R.E. Kearney's Blog, page 34

The Future of the Computer – Microtechnology Redefined

The more powerful computer technology gets the smaller the devices that control them become. A team led by David Blaauw, at the University of Michigan, has recently developed an entire computer that measures less than half a centimeter. The proportion was achieved by taking into consideration the size of the computer’s battery. They reduced the amount of power needed to run it, and were therefore able to make everything more concise.

[image error]University of Michigan/TSMC

Known as the Michigan Micro Mote, this computer, is unable to connect to a keypad or mouse. Developers were, therefore, faced with the challenge of finding another way for it to communicate with users. They discovered that light strobed at a high frequency can send information to the Micro Mote, and began using this source to program and charge it. The data received can then be processed, and transported to a different computer, by radio frequencies. This is done using an internal Phoenix processor, which only uses 500 pico-watts when in stand-by mode and enables the battery to be fully charged without natural sunlight.

As the era of the Internet of Things develops, with statistics showing that there will be at least 1 trillion devices connected to the cloud by 2035, Micro Mote computers are believed to be the key to retaining more information on specific devices. Many of these can collect data from their environment but are unable to analyze it. They then transfer this information to the cloud, which means that many of them aren’t very secure or energy efficient. Micro Motes are designed to enhance the sensor capabilities of these devices, while conserving their power.

[image error]The team increased the power of the technology by adding to it the ability to run artificial intelligence algorithms, known as deep neutral networks. This was possible by equipping the micro computers with flash memory, which includes an energy efficient charge pump. These advanced computer sensors will then be able to enhance cloud-connected devices with a neural network, enabling them to include voice and facial recognition.

Many different fields are researching ways in which this technology might be beneficial to them. This includes the medical field, as the computer is small enough to be injected into our bodies and smart enough to be programmed. It would then be able to take pictures, read temperatures and record other functions within. The oil industry is also considering using it to detect pockets of oil that can be extracted, saving them time and money on drilling. The development team has also demonstrated where the computer can be employed for everyday tasks, such as finding keys, using its central system.

Amazing Algae – Survival in Space

Earth’s atmosphere is designed for the survival of millions of organisms. Once most of these leave the planet’s protective covering, however, they would perish within minutes, if not seconds. Scientists are always looking for ways that will allow us to survive in the harsh environment of space, to facilitate our universal expansion. As they have discovered many times in the past, sometimes the smallest things provide the biggest answers.

[image error]One of the simplest plants in our atmosphere is algae, which has proven its resilience repeatedly due to the extreme earthly environments in which they can exist. As a part of the Biology and Mars Experiment (Biomex), scientists decided to put the plant’s durability to the test. They released algae into the universe next to the International Space Station, located outside of the earth’s perimeter, for a total of 16 months.

Biomex is a project aimed at figuring out the possibility of survival on the surface of one of Earth’s closest neighbours, Mars. Here the temperature is extremely low and there is almost no protective covering from the sun’s harmful UV rays. The conditions that the algae had faced in space would have been impossible to replicate on Earth, and would not have provided the most accurate results.

[image error]Even though the plants were exposed to extreme temperature changes, and both cosmic and UV radiation, the algae were retrieved alive and many of the strands even thriving. Further tests of the species will be crucial to future space travel, as they will demonstrate some of the conditions that may be faced by astronauts and show possible ways to overcome them. Algae might also be used as a source of food for these explorers, as it can be eaten when grown in large quantities. The plant can be transported to Mars, and many scientists believe it might be the key to breathable air on the planet, as algae survives by taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, which is essentially to human and animal life.

The plants survival also supports the theory that organisms can travel around the universe on comets, asteroids and other moving particles. When one of these crashes into a planet that has life on it, organisms become trapped in it and are carried to the particle’s next destination. The theory that life on Earth developed in this way has been proposed and, even though it doesn’t provide conclusive evidence, the algae’s survival shows that this is possible.

Paving the Way – The Production of Ceramic Tiles from Waste

With the world’s levels of discarded materials constantly increasing, every industry faces a greater need to pay attention to environmental concerns. This means that many manufacturers are turning to different forms of recycling to help save the planet, as well as to boost business by increasing profits.  One industry that creates a lot of waste during production is the manufacturing of building material. There is an estimated three million tons of waste produced annually from the process of making ceramic tiles alone.

[image error]The normal production method used has previously made it impossible to put the waste back into the production process. Lifeceram is a project which has been undertaken to change this, and was formed with two main objectives. These are:

To develop a new type of tile from the waste created that would be appropriate for outdoor paving, due to both durability and weather resistance.
Create a suitable method of making these tiles, which would incorporate 100% of waste materials. It would also need to be sustainable by the manufacturing companies themselves, to make it as convenient as possible.

The Lifeceram project has been successful and those involved have reported developing a process to create tiles which have the mechanical resistance, environmental properties and porosity that they planned to achieve. The method that has been proposed will not only recycle the waste but can also be easily undertaken by existing industrial installations, without the need for changes to their equipment or current manufacturing.

[image error]The major benefits that companies will achieve using this new process are:

A Reduction in Carbon Emissions

One of the worse influences of manufacturing building material on the environment is the emission of carbon which Lifeceram believes will be reduced by at least 30% once their process is implemented.

Production Savings

Tile manufacturers will now be able to save 30% on energy costs and an additional 65% on their use of water. Saving on production costs is beneficial in any industry as it means that funds can be reinvested to build the business, or there can be an increase in profits. 

Eliminating Waste

As reported, the process can reuse 100% of the waste which was previously created during the manufacturing of tiles. This can decrease the need to buy additional materials as well as company output.

Project Lifeceram is being introduced to manufacturing companies, which are embracing it and the benefits that can be achieved. Project developers are confident that many companies worldwide will be using their method of production shortly.

The Future of Money – The Basics of Blockchain Technology

Throughout the history of the world there have been thousands of currencies developed, including silver, gold and brass coins as well as paper money. With technology beginning to dominate international growth, and the need for transparency in transactions, there has been a great movement towards producing emoney as well.

[image error]The first form of digital currency to be developed was Bitcoin, from an idea proposed by Satoshi Nakamoto. Created and held electronically, this type of money is known as cryptocurrency and is based on blockchain technology. It is produced using software designed to solve mathematical problems. One of the major differences between Bitcoin and paper currency is the fact that it can’t be decentralised, meaning that no single institution would be able to control the network. The currency is created digitally by a group of people that anybody can join, and a limit has been placed on the number of Bitcoins that can be ‘mined’ in this controlled online environment. To encourage transparency, the mathematical formula which is used for Bitcoin production is available for everybody to view online.

Bitcoin’s success has inspired the creation of other forms of emoney, most notably in several African countries. After Tunisia launched their blockchain technology based currency, Senegal quickly followed suit and announced that they will be using online currency alongside their paper one. Even though created from blockchain technology, it will still be controlled and distributed by the government and central banking system. This means that the amount that is in circulation will be easily monitored and regulated. Senegal’s e-currency, known as eCFA, has already passed the emoney regulations which have been set by the West African Economic and Monetary Union and is expected to be introduced into the system shortly.

[image error]These currencies have set Africa apart as the pioneers of a new era of financial stability. The security and transparency of the blockchain technology, means that the system cannot be tampered with and the economy will be allowed to thrive. After being introduced into circulation in Senegal the eCFA will be introduced in other countries that currently use the West African franc including: Ivory Coast, Benin and Niger.

Other forms of emoney is also being explored and developed on an international level and countries are adapting the technology to suit their specific requirements including China, Singapore and Sweden. Many banks have already started using blockchain technology to record and handle transactions, and other industries which require high levels of security and monitoring are researching ways of moulding it to suit their needs.

Graphene – Unlimited Possibilities in a Minute Package

Graphene is a single tightly packed layer of carbon atoms, which are bonded together in a hexagonal honeycomb lattice. As the second most abundant substance in the human body, and the element which is found in the forth greatest quantity on the planet, carbon is the chemical basis for all known life on earth. Due to the fact that graphene is composed of carbon this makes it a readily available, eco-friendly solution which can be applied to a variety of fields.

In addition to its prevalence, graphene has a number of other advantages including:

Unsurpassed Strength – The building block of graphite, it is currently the strongest compound discovered.
Thinness – At only one atom thick, graphene combines resilience with being super thin.
Weightlessness – The lightest material known, one square meter of graphene weighs only 0.77 milligrams.
High Conductivity – At room temperature, graphene is the best known conductor of electricity and heat.
High Light Absorption – Graphene’s white light absorption level is very unique.

[image error]Other qualities of graphene add to its usefulness and whereas its exfoliation was once very expensive the cost has decreased dramatically and companies now sell it in large quantities. Scientists have many future uses of the product planned, and research and development occurs on an ongoing basis. Some of these include:

Medicinal 

It has been determined that graphene is a suitable material for engineering tissue and medical researchers believe that it is the ideal substance to improve the structure of fabricated tissue cells. Another area in medicine which graphene is expected to play an important role is the transportation of liquid drugs. Research has shown that a sheet of graphene oxide can be transformed into liquid crystal droplets, once it has been placed in a solution to manipulate the pH. This allows the droplets’ structure to change in the presence of an external magnetic field, meaning that drugs can be transported in the droplets and then released when needed.

Ethanol Distillation

Water vapor is the only liquid or gas able to penetrate graphene oxide membranes. The distillation process for vodka normally requires extreme heat or a vacuum, which can be eliminated by the use of graphene.

Contaminant Removal

As a bio-degradable, non-toxic material which is also soluble in water, graphene can be used to create stable mixes with other liquids. In order to use this as a contaminant removal, the created solution can then be put into other liquids to attract undesired or potentially harmful molecules.

An Increase in Artificial Intelligence – Autonomous Drones

Manual labor is decreasing drastically, with artificial intelligence taking over many jobs that were previously done by humans. One of the groups that is capitalizing on this is drone technology which is now being used by companies, such as Amazon, on an ever increasing scale. There are many advantages to the use of drones, including their speed and ability to go to places where it may be difficult for humans to get to. For these reasons they now play a major part in saving lives, by transporting necessary medicine to the scenes of accidents and emergencies, as well as to areas which may previously have been inaccessible during storms and other adverse weather conditions. Another large advantage to the use of drones is the fact that they can eliminate, or significantly reduce, the need for human control in certain situations.

[image error]Technological mastermind, Airmada, has developed a storage system for drones which is capable of supporting missions without the need for human intervention. The storage box releases the drone once it has been activated, by opening up to become a launch pad facilitating its take off. Once its mission has been completed the drone will fly back, land on the launch pad and the storage box then closes up in order for the battery to be charged. All of this is done automatically without the need for a drone operator.

In its initial stages the product has been aimed at minimizing danger to members of security teams, under certain circumstances. Once an alarm has been triggered the drone will be released, responding quickly and capturing data in order to assess possible danger before security personnel access the scene. Airmada believe that the launching pad technology increases the potential for these drones to be used on international scales, not just for commercial use, but also to enhance military and widespread operations.

Due to the fact that the drone stations eliminate the need for manual labor, there are significantly less operation costs.  In addition, the storage system has been designed to protect the drone, reducing required maintenance and product damage. Overall the system focuses on both reliability and safety, both for the drone and any people which may become involved. As commercial drone use continues to develop, Airmada is confident that the use of these drones will expand becoming very popular, very quickly.

Steps towards becoming Invisible – Achieving More by Appearing Less

While the possibility of humans being able to disappear is highly unlikely, this hasn’t stopped movie directors and writers from including it in their stories for many years. Scientists have once again stepped forward in an attempt at making the impossible possible by producing a material which may allow us to do so.  Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a material that ‘disappears’ under certain conditions, which they hope will one day become the foundation of ‘invisible cloaks.’

The camouflage material is a type of liquid metal, which is made of tech that has been imbedded in a flexible sheet of silicon. This in turn is comprised of several rings (filled with galistan) that cover the material’s surface and act as inductors resisting changes in electric currents passing through them, with the gaps acting as capacitors. This combination facilitates radar waves hitting the material’s surface to be absorbed by the film.

[image error]The researchers describe their creation as a material made of an array of liquid metal spilt ring resonators (SRRs) which are embedded in a stretchable elastonomer. When it is stretched this ‘meta-skin’ has a tunable frequency, which is able to accommodate a wide range of other frequencies thus absorbing radar waves. Experimentation with wrapping it around a curved dialectic material shows that the meta-skin performs as a flexible cloaking surface, which is able to suppress the scattering of frequencies in different directions.

The flexibility of the material means that radar waves which don’t follow the ring’s geometry will still be absorbed as the meta-skin will conform to different signals. The same sheet of material is currently able to absorb 75% of radar signals, ranging from 8 to 10 gigahertz. The developers plan to use the technology to coat the surface of stealth aircrafts, eventually expanding its properties to incorporate a wider range of radar waves. The material’s ability to absorb waves differs from traditional stealth technology which normally just reduces the power that is reflected back to the probing radar, and would greatly increase stealth capabilities.

In order for invisibility cloaks to be produced the material will need to be able to absorb light, since the reflection of light is the way in which we currently see objects.  Researchers will need to expand experimentation to include nano scale technology in order to accomplish this, which will increase the difficulty of working with this met-skin significantly. They are completely confident that this will be possible, however, and we can look forward to the ‘disappearance’ of humans very soon.

A New Lease on Life – Extending the Human Life Span

Researchers are always trying to come up with ways to prevent diseases, and other ailments, in humans. Decades of research has shown that the main cause of many illnesses is the same as that of getting older. They believe that it is possible to learn more about this cellular breakdown by observing the aging process in other species. A study involving the transparent cells of roundworms has revealed a connection between RNA splicing and an organism’s lifespan. Using this information scientists believe that they will be able to find additional ways of fighting disease, and slowing down aging in humans.

RNA splicing is the cellular process by which a single gene is able to produce a variety of proteins. Any mutation that occurs during RNA splicing normally results in disease, and may be the reason for our body’s getting older. In order to gain more knowledge about the aging process, researchers conducted experiments with the Caenorhabditis elegans roundworm. This species has a three week lifespan, during which they show obvious signs of aging.

[image error]Fluorescent genetic tools made it possible to see the roundworms’ transparent cells, and the scientists observed certain patterns during RNA splicing of the individual genes. Using the ones that showed premature aging, researchers quickly learned how to predict individual roundworm lifespans before signs of aging appeared. They are confident that this discovery is the start of using RNA splicing as an early indication of aging, which can then be expanded in order to prevent or reverse these signs.

As we stop our cells from getting older, humans would also need to take precautions to maintain their health. This will allow them to live for much longer than the current average lifespan. Some of the other ways researchers believe that we might be able to combat aging are:

Using chromosome extensions to increase the rate of cell division – As we age the cells in our body lose their natural ability to replicate, resulting in aging and inevitably death. The idea behind this theory is that if we are able to extend our ability to continue cell division, we will be able to prolong our lives.

Using the drug Metformin to prevent illness and degeneration – Even though Metformin has been used to treat diabetes for in excess of 60 years, scientists are currently testing the theory that the drug is beneficial to our body’s cells in other ways. Research has shown that it might be able to prevent some forms of cancer, as well as slow down aging by speeding up metabolism and cellular processes. Metformin also releases oxygen into cells, which is the building block of healthy ones.

Scientists also believe that a combination of these and other methods might be the key to longevity, and research continues to find ways of increasing the number of centurions on the planet.

Quantum Computers – The Future of Technology

Many life changing inventions surfaced during the 20th century, and one of the most important was the classic computer.  Most of the technology that we currently use is based on this, in one way or another. The fundamental building block of the computer is the bit, which can only exist in two states ‘0’ and ‘1.’ Algorithms which can be manipulated using either of these states are the basis on which computers currently solve problems. This creates limitations to the issues that a classical computer can address. In order to expand computing and our technological capabilities, researchers have turned to the development of the quantum computer.

In a quantum computer the building blocks, called qubits, can exist in the ‘0’ and ‘1’ states as well as any combination of both. This means that instead of being able to register one solution to a problem at a time, qubits would allow the computer to focus on all possible solutions at the same time! This theory is called quantum parallelism, and when applied to computing will create more effective and faster computers than classical ones. New algorithms are being created to apply to this technology, in order to enable quantum computers to solve some of the world’s hardest problems.

[image error]One of the areas that is greatly affected by any technological advancement is the medical field. Through the breaking down of DNA, medical research has proven that treatment which has been modified for each individual tends to be more effective. Even though they have identified that our genes are made up of protein molecules, medical researchers do not have technology that is currently able to analyse these proteins. Quantum computers will be able to map these in the same way that we are currently able to map DNA will a classic computer. This will be a tremendous leap in treating hereditary and deadly diseases, quickly and efficiently, based on an individual’s genetic makeup.

One of the differences between humans and computers is our ability to follow our instincts, and may be what determines life and death for many. Classic computers are currently used to try and pinpoint where and when terrorists may strike. Their ability to identify a target is based exclusively on facts. Quantum computers will be able to expand on this knowledge creating possibilities without having a definitive reason for doing so. In other words, using their intuition!

D-wave is a company that has taken the research into quantum computing to advanced levels. The processors that they have developed use ‘quantum annealing’ to solve problems. This means that they ‘tune’ qubits to return the set of answers which will provide the best possible solution, as well as a list of other options. Using this system D-Wave has developed their flagship product the 1000-cubit D-Wave 2X quantum computer, which is the most advanced in the world. With large companies such as Google, NASA, and the CIA’s In-Q-Tel investing in D-Wave’s technology, it will be no surprise if this is the beginning of an artificial intelligence to rival human capabilities.

Out-of-this-World Holidays – Commercial Space Flight

Most of us would love to be able to explore the far reaching corners of space, and shed some light on the mysteries of the universe. This dream of jumping into a space taxi and taking a trip to the moon is shared by Virgin Galactic, which has put together a team of rocket scientists, engineers and designers in order to ensure the possibility of this happening in the near future. The company believes that everybody should have the opportunity to explore space, and have set out to make this happen.

[image error]Steve Mann / Shutterstock.com

Founded in 2004, Virgin Galactic has had several setbacks during testing; including one which resulted in the unfortunate death of a test pilot. Recently they have made a giant leap forward in their research, however, with a successful solo glide test of their second VSS Unity.  Designed to be the first private airline into the vast unknown, the vessel was launched along with its carrier aircraft White Knight Two from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. VSS Unity was piloted by Mark Stucky and Dave Mackay, who were flying light and slow. After separating from the carrier the aircraft was able to glide back to the runway from an altitude of 50,000 feet, reaching a maximum speed of Mach 0.6 during the descent.

The vessel’s performance went extremely well and researchers are pleased with the results. The company’s representatives have stated that this is only the first of many glide flights from which they intend to collect and analyse data, in order to determine how the VSS Unity will be able to perform in a variety of real-world flight conditions. After an extensive amount of observation and calculation, Virgin Galactic plan to move on to the rocket powered phase of their test flight program.

An outspoken supporter of the work being done by Virgin Galactic, Stephen Hawking plans to be one of its first passengers. While safety is always the most important part of any program which needs to be taken into consideration, the company does have to move quickly if it is going to become the first to privatize space travel as there are several others that have similar missions. These include: Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which aims at making life multi-planetary, Blue Origin, which plans to be able to have humanity at the edge of space in as little as a year from now, and Bigelow Aerospace that is already drafting their design for a commercial space station. The race into space has certainly taken on a new meaning, and we all look forward to experiencing the results.