By far the coolest thing I've seen since Saturn's rings and moons:
Sticky light
Showing posts with label science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label science. Show all posts
4.07.2011
3.29.2011
WTF moment of the day
This slime materials mover is just absurdly cool to watch in action. At first it seems like there's not much purpose to it, but you can totally imagine it might come in handy in a laboratory setting, working with a variety of different materials. It could also be handy in art, really. Picking up media and moving them to a precise spot has a lot of potential.
I had a conversation with someone about it where we also recalled a nanotechnology exhibit at the Museum of Life & Science in Durham. The exhibit showed surface materials composed of nanoscale tech that was meant to imitate the way water rolls off cabbage leaves without the regular surface tension water displays when rolling on other things. I guess this is a similar phenomenon to what happens when water rolls off a duck's feathers. Biomimicry at its finest.
It's interesting to think of how difficult we find it to imitate what occurs automatically in nature (though I suppose nature has billions of evolution-years on us).
I had a conversation with someone about it where we also recalled a nanotechnology exhibit at the Museum of Life & Science in Durham. The exhibit showed surface materials composed of nanoscale tech that was meant to imitate the way water rolls off cabbage leaves without the regular surface tension water displays when rolling on other things. I guess this is a similar phenomenon to what happens when water rolls off a duck's feathers. Biomimicry at its finest.
It's interesting to think of how difficult we find it to imitate what occurs automatically in nature (though I suppose nature has billions of evolution-years on us).
11.15.2010
Late, but interesting
I wonder where all the naysayers are who thought Apple could never achieve 3m ipad unit sales. I'd love to know how much salt is needed to eat one's words.
Apple's 3rd-quarter results.
Apple's 3rd-quarter results.
8.24.2010
Keep it classy
I'll probably post more sporadically from here on out, as school has started again. This semester will be trial by fire, since I'm taking 100% concentration classes, and will be doing major project work. Still, I'll try to post things as I come across them.
On that note, I thought this report was interesting. Ultimately, it posits that landfilling may have a lower carbon footprint than recycling in some situations. I'm a realist, and I don't necessarily assume this isn't true. Still, I'd be interested to see the actual Life Cycle Analyses and determine what factors were included (or, perhaps more telling, whether any factors were excluded).
On that note, I thought this report was interesting. Ultimately, it posits that landfilling may have a lower carbon footprint than recycling in some situations. I'm a realist, and I don't necessarily assume this isn't true. Still, I'd be interested to see the actual Life Cycle Analyses and determine what factors were included (or, perhaps more telling, whether any factors were excluded).
8.03.2010
They can't take that away from me
Noooo! Yet another thing scientists have taken away from me. First the Brontosaurus, then Pluto as a planet, and now the Triceratops?!
I don't know if I can handle this. My childhood is slowly crumbling around me, like so many stale cookies. Maybe I'll just refuse to believe it.
I don't know if I can handle this. My childhood is slowly crumbling around me, like so many stale cookies. Maybe I'll just refuse to believe it.
7.13.2010
7.09.2010
In less creepy news...
A discussion on how sustainability and energy efficiency are ultimately at odds. While I disagree that energy efficiency does nothing for the environment (the first goal of an individual or organization should always be to reduce), I do agree that the overarching goal should be a move to clean energy.
On that note, a solar plane just completed a history-making 24-hour flight. While this isn't going to revolutionize air travel tomorrow, it points to pretty awesome future potential.
And now, a final note on how the quality and sustainability movements converge. I've sort of hinted at this territory before with logistics quality, and HBR published a nice article on this in April (it's worth checking out), but it bears repeating.
On that note, a solar plane just completed a history-making 24-hour flight. While this isn't going to revolutionize air travel tomorrow, it points to pretty awesome future potential.
And now, a final note on how the quality and sustainability movements converge. I've sort of hinted at this territory before with logistics quality, and HBR published a nice article on this in April (it's worth checking out), but it bears repeating.
"Uncanny" is perhaps an understatement
A Canadian filmmaker has replaced his eye with a video camera. I'm kind of creeped out that I think it's awesome. So, so awesome. And yet, a shining example of what exactly roboticists mean when they discuss the "Uncanny Valley."
*shudder*
*shudder*
6.24.2010
interesting news
Proposed new food guidelines are more focused on less.
As the blog's author notes, there'd need to be some major changes in policies, but here's one blogger crossing my fingers.
As the blog's author notes, there'd need to be some major changes in policies, but here's one blogger crossing my fingers.
5.15.2010
clearing out my reader
and sharing some neat links in the process. Something for everybody!
1. What is the world's most recycled product? You may be surprised.
2. An article about the wheels of change a-turnin' in China, and the Communist government's endgame set in motion.
3. Beautifully designed, naturally-inspired zipties. In concept, anyway.
4. EXPLOSIONS IN PANORAMA! A 360-rotatable panoramic video of the demolition of the old Texas Stadium.
5. Nature at its finest. It reminds one that the word 'awe' is meant to invoke both amazement and fear.
6. I WANT TO GO TO THERE. Smashing recyclable bottles for sport.
1. What is the world's most recycled product? You may be surprised.
2. An article about the wheels of change a-turnin' in China, and the Communist government's endgame set in motion.
3. Beautifully designed, naturally-inspired zipties. In concept, anyway.
4. EXPLOSIONS IN PANORAMA! A 360-rotatable panoramic video of the demolition of the old Texas Stadium.
5. Nature at its finest. It reminds one that the word 'awe' is meant to invoke both amazement and fear.
6. I WANT TO GO TO THERE. Smashing recyclable bottles for sport.
3.31.2010
It's driving me out of my mind; that's why it's hard for me to find
(apologies to Bel Biv Devoe)
Have been in a bit of a whirlwind couple of weeks, what with homework, strategy games, case competition things, and planning a hugely major event, but I give you this thoughtful video from Durham-based Cree, Inc. Makers of quite impressive LED lighting.
I wonder how it affects the payback period when you factor in the effects of incandescent on heating and cooling. Also, I wonder how you'd quantify the additional carbon emissions and footprint reduction.
Have been in a bit of a whirlwind couple of weeks, what with homework, strategy games, case competition things, and planning a hugely major event, but I give you this thoughtful video from Durham-based Cree, Inc. Makers of quite impressive LED lighting.
I wonder how it affects the payback period when you factor in the effects of incandescent on heating and cooling. Also, I wonder how you'd quantify the additional carbon emissions and footprint reduction.
2.27.2010
on the future of energy
Recently I spoke with someone who works over the renewable energy division of a large utility provider. Based on blogs and industry-related articles, it's sometimes a concern that renewable energy is just a sort of fad that will pass. My gut says otherwise, but it's as though folks in the industry don't want to get too optimistic about the chances that cleantech will stick around this time.
With that said, here are some things that make me think cleantech (and, nastily, I include fusion/fission, and biomass) will have some sticking power this time around.
Exhibit A:
My bank, in Texas, is buying carbon offsets from a wind provider. It's a bank geared toward military service members, who are fairly skeptical--at best--about environmental issues.
Exhibit B:
Intel is placing itself at the fore of cleantech VC investments, along with seasoned energy VC firms like Khosla and Braemar. A company built on the high-tech industry sees not only merit in cleantech, but also profit potential.
Exhibit C:
This Bloom Box is only one of so many really cool technologies I've spied in the pipeline. Other really great prospects include edge-collecting solar which is 2x as efficient and 1/4 as expensive as traditional PV, non-traditional wind capture systems, advancements in nuclear, and Thorium-powered nuclear reactors, but that's only scratching the surface. I still think, though, that the future of energy belongs to the one who can create an efficient, clean, cost-effective way to store energy that has been collected from cleantech. Also, the one who figures out a way to reduce the overall footprint of a global supply chain.
I'm workin' on it, folks. ;)
2.06.2010
Worm food.
So tonight my housemate and I assembled a pretty quick & dirty vermicompost bin. I'm pretty excited about this, especially since they took away the compost bin from the apartments next door as they began the renovations. I'm looking forward to a healthy, bountiful garden this year (dangit!), and I'm hoping the little red wigglers can help me out in that respect. All that remains is to buy the actual worms (though our garden may turn some up over the next day or so).
The nice thing about vermicompost bins is that, in addition to requiring less maintenance and processing time, worm bins are less smelly, despite the fact that you're basically turning the contents into worm poop. In fact, the only time it smells is if you're doing something wrong, so it makes a great built-in alarm bell. In the end, the worm "castings" are one of the richest, safest forms of fertilizer, and they're pH neutral (like water!).
Anyway, there are any number of ways to build a vermicompost bin, but the simplest worm composter involves taking an opaque 18-gallon rubber tub with lid, drilling holes along the top and bottom of the bin, and throwing in some damp newspaper, a couple handfuls of soil, some leaf litter, and cardboard, then placing it over a drain tray and covering it. This is what we did, and it took all of 5 minutes from start to finish. I know it's rather nerdy, but I'm eagerly awaiting a vibrant worm bin.
On that note, I leave you with what is by now a classic youtube viral: the disgusting sewer worms under Cameron Village in Raleigh, NC.
The nice thing about vermicompost bins is that, in addition to requiring less maintenance and processing time, worm bins are less smelly, despite the fact that you're basically turning the contents into worm poop. In fact, the only time it smells is if you're doing something wrong, so it makes a great built-in alarm bell. In the end, the worm "castings" are one of the richest, safest forms of fertilizer, and they're pH neutral (like water!).
Anyway, there are any number of ways to build a vermicompost bin, but the simplest worm composter involves taking an opaque 18-gallon rubber tub with lid, drilling holes along the top and bottom of the bin, and throwing in some damp newspaper, a couple handfuls of soil, some leaf litter, and cardboard, then placing it over a drain tray and covering it. This is what we did, and it took all of 5 minutes from start to finish. I know it's rather nerdy, but I'm eagerly awaiting a vibrant worm bin.
On that note, I leave you with what is by now a classic youtube viral: the disgusting sewer worms under Cameron Village in Raleigh, NC.
2.02.2010
The depressing news on antidepressants
is that, apparently, they're no more effective than placebos.
As one who has both experienced depression and known many people who sought treatment for (or otherwise fought) depression, I'm hesitant to believe the figures. The idea is that, in this study, people believed they were getting either antidepressant or placebo, right? So the results led the scientists to believe that antidepressants are only effective because people believe them to be.
On the other hand, there are only two major studies to have concluded this, and their research may not even have a statistically significant sample size.
One thing I agree on is that medication shouldn't be the first or only course of treatment. All treatment should be accompanied by ongoing therapy of some sort. The problem then becomes: how do we get mental health treatment for all who need it? Insurance plans, for those lucky enough to even be insured, often have incomplete to basically-no coverage of mental health care. Moreover, some employers stigmatize mental health care such that it's better to struggle with it internally than get treated and be ineligible for employment.
What's wrong with this picture?
As one who has both experienced depression and known many people who sought treatment for (or otherwise fought) depression, I'm hesitant to believe the figures. The idea is that, in this study, people believed they were getting either antidepressant or placebo, right? So the results led the scientists to believe that antidepressants are only effective because people believe them to be.
On the other hand, there are only two major studies to have concluded this, and their research may not even have a statistically significant sample size.
One thing I agree on is that medication shouldn't be the first or only course of treatment. All treatment should be accompanied by ongoing therapy of some sort. The problem then becomes: how do we get mental health treatment for all who need it? Insurance plans, for those lucky enough to even be insured, often have incomplete to basically-no coverage of mental health care. Moreover, some employers stigmatize mental health care such that it's better to struggle with it internally than get treated and be ineligible for employment.
What's wrong with this picture?
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