Better computer software is enabling a smaller engine to have higher performance and use 27% less fuel with low emissions Ricardo’s engine, called 2/4SIGHT, uses valves like a four-stroke engine, but in two-stroke mode, the engine keeps both the intake and exhaust valves open at the same time so that the fuel and air in …
Earth’s OceansMy own general view of the Fermi paradox (with the universe so big aliens should have visited by now) is that there is no reason to think that we are that interesting to need a visit instead of remote observation and if they visited more than 5000 years ago then we forgot or were …
Russia released a plan to build 42 nuclear power plants by 2020. Previously the target was about 35 nuclear reactors. Seven reactors are under construction and 31 are operating. FURTHER READINGThe basic requirements [target goals] for fuel have been set as: fuel operational lifetime extended to 6 years, improved burn-up of 70 GWd/tU, and improved …
One day soon a biosensing nanodevice developed by Arizona State University researcher Wayne Frasch may eliminate long lines at airport security checkpoints and revolutionize health screenings for diseases like anthrax, cancer and antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Frasch works with the enzyme F1-adenosine triphosphatase, better known as F1- ATPase. This enzyme, only 10 to 12 …
The concept of a memory device based on self-organized quantum dots (QDs) is presented, enabling extremely fast write times, limited only by the charge carrier relaxation time being in the picosecond range. (from Applied Physical letters) [potentially one thousand times faster than current computer memory] For a first device structure with embedded InAs/GaAs QDs, a …
A way to carry out genetic surgery [more precise gene therapy] has been devised by a British Nobel prizewinner that is already under test on diabetic patients and being readied for use to treat Aids, blocked blood vessels and chronic pain. Safety and precision problems and concerns have been holding back wider use of gene …
Side and top views of the NIST molecular resistor. Above are schematics showing a cross-section of the full device and a close-up view of the molecular monolayer attached to the CMOS-compatible silicon substrate. Below is a photomicrograph looking down on an assembled resistor indicating the location of the well. NIST team demonstrates that a single …
Skype’s Jonathan Christensen presented slides to the Emerging Communications Conference. Christensen is Skype’s GM for Voice and Video. Hat tip to Phil Wolff at Skype Journal. The Era of Rich Mobile Internet Communications [from 2008-2017]– Multi-modal communications (original SIP vision) – Real time HD video, Data, Presence, Text, Wideband Audio – Smart endpoints, open platform… …
David Brin has his defense of the Transparent Society up at Wired. This was in response to a critque by Bruce Schneier that centered around unequal power. My tiny involvement was emailing David Brin to make him aware of the Schneier article. A common problem with attacks on the 1997 book “The Transparent Society” is …
Electron transport through a structure of nanoparticles (left) and more ordered nanotubes (center) is shown. At right, different wavelengths of light can be absorbed by different-sized quantum dots layered in a “rainbow” solar cell. Image credit: Kongkanand, et al. ©2008 ACS. Solar cells made of different-sized quantum dots, each tuned to a specific wavelength of …
Carnival of Space week 44 is up at Bad Astronomy My contribution was my article on large sheets of carbon nanotubes being produced this year which could be used for high performance solar sails. Several of the posts are about Mars. Why the Mars avalanches were interesting Creating a early warning system for future Mars …