On October 19th 2014, scientist at the Australian National University announced that they had created a reversible tractor beam. Dr. Vladlen Shevdov and Dr. Cyril Hnatovsky say that they have created a long range optical tractor beam that uses a hollow laser.
The tractor beam is capable of moving particles that are one fifth of a millimeter in size, a distance of 20 centimeter, which is 100 times further than any previous experiment. The ANU tractor beam uses the energy of the laser to heat up particles and the air around them. The team at ANU used gold coated hollow glass particles in their demonstration.
The ANU tractor beam works by trapping the particles in the dark center of the laser. Energy from the beam hits the particles and travels across their surfaces where it is absorbed, creating hot spots. When air particles collide with the hot spots, they shoot away from the surfaces of the gold particles, causing them to recoil in the opposite direction.
The gold particles where then manipulated by changing the polarization of the laser beam. The polarization was changed by altering the shape of the laser from a doughnut shape to a star shape (axial), or a ring shape (azimuthal). Moving smoothly from one polarization to another causes the particle to stop or reverse its direction.
The ANU team say that because lasers can retain the quality of their beams over long distances, their tractor beam could possibly work over meters.
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Lockheed Claims Fusion Breakthrough
On October 16th 2014, Lockheed Martin announced that it had made a breakthrough in fusion technology that would allow them to create a Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR). The breakthrough is the result of a 10 member team in Lockheed's Sunk Works, or advance technologies division.
Nuclear fission is the process that is used in current reactor technology. It is the process of splitting atoms, and can leave waste products that can contaminate the Earth seemingly forever. Nuclear fusion, on the other hand, is the process that powers the sun. And, just as it sounds, atoms are fused together to create energy. The resulting wastes products are far less radioactive with a shorter length of decay.
A fusion reactor makes use of a hydrogen isotope known as deuterium, which is found in sea water, and tritium which is derived from lithium. The most notable fusion reactors have so far all been of the Tokamak variety. A tokamak generates energy by fusing ions into a super heated gas known as plasma. The plasma is so hot that it can only be contained by means of magnetic constriction.
The difference between the CFR or T4, as Lockheed has named it, is the design of the magnetic containment vessel. A tokamak uses a toroidal or doughnut shaped containment design, which can only hold so much plasma before reaching its beta limit. This reduces the tokamak's ability to produce as much energy as it consumes. The Lockheed design makes use of magnetic field confinement, but in linear rings, or "cusps." The CFR also makes use of axisymetric mirrors, which are magnetic fields that reflect any particle that might escape the vessel. This helps the CFR be more efficient.
The size and cost of a tokamak can also be extreme. The current Tokamak project being constructed in France is the ITER, an international effort that costs about $50 billion and when completed will be an estimated 100 feet high and will weigh approximately 23,000 tons. Because the Skunk Works team expects to also use a self tuning feedback system and particle recirculation, Lockheed contends that the CFR will be able to operate at 90% of the size of a tokamak. This means that it will most likely have a physical footprint of no more than 7 feet by 10 feet.
The CFR project is in its early stages, but the Skunk Works team at Lockheed believe that they can have a prototype up and running within the next five years, with use in military applications in 10 years. In twenty years, Lockheed expects to deliver a working fusion reactor to the rest of the world.
Nuclear fission is the process that is used in current reactor technology. It is the process of splitting atoms, and can leave waste products that can contaminate the Earth seemingly forever. Nuclear fusion, on the other hand, is the process that powers the sun. And, just as it sounds, atoms are fused together to create energy. The resulting wastes products are far less radioactive with a shorter length of decay.
A fusion reactor makes use of a hydrogen isotope known as deuterium, which is found in sea water, and tritium which is derived from lithium. The most notable fusion reactors have so far all been of the Tokamak variety. A tokamak generates energy by fusing ions into a super heated gas known as plasma. The plasma is so hot that it can only be contained by means of magnetic constriction.
The difference between the CFR or T4, as Lockheed has named it, is the design of the magnetic containment vessel. A tokamak uses a toroidal or doughnut shaped containment design, which can only hold so much plasma before reaching its beta limit. This reduces the tokamak's ability to produce as much energy as it consumes. The Lockheed design makes use of magnetic field confinement, but in linear rings, or "cusps." The CFR also makes use of axisymetric mirrors, which are magnetic fields that reflect any particle that might escape the vessel. This helps the CFR be more efficient.
The size and cost of a tokamak can also be extreme. The current Tokamak project being constructed in France is the ITER, an international effort that costs about $50 billion and when completed will be an estimated 100 feet high and will weigh approximately 23,000 tons. Because the Skunk Works team expects to also use a self tuning feedback system and particle recirculation, Lockheed contends that the CFR will be able to operate at 90% of the size of a tokamak. This means that it will most likely have a physical footprint of no more than 7 feet by 10 feet.
The CFR project is in its early stages, but the Skunk Works team at Lockheed believe that they can have a prototype up and running within the next five years, with use in military applications in 10 years. In twenty years, Lockheed expects to deliver a working fusion reactor to the rest of the world.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
ICANN Expands Domain Names
In October 2013, ICANN, (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), began releasing new domain names for registration. In October 2014, ICANN approved hundreds of some 1,930 applications for domain names. Names like .coffe, .email, and .xyz, are now available.
Under its gTLD, (generic top level domains), program, ICANN intends to help facilitate competition and innovation, feeling that this will create a globally inclusive internet, regardless of language. A change like this will allow many businesses an opportunity to highlight their brand in more a direct way. Getting the word out will be the next priority for ICANN, as it is most likely that most of the world does not yet know about the new domains.
Some of the other domains that are now available are, .imb, .channel, .pizza, .business, .auction, and the list goes on. If you are a musician you may be interested in the domain, .band, which is also available.
Under its gTLD, (generic top level domains), program, ICANN intends to help facilitate competition and innovation, feeling that this will create a globally inclusive internet, regardless of language. A change like this will allow many businesses an opportunity to highlight their brand in more a direct way. Getting the word out will be the next priority for ICANN, as it is most likely that most of the world does not yet know about the new domains.
Some of the other domains that are now available are, .imb, .channel, .pizza, .business, .auction, and the list goes on. If you are a musician you may be interested in the domain, .band, which is also available.
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
New Qunatum Teleportation Record
On September 21st 2014, scientists at the University of Geneva announced that they had successfully teleported the quantum state of a photon to a crystal encased photon 25 kilometers away. This experiment breaks the old record of 6 kilometers also set by the University of Geneva back in 2003.
The experiment was performed by creating a state of entanglement of two photons via a laser, then sending one of the photons through a fiber optic cable, while simultaneously sending the other photon to a crystal where it was stored. Then, a third photon was sent through the fiber optic cable where it collided with the first photon effectively destroying both photons.
When the scientists measured the results of the collision of the two photons, they discovered that the quantum state information of the third photon had not been destroyed. It had, however. made its way into the crystal where the second photon had been stored. This verified that the quantum state of a photon can be preserved with the two photons not needing to come into physical contact with each other. The crystal then became a memory storage point.
While all of this may not seem very exciting, the possibilities for future applications are phenomenal.
In fact, quantum encryption may one day make it possible for instantaneous communications, which would be great for future deep space missions or missions to Mars. One day, we might see a quantum internet that makes use of quantum routers that don't destroy the quantum information.
The experiment was performed by creating a state of entanglement of two photons via a laser, then sending one of the photons through a fiber optic cable, while simultaneously sending the other photon to a crystal where it was stored. Then, a third photon was sent through the fiber optic cable where it collided with the first photon effectively destroying both photons.
When the scientists measured the results of the collision of the two photons, they discovered that the quantum state information of the third photon had not been destroyed. It had, however. made its way into the crystal where the second photon had been stored. This verified that the quantum state of a photon can be preserved with the two photons not needing to come into physical contact with each other. The crystal then became a memory storage point.
While all of this may not seem very exciting, the possibilities for future applications are phenomenal.
In fact, quantum encryption may one day make it possible for instantaneous communications, which would be great for future deep space missions or missions to Mars. One day, we might see a quantum internet that makes use of quantum routers that don't destroy the quantum information.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Microsoft Goes From 8.1 to Windows 10
On September 30th 2014, Microsoft announced the coming of it next OS. But, instead of Windows 9, as most bloggers and tech analysts had anticipated, the new operating system will be called Windows 10. Microsoft says that the new OS will be compatible with a broad range of devices and wanted a name that would reflect the operating system's redesign and new approach.
As is well known by now, Windows 8 has been very slow to be adopted. Many consumers despised the removal of the start menu in favor of the Windows Metro design, which featured its Live Tiles. The change in Windows 8 was an effort to take advantage of the growing usage of the touch screen technology of mobile devices. But, many desktop users were lost when trying to use the interface with mouse and keyboard. In October 2013, Microsoft released Windows 8.1 which fixed many of the problems that plagued Windows 8, including the return of the start button. However, the Metro interface still remained.
Now, enter Windows 10, which has as its first most notable feature, the return of the start screen, ala, Windows 7. It's being billed as a one platform runs all OS. Instead of a different product for each of your devices, Windows 10 users need only obtain one OS for all of their computerized tech applications. The look makes use of a combination of Windows 7 and Windows 8's Metro, Live Tiles, that reside along side the start menu.
The new Windows 10 will still be touch accessible, but it will now be easier to drop down into the command line to use your keyboard and mouse. The new OS is not expected to be released until later in 2015. Some are speculating that Microsoft wants to take advantage of user and developer input as the final version of Windows 10 comes together. No mention of cost was made at the announcement, but it has been speculated that Windows 8 users may get the OS for free, while a reduced price may help to lure XP, Vista, and Windows 7 users.
As is well known by now, Windows 8 has been very slow to be adopted. Many consumers despised the removal of the start menu in favor of the Windows Metro design, which featured its Live Tiles. The change in Windows 8 was an effort to take advantage of the growing usage of the touch screen technology of mobile devices. But, many desktop users were lost when trying to use the interface with mouse and keyboard. In October 2013, Microsoft released Windows 8.1 which fixed many of the problems that plagued Windows 8, including the return of the start button. However, the Metro interface still remained.
Now, enter Windows 10, which has as its first most notable feature, the return of the start screen, ala, Windows 7. It's being billed as a one platform runs all OS. Instead of a different product for each of your devices, Windows 10 users need only obtain one OS for all of their computerized tech applications. The look makes use of a combination of Windows 7 and Windows 8's Metro, Live Tiles, that reside along side the start menu.
The new Windows 10 will still be touch accessible, but it will now be easier to drop down into the command line to use your keyboard and mouse. The new OS is not expected to be released until later in 2015. Some are speculating that Microsoft wants to take advantage of user and developer input as the final version of Windows 10 comes together. No mention of cost was made at the announcement, but it has been speculated that Windows 8 users may get the OS for free, while a reduced price may help to lure XP, Vista, and Windows 7 users.
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