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Callie S

Space colonization - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - 0 views

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    Kaku talks about space colonization in the future. "Space colonization (also called space settlement, or extraterrestrial colonization) is permanent human habitation outside of Earth. Many arguments have been made for space colonization. A common one is ensuring the survival of human civilization and Earth's biosphere from disasters such as asteroid impact or global nuclear war. Another is helping to provide unlimited space-based solar power and other resources to let all human beings on Earth enjoy developed-world lifestyles with far less environmental damage, and eventually providing a High Frontier where any number of people may settle and thrive. After its successful Apollo project moon landings, the US NASA sponsored the first formal engineering studies of a space colony concept: Princeton professor Gerard O'Neill and colleagues' proposals to build space colonies and Solar Power Satellites (SPS) from lunar materials.[1][2] These proposals are striking for their boldness, level of detail and technical rigor. The thickness of metal beams needed to contain the colony's atmosphere and withstand rotation for artificial gravity was engineered. Chemical reactions to smelt them out of Moon rocks were worked out (by a young K. Eric Drexler, who later became famous as the founder of Nanotechnology).[3] The Moon rocks would be launched to the desired orbital location cheaply using O'Neill's electromagnetic mass driver. Modifying standard 1970s industrial productivity figures as needed (work in space suits would be slower; moving heavy objects in weightlessness easier than in factories on Earth), they estimated that the 10,000-person workforce housed in the first Island One colony could produce one giant SPS-capable of supplying 5% of total American electricity demand-each year. Yet the project timeline didn't call for producing the first commercial SPS until Year 22, and the huge investment-totaling almost $200 billion in 1975 dollars-wouldn't be fully repaid unt
Taylor B

Nanotechnology Now - News Story: "Engineers build "smart" pills for drug delivery" - 0 views

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    "Engineers build "smart" pills for drug delivery"
Molly S

Physics of the Future - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - 0 views

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    This page summarizes Chapter 3 (Future of the Medicine). "Kaku discusses robotic body parts, modular robots, unemployment caused by robots, surrogates and avatars (like their respective movies), and reverse engineering the brain. Kaku goes over the three laws of robotics and their contradictions. He endorses a "chip in robot brains to automatically shut them off if they have murderous thoughts", and believes that the most likely scenario is "friendly AI", in which robots are free to wreak havoc and destruction, but are designed to desire benevolence.[1]"
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    "Kaku discusses how Moore's law robotics will affect the future capitalism, which nations will survive and grow, how the United States is "brain-draining" off of immigrants to fuel their economy"
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    "Future of the Computer: Mind over Matter[edit] Kaku begins with Moore's law, and compares a chip that sings "Happy Birthday" with the Allied forces in 1945, stating that the chip contains much more power,[1][6] and that "Hitler, Churchill, or Roosevelt might have killed to get that chip." He predicts that computer power will increase to the point where computers, like electricity, paper, and water, "disappear into the fabric of our lives, and computer chips will be planted in the walls of buildings." He also predicts that glasses and contact lenses will be connected to the internet, using similar technology to virtual retinal displays. Cars will become driverless due to the power of the GPS system. This prediction is supported by the results of the Urban Challenge. The Pentagon hopes to make 1⁄3 of the United States ground forces automated by 2015.[1] Technology similar to BrainGate will eventually allow humans to control computers with tiny brain sensors, and "like a magician, move objects around with the power of our minds.""
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    "Future of Humanity: Planetary Civilization[edit] Kaku ranks the civilization of the future, with classifications based on energy consumption, entropy, and information processing. Reception[edit] "
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    Overview of chapter 6 on the Chemical Rockets "Future of Space Travel: To the Stars Unlike conventional chemical rockets which use Newton's third law of motion, solar sails take advantage of radiation pressure from stars. Kaku believes that after sending a gigantic solar sail into orbit, one could install lasers on the moon, which would hit the sail and give it extra momentum. Another alternative is to send thousands of nanoships, of which only a few would reach their destination. "Once arriving on a nearby moon, they could create a factory to make unlimited copies of themselves," says Kaku. Nanoships would require very little fuel to accelerate. They could visit the stellar neighborhood by floating on the magnetic fields of other planets."
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    Chapter two summary "Kaku discusses robotic body parts, modular robots, unemployment caused by robots, surrogates and avatars (like their respective movies), and reverse engineering the brain. "
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    "Nanotechnology: Everything from Nothing?"
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    "Unlike conventional chemical rockets which use Newton's third law of motion, solar sails take advantage of radiation pressure from stars. Kaku believes that after sending a gigantic solar sail into orbit, one could install lasers on the moon, which would hit the sail and give it extra momentum. Another alternative is to send thousands of nanoships, of which only a few would reach their destination. "Once arriving on a nearby moon, they could create a factory to make unlimited copies of themselves," says Kaku. Nanoships would require very little fuel to accelerate. They could visit the stellar neighborhood by floating on the magnetic fields of other planets."
William C

Nanorobotics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - 0 views

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    nanotechnology is a branch off of nanotechnology. they are small machines that can be used for anything. "Nanorobotics is the emerging technology field creating machines or robots whose components are at or close to the scale of a nanometer (10−9 meters).[1][2][3] More specifically, nanorobotics refers to the nanotechnology engineering discipline of designing and building nanorobots, with devices ranging in size from 0.1-10 micrometers and constructed of nanoscale or molecular components.[4][5] The names nanobots, nanoids, nanites, nanomachines or nanomites have also been used to describe these devices currently under research and development"
Palmer C

Wind Energy Pros - 0 views

  • Cons of Wind Energy Wind is highly variable. Wind speed varies by numerous factors, including weather, location and season, so not all places are appropriate for wind energy. At Inn Serendipity, we rarely overproduce electricity during the summer months. Equipment requires a sizeable upfront investment, depending on the size of system selected. To meet the needs of a modest hobby farm, like ours (after energy conservation and efficiency efforts have been exhausted), a 10 kW system that costs $40,000 to $70,000 would be needed to become a net producer of electricity on an annual basis. Evaluating projected wind-system output is difficult due to variability of turbine design and production conditions. “Wind turbines are not created equally,” Hippensteel says. “Some require considerably more maintenance and service than others.” Living with a renewable energy system demands a more energy-mindful way of living. After any big storm, we check our inverters in much the same way that our farmer neighbors check on their animals. State or municipal zoning laws may result in expensive hearings or possibly prevent you from erecting a tower of sufficient height. NIMBYism: Some neighbors may voice objections to the sight or sound of a swishing turbine. While possible harm may be done to birds, research studies, such as one by the National Wind Coordinating Committee, have found that collisions with windows in buildings and vehicles, capture by outdoor cats, as well as poisoning due to chemicals cause far more avian fatalities than encounters with residential wind systems. Depending on location, securing capable technicians or service workers for possible repair or maintenance can add significant costs to owning a system.
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    "Pros of Wind Energy Wind is renewable, freely available and tax-free. Farm businesses may even be eligible to receive a wind-production tax credit. No pollution or waste is generated by the system's operation. Depending on the wind turbine selected, the equipment can be low-maintenance. In general, the more complex the system and the moving parts, the more likely repairs or maintenance will be needed. (Note: After five years, our 10 kW Bergey's generator and inverter required no special repair.) A growing number of utility companies offer simple net metering contracts. (More than 40 states have net metering according to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.) Under net metering, a wind energy system owner would receive credit for at least a portion of the electricity they generate. There are numerous statewide wind-energy financial incentives, according to Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. Numerous national manufacturers of wind turbines have proven reliability track records, including Bergey, Proven, Abundant Renewable Energy, Wind Turbine Industries Corp., and Southwest Windpower, according to John Hippensteel, and engineer with Lake Michigan Wind and Sun, Ltd. Land within the acre or two needed for a residential wind turbine can still be used for pasture, gardens or other agricultural purposes. In our experience-as as noted by the American Wind Energy Association, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and others-as of 2009, wind is the most cost-effective source of renewable energy, especially when compared to solar electric (photovoltaic) systems. Depending on the system and electricity rates, which continue to rise, your investment might break even in about 17 years."
Micah K

What is Nanotechnology? - 0 views

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    the term nanotechnology was coined back in the 80s by K. Eric Drexler. I'm sure at the time it wasn't much more than a science fiction dream, but now it is a very real technology. "When K. Eric Drexler (right) popularized the word 'nanotechnology' in the 1980's, he was talking about building machines on the scale of molecules, a few nanometers wide-motors, robot arms, and even whole computers, far smaller than a cell. Drexler spent the next ten years describing and analyzing these incredible devices, and responding to accusations of science fiction. Meanwhile, mundane technology was developing the ability to build simple structures on a molecular scale. As nanotechnology became an accepted concept, the meaning of the word shifted to encompass the simpler kinds of nanometer-scale technology. The U.S. National Nanotechnology Initiative was created to fund this kind of nanotech: their definition includes anything smaller than 100 nanometers with novel properties."
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    "A basic definition: Nanotechnology is the engineering of functional systems at the molecular scale. This covers both current work and concepts that are more advanced. In its original sense, 'nanotechnology' refers to the projected ability to construct items from the bottom up, using techniques and tools being developed today to make complete, high performance products." This is the definition of what nanotechnology is-building something from almost nothing.
Kellie C

HowStuffWorks "How will computers evolve over the next 100 years?" - 0 views

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    "To call the evolution of the computermeteoric seems like an understatement. Consider Moore's Law, an observation that Gordon Moore made back in 1965. He noticed that the number of transistors engineers could cram onto a silicon chip doubled every year or so. That manic pace slowed over the years to a slightly more modest 24-month cycle."
Hunter Hayes

Google driverless car - 1 views

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    i don't believe this will work in the long run "The Google driverless car is a project by Google that involves developing technology for autonomous cars. The software powering Google's cars is called Google Chauffeur.[2] Lettering on the side of each car identifies it as a "self-driving car." The project is currently being led by Google engineer Sebastian Thrun, director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and co-inventor of Google Street View. Thrun's team at Stanford created the robotic vehicle Stanley which won the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge and its US$2 million prize from the United States Department of Defense.[3] The team developing the system consisted of 15 engineers working for Google, including Chris Urmson, Mike Montemerlo, and Anthony Levandowski who had worked on the DARPA Grand and Urban Challenges.[4]"
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    The Google driverless car is a project by Google that involves developing technology for autonomous cars
Callie S

How Technology Has Changed Our Lives in the Last Five Years - The Center of Technology - 0 views

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    "Over the last five years, technology has been rapidly changing and expanding in every field imaginable. Smart phones are now capable of acting as standalone computer devices that can take pictures, search the Internet, send emails and text messages and yes, they even make phone calls. While it might seem that the technology of today has reached its limits, it is still actually spreading its proverbial wings. Only twenty or so years ago, personal computers were becoming small enough and affordable enough for families to buy them for home use. Since then, the world of technology has shown no signs of slowing down and practically every device available today is somehow tied to computer technology. It seems hard these days to fathom the original size of computers and how small they have become in the last ten years, but within the last five years they have become even smaller and somehow more powerful and faster than ever before! The Internet allows people to connect with family, friends, and work colleagues from across the globe in the push of a button. Communication options have literally exploded in the instant avenues of text and video based chat as well as the near instantaneous method of email. Gone are the days where one had to post a letter and wait a week or more for a response and long distance phone calls are unnecessary for anyone with a computer, a webcam, and a speedy Internet connection. Automobiles are now being manufactured with standard GPS and emergency call features for the convenience and safety of drivers and their passengers, making the days of carrying a map completely unnecessary and improving the peace of mind of anyone who must travel the roads alone or at night. Computerized cars are now potentially at risk in much the same fashion as a personal computer as a moderately skilled hacker can theoretically take over basic functions of a vehicle - including its engine. Yes, technological advancement has changed our lives completely, and not al
Micah K

HowStuffWorks "Nanotechnology Cancer Treatments" - 2 views

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    "But nanotechnologists think they have an answer for treatment as well, and it comes in the form of targeted drug therapies. If scientists can load their cancer-detecting gold nanoparticles with anticancer drugs, they could attack the cancer exactly where it lives. Such a treatment means fewer side effects and less medication used. Nanoparticles also carry the potential for targeted and time-release drugs. A potent dose of drugs could be delivered to a specific area but engineered to release over a planned period to ensure maximum effectiveness and the patient's safety." Nanotechnology can be a better, more efficient way of getting rid of cancer cells.
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    This seems like a great website to use. It backs up all of its statements with facts, so we know we can rely on it. I know this source will come in handy later because it actually explains how nanotechnology is used in some medical fields. I also know this is reliable because they list the sources that they used. This seems like a very official site to use.
Luke Soko

The 100-Year Plan for Space Travel - 0 views

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    In this article you will find key information to begin the great researching stage of this project. While reading this website you learn that one of the main goals of DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and NASA are to create an Interstellar Spaceship that would be able to travel to stars that are light years away. This project is what they will be focusing a majority of their research on and giving grants to separate organizations to help them carry out this goal. They are hoping to develop this spaceship in the next 100 years and are hoping to use futuristic technologies such as thermonuclear engines, or sending vehicles across the galaxy by bouncing laser beams off their sails to help create these spaceships. They are also offering to accept new ideas such as anti-gravity engines, and plasma shields. This website holds very useful information.
William C

Comes the smart pill - 0 views

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    "Engineers at the University of Florida (USA) have created a housing that incorporates a tiny microchip and antenna and, after administration, warns that a patient has taken his medicine. According to Rizwan Bashirullah, creator of the invention, the smart pill could be very useful in patients who forget if you have taken medication, or just clueless and do not take it daily. The pill consists of a capsule containing a microchip and an antenna that is printed on its surface using non-toxic ink of silver nanoparticles . The antenna is biocompatible and dissolves almost 100%. When the pill is swallowed, the microchip is communicated to a small external electronic device (which could be incorporated into future mobile phone), which in turn sends a message to a phone or a computer, informing both the patient and the doctors and family members if necessary. According to the American Heart Association, the main problem in treating illness today is that no medical requirements are met . Recent studies show that chronically ill patients only take half of the pills prescribed . And that 10% of hospital admissions due to this lack of consistency. Even 218,000 deaths annually are attributed to this problem. "Using technology to remedy may be a good idea," says Bashirullah."
William C

Nanotechnology Introduction - 0 views

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    "The term "nanotechnology" has evolved over the years via terminology drift to mean "anything smaller than microtechnology," such as nano powders, and other things that are nanoscale in size, but not referring to mechanisms that have been purposefully built from nanoscale components. See our "Current Uses" page for examples. This evolved version of the term is more properly labeled "nanoscale bulk technology," while the original meaning is now more properly labeled "molecular nanotechnology" (MNT), or "nanoscale engineering," or "molecular mechanics," or "molecular machine systems," or "molecular manufacturing." Recently, the Foresight Institute has suggested an alternate term to represent the original meaning of nanotechnology"
Andrew DelVecchio

MIT Nuclear energy page - 0 views

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    This site is from MIT, it talks about their nuclear energy program and other people's ideas. It also talks about their nuclear fusion reactor. Their reactor is the same as the one in the book, this makes it a useful site to cross reference the information in the book. This site is reliable because it comes from MIT, a university known for its science and engineering programs.
Peyton Wade

What is a Solar Sail? - 0 views

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    "A solar sail, simply put, is a spacecraft propelled by sunlight. Whereas a conventional rocket is propelled by the thrust produced by its internal engine burn, a solar sail is pushed forward simply by light from the Sun." This site gives great information on how solar sails work and how efficient they are. The text describes how solar sails can accelerate indefinitely. It also mentions how large they generally are. This information can be useful for certain research points and help clarify what a solar sail really is. This site is most likely reliable because websites ending in ".org" are typically reliable. It has very sound research, as well.
William B

Be aware of the problems of organ printing and the future of artificial biology - 0 views

  • (NaturalNews) Organ printing, or the process of engineering tissue via 3D printing, possesses revolutionary potential for organ transplants. But do sociological consequences follow? Organ printing offers help to those in need of immediate organ transplants and other emergency situations, but it also pushes the medical establishment towards utilizing artificial biology as an immediate means of treatment over sound nutrition and preventative treatment. The hasty technological advancement towards organ printing is offering surgery-happy medical establishments even more ways to use invasive medical practices.
  • The creation process of artificial tissue is a complex and expensive process. In order to build 3D structures such as a kidney or lung, a printer is used to assemble cells into whichever shape is wanted. For this to happen, the printer creates a sheet of bio
  • paper which is cell-friendly. Afterwards, it prints out the living cell clusters onto the paper. After the clusters are placed close to one another, the cells naturally self-organize and morph into more complex tissue structures. The whole process is then repeated to add multiple layers with each layer separated by a thin piece of bio-paper. Eventually, the bio-paper dissolves and all of the layers become one.To get a further understanding of the methodology, it is important to understand the current challenges that go along with 'printing' artificial organs to be used in human bodies.As of now, scientists are only able to produce a maximum of about 2 inches of thickness. "When you print something very thick, the cells on the inside will die -- there's no nutrients getting in there -- so we need to print channels there and hope that they become blood vessels", explains Thomas Boland, an associate professor at Clemson University.
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  • Blood vessels feed organs in the body, keeping them alive and working. Without blood vessels, the organ cannot function. This is the problem scientists are currently facing with organ printing.Using the patient's own cells as a catalyst, artificial organs may soon become mainstream practice among treatment centers worldwide. As the health of the nation delves down to record negatives, organ printing may be the establishment's answer to a number of preventable conditions.Organ printing is relatively new, and the idea of printing new organs sounds very much like science fiction. But it is on its way to becoming a reality. It is more than just a possibility that 50 years from now people will be walking around with a new lung printed in a lab.
Taylor B

Smart Pills, Called Advances Digital Medicine - 0 views

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    "Advances in nanotechnology in the medical field, to which we now have so-called "smart pills", created to monitor the health status of a patient with its sensors barely a millimeter thick"
Jenna A

Nuclear Thermal Rockets - 0 views

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    "Nuclear thermal rockets, or NTRs for short, are rocket engines that utilize a nuclear fission reactor to heat propellant instead of igniting combustible propellants."
Taylor B

Researchers Work on Smart Drug Development Using Nanotechnology - 0 views

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    ""We are developing smart drugs that determine which are the cancer cells and which aren't, then selectively kill only the cancer cells."'
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