A new source of energy - electricity produced from the air

A new source of energy - electricity produced from air

Watching the lightning during a thunderstorm, a natural desire to curb this powerful electrical energy and direct it for the benefit of mankind. And at a recent Boston 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston), in his report, Professor Fernando Galembek (Fernando Galembeck) from the University of Campinas (University of Campinas) told of the discovery, which may be a first step toward that dream. His laboratory experiments were conducted to obtain an electric current from the atmosphere.

In an environment of humid air sprayed tiny particles of silica and aluminum phosphate. Over time, particles of quartz acquired a negative charge, and aluminum phosphate - yes, that created a potential difference to form an electric current.

Based on data obtained during the research, scientists are developing a device that can receive energy virtually out of nowhere, moving from humid air. Scientists believe these devices will become an alternative to solar cells in areas with high humidity, where high clouds and a little light. Also mounted on tall buildings, will be able to remove built-up tension in the air, carrying out, in addition, the function of lightning rods.

At the end of the report, among his colleagues broke Discussion. At the discussions there were questions about the validity of the results and practical applications. After the charge, thus obtained is incredibly small, many, many times less solar cell produced. However, all agreed in one opinion that studies are interesting and worth continuing.

Kites with airborne wind turbines

Kites with airborne wind turbines

The idea of ​​using the winds of the upper atmosphere to produce energy has been put forward about four decades ago, but in While it was technically not feasible. Now, using new materials and advanced technology, on the realization of the idea of ​​working a few companies. Energy Joby - one of them. Its design is similar to a huge kite that supports a lot of turbines.

The push required for vertical take-off kite is made of motor generators associated with the turbines, and the orientation of the wind monitoring computer, which differentially regulates the speed of the rotor to keep it, if you move in a circle. Winds passing through the turbine generators are forced to work at high speed. Electricity generated by the turbines is transmitted to the base via a leash made of composite materials, which strengthens the entire structure to the ground on earth.

Initial tests were conducted at an altitude of 600 meters to the formulation of about 30 kW of energy. However, the turbines are designed to work them into the upper atmosphere, where the wind is much stronger and, consequently, power generation will be much greater. The second factor to boost power, driven by higher numbers of turbines, mounted on mnogokrylom snake.

Mr. Bevirt of Energy Joby company said that the system is designed to withstand strong winds and the period of complete absence of wind. She is able to take off and land, depending on weather conditions. The design takes into account various emergency situations up to break the cable and the refusal of several systems. The ultimate goal is to expand such power in the world to produce a supply of cheap and clean electricity.

Glowing trees could replace street lights

Glowing trees could replace street lights

A bright golden light of street lamps can be replaced in the near future on a fluorescent green light from the leaves. Scientists from Academia Sinica (Academia Sinica) and the National University of Cheng Kung (National Cheng Kung University), located in the cities of Taipei and Tainan (Taiwan, China) was implanted in the plant leaves glowing gold nanoparticles, similar in shape to sea urchins, known as "Bio-emitting diodes."

The new nanoparticles could replace electric lighting of the streets "biological light" and will help to ensure that carbon dioxide is absorbed by 24 hours a day.

"In the future, with the help of bio-LED roadside trees can provide enough light to illuminate the streets at night" - the researchers say. "It will reduce energy consumption, plus everything is absorbed by carbon dioxide, since the bio-luminescence light-emitting diodes, as in ordinary sunlight, plants will photosynthesize (ie, to form organic compounds from carbon dioxide and water)."

Chlorophyll, the green pigment that determine color of chloroplasts in green plants, and with the participation of which the photosynthesis is known for its ability to absorb light of a certain range. However, under certain conditions, such as the presence of violet light, chlorophyll can give yourself glow. If the pigment is affected by light with a wavelength of about 400 nanometers, usually green chlorophyll begins to "glow" red. Violet light achieved quite difficult, especially at night when illuminated leaves will need drivers and pedestrians. Scientists needed a source of violet light, which was found in nanoparticles of gold.

When short wavelengths of light invisible to the eye, working on gold nanoparticles, they begin to glow violet light. This violet light has an effect on the chlorophyll molecule, excites them and begins to exude pigment red light.

Scientists believe that the bio-LEDs will give enough light to the streets in the city are bright at night, as usual with us a night light. They can safely replace electric and gas lights.

Today, however, scientists have not yet completed work on the experiments in this field, and the glowing plants can be seen only in laboratories, such as aquatic plant Bacopa caroliniana.

"To be able to talk about the land plants that grow in the streets, further research is needed - says Krishanu Ray (Krishanu Ray), a scientist from the University of Maryland (University of Maryland), College Park. "In the near future can be seen glowing in the dark trees, but there is still a lot of work."

The largest solar tracker is set in South Carolina

The largest solar tracker is set in South Carolina

tracker - This is a technical device that can track the sun, ie, monitor the movement of the sun from sunrise in the east and sets in the west. Taking into account that the sun rotates follower of the sun, the solar panels are configured so that all day long to be directly opposite the sun, thus significantly increasing their power.

The German company IMO introduced the largest solar tracker, set in South Carolina, which has an area of ​​491 sq.m. and height of 16 m. The efficiency of the system increased by 30% due to the two rotational axes of sun tracking. As a result of which power generation is about 42 000 kWh per year, equal to the amount of energy generated by burning 15-a-half tons of coal and, correspondingly, to reduce emissions of 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to planting 6700 trees.

Opening ceremony will take place on December 14, 2010. At the opening act will be experts and public figures. We will talk about renewable energy and economic development.

Solar tunnel between Paris and Amsterdam

Solar tunnel between Paris and Amsterdam

Between Paris and Amsterdam opened the tunnel, covered 16 thousand solar panels. They provide electricity to a train passing by, moving at a speed of 300 km / hour. The length of the tunnel is 3600 m. This is the first project of its kind implemented in Europe. The cost of solar panels produced by Belgium's Enfinity, amounted to 14.14 million euros. They cover an area equivalent to the area of ​​eight football fields. In addition to that obtained with the help of their energy goes to work trains, electricity is also used for the needs of the city of Antwerp. Each year, the solar panels will generate 3.3 thousand megawatt-hours, which can cover the electricity needs of about 950 families.

According to specialists, the battery installation will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 47.3 million kg over the past two decades.

Supersooruzheniya: Petronas Towers

Supersooruzheniya: Petronas Towers

Petronas Twin Towers - a 88-story skyscraper, the height of each of which is 451.9 meters. Interestingly, the roof height 378.6 m and a total height of the building is achieved by a spire. Are these towers in Kuala Lumpur (the capital of Malaysia). Petronas Towers today are among the five highest buildings in the world, and from 1998 to 2004, they held first place in this ranking.

Designing a skyscraper going on with the participation of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who offered to do it in the Islamic style. As a result, the complex has the form of two eight-pointed stars, and dome shapes reminiscent of mosques.

Construction of the towers lasted 6 years (from 1992 to 1998) under the guidance of architect Cesar Pelli. Originally the building site was selected a site that was later proved not suitable for such a heavy building. The reason for this was the composition of the soil of the site. Later, the construction site was chosen territory of the former racetrack.

The device is the foundation, which is the largest concrete foundation in the world, it took about 13 thousand cubic meters. meters of concrete. The length of piles supporting the amounts to almost 390 feet. The entire complex, which was created around the Petronas occupies 40 hectares.

Skyline suffered serious similar steel buildings as well as for its construction using special reinforced concrete. To decorate the facades of glass used (there are only 32 thousand windows).

towers are equipped with powerful luminous elements that are visible from afar. This light serves as a safety feature to flying aircraft did not touch the tower. And illumination enabled Petronas to join the beautiful buildings of the country and become one of the most notable skyscrapers of the world than is particularly proud of Malaysia.

Boasts Petronas and its underground parking, which also accommodates up to 4.5 thousand vehicles. To do this, building an original system for the connection between the floors. Comfortable and fast elevators are double-decker, the first "floor" elevator stopped only on odd floors, and the second - only on the even.

to the twins famous Celestial Bridge (SkyBridge) situated at an altitude of 170 m above the ground between 41 and 42 storeys. Its length is 58 meters, and the dead weight - 750 tons.

Skyscraper Petronas more office job. One of the towers is completely the same title company and the other tenants occupy, there are offices, exhibition and conference halls, an art gallery.

To date, the Malaysian skyscraper altitude record surpassed only United Arab Emirates with his brainchild Burj Dubai, a Taiwanese tower "Taipei 101" and the Shanghai World Financial Center.

gScreen spacebook - a laptop with a sliding screen

gScreen spacebook - a laptop with a sliding screen

In the fourth quarter of 2009, an American company gScreen plans to market a unique product - a laptop with a sliding LCD the screen. The idea of ​​using a laptop a few screens is not new, but its realization is quite rare. In the present novelty screens with a diagonal 15.4 "arranged one above another. In the case of two simultaneous screens, they can be separated as a closet door.

The configuration of the model is planned as follows:
- 2 LCD screen;
- OS: Windows VISTA / WIN XP PRO (optional)
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8400 2.26-GHz
- Memory: 4 GB of RAM (2GB DDR2 SO-DIMM x 2)
- Hard Drive: 320GB 7200-rpm
- Video Card: NVIDIA ® GeForce ® 9800M GT with 512MB dedicated memory
or NVIDIA ® Quadro FX 1700M Graphics with 512MB dedicated memory
- Battery: 9-cell battery
- Interface: IEEE 1394 1 Graphics Card Output (15-pin, D-Sub) X 1, HDMI X 1 Mic-in X 1 , Line-in x 1, Headphone X 1 PCI Express Card X 1
- Power Supply: AC Power Adaptor Output: 19V DC, 90W Input: 100 ~ 240V AC, 50/60Hz universal Battery Pack Li-ion 9 cells

Avatar - new technologies in the industry

Avatar - new technologies in the industry

Science-fiction film "Avatar", released in 2009, is joint US-British product, directed by James Cameron. Already in its first weekend rental "Avatar" has collected $ 21 million in Russia, $ 73 million in the U.S., and $ 232 million in total worldwide.

The film is called a revolutionary breakthrough in the technology of filmmaking, it was first used a specially designed motion capture system (performance capture).

Previously, when filming movies such three-dimensional motion capture system was common. Cameron shared it, and in the film for capturing facial expressions replied camera, mounted on the head and body movements rented a separate remote camera. This has ensured the absolute realism of characters: Suspended equipment recorded the facial expressions, muscle movements, eye movements with unprecedented accuracy to this (with this method about 95% of actions of actors passed their digital copies). A remote camera crew team gave the film a much wider space for motion capture, compared with the same features it had increased by 6 times.

Unlike previous motion capture systems, where the digital environment is added after the movement of the actors were captured, a new virtual camera allowed him to keep track of Cameron with the monitor as virtual copies of the actors interact with the digital world cinema mode real-time. Director could regulate and control the scenes as well as in normal shooting with conventional actors.

The virtual camera director does not see the actors against the background of film studios and movie characters in the rainforest.

The new approach allows the crew partially deny service to make-up artists and technicians who are responsible for the creation of images of aliens, werewolves, witches, demons and other figures. Now you can be anyone or anything else, choose the age, sex change, even without spending time on the complex make-up, which also causes discomfort.

This technological innovation was not the end. The film is made in stereoscopic three-dimensional format. To do this, the director used his own technology «Reality Camera System» with two high-resolution cameras that increase the depth perception.

The film is 40% consists of live action and by 60% - of computer graphics. This new level of gaming and computer movie. To create the world's Avatar took more than a petabyte (1,000 terabytes) of digital storage space to store all the computer-graphics film assets (plants and animals, insects, rocks, mountains and clouds, etc.). For comparison, in the film Titanic took only 2 terabytes to create (and flooding), and ship thousands of passengers.

Electronic football

Electronic football

To date, almost all sports disciplines are inextricably linked with innovative technologies: the athletes everything from equipment to ordnance, fulfilled with the latest technology, with using the best modern materials. And football is no exception. FIFA members have not left a desire to create a ball that will be able to solve all instant controversy among its members, providing them with the most accurate and the only true information.

So, at CeBIT in 2003, was presented with a small soccer ball chip inside. Even then, this chip could make the camera will automatically follow the flight of the ball, or to resolve contentious issues on the subject of animals, off-sides. The problem of development was only in mounting the chip inside the pumped air ball.

In 2005 the company Adidas and Cairos Technologies was conducted successful joint test of its electronic version of the ball, which can accurately determine its position on the field and transmit the coordinates to the judges. At the same time these chips were created for the players.

At the beginning of 2007 at the International Stadium in Yokohama, FIFA introduced an improved version of the electronic ball called Teamgei2t co-production of the same Adidas and Cairos Technologies. The ball had only one unusual feature, it signaled crossing the goal line with a 100 -% accuracy. The encrypted signal is transmitted to the official judges watch the match. This version of the ball was tested at the World Cup - FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2007, December 7-16.

Despite the heavy loads during the game, the chips are suspended in the center of the 12 banners, have not received any damage. Externally, the ball did not differ from normal balls.

And finally, the 2010 version, dubbed "CTRUS", namely, transparent electronic football, who do not have to inflate. Moreover, its physical characteristics comparable to conventional football. Inside is the design of complex shape, and the outside "CTRUS" covered with a shell of reinforced elastomer, making it more flexible than the previously used balls. In concept, too, and laid these "chips" as the conversion of kinetic energy into electrical energy and light balls in different colors depending on the situation on the field.

The mechanism for moving the walls, collected in two vacuum cleaners

The mechanism for moving the walls, collected in two vacuum cleaners

Only two conventional vacuum cleaner to 15 euro It took a British teenager to navigate the steep wall as good as Spider-Man.

For the past five months, two and a half hours a day, Kono Hibiki (Hibiki Kono), a student at King's College School (King's College School) in Cambridge, worked on his unusual device. Resourceful schoolboy combined two companies Tesco Value vacuum capacity of 1400 watts, put your hands on the air suction nozzle and the square used them as a restraint mechanism on the wall.

Hibiki Kono admitted that he is a longtime fan of Spider-Man. "As a child I often dressed as Spider-Man. I love movies about him. And I like to climb the walls like it" - said Kono told reporters.

Hibiki successfully tested his invention, the wall climbing school, and he says it's "not scary, and it is fully confident in the car." He also admitted that her mother delighted with his idea, but it does not allow him to climb the walls of the bedroom out of fear that he would bring down the ceiling.

Jabulani - the official ball of the World Cup in 2010

Jabulani - the official ball of the World Cup 2010

December 4, 2009 the company Adidas and FIFA presented the ball " ; JABULANI »- the official ball of the World Cup in Africa. The name «Jabulani» comes from the indigenous Zulu tongue, which is one of the eleven official languages ​​of South Africa. It says 25% of the population of South Africa. Literally translated, the name of the ball translates to "celebrate." The design goals are 11 colors, which symbolize the 11 field players and 11 languages ​​of South Africa, 11 South African communities.

The official ball of World Cup 2010 was developed by the revolutionary technology. The company took into account some tips Adidas players on the last ball of the official Adidas Europass, which sometimes behave unpredictably in the air.

Tire «Jabulani» consists of eight 3D-shaped panels with termopoliuretanovyh underlay layer of foam EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), covering a harmonious inner frame. Thanks to new technology, the ball is innovative and a round surface. Unique as the very form of panels, and the technology of their production for the first time before the first bend termosshivkoy panel to give the ball perfectly round and as a consequence, the maximum fine, stable and level flight path. After the first test, the players all over the world enthusiastically looking at targets that will achieve a new ball.

Surface of the ball is made of technology «grip'n'groove» - at her in a certain order marked longitudinal bar mikrovypuklosti and "grooves" that provides a more stable trajectory of the ball, as well as a perfect grip under all footwear at weather conditions.

The ball meets all the requirements FIFA:

circumference.
- Standard FIFA: 68.5-69.5 cm,
- Jabulani: 69.0 + / - 0.2 cm

surface.
- Standard FIFA: a maximum of 1.5% of the difference between the parts,
- Jabulani: maximum 1.0% difference.

Water absorption:
- Standard FIFA: weight gain maximum +10%,
- Jabulani: 0% weight gain (rain new ball is absolutely frightening!)

Weight:
- Standard FIFA: 420-445 grams,
- Jabulani: 440 + / - 0.2 gram.

Jumping:
- In a standard test FIFA ball rises to a height of two meters ten times and dumped out onto a steel plate. The difference is the rebound can not be greater than 10 cm
- I still stricter Jabulani - bounce must be no less than 143 cm and not more than 149 cm

Pressure Loss: Measured over three full days after pumping.
- Standard FIFA - 20% of the maximum pressure loss,
- Jabulani: 10% maximum loss.

Strength: expels the ball in the steel plate 2,000 times at a speed of 50 km per hour. After this test, allowed only minimal changes in air pressure and loss of roundness. The air valve and stitching must remain undamaged.
- Standard FIFA: 2000 cycles at 50 km / h,
- Jabulani: 3500 cycles at 50 km / hr.

The giant Rubik's cube the size of 17x17x17

The giant Rubik's cube the size of 17x17x17

Which just bizarre forms did not take the Rubik's cube - a well-known puzzle, invented in 1974 (and patented in 1975) Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Erno Rubik. Yet the classical form of a cube so far the most popular. However, the tireless inventors and designers and are trying to complicate the simple increase in the number of elements at the edges. It was previously shown blocks the size of 11x11x11, 12x12x12, now the band released a giant Rubik's cube the size of 17x17x17.

The amazing engineering masterpiece assembled from parts in 1539, the width and height of each of its sides is about 14 centimeters. The author's ideas and put it into practice - Oscar van Deventer (Oskar van Deventer). After two unsuccessful attempts made earlier, the decision of details have been found, every element of this puzzle was made to the 3D-printer and rasskrashen manually. Painting took 10 hours, whereas the assembly of Cuba took another five.

Officially puzzle will be available in February in New York, at the same time we plan and lay out the video for demonstration. The cost of toys at the moment is $ 2006.

The most realistic simulator pilot

The most realistic simulator pilot

German Aerospace Center (DLR) is developing an original simulator, which creates the most realistic illusion of flight. The cockpit is installed on a movable mechanical arm of the popular attraction "Robocoaster", able to rotate in all directions. In this mechanism itself is also moving along the guide rails 10 meters long, which creates the feeling of acceleration.

Using the cockpit-capsules with solid screens across the inner surface allowed to create the most realistic picture, which complement the background noise recorded in real flights. Thus the device acts on all the main senses of the operator, submerging it completely in virtual reality.

Simulator is unique in the fact that it allows you to simulate movement on almost any form of transport from car to jet fighter. For flight simulation used ready-made customizable templates with aircraft of different weight and power, as well as a variety of weather conditions.

Features of the new simulator is very broad. Currently, the prototype has some limitations for safety reasons, for example, disabled a simulation of collision with the ground, battle damage, etc. Also in the cockpit provides the emergency stop button of the program, which returns a capsule in a horizontal position and lowers it to a safe altitude.

Art Project - the largest museums in the world in an interactive project Google

Art Project - the largest museums in the world in an interactive project Google

Google and 17 major museums in the world February 1, 2010 year, announced the launch of large-scale art project Art Project, which allows from anywhere via the Internet to get to the museum halls and see the pictures in an unprecedented high resolution.

The London gallery Tate, Madrid, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Paris Versailles, as well as two Russian Museum - The State Hermitage and the Tretyakov Gallery (TG) - just some of the participants, who combined their collections with powered by Google.

Art Project - a thousand pictures, placed in the Internet space and 385 rooms, Stitch (360) technology used for the well-known service Google Maps Street View, which gives the possibility of virtual tours.

Interface of the new service gives the user a lot of possibilities - from detailed examination of works of art, to study the history of the work, the history of museums themselves and information about the artists. Interactive functions allow you to create your own album and share them with other users, go to related videos on YouTube, and so on.

In addition, each museum has chosen one painting from his collection for the filming of ultra-high resolution - about seven billion pixels - on its own technology Google.

The Tretyakov Gallery, for example, chose the work of Alexander Ivanov, "The Appearance of Christ to the people" in Moscow visited the Google team with their equipment and lighting, and shooting one of the pictures taken almost daily.

The project authors suggest that while the service is gaining momentum, there is no implementation timeframe, as well as limitations on the number of participants. For example, if one of the first museums were not included some of the world's most famous museums, this only means that at the moment for various reasons they do not participate, but can join the Art Project later.

Project website: Google Art Project

Battery, powering the whole house

Battery, powering a home

American researchers have created a battery capable of producing up to 20 kilowatt-hours. This is enough to power up on the day the whole house. The battery works in conjunction with sodium and sulfur. Sulfur-sodium batteries - this is a secondary chemical current source, known for its high specific energy, in which the anode is sodium, electrolyte - sodium aluminate (solid electrolyte), the cathode - a mixture of elemental sulfur with graphite. The main disadvantage of using such a battery is the high operating temperatures (above 300 degrees Celsius) and the associated risk of ignition of sodium.

However, the researchers say they have good connections to work already at 93 degrees Celsius. The secret of this battery is the presence of the ceramic membrane, which separates the sodium and sulfur. The positive sodium ions pass through the membrane, leaving the electrons, which in turn and create electricity. Ceramatec says that the batteries will be ready for entry into the market in 2011, with a cost of approximately $ 2,000.

Portable Hard Drive Verbatim SureFire FW800

Portable Hard Drive Verbatim SureFire FW800

External Hard Drive Verbatim SureFire from the same company deserves the good reviews, primarily because of its practicality and small size.

It all started with a small disk, the owner of which at one time seemed not only advanced, but megaprodvinutym person in the IT-sphere. To date, the amount of information is necessary to have daily increased in a lot of times, and even more capacity flash drives is not enough. So there were an external hard drive.

The company Verbatim, it can be said is the direction of removable media from the moment they are born. So new Verbatim SureFire is also developing the company's experts and in contrast to the previous model are practical and light weight.

In addition to a similar size hard drive impresses potential clients, mostly working in the IT-sphere, for which the optimization of the site - it's not outlandish phrase, and everyday work, rather appreciable capacity, the presence of a complete USB-cable, and sometimes irreplaceable the manual.

Speaking of the appearance of the device, you can tell that the designers did their best, combining practicality and style, as the matte finish does not leave on the surface of fingerprints, and, of course, is resistant to scratches, which is suitable for the number of people who love to carry these devices in their pockets - and why not? It should be noted that apart from Verbatim SureFire elegant body, which performs more functions and heat transfer, equipped with miniature rubber feet, allowing negate the already small vibration during operation.

Of course, the format 2.5''is not so widely distributed among external hard drives, which leads to the popularity of this model, especially among fans of new products, as well as professionals who have dedicated such a sphere of activity as site promotion> and work in the IT-sphere - this means earning a living. Although in addition a number of obvious advantages over previous models justifies this choice one hundred percent. By the above-mentioned advantages can be added to the excellent exchange rate of USB2.0 and FireWire. It should be noted and the compatibility of the device with the technology of Automatic Acoustic Management, which makes it almost universal.

The company Verbatim, which put on the market for computer technology Verbatim SureFire and is now on the crest of a wave. Hopefully it will delight us with new developments in the future.

The model is available in 250 GB, 320 GB and 500 GB, a rotational speed of 5400 revolutions per minute, there is a cache of 8 MB. These drives come with HFS + file system and is compatible with Time Machine on systems Mac OS X Leopard.

• 7-year warranty from the manufacturer!


• Portable Portable Hard Drive


• The body is made of lightweight, durable aluminum


• The surface is resistant to the appearance of fingerprints


• Comes with carrying case and connecting cable


• Compatible with all ports USB


• Support for FireWire 800


• Weight: 186 g


• Dimensions (W x H x D): 81 x 128 x 15 mm


• Formatted for Mac computers and is ready to use with Time Machine


• The package includes: hard drive, USB 2.0 cable, power cable for USB, FireWire 800 - 400 cable, FireWire 800 - 800 cable, User Manual, protective case.

C-17 Globemaster III made its first flight on biofuel

C-17 Globemaster III made its first flight on biofuel

The U.S. Air Force Base Edwards (Edwards Air Force Base, California) during the period 23 to August 27, 2010 passed flight tests, during which the American military aircraft transportnyy Boeing C-17 Globemaster III made its first flight on a mixture of conventional fuel grade JP-8 and biofuels.

During the test was first used a mixture of 50% JP-8, to 25% - of the fuel produced by processing of beef fat, and 25% - of biofuels made from recycled coal. During the test flight is a mixture of fuel fed to the first one engine, then two and so on. Thus, during the last test flight, a mixture of biofuels and JP-8 was applied to all engines transporter; C-17 is powered by four turbofan jet engines.

Earlier flight on biofuel in the United States have already committed attack A-10 Thunderbolt II fighter and F/A-18 Super Hornet. It should be noted that these aircraft flew on a mixture of 50 percent of JP-8 and the same amount of fuel derived from false flax, cabbage family plants are not used for food. In flight, the C-17 fuel derived from coal and animal fat was used for the first time.

In the U.S., a program to convert all aircraft on the new type of fuel that would allow the military to save considerable money to buy kerosene. As expected, the Air Force, being the largest consumer of fuel in the U.S., transferred all of its planes on biofuel by 2016, all military aircraft must obtain a certificate of fitness for use of biofuels by 2012.

In November 2009, the U.S. Air Force began to establish a Center for Fuel Studies aerospace industry. This center will develop an alternative fuel for fighter jets, which in term will generally not use the traditional jet fuel in aircraft. On the establishment of the center will be spent around $ 2.5 million.

Source: www.af.mil

Explosion on the Moon - LCROSS mission is completed

Explosion on the Moon - LCROSS mission is completed

October 9, 2009 year in 11:31:20 UTC / 4:31:20 PDT (15:31 Moscow time) research probe LCROSS (Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite) on a predetermined plan, hit the surface of the lunar crater Cabeus. In the beginning, served their , the step of «Centaur», which flowed at 2.5 km / c, faced with the moon and knocked out from the surface of the Earth's satellite about 350 tons of lunar rocks, making thus a test crater. The collision came a pillar of lunar dust in height Nine kilometers. About 4 minutes apparatus LCROSS studied the composition of the dust, after which he ran with the moon.

Three spectrometer installed on the LCROSS, looking for traces of water ice in the dust particles was determined by their chemical composition. In addition, five cameras were filming collision until the last moment of existence of the probe. All of the cameras immediately transmitted to Earth.

During the clashes are a few dozen professional observatories, such as telescopes behalf of the Keck 10 m in diameter and four-meter infrared instrument on IRTF in Hawaii, as well as mnogozerkalny Telescope MMT, located above the Arizona desert. By the way, LCROSS launch date is to adjust the location of a Hawaiian observatory - the best island observatory in the world. orbiter to study the lunar surface, NASA LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) also witnessed a double collision, only this time from space.

Source: http://blogs.nasa.gov

WiMAX-communicator for Russian users

WiMAX-communicator for Russian users

The manufacturer HTC commissioned by the Russian company "Scartel" made the first batch of WiMAX-communicators, especially adapted for use in Russia.

The fact that the company "Scartel" won first place in Russia on the distribution of WiMAX-communicator HTC production, gives users the right to expect high quality and excellent functionality of the new communication device. However, some are confused by the fact that the main competitors' Scartel "is still not found the event of any threat to themselves - whether provision of WiMAX technology in the market communicators actually quite pointless, or intelligence of competitors all together make a mistake, when advised not to get involved in the fight for market supply of WiMAX services. Whatever it was, but the correctness of an assumption, we learn later.

To Russia will ship HTC T8290, which is a communicative device that works with the standards as GSM, and with and WiMAX. The average operating frequency is then equal to 2.5 GHz.

As the device is equipped with a system of OSes Windows Mobile 6.1. Also, in the presence of a digital camera (5 mega pixels), GPS-navigation and gravitational centers. Heart device - the processor to 528 MHz, listing the amount of flash memory, equal to 512 MB and 256 MB of RAM provided. Standard screen - touch screen - 9.5 cm on the diagonal, with a working resolution of 480x800 pixels. It is very convenient navigation is implemented, and sensors can operate anything - including your fingers.

The rear panel has a logo Yota, which is one brand name under which the "Scartel" wants to promote technology WiMAX. Today in Moscow and St. Petersburg has a network of "Scartel," but by the end of the year its plans to expand another thousand base stations to make a better cover.

Actually, according to a company of competent professionals "Scartel" your order has decided one of the biggest problems of unpopularity technology WiMAX, because until now in Russia were absolutely no devices that can operate with WiMAX. In addition, networks, and then there are still not there, because there was very WiMAX-receiving device. Say what you will - but a good idea, but what will come of this - see later.

The company has put HTC in Russia so far only about a thousand communicators, but at the moment it comes to buying large quantities. Estimated price communicator - about twenty-two thousand, and for those interested in just to inform you that on the front panel logo emblazoned HTC.

By the way, the client company initially took care of the amateur video, and ordered a model that has a fairly large screen with decent resolution, able to convey the beauty of the quality of what is happening on the screen quality on the monitor.

There is information that was originally designed device should perform the command "Lebedev Studio", but due to existing differences of some cooperation with the famous designer has been abandoned.

On the solution of "Scartel," ordered his own device for their needs, other companies, users of WiMAX, it was a lot. Thus, practically all the opinions agreed that the technology is more suitable for notebooks. For example, Catherine Neva - the company spokesman, "COMSTAR - United TeleSystems" JSC was of the view that the network posed by the firm to be more effective for laptops with built-in WiMAX-adapters from Intel. Such a network in Moscow already exists, and will be launched before the end of this year.

Actually, by the company "Scartel" had previously been forced to make another firm - "Sky Link", due to the fact that in her work are important devices that support is not very common in the Federation standard CDMA-2000 / 450.