Sunday, August 9, 2009

The Future of Bikes



When you think of a bike the first picture that comes to mind does not look like this bike but that is why it is a bike of the future. This bike is not only a regular bike it is also a exercise bike, electric scooter and even folds into a seat to sit on if you are on the bus! It has solar panels inside the hub less wheels which while you are pedaling allows the bike to power charge a battery that makes the bike an electric scooter! This bike is safe for the environment because it is battery charged and it also is healthy because it is an exercise bike and it can also save people money because they don't have to pay bus fair because they can just ride it as the Electric Scooter!


http://dvice.com/archives/2009/07/bike-of-the-fut-1.php

The Refrigerator of the Future




Imagine watching TV from your refrigerator while you are looking in your fridge deciding what you want to make for dinner? Well SlashGear is working on it this refrigerator will have interactive message boards, digital picture frames, satellite radio, CD and DVD players and much more! IT seems more like a home entertainment system rather than a refrigerator! It will also be able to charge your cell phone and other devices on it. So far there is no price on this refrigerator but i expect it will be really expensive and people will pay for it! I think that the message board would help with the safety of people with food allergies because they could display the allergies right on the front screen!




http://www.slashgear.com/the-refrigerator-of-the-future-293625/

The Future of the Inkless Printer




Never did I ever imagine that one day there will be a printer that does not require any ink at all. Well Xerox is creating one and it requires no ink at all! It includes reusable paper which can be printed and erased lots of times and it also has potential to revolutionize printing! Although it is not completed yet this Xerox printer has the potential to cut printing costs dramatically and reduce the amount of paper offices have to use each day! This new printer will also be safer for the environment because it will cut the costs of ink and paper and it will help people recycle more which is a great way to help our country "Go Green".



http://thefutureofthings.com/



.

The Future of Flying Cars




Moller International is the first and only company to invent the M400 Skycar which can fly! Imagine being stuck in traffic on a highway and just being able to fly into the sky and go to where you need to go. Well Moller International hopes to accomplish this and develop a safe and reliable Car that can fly. The M400 Skycar can go 275 mph and achieve up to 20 miles per gallon on clean burning, ethanol fuel. You do not have to worry about traffic, red lights or getting speeding tickets! The Skycar seems like it will be a lot safer for people to avoid accidents!

http://www.moller.com/

Saturday, August 8, 2009

The Future of the Toaster




Imagine 20 years from now what it will be like to toast a bagel or piece of toast? Well a Chicago- based Design Company called Inventables are the creators of this "Transparent Toaster." It allows the customer to watch the bread or bagel being toasted so that you can get it out in time before it starts to burn! As of right now the transparent heating glass is not hot enough to toast the bread, which for safety reasons that might be a good thing to avoid people from being burnt!We will have to wait and see what happens in the Future!

http://thefutureofthings.com/pod/78/transparent-toaster.html

The Future of Truck Technology

Relieving traffic congestion and improving vehicle safety are the common themes for a wide variety of advanced technologies on display and under discussion here at the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems. Closing down one of Manhattan’s busy avenues for demonstrations of the latest vehicle safety and control systems, the four-day meeting has drawn thousands from international government agencies, suppliers and research facilities, including a significant number focusing on commercial vehicles or issues impacting the movement of freight.

Congestion pricing received a strong endorsement from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) during a congress session outlining activities by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation. Talking about FHWA’s interest in “integrated corridor management” to address regional traffic problems, Jeffrey Lindley, the Assoc. Administrator for FHWA’s Office of Operations, said: “Congestion pricing is part of this and the only way we can make a significant reduction in congestion.”

While the of New York turned down federal funds for a congestion pricing project, Lindley said FHWA will spend $1 billion by 2010 to demonstrate the concept in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Looking specifically at the impact of congestion on freight movement, Lindley said the administration sees intelligent transportation systems playing a major role with advanced electronic freight management systems and initiatives to increase truck-parking access. “Freight issues, I believe, are not going away, and freight needs to be a major part of (federal highway fund) reauthorization,” he said.

A technology-based approach called Integrated Vehicle-Based Safety Systems (IVBSS) will be high on the list of priorities for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), according to Rose McMurray, Asst. Administrator and Chief Safety Officer for the federal regulator. The advanced safety technology combines lane departure warning, forward collision warning and blind-spot monitoring into a single system, eliminating distracting and competing warning signals for drivers. The administration will begin a field test of IVBSS in both heavy trucks and passenger vehicles next year, McMurray told the congress.

Volvo Group North America was on the show floor at the congress showing off its approach to IVBSS with the Volvo Integrated Safety Truck (IST). The truck, a European FH model tractor, uses active steering control to keep the vehicle in its lane and to help avoid blind-side collisions in lane changes, as well as providing object detection alerts and rollover warning.

Nissan Motor, which plans to introduce a mid-range commercial truck line to the U.S. early next year, gave ITS Congress attendees a look at its IVBSS development project. In addition to lane departure warning, the Nissan system – installed in an Infiniti SUV – included active braking tied to forward and rearward object detection as well as a variety of warning systems based on two-way “cooperative” communications between the vehicle, roadside signals and other nearby vehicles.

Volvo Looks to Locusts for Future Pedestrian Safety Technology

You've most likely heard of nature inspiring useful technologies we use in our daily lives (i.e., Velcro, various cleaners, computer chips), but how about in car safety? Leave it to none other than the car-safety gurus over at Volvo to try to implement a unique natural phenomenon into future pedestrian safety systems.

As the story goes, upon hearing of Dr. Claire Rind's locust studies at Britain's Newcastle University back in 2002, Volvo engineers quickly picked up their pens and pads and began taking diligent notes. Rind's research was primarily on the interesting behavioral patterns the insects portray when traveling in swarms. While other animals hit and bounce off one another when too close, locusts have an innate ability to stay clear of each other even while traveling in massive heaps. Visual images in the locusts' eyes are almost instantly transmitted to the wings, thus bypassing the brain and avoiding collision. The behavior is called the Locust Principle.

Immediately after learning all they could from Dr. Rind, the engineers translated the locust behavior into an algorithm to be used in pedestrian-safety technologies. Unfortunately for them, 2002 computer technology wasn't capable of processing the complex formula. But according to Volvo officials, technology that can possibly transmit images into an immediate preventative action is almost upon us.

Until then, Volvo continues to develop its very effective City
Safety low-speed collision-avoidance system. The current system is said to be able to completely stop an XC 60 should the driver ahead brake suddenly.

"Beyond City Safety, our next step will be our first pedestrian-avoidance feature," stated Volvo Preventive Safety leader Jonas Ekmark. "Although City Safety is not related to our Locust research, we are confident that our first pedestrian auto brake feature will be very good at taking actions to help avoid hitting pedestrians."

"While some interesting ideas came from this study, we still have many more years of research ahead to bring that small locust brain into our cars. We have found a lowly locust has man beat, at least for now. Still, the big question remains: How do groups of locusts keep from bumping into each other? Maybe there is more to be learned? We will continue to follow interesting paths in our efforts to reach our safety vision: to design cars that do not crash."

If the gurus over in Sweden happen to find a way to integrate the Locust Principle into their cars, the potential for it saving lives is pretty amazing. Not to mention it's likely viable for extensive use in other industries as well.

NTSB Chairman Describes Future of Automotive Safety Technology

National Transportation Safety Board

Release date: January 22, 2008

Washington, DC - National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Mark V. Rosenker today said that the auto industry has recognized the limitations of improving the crashworthiness of vehicles as a way to reduce highway fatalities and are now developing innovative technologies to help prevent the accidents themselves.

Speaking at the 2008 Washington, D.C. Auto Show, Rosenker noted that there are nearly 250 million vehicles registered in the United States; their operation results in 6 million police-reported crashes and more than 42,000 fatalities annually. "For several decades, the number of fatalities has been dropping, and more importantly, the fatality rate has also been dropping. These improvements can be attributed to the use of seatbelts and child restraint systems; the development of airbags, antilock brakes, crash-absorbing vehicle frames; and campaigns to reduce drunk driving."

However, the decreases in fatalities and injury rates have leveled off in recent years. "So, while we have accomplished much in the past decade to improve the crashworthiness of automobiles, we have reached some practical limits in combating the physical forces involved in crashes. In recognition, the auto industry is moving beyond crash mitigation and into a new era where technology will help us prevent accidents."

Recently, the NTSB added the issue of preventing collisions using enhanced vehicle safety technology to its list of Most Wanted Safety Improvements.

Chairman Rosenker highlighted categories of crash avoidance technology.

-- Vehicle-based Crash Avoidance Systems: Rear-end crash warning systems, adaptive cruise control and automatic braking systems are designed to prevent or at least mitigate the most common type of crash - rear end collisions. Lane departure avoidance systems and curve-speed warning systems are being developed to target the most fatal type of events - run-off-the-road accidents.

-- Infrastructure Telematics: A DOT initiative that includes road-based systems to provide drivers with a sophisticated means for obtaining information about their vehicles and the road - information like location-specific weather conditions, route- specific road closures and work zone status. Adverse weather is associated with 800,000 injuries and more than 7,000 fatalities a year.

Rosenker noted that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is revising its New Car Assessment Program, which ranks automobiles on their crashworthiness using a 5-star rating system, because 95 percent of 2006 model year vehicles received 4 or 5 stars. The new system will reflect more modern crash avoidance technology.

Rosenker said the success of these technologies will depend on the public's readiness to accept them. "I am confident that highway automation will greatly improve safety, but I am not naive about what it will take to see these benefits. In the end, it is the public, and their ability and willingness to make use of these systems, that will determine how effective they will be - and how soon."

Wireless Technology Improving Safety in the Mining Industry

VIPAC Engineers & Scientists has developed the first wireless condition monitoring system for mobile mining equipment fitted with variable speed drives, with funding assistance from the Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP).

The system consists of four parts including a smart sensor, transceiver, PC and a communication module.

Before the advent of this wireless system, conditioning monitoring was a potentially dangerous and complicated task. Cable-based computer systems cannot be effectively installed on mobile equipment so the only alternative was to have employees monitor the machinery by foot.

However, this is often too dangerous for workers to effectively and accurately monitor the units, especially ones working at variable speeds.

According to the condition monitoring sensor system’s project manager and VIPAC representative Mingfei Luo, the system was trialled by an Xstrata mine in the Hunter Valley, NSW.

He says the trials demonstrated the system could work on any mobile machine, regardless of whether it operates at a constant or variable speed. It could determine when machine maintenance is needed, what parts need replacing and where the part is located in the system.

The smart sensor automatically detects a machine’s condition using comprehensive alarm ‘mask’ methodology. This data, such as alarms, spectra and sensor status, is regularly transferred to the transceiver without the need for cabling.

Machine fault severity software is used to save, analyze and review data on a PC and other devices, such as WAP enabled mobile phones, are then used to distribute the machine fault messages to technicians.

According to Luo, the multi-channel transceiver can support up to 50 sensors within a 50m radius and provides instruction and communication with each. The interval between each condition transmission is dependent on each particular drive’s activity.

He says, the software will classify and rank the severity of any faults and store them in a managed database which also incorporates details of the equipment being monitored as well as graphs and trends.

The fault messages sent out to the technicians include descriptions of the fault and its severity as well as the identity of the affected equipment.

According to the project manager, the system means workers need not be onsite to monitor the condition of their machines. This will go some way to reaching a nationwide goal for zero harm in mines.

Luo says his organization is currently looking for an investment partner to commercialize the technology. He says he and his team would like to see the product evolve into a widely-used machine, because they believe it will revolutionize the mining industry.

Nanoscale Technology: The Future of Food Safety

Nanotechnology has the potential to dramatically improve the quality of food production at a time when consumer concerns over safety are increasingly influencing key business decisions, writes Anthony Fletcher. Indeed the technology, which involves the study and use of materials at an extremely small scale - at sizes of millionths of a millimetre - could provide some innovative answers to current problems of sanitation.

"There is a lot of work on nanosensors at the moment, for example in the use of nano-particulates of silver in the purification of water," Ottilia Saxl, chief executive of the Institute of Nanotechnology told FoodProductionDaily.com. "The Romans after all used to put silver coins in their water bags - it seems strange that it has taken us all these years to get back there."

In addition, scientists are working on dirt-repellent coatings at the nanoscale, a concept that could have important applications for the safety of food production sites.

"If you drop water onto a lotus leaf, it skites off," said Saxl. "This is because the leaf is coated by tiny wax pyramids, limiting the amount of surface area that a drop can land on. There is no surface area for the drop to stick to."

Saxl says that many companies are looking into applying this lotus effect, with a great deal of research going on at the University of Bonn in Germany. Abattoirs and meat processing plants in particular could benefit from such technology.

Nanotechnology also has the potential to address some of the big-picture issues. The threat of bioterrorism has made food safety along the supply chain a government as well as an industry priority - tight new customs regulations are coming into force in the US this month, and strict new rules governing traceability within the EU were introduced this year.

Although radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is being pushed hard by retailers as a viable means of automating traceability, it is nanotechnology that could ensure that the agricultural sector uses new traceability rules to their advantage. For example, nanoscale monitors could be linked to recording and tracking devices to monitor temperature changes, while other devices could be used to detect for pesticides and genetically modified crops (GMOs) within foodstuffs.

In addition the global livestock industry is desperate to install measures that would guarantee the safety of the food supply. Outbreaks of disease have resulted in export bans and collapsed markets. Japan for example banned US beef and beef products after a single case of BSE in an 8-year-old cow imported into the United States from Canada was detected in December 2003, and is showing resistance to fully reopening its borders.

The fortunes of this sector could therefore be transformed if supplies could be guaranteed to be completely safe. Scientists at the Kopelman Laboratory at the University of Michigan are developing non-invasive bioanalytical nanosensors that could perhaps be placed in, say, a cow's saliva gland in order to detect single virus particles long before they have had a chance to multiply and long before disease symptoms are evident.

"The beauty of nanotechnology is that these applications are interchangeable," said Saxl. "If a nanotech application is applicable in one sector, then it is often applicable in ten. Little start-up nanotech companies often find themselves with an embarrassment of riches, not knowing which sector to target first."

The food industry, which is under intense pressure to guarantee safety and at the same time achieve better profit margins, is just beginning to see the possibilities that nanotechnology offers right along the supply chain, from the field right through to the factory and onto the supermarket shelf.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Will safety be compromised in the future to go Green?



Many future concept cars are being developed and sold in the wake of the going Green Era. Many manufacturers are looking at fuel mileage and dismissing the safety factor of small cars versus larger vehicles, even on low speed urban roads. The RiN concept from Toyota is a vehicle which focuses on making the lives of the driver and passengers, and actually everyone around it, more healthy and stress-free. The exterior design of the Toyota RiN is intended to blend into the natural environment. The green glass and organic forms of the headlights, taillights and rear side windows are influenced by a type of tall-growing Japanese tree, the Yakusugi.

The ANVIL from American ATV maker Tomberlin is an LSV (Low Speed Vehicle) legal for road use on low speed-limit urban roads.Powered by an all-electric drivetrain charged through a standard 110 volt outlet and regenerative braking, the ANVIL has a range of over 40 miles and a limited top speed of 25 mph.Tomberlin also claim that the economical and environmentally friendly ANVIL can go up to 50 miles for one dollars worth of power. Yet unlike many similar eco-friendly vehicles the ANVIL has a rather attractive and robust appearance which can only help potential sales.A multi-configuration seating layout allows for the rear bench seats to be folded flat giving the ANVIL a small truck-like cargo area behind the two front seats.
Check out other vehicles on this sight an judge for yourself if safety is being compromised.

For all Gamers...

First gaming system with Intel Core i7Asus launches their first system desktop with processor Intel Core i7, for Gamers. Taiwanese manufacturers have changed the Ares CG6150 with new processors from Intel, Core i7, by taking out the Core 2 Extreme processor and the result was the model ROG CG6190. The carcass remained the same from the previous model, being preserved reader prints in the front. Configuration has a motherboard with the X58 chipset being created for the fastest processors from Intel. This has 6 slots for DDR3 memory type, which can support 12 GB of RAM. Part graphics are the most advanced video boards, consisting of 3 video boards at the top of ATI or Nvidia. Everything is done with power and the cooling liquid is made of 2 sources 1,000 W each. Carcass you can add 4 HDD with 1 TB. Prices and launch date have not been announced by Asus, but the gamers should prepare several thousand euros for an extraordinary performance.

http://www.finesttech.com/computers/first-gaming-system-with-intel-core-i7.html

The future satisfaction for both Drivers and Passengers" SPLITVIEW"


Imagine this: You’re driving down the highway, following the route guidance on the navigation screen, when the person sitting in the passenger seat decides he wants to watch Dark Knight on DVD. Mercedes-Benz and Bosch together devised a gizmo that can satisfy both viewing requests. It’s a dual-view LCD monitor system called Splitview.

Splitview is a LCD screen that is mounted on the dashboard that allows the driver and passenger to view two different images at the same time. How does it work you ask? The eight inch active matrix, backlit color monitor nests a second image feed on adjacent pixels and a masking filter divides the combined image so that only one set of the pixels can be seen depending on your seating position.

The EyeMove PC of the Future

" With the wireless controller you can forget the old mouse, your keyboard, joystick, you have it all in one with a touch screen wireless controller".

The EyeMove PC combines the functionality of a digital projector and computer into one circular-shaped device. Simply hang it on your wall or place it flat on a desk and project games, movies, or applications. No word yet on on if this concept will go into production.

you can also visit http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/top-10-strangest-gadgets-of-the-future to check out some videos of future technology gadgets.

ASUS AIGuru SV1 First Mobile Skype Phone


ASUS just can’t seem to stop its success lately. Not only do they have those hot netbooks, but they have just added to their success with the world’s first Skype Certified videophone called the AiGuru SV1.

The AiGuru SV1 allows the user to make unlimited phone calls with a webcam, speaker, and microphone, and to see the person he or she is calling with the seven inch screen.

Of course, Skype is a funny thing. There are those who cannot do without it, and there are those who have never tried it. If you are in the former category, then you probably work in some business that requires a lot of video conferencing with clients. If you are in the latter category, then you should also find the SV1 easy to use with an “icon-based interface and intuitive button layout”.

As for the Net connection, the AiGuru allows for an 802.11 b/g wireless or to Ethernet via router. As for the power, it has a rechargeable battery that can operate for about 20 minutes. That might be long enough for a full video conversation, but that might be enough to move the SV1 if need be.

check out http://hot-gadgets-today.blogspot.com/ for more hot future technological gadgets.

Future Comfortability!



WOW.. Who would of ever thought that technology could be both, safe and relaxing? :) Well with the future predictions of tremendous use of technology it is said that in the near future bedroom sets of thousands and thousand of dollars will be in the market. With a clap of your hands your room is set, with the clap of your hands the lights are as you want them on/off. Take a look at these pictures of these Italian/ European bedroom sets to come. It may be ridiculously expensive but it is also ridiculously comfortable, it is shaped by the shape of your body. It is set to cost at least 5 to 8 thousand dollars. Look for portable/ comfortable bedroom sets in the near future! :)

Spacecraft fire safety



Firefighting on spacecrafts is an ongoing research project. Smoke detectors that work on earth don't work well in zero gravity because dust particles float freely in the air. Fire extinguishers need to have extinguishing agents to suppress fire and not contaminate the enclosed environment inside a Shuttle or The Space Station. Astronauts can't just open a window to let the smoke out. If there is a fire on-board it must be detected and extinguished quickly. As new composite materials are developed and used to build spacecraft , new detection and extinguishing equipment must be developed to
safeguard the astronauts in future spacecraft.
As space travel forges
forward to far away uncharted regions, space
continues to be a research center for future fire
safety and new extinguishing technologies for
space age materials.




http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/home/index.html

Future Thermal Imaging Cameras for the Fire Service


Thermal Imaging Cameras (tic) have been in use by the fire service for many years. Early Thermal Imaging Cameras in the fire service were heavy and bulky, needed ample warm-up time, battery life was poor and units were very expensive.
Advancement in thermal imaging camera technology by NASA has benefited the fire service by producing smaller, lightweight, hand held, user friendly Thermal Imaging Cameras. Battery technology has advanced by supplying more power in smaller compact power packs. Research is underway to produce
Thermal Imaging Camera picture displays integrated inside the firefighters' Self Contained Breathing Apparatus face mask.
This future technology would be of great help to firefighters as it would allow them to find the fire and locate victims inside a smoke filled room. The display inside their mask would free up the firefighters hands to carry equipment and rescue victims. Future designs may make the integrated Thermal Imaging Cameras cost effective so each firefighters mask could be equipped with this new technology.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Smart cars and roads of the future


Researchers at the University of California, Berkley are experimenting with WiFi technology to make cars talk to each other and the road. The information systems in the cars interact with sensors in the road. Data about intersections and road conditions are transmitted via WiFi to cars within a localized area. Jim Misener a transportation safety researcher at UC Berkley says" the primary problem is the driver" of many road accidents and hopes to develop accident avoidance and information systems for cars of the future.

The U.S. Federal Highway Administration is researching this same type of communication which could lead to future Smart Roads. With future technological advancements in vehicles, the human factor could be taken out of the equation. Smart cars could receive information from the smart roads and avoid accidents, bad road conditions or inconvenient traffic jams . Read the complete article and see a video clip at the link below.


Sunday, August 2, 2009

Pet Safety Technology






Until your pet learns to use the phone,AVID will help him find his way home

Micro-electronic technology can be used to permanently identify animals and make it easier for animals to be returned to their rightful owners. Many pets are already being permanently identified with this amazing microchip technology by veterinary practices and humane societies. There have been news reports of microchip identification being used to return animals to owners thousands of miles away. One lucky kitten who decided to explore a moving van was reunited with his family after being discovered among the neighbor’s moving cargo in another state. Horses sold for slaughter are now routinely checked for microchip identification before being slaughtered after it was discovered that some valuable show and race horses were presented for slaughter after being stolen. This animal identification procedure will undoubtedly continue to evolve for future use. Future microchip technology might include GPS tracking capabilities to directly track lost or stolen animals. Please read the following article from Avid microchips that describes how this technology works:

“Advanced micro-electronic technology has enabled AVID to develop a system that provides precise, secure and permanent animal identification.
The AVID Animal Identification System utilizes its own unique and patented* technique, based on radiowave communications, to identify animals on demand.
The AVID Animal Identification System is comprised of the following two components:
AVID Microchip:Object shown not actual size.

PASSIVE
No power supply to replace or cause harm to animals.
SMALL
About the size of a grain of rice.
SIMPLE
Standard injection procedure implants the identity tag quickly and safely. No anesthesia is required or recommended.
SAFE
The micro-electronic device is encapsulated within a proven bio-compatible glass.
RELlABLE
Accident or injury to the animal will not prevent the reading of the identity tag.
UNIQUE
Each identity tag is manufactured and programmed under computer control to insure against duplication of I.D. codes. No two animals would have the same number.
UNALTERABLE
Once implanted, the identity tag is virtually impossible to retrieve. Surgical removal, using the most advanced radiograph techniques available, is extremely difficult. The number can never be altered.
AVID Microchip Reader

Generates a low energy radio signal that energizes the identity tag to transmit its unique number.
The received number is displayed on a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) in an easy to read format.
Reading time is measured in "Milliseconds".
Can transmit via a standard RS-232 interface to a computer supporting custom applications.*
Manual, Remote or Computer controlled operational capability.*
Battery powered. Standard 9V or rechargable.*
Compact and lightweight. Total unit weighs less than two pounds. AVlD's intelligent and thoughtful design has produced an identity tag reader that is practical for use in both field and clinic environment. “
* Depending on model and options selected.
AVID Holds U.S. Patent Numbers 4,333,072 - 321,069 - 318,658 - 5,214,409 and 5,235,326
http://www.avidid.com/pets/index.html

Friday, July 31, 2009

THE FUTURE STARTS HERE !

This is the end of Sparks Present Safety and Technology Posts. Please join Sparks as we step into the future with our FUTURE SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY BLOGS.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

The Chevy Volt





The Chevy Volt is definitely a good choice in the steps being taken to make our country Go Green! The Chevy Volt has an electric motor with a battery that can provide up to 40 miles of range on a single charge! While you are driving a gas engine kicks in to recharge your battery. Since most people drive less than 40 miles a day this means unlike the Prius the Volt could get drivers completely off gas altogether. By having an electric motor with a battery to charge it is safer for the environment because their will be less fumes going into the air!



http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1852747_1854195_1854120,00.html

The World's Fastest Computer




The World’s fastest Computer which is nicknamed the "Road Runner" was invented on May 26th at 3:30 in the morning. It is an $133 million dollar supercomputer and it broke the long sought after petaflop barrier; 1 quadrillion calculations per second. The "Roadrunner" was built by IBM for Los Alamos National Laboratory and its primary use will be to simulate the effects of aging on nuclear weapons! Imagine using this computer to do your homework!

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1852747_1854195_1854123,00.html

Bionic Hand






Touch Bionics have developed the first ever Bionic Hand which is probably greatly appreciated by people who have been born without a hand or lost their hand due to an accident. The Bionic Hand has a very strong grip to be able to grasp objects and hold them for long periods of time. Also, the hand actually has fingers that each have their own motor which is called the I Limb! Touch Bionics are now working on the invention of a prosthetic wrist and full Bionic Arm. Imagine the things a person could accomplish by having their entire arm back after losing it! Having a Bionic Hand is definitely a lot safer for a person because they are able to use their hand properly and not have to struggle to get things or do things on their own!

http://inventorspot.com/articles/top_ten_inventions_2008_21971

Camera for the Blind





Never in my life did I think that the day would come that a blind person could have a camera and be able to look at pictures! Well that day has come and the camera is called the Touch Sight Camera. The photographer holds the camera up to their forehead, and a Braille-like screen makes a raised image of whatever the lens sees. It can also record up to three seconds of sound after each image is taken; this makes it possible for the impaired-vision user to search through libraries of their saved photos. This is an amazing invention and I think it is going to be used very often by Vision-impaired individuals. The Touch Sight Camera is very safe for impaired vision users because it allows them to use their braille to figure out what pictures they are looking at!

http://inventorspot.com/articles/top_ten_inventions_2008_21971

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Preparing to be Safe in America




The tragic events of September 11, 2001 made many Americans fear for their public safety. Americans, for perhaps the first time in their lives, felt threatened as they went about everyday tasks like going to work or school, riding a train, plane or subway or relaxing in their homes. Some citizens built bunkers and stock-piled food and supplies to survive potential future threats.
The United States Department of Homeland Security was established by the Federal Government for the purpose of protecting Americans from any large scale national disaster such as terrorist attacks or natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods).
http://www.dhs.gov/files/prepresprecovery.shtm
Many varied technologies will be developed to fight the war on terrorism and safeguard American Citizens. Citivas Group, a security consulting firm, lists the the most critical areas that are seeing a surge in innovative technologies. HomelandSecurityTechnologieshttp://www.cfr.org/publication/14827/homeland_security_technologies.html
“Technology on the Front Lines
The array of homeland security technologies is as varied as the perceived threats to national security. Industry experts and market analysts generally agree that the following sectors will likely see an influx of technologies in the coming years. They are listed in order of spending projections (PDF) from the Civitas Group, a security consulting firm.
Domestic and Foreign Intelligence
Law Enforcement and Counterterrorism
Border and Physical Security
Biological, Radiological, and Chemical Agent Prevention
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Aviation Security
Port Security
Detection Devices
Biometric Identification
ID Cards
Surveillance
Data Storage
Behavioral Profiling”

The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) developed a public education campaign called Ready America to urge Americans to be prepared for possible future terrorist attacks or natural disasters. The three steps emphasized by FEMA in their public education campaign are “prepare, plan and stay informed.” FEMA encourages citizens to take the first steps to prepare for possible emergencies by making a basic home emergency supply kit. Items to include are listed below from Ready America’s website:
http://www.ready.gov/america/npm09/getakit.html
"When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it's best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.
Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:
§ Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
§ Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
§ Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
§ Flashlight and extra batteries
§ First aid kit
§ Whistle to signal for help
§ Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
§ Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
§ Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
§ Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
§ Local maps
§ Cell phone with chargers
Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:
§ Prescription medications and glasses
§ Infant formula and diapers
§ Pet food and extra water for your pet
§ Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
§ Cash or traveler's checks and change
§ Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
§ Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
§ Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
§ Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
§ Fire Extinguisher
§ Matches in a waterproof container
§ Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
§ Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
§ Paper and pencil
§ Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children "

Additional information on how to prepare for national emergencies is also available on the Ready America website. http://www.ready.gov/america/npm09/getakit.html

Home Fire Sprinkler Systems Save Lives


Modern Technology has given the world many developments that combat the devastating effects of fire. The further development of modern fire sprinkler systems has allowed us to adapt this remarkable technology previously used only in commercial buildings for home use. Many communities (including Buckingham Township in Bucks County, Pa.) now require the installation of home sprinkler systems in newly constructed homes.

This wonderful scientific invention protects society from the ravages of fire by safeguarding lives and property. The artistic design of modern sprinkler heads fits beautifully and discreetly into the architecture of homes. Insurance companies discount premiums for homeowner insurance for individuals who have sprinkler systems in their homes.

These facts from the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition emphasize the importance of fire sprinkler systems in homes:

"-more than 4,000 people die annually in fires.

-the combination of installing smoke detectors and a fire sprinkler system reduces home death risk from fire by 82%.

-home sprinklers can contain and/or extinguish a fire before the fire company arrives.

-only the sprinkler closeset to the fire activates and sprays the fire; 90% of fires in sprinklered homes are contained by the action of a single sprinkler head. "

Please watch Tim Carter of Ask the builder.com discuss the design and installation of life-saving home sprinkler systems. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Oopso3qudc

Saturday, July 25, 2009

What is Reverse 911 ?

Please watch this video on how Reverse 911 may have made a difference in saving a woman's life.

Reverse 911 is exactly what it sounds like, 911 in reverse. Instead of citizens calling in, emergency personnel contact designated communities or individuals. The Reverse 911 Interactive Community Notification System is described by its service provider as “a communications solution that uses a patented combination of database and GIS mapping technologies to deliver outbound notifications.” The amazing communication system quickly reaches a specific demographic and provides rapid notification to communities or individuals for the purpose of general information or crisis notification. The current Reverse 911 system is in use by many local governments, police, emergency management agencies, universities, utilities, chemical and transportation companies to quickly inform citizens of impending emergencies. Reverse 911 has been instrumental in saving lives in the recent California wildfires. Authorities were able to rapidly notify residents to evacuate as fire raced toward unsuspecting homeowners. Reverse 911 could be vital to the safety of people living near nuclear power plants or chemical manufacturers when used to inform residents of toxic spills or radiation releases. As communication technologies continue to grow and improve, Reverse 911 will replace slower notifications systems like tornado sirens to warn communities of impending danger.


www.reverse911.com/








I Pod Breathalyzer




When you turn on your TV nowadays and watch the news most likely there is always a story about someone being killed or hurt by a drunk driver. This device which is sold by David Steele Enterprises costs $79. It is compact and fits onto the bottom of an IPod and displays the logo "Made for iPod." While it is attached you can download your music by using your FM Radio. The I breath is charged by your IPod’s battery and lets you perform your own Breath test to determine if it is safe for you to drive yourself home. Maybe if more people use the I breath instead of just driving drunk less people will get killed or hurt by drunk drivers and more people will be safe on the road!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Undergraduate Safety Technology Degee at Rochester Institute of Technology

Virtually every organization today depends on safety experts to ensure a safe, smooth, and effective operation. These professionals address their organizations’ immediate safety needs, with work ranging from creating physically safer work places and modifying employee behaviors to implementing voluntary protection programs that go beyond legal standards.

Safety professionals protect resources such as workers, buildings, equipment, intellectual capital, and corporate reputations. They perform their functions in a variety of settings, including manufacturing, construction, engineering, insurance, risk management, consulting, corporate business, government, education, and health care. This program is available to students both on campus and in a distance-learning format.

The safety technology program is academically challenging and prepares graduates with the skills and knowledge to address their organization’s immediate and long-term safety needs, including protection and preservation of workers, buildings, equipment, and corporate reputations. The program prepares graduates to be:

  • qualified to practice as safety professionals in industry, government, or other related areas of employment;

  • able to progress toward safety management (leadership) positions; and

  • able to pursue appropriate advanced education or certification as safety professionals.

The curriculum is grounded in math, science, and the liberal arts, with specialized courses in a wide range of subjects, including occupational safety, fire protection, construction safety, incident investigation, and ergonomics. The safety technology curriculum emphasizes creative problem solving through challenging, application-based courses that provide the opportunity to solve actual safety problems provided by industry.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Your Cell Phone, Your Lifeline

What I thought about at Meeting yesterday.
Posted on April 20, 2009 by QuakerDave
http://www.quakeragitator.wordpress.com/.../

The tragic shootings at Columbine High School and Virginia Polytechnic Institute have brought to the forefront the need for rapid, mass communication on college campuses. (see links for more information on Columbine and Virginia Tech. Warning: These videos may disturb some viewers): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7uEpHFhDS4&feature=email%20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OwK34ZD1TY&feature=email
College administrators need to be able to quickly communicate with faculty, students and employees in emergency circumstances (severe weather, fire, campus intruder or other emergency). During the Virginia Tech shootings, the university attempted to notify campus members about the ongoing emergency via campus email, the latest technology available at the time to communicate with large groups on campus.
A timeline pictured on Liveleak, shows that it took nearly two and a half hours after the shootings began at Virginia Tech for the university to attempt to notify the campus community about the impending danger.
http://cdnll-5.liveleak.com/s/8/media8/2007/Apr/17/LiveLeak-dot-com-43323-virginiatechshootingtimeline.jpg?h=c74deffe12ec169a7fec6663e13a822b&e=1248554435&rs=150

Where there is a need, technology responds. College campuses everywhere realized they needed a more rapid method of notifying the campus community of emergencies. According to PEW Internet and American Life Project, “nearly 90% of Americans age 18 to 29 years old own a cell phone” . Rave Mobile Safety corporation provides cell phone alerting systems to universities across the United States. In simple terms, students who wish to participate, provide a user profile and cell phone number to campus security. During a campus emergency, university security can contact and locate students via the cell phone’s GPS system. The use of cell phone technology allows the university to immediately contact campus personnel for security purposes. “In addition to responding faster to emergency situations, this service also allows students to request “electronic escorts.” Students can call a second preprogrammed number and record a message informing security that they are walking from the library to their residence hall, for example. The students set a timer and if they do not call back before the time has expired, security will call the cell phone number to check that the student is safe. If there is no verification, security will respond to the incident.” http://www.ravewireless.com/products/ravealert/beforeafter
The newest technology systems are looking not only to provide outgoing messages from the university to students and staff , but are also looking to provide inbound information from individuals requesting emergency help. Future upgrades may allow participants to add medical history (allergies, diabetic or epileptic) to their profile for use in case of emergency. This service may also be used to follow students anywhere off campus where they have a GPS signal.
Bucks County Community College has a cell phone notification system in place. The system of course is only available to students who chose to enroll. Members may enroll on the college website. http://www.e2campus.com/my/bucks/signup.htm
Consider enrolling today to safeguard your college experience.

Scanning Electron Microscopes


Although these gadgets were published in 1993, today they have become more useful than ever.

In 1993, Charles Smithart was convicted of the murder of an 11-year-old girl in the town of Glennallen, Alaska. Prosecutors suspected Smithart after he was spotted at the scene of the crime, but they had no evidence directly linking him to the murder. That's where a scanning electron microscope (SEM) came in.

Using the X-ray spectroscopy detector of an SEM, a forensic scientist analyzed bits of iron found at the scene of the crime. He found that they had a globular shape that only welding or grinding produces. As it turned out, Smithart had a welding rig in his shop and would sometimes repair bicycles for the local children. Thanks to the tremendous capabilities of scanning electron microscopes, prosecutors had the evidence they needed to link Smithart to the crime.

Why was an SEM, rather than a regular light, or optical, microscope from the local high school, necessary to examine the evidence for Smithart's trial? For one thing, SEMs can magnify objects at upward of 300,000 times the size of the object studied. Scientists refer to this number as the magnification power and denote it, for example, as 300,000x. In contrast, run-of-the-mill optical microscopes tend to have a magnification power of a few hundred times. SEMs also have tremendous depth of field compared to traditional microscopes, providing an almost 3-D image for researchers to analyze, as compared to the flatter image an optical microscope produces. Lastly, these advanced microscopes can look past the surface of an object, telling researchers information about its composition. All of these attributes proved essential in examining evidence from the Smithart case.

Of course, SEMs have their share of drawbacks as well, like cost. Even the cheapest among them cost tens of thousands of dollars. They're also bulky and complex instruments, requiring considerable expertise to operate. As a result, their use is typically limited to research and industrial applications, though recent breakthroughs have made SEMS more accessible in other applications.

To read more on Scanning Electron Microscopes and to view the whole article you can visit

http://science.howstuffworks.com/scanning-electron-microscope.htm