The Diplomat tries to make a case that China’s Rise peaked in 2008. (BTW – thediplomat site is not visible from some common domain name servers.) This article was heavily discussed on reddit. They list of issues which they argue will prevent China from continuing to outperform economically or to otherwise rise in power are: …
The Carnival of Nuclear Energy 116 is up at Idaho Samizdat. Canadian Energy Issues – Steve Aplin looks at the SILEX (laser enrichment process) and how the opponents of it are really opponents to improved economics for nuclear energy. Nuclear Supplier Group rules already ensure that no other rule-respecting countries than the ones already hosting …
Science Now – making a lens for highly energetic light known as gamma rays had been thought impossible. Now, physicists have created such a lens, and they believe it will open up a new field of gamma-ray optics for medical imaging, detecting illicit nuclear material, and getting rid of nuclear waste. Bending the rules. Gamma …
HPCWire – NVIDIA debuted its much-talked-about Kepler GPU this week, promising much better performance and energy efficiency than its previous generation Fermi-based products. The first offerings are mid-range graphics cards targeted at the heart of the desktop and notebook market, but the more powerful second-generation Kepler GPU for high performance computing is already in the …
The National Geographic Deep Sea Challenge site proclaims This is the New Age of Exploration. National Geographic Explorer James Cameron Embarks on a Dive to the Ocean’s Deepest Point. The latest news is here but there is not yet an official announcement of a dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench So far there …
So there are plans proposed by Al Globus to achieve results with a few hundred million. There is already a megawatt(s) or so of space solar power for satellites in space. 200 kw or so on the space station. Japan is willing to spend a few billion on it. Planning 2 megawatt demo around 2020. …
Eurekalert- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are an essential component of modern shopping, logistics, warehouse, and stock control for toll roads, casino chips and much more. They provide a simple way to track the item to which the tag is attached. Now, researchers in France have developed a way to deposit a thin aluminum RFID …
University of Cambridge – The integration of electronics with materials opens up a world of possibilities, the surface of which is just being scratched. Professor Arokia Nathan has joined the University to take up a new Chair in Engineering, where he will be exploring the application of research that allows us to glimpse a world …
Cosmiclog MSNBC – software billionaire Paul Allen and aerospace guru Burt Rutan are teaming up with SpaceX and other top-flight rocketeers to create an air-launched orbital delivery system. They say the venture will require the construction of the largest aircraft ever flown. The new venture is significant for the revival of the Allen-Rutan partnership, with …
A foldable robot electrical scooter controlled by a smart phone is the Kowa-tmsuk personal mobility Kobot. The Kobot is a scooter-like three-wheeler with just one seat that can can be packed away after use in a space of around one square metre. With a target speed of 30kmh, makers Kowa Tmsuk. The driver uses a …
Here are IMF GDP, GDP per capita and PPP estimates for China in US $, yuan in current and constant currency The estimates were updated in Sept, 2011. The exchange rate is about 6.35 yuan to 1 US dollar China has recently ruled out faster yuan appreciation and the exchange rate appreciation will likely slow …