Harvesting Solar Energy Using Nanotechnology
Saturday, July 31st, 2010
Solar energy is still only a promise as costs are still uneconomic compared to conventional (and generally eco-unfriendly) electricity generation methods. Many are looking to nanotechnology to provide economic solutions.
It had been observed that single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) absorb light strongly and convert the light into heat. SWCNTs are particularly sensitive to light in the near-infrared (NIR) region. This effect has already been used in cancer treatment.
Researchers in China have now discovered that the heat can be converted into electricity. This involved exposing NIR light to buckypapers, i.e. thin sheets made from aggregates of carbon nanotubes. The experiment showed that SWCNT sheets are potentially good IR sensors.
By integrating a large number of two different types of SWCNT sheets (p-type and n-type) in a series to fabricate the power source, a significantly higher voltage output was obtained by the researchers. The output was a macroscopic voltage exceeding 0.1 V. The conclusion of the researchers is that by integrating more elements, larger outputs can be obtained.
The researchers hope that by optimizing the sheet structure, performance can be improved. Other scientific problems also need to be tackled before a practical device for harvesting solar energy or sensing infrared is developed.
Read the news at NanoWerk Spotlight.
Tags: nanotech energy solutions, nanotechnology, solar energy harvesting
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Speed Limit Information for Car Drivers
Friday, July 30th, 2010
One would think that with all the technology developments, something as simple as capturing the speed limit information displayed across roads and providing this information in a visible-without-fail manner to car drivers would have been implemented long ago. Yet the fact is that this has so far been a neglected field, leading to the drivers having to face angry police officers for over speeding. Many times, the driver might have exceeded the limit by mistake, particularly where the limit is variable depending on specific conditions.
The ‘ultimate driving experience’ car company BMW has now implemented such a system. The system works using cameras mounted on wing-mirrors. The cameras pick up speed limit displays, on metal surfaces or digital, along the road and project the information on the heads-up display. Accuracy of the information is sought to be ensured by comparing the information picked up by the camera with satellite navigation data, using the car’s computer.
The system only provides information without forcing the driver to drive at that speed.
The system comes as standard with the new BMW 7 Series and is an extra option in the 5 Series. BMW’s rival, Mercedes, is yet to offer the option, according to reports.
Read the report at CarAdvice.
Tags: BMW, car speed limit, information technology applications
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Google Apps: Government Version Available
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
Google Apps is an office suite that includes the traditional word processing, spreadsheet and other documents, plus email, calendar and instant messaging. It is a Web application, meaning that the user does not have to purchase any hardware or software. It also means that the user can access the application from anywhere over the Internet, with a guarantee of 99.9% uptime.
Google says that the suite supports access of information over mobile phones, thus making employees more productive. They can access their email, calendar and instant messages using Blackberry, iPhone, Windows Mobile, Android and other phones.
The applications can be customized to meet the technical, branding and business requirements of individual organizations.
Security features include spam and inbound mail filtering, filtering of outbound mail to prevent sensitive information going out, custom sharing rules that determine how broadly employees can share documents and SSL connections, among others.
Google has announced that a new version of the Apps suite specifically designed for government customers is now ready. The major difference of this version from the standard one is the higher level of security. The company had to provide for the “enormous amount of controls” needed as per Federal Information Security Management Act before getting a certification.
Read the news at CNET News.
Tags: cloud computing, google apps, information technology
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Nanofiber from Cellulose: Keynote Topic at Nanotech Conference
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Nanofibers have a diameter of 100 nanometers or less. Textiles and filters made of nanofibers have better functionality compared to traditional materials. The potential for their applications are wide, as a few illustrative examples below show:
* Medical applications in tissue engineering and artificial organs
* Protective masks against chemical and biological attacks
* Textile applications for different kinds of specialized apparel, including baby diapers
* Filters used in different industries and systems
* Napkins with antibodies against biohazards
Nanofibers can potentially be made to assemble at injury sites and also to self-braid, making them ideas in certain applications.
Nanofibers can be made from different materials, both organic and inorganic. Carbon nanofibers, “ceramic” nanofibers from materials such as silicon dixide and nanofibers from cellulose are examples.
The 2010 International Conference on Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry to be held during September 27-29, 2010 at the Dipoli Congress Centre in Espoo, Finland. The conference, which has the theme “Getting Down to Business with Nanotech Products” will have a keynote presentation from Dr. Hiroyuki Yano on the “Potential of Cellulose Nanofiber-Based Materials.” Dr. Yano is a Professor at the Research Institute of Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, who received a Ph.D. in wood science from the university in 1989.
Read the conference announcement at TAPPI website.
Tags: nanofiber, nanotech conference, nanotechnology
Posted in nanomaterials, nanotechnology | 2 Comments »
India Develops a Computer to be priced $35
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
A low cost access-cum-computing device was unveiled by India’s Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal on July 22. The device is expected to cost Indian Rupee 1500 (around US $35) when it becomes available in 2011, and is meant primarily for students and teachers.
The device has a touch-screen and video-conferencing facility, and uses a memory card instead of hard disk to store data. Reports also mention that it will come with an unzip tool, multimedia content and a searchable PDF reader. Development work is now in progress to make the device work on solar power.
The computer has been developed using mostly parts available off-the-shelf though some new technology involved is being considered for patenting. The ultimate aim is to reduce the price to $10 and research will be continued at Indian Institutes of Technology and other technical institutions to achieve the price, and also quality, goals according to the minister.
The issues of distribution and connectivity are being worked out to reach 200 million children across the country. Nearly 8,500 colleges already connected under the National Mission on Education through Information and Technology (NMEICT) program. High quality e-content is being developed at these colleges and this content will become available to children through the low cost computing device.
For fuller details, read the news at The Hindu.
Tags: education delivery, information technology, low cost computing device
Posted in education, education delivery, information technology | No Comments »
Incentives for meaningful use of IT for Health Records
Monday, July 26th, 2010
The U.S. government has finalized the rules to explain what is meant by meaningful use of Electronic Health Records that enable healthcare providers to claim incentive payments from the government. The programs fall under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or the “HITECH Act”. Under the act, eligible professionals and hospitals that adopt, implement, upgrade or demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology will be eligible for the payments under Medicare and Medicaid EHR.
The programs will begin in 2011. The overall aim of the programs is to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of patient healthcare, and is being established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
An initial rule for the program was published and over 2000 comments were received on it by CMS by the last date of March 15, 2010. On July 15, 2010, the final rule was released. A fact sheet on the final rule has been published at CMS website. The fact sheet provides the background and highlights the relevance of EHR. Basically, EHR makes a patient’s health information available when and where it is needed instead of being locked in one office or another.
Tags: health information technology, hitech act, information technology
Posted in healthcare, information technology | No Comments »
A Compact but Comprehensive Look at Biotechnology
Sunday, July 25th, 2010
Do you know that biotechnology started quite early with such developments as producing wine by fermenting fruit juices and conversion of milk into cheese and yoghurt? These and other topics of interest to those wondering about the potential of biotechnology constitute the editorial content at volume 13 of Redalyc.
The compact piece points out that modern biotechnology started with the ability to transfer a specific gene from one organism to another, using genetic engineering techniques. Known as recombinant DNA technology, this development started the biotech revolution. The biotechnology revolution provided us with applications in disease prevention and treatment, among many others.
One important development is personalized medicine, which involves tailoring treatment to the genetic characteristics of the individual patient. Personalized medicine recognizes the fact that a person’s genetic make up can determine whether a particular treatment is effective for that person or not. It has been observed that the same treatment does not work for all people even when the disease being treated is the same.
The editorial also mentions about the widely varied degree of biotechnology research and development in developed countries like the U.S. and developing countries like Colombia. It observes that the developing countries are forced to use the products developed in advanced countries instead being able to develop products of their own.
The document can be downloaded from Redalyc.org website.
Tags: biotechnology developments, biotechnology research
Posted in biotechnology | 1 Comment »
Biotechnology: What is its real Significance?
Saturday, July 24th, 2010
Biotechnology is attracting attention in more and more countries with research facilities being set up in universities and other institutions in developing countries as well as developed nations. What exactly is its significance? What contributions has the industry made? What is its future potential?
A recent report from BIO, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, titled “Healing, Fueling, Feeding: How Biotechnology is Enriching Your Life” seeks to answer these questions. The intro page of the report starts with some great statistics:
* reduce CO2 emissions annually by 32 million tons simply by lowering the temperature of washing clothes and dishes
* protect 241 million people worldwide from malaria
* ensure no child ever goes hungry
* stop chronic diseases from causing seven out of every ten deaths every year
…
The biotechnology industry believes that it can meet these and other goals that thinking people consider as absolutely essential to create a world that is a better place to live, compared to the planet that we live in now. Biotechnology has already created many “breakthrough products and technologies to combat disease, reduce our environmental footprint, feed the hungry, and make useful products.” Most of us are not even aware of the many biotech applications we see in our homes and workplaces.
Learn how the ability of biotechnology to work with cellular and molecular processes are changing everything from the Value of Biotechnology Report.
Tags: biotech contributions, biotechnology
Posted in biotechnology | 2 Comments »
Biotechnology in Vietnam
Friday, July 23rd, 2010
Vietnam has developed demonstrated skill base in electronics, computing and software and has been able to attract both domestic and overseas investments in these fields. Not so well known is the biotechnology research in the country. Vietnam has recognized that biotechnology can help the country improve healthcare, as demonstrated by the biotech remedies developed in technologically advanced countries for hemophilia and detection of genetic diseases.
Developing countries like Vietnam face health problems such as increasing incidence of chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer, organisms that cause TB and malaria that acquire increasing resistance to conventional drugs, and outbreaks of infectious diseases like the flu. Biotechnology can help in this context by developing better preventive, diagnostic and treatment tools.
Researchers at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City had conducted a series of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments starting mid 1990s. PCR is a DNA-based diagnostic method for quickly and accurately detecting pathogens and its use has expanded rapidly since then. It is being used widely in Vietnam now to detect various local influenza viruses, and diagnosing malaria and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Well equipped biotechnology research facilities, such as the Institute of Biotechnology and the Military Medical University in Hanoi with microarrays, high-resolution electron microscopes and mass spectrometers, are being established in the country. These institutions are able to carry the research into fields other than PCRs.
Read the report of one top researcher in Vietnam at SciDev.net.
Tags: biotech research, improved healthcare, vietnam
Posted in biotechnology, diseases, research equipment | 2 Comments »
Biotechnology Applications in the Textile Industry
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
Biotechnology improves crops by tailoring their properties or transferring properties from one organism to another. Both these processes involve working with the organisms’ genes (that determine genetic characteristics), made possible by advances in genetic engineering.
Genetic engineering has already benefited the textile industry and promises much more. For example, cotton, which is the leading fiber used by the textile industry, is vulnerable to attacks by many insects. Cotton also has poor tolerance against herbicides used to kill weeds in irrigated cotton fields. By working with the genes of the crop, scientists are hoping to develop insect and herbicide resistant varieties of cotton.
Another objective is to develop cotton varieties that will be naturally colored, say blue or vivid red, so that bleaching and dyeing of textiles can be eliminated. Research is also going on to provide other desirable properties at a genetic level.
In Australia, sheep is being “engineered” to secrete an insect repellant from its hair follicles to resist attacks from blowfly, and also stop hair growth so that wool can be “pulled off” instead of being sheared. Shearing wool from sheep is a cumbersome and time-consuming process.
Biotechnology is helping not only such genetic engineering results but is also helping in disease diagnostics and new forms of therapy, for example.
Read the great post on biotechnology applications in textile industry at The World of Snark.
Tags: biotechnology, crop science, genetic engineering, GM crops
Posted in biotechnology, crop science, genetic modification | No Comments »
