NASA researchers who developed a new way to power robotic underwater vehicles believe a spin-off technology could help convert ocean energy into electrical energy on a much larger scale. The researchers hope that clean, renewable energy produced from the motion of the ocean and rivers could potentially meet an important part of the world's demand for electricity.
Many different methods already exist for using moving water to create power. Hydroelectric plants, for example, are among the most established and least expensive sources of electricity. They benefit from the large hydrostatic pressure difference between the water surface behind the dam and the turbines that can be harnessed to produce power. But the power that can be produced in this manner is limited, because most of the suitable rivers already have hydroelectric dams.
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Friday, May 15, 2009
Ultimate Fridge Magnets Could Save Energy
Magnetic refrigeration technology could use 20-30 percent less energy than traditional gas-compression fridges and air conditioners used today. But the material needed to make them work hasn't been determined.
Now a step has been made toward figuring out what materials will work best.
A magnetic refrigeration system works by applying a magnetic field to a magnetic material — some of the most promising being metallic alloys — causing it to heat up. This excess heat is removed from the system by water, cooling the material back down to its original temperature. When the magnetic field is removed the material cools down even further, and it is this cooling property that researchers hope to harness for a wide variety of cooling applications.
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Now a step has been made toward figuring out what materials will work best.
A magnetic refrigeration system works by applying a magnetic field to a magnetic material — some of the most promising being metallic alloys — causing it to heat up. This excess heat is removed from the system by water, cooling the material back down to its original temperature. When the magnetic field is removed the material cools down even further, and it is this cooling property that researchers hope to harness for a wide variety of cooling applications.
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Patent reveals Google's book-scanning advantage
Sometimes overlooked in the Sturm und Drang about Google Book Search is any consideration of the mechanics of economically scanning the books in the first place, but a patent awarded to Google gives insight into how the search behemoth accomplishes the task.
In short, Google has come up with a system that uses two cameras and infrared light to automatically correct for the curvature of pages in a book. By constructing a 3D model of each page and then "de-warping" it afterward, Google can present flat-looking pages online without having to slice books up or mash them onto a flatbed scanner.
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In short, Google has come up with a system that uses two cameras and infrared light to automatically correct for the curvature of pages in a book. By constructing a 3D model of each page and then "de-warping" it afterward, Google can present flat-looking pages online without having to slice books up or mash them onto a flatbed scanner.
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RFID Laptop Security Application
Xterprise today announced the commercial availability of Clarity ITAM - Laptop Security System, available as a standalone application, or as a module within the Clarity IT Asset Management application suite. Already deployed at several sites of Fortune 100 companies in North America, the application is specifically designed to track and secure highly mobile sensitive enterprise assets and the information they contain. Built on the Clarity Application Framework, featuring Microsoft platform technology such as BizTalk Server and SQL Server, the application is a highly scalable, low total cost of ownership solution to laptop security that can be deployed within a few short weeks.
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IBM launches new real-time data analysis software
IBM Corp is set to begin selling a long-awaited software aimed at helping companies analyze real-time data, ranging from traffic data to manufacturing processes, to find more efficient ways to run their business.
IBM, which has shifted its focus from computers to higher-margin software and services over the past decade, said the new software, named IBM System S, will be available from Friday following six years of development.
The software is designed to analyze streams of real-time data and could help financial institutions monitor transactions and analyze risks, or help hospitals monitor patients to detect problems early, the company said.
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IBM, which has shifted its focus from computers to higher-margin software and services over the past decade, said the new software, named IBM System S, will be available from Friday following six years of development.
The software is designed to analyze streams of real-time data and could help financial institutions monitor transactions and analyze risks, or help hospitals monitor patients to detect problems early, the company said.
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Photo-direct vehicle camouflage matches battlefield
While military camouflage patterns for vehicles have evolved, the application process has been stuck in the spray booth. Now, however, GI equivalents of Earl Scheib can apply a precut "wrap" of adhesive vinyl that will blend in on virtually any battlefield.
The process is similar to the advertising and decorative wraps commonly seen on cars and buses, except that this product from Military Wraps, called Photo Veil, is lightweight and incorporates images from cameras on drones, satellites, or lidar in the field and loops them back to be applied to vehicles or equipment as site-specific, high-resolution camouflage.
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The process is similar to the advertising and decorative wraps commonly seen on cars and buses, except that this product from Military Wraps, called Photo Veil, is lightweight and incorporates images from cameras on drones, satellites, or lidar in the field and loops them back to be applied to vehicles or equipment as site-specific, high-resolution camouflage.
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Raytheon Secures $19.8 M for Production of Towed Decoys
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a $19.8 million contract for continued production of its ALE-50 line of towed decoys.
The award by the U.S. Air Force Warner Robins Air Logistics Center represents the 13th production lot of ALE-50 decoys, which are used by the Navy as well as the Air Force. The contract calls for 807 decoys for the Air Force to be delivered through April 2011.
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The award by the U.S. Air Force Warner Robins Air Logistics Center represents the 13th production lot of ALE-50 decoys, which are used by the Navy as well as the Air Force. The contract calls for 807 decoys for the Air Force to be delivered through April 2011.
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Future of military aviation lies with drones: US admiral
Unmanned aircraft likely represent the future for US military aviation with next generation bombers and fighter planes operating without pilots onboard, the top US military officer said on Thursday.
"We're at a real time of transition here in terms of the future of aviation, and the whole issue of what's going to be manned and what's going to be unmanned," Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a Senate hearing.
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"We're at a real time of transition here in terms of the future of aviation, and the whole issue of what's going to be manned and what's going to be unmanned," Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a Senate hearing.
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