as fast as people. The prototype rocket powered mechanical arm can lift (curl) about 20 to 25 pounds – three to four times more than current commercial arms – and can do so three to four times faster. “That means it has about 10 …
Many people who are in favor of developing wind energy and solar energy use the argument that nuclear energy is slower to develop. I am in favor of wind energy and solar energy development, but I recognize that there has been less of both than new nuclear power even without new nuclear reactors. The total …
Researchers at Northwestern University have fabricated graphene oxide paper which is remarkably stiff and strong yet lightweight material and should find use in a wide variety of applications. “The mechanical, thermal, optical and electrical properties of graphene are exceptional,” says Ruoff. “For example, the stiffness and strength of these graphene-like sheets should be superior to …
Here is a pdf that describes Ontario’s efforts and progress to phase out coal energy usage by 2009 This is what a realistic phase out of coal energy proposal looks like. Although the Ontario government is backsliding somewhat on its commitment to eliminate coal usage. I am not aware of any other place that has …
From the BBC, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) draft report suggests solutions to mitigate climate change, such as capturing and burying emissions from coal-fired power plants, shifting to renewable forms of energy and more use of nuclear power. The findings of the report will be used by governments and international organisations to map out …
The world is building a lot of coal-fired power to go with all of the coal-fired power it already has. This is horrible because air pollution from coal kills more than one million people every year. We need to use all other means to reduce the increase in coal usage, this means more nuclear as …
Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd. (Doosan) and the Korean Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) – have utilized AMSC’s proprietary high temperature superconductor (HTS) wire to successfully develop and demonstrate a very compact, high-efficiency superconductor 1300HP motor for civilian and military applications. This news follows the announcement three weeks ago that AMSC had successfully completed …
Researchers at Livermore studied an isomer of Thorium-229. This isomer is unique in that its excitation energy is near optical energies, implying that one day scientists may be able to transition Th229 nuclei between the ground and isomeric states using a table-top laser. “This would then be the first time human control would be exerted …