Increasing thermoelectric efficiency towards the Carnot limit

Italian researchers study the problem of thermoelectricity and propose a simple microscopic mechanism for the increase of thermoelectric efficiency. Basically their theory is that thermoelectric conversion of heat into electricity can reach the Carnot limit and have some new computational modeling to guide development toward that goal and to model materials in a way that …

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Why space exploration ?

Universe today asks the question “Why should we be spending money exploring space when there are so many problems here on Earth that we need to solve first?” I provided my answer [I have extended it here]: Lack of a space program will not solve anything else faster and a well planned program [not what …

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Elite individual power : who has it and what does it take ?

Many people who discess the enlightenment and social discuss the power of the masses versus the power of the lite. The supporters of the Enlightenment do not want “the elite” to roll back society to a more fuedal looking power structure. Who are the elite and where does real power reside ? Newsweek has a …

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Onchip photonic communications for 2017 computer processors

Problems that need a lot of computing power and new architecture that will be needed to enable that speed. Click on the pictures for a larger image. Communication challenge in ultradense computing devices. Chips are not full speed because communication is not fast enough. DARPA MoleApps–Aim: 10**15devices/ cm**3 Currently: 17 nm half-pitch,3.5*10**11 /cm**2 demonstrated Communication …

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Software and design innovation is enabling a 2 litre engine to perform like a 3-4 litre and save 27% on fuel

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 …

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Stanford researchers develop tool that ‘sees’ internal body details 1,000 smaller

Stanford University School of Medicine researchers has developed a new type of imaging system that can illuminate tumors in living subjects—getting pictures with a precision of nearly on nanometer (one-trillionth of a meter). This technique, called Raman spectroscopy, expands the available toolbox for the field of molecular imaging, said team leader Sanjiv Sam Gambhir, MD, …

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Fermi paradox, metamaterials, dark matter, recent science and advanced aliens fading into the background

Traditional view of a Dyson’s sphere. Metamaterials could mask and alter the observable signature and alter the interaction with magnetism and the spectrum of space. The theory of dark matter is that 85-90% of the mass in the universe is dark and does not interact with the electromagnetic force. Recently there has been the design …

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